Exchange virtual money
New York’s powerful banking regulator announced Thursday its first license for a Bitcoin exchange, extending its influence over the growing but little-regulated virtual currency industry. New York City-based itBit Trust Co. was the first company dealing in so-called crypto-currency to receive a trust license from the state Department of Financial Services (DFS). ItBit immediately announced […]
Four Season in the sky by 2016
Four Seasons has just revealed its completed private jet that it announced last year. This Boeing 757, equipped with a Rolls Royce motor, has seats for 52 passengers and has been luxuriously customized by a host of designers. The reclining white leather seats were handcrafted by Italian VIP aircraft seating manufacturer Iacobucci. The blankets are […]
‘Slow Tourism’ in Tuscany and Sicily
Italy’s railway has renovated four lines that had fallen into disrepair, hoping rides along picturesque routes in 1920s steam trains will attract tourists. Officials said the objective is the development of a form of “slow tourism”, inspired by the slow food movement, that seeks to promote the different facets of a regional heritage including history, […]
Ridiculousness from Qatar to Japan
The ridiculousness of the uber riche hit an all time high this week in Japan and Qatar with purchases that show stupidity rather than status. Normally on the Good Life we highlight over-priced uber luxe living but millions for a special car number plate and thousands for two mangos… Super-rich Qataris are splashing out millions […]
World’s best whisky, made in China
A whisky made in Taiwan has taken the title of world’s best single malt whisky 2015 for its “sweet pruney” flavors and dry, walnut finish. After Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible named The Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry 2013 from Japan the best in the world, another group has proclaimed the Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask […]
Sotheby’s on eBay
Famed auction house Sotheby’s and eBay launched yesterday their new live online auction site, live.ebay.com/lvx/sothebys. The site, hosted by eBay, will allow collectors to bid on auctions in New York from anywhere in the world as they happen, access live streaming audio and video of the sales, and view items for sale. The first auctions […]
All aboard top chefs
A group of top UK chefs that includes Raymond Blanc, Tom Kerridge and Anton Mosimann will be hosting pop-up dinners aboard luxury trains for train buffs who also have fine dining palates. Throughout 2015, the Belmond British Pullman and the Belmond Northern Belle will turn their luxurious art deco carriages, circa 1920s, 1930s, into Michelin-grade […]
Top 50 Eats in Asia
The Bangkok-based restaurant Gaggan, which puts a modern spin on classic Indian dishes in a bid to bridge the gap between eastern and western fare, topped this year’s S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna’s list of the 50 best restaurants in Asia, unveiled Monday night in Singapore. The fine dining of Tokyo’s Narisawa, which is rooted […]
Uber delivers too!
Uber has partnered with a French culinary start-up in order to bring resturant-quality meals to foodies’ front doors. MoiChef, the start-up in question, is based in Toulouse and its business is simple: get a good, local chef from a good local restaurant to prepare the various elements of a wonderful meal, then deliver them to […]
China’s luxe market is shrinking
It’s shinking, diversifying and buying elsewhere, says Bain & Company. China’s luxury market shrank last year, a global consultancy said, attributing the decline to a national anti-corruption campaign, slowing economic growth and changing consumer tastes. Sales of luxury goods in mainland China fell`1% to 115 billion yuan ($18.5 billion) in 2014 compared to a year […]