1494 and Connoisseur Golf Distillery Trip

St. Andrew's 

1494 has recently launched as a private membership club that will act as the link between whisky distilleries and collectors and serve as a whisky curator for its distinguished clientele. They have formed a partnership with Connoisseur Golf and together will host 1494 founding members on a Founders Golf and Distillery trip to Scotland in June 2013. 1494 will also be utilizing Connoisseur Golf’s services for its members and for subsequent trips to Scotland.

Connoisseur Golf provides bespoke luxury golf travel for individuals and businesses looking to experience the ultimate golf vacation to Scotland. They use their extensive knowledge of golf in Scotland, alongside their exclusive contracts with the best courses and hotels, to offer the most luxurious golf vacations imaginable. 

The Founders Golf and Distillery trip will include:

·         Private Jet: New York - Edinburgh roundtrip
·       Welcome Cocktails and Dinner
·       Personal Chauffeured Mercedes 24/7 with Concierge/Driver
·    Golf on The Old Course, St. Andrews; The PGA Centenary Course; Gleneagles; Royal Troon and Turnberry
·       Helicopter Transfers
·       Full Scottish Breakfast overlooking the Courses each morning
·       Private Dinners
·       Six nights in Executive Suites at The 5* Old Course Hotel, St Andrews 
·       One night in a Member Room at an exclusive private championship course
·       Meet Host Member Gordon Sherry (Former British Amateur Champion/Walker Cup Player)
·       Clay Shooing at the Gleneagles Gun School
·       Two nights in Deluxe Ocean View Suites at The 5* Turnberry Resort
·       3 VIP Distillery Tours arranged by 1494  

Junior Golf Academy at Paradis Hotel & Golf Club

Tee off with your tots and teens by your side at the luxurious Paradis Hotel & Golf Club in Mauritius thanks to the brand new Junior Golf Academy which launched this month for children over the age of 6. Whether your junior golfer is a budding Tiger Woods or picking up a club for the very first time, the Junior Golf Academy is fun for all the family.

Families can also take advantage of the computer software and video technology available at the academy, a great way to show junior golfers how they’re pitching and putting. For any tots with tired legs, families can head back to the elegant clubhouse offering cool refreshments, children’s drinks and snacks. Or step off the course and try out the fantastic driving range to really get to grips with your golfing swing.

Located on the stunning Le Morne peninsula, Paradis’ Championship course is any golfer’s dream. Set amongst spectacular scenery, the fairways and greens curl along the shoreline of the bay against a backdrop of the majestic mountains. Built within the resort’s grounds, the 18-hole Par 72 golf course stretches along 5,924 metres with much of the creative design attributed to international golf legend, Tony Johnstone.

The Luxury Family Suites provide a haven at the end of the day and are the ultimate choice in luxury family accommodation. These Suites feature a bedroom specially designed for children including fun duvets and pillows, welcome teddies and a mini-bathrobe and slippers.

Aston Martin Preview Screening of Skyfall

Hugh Laurie

On Wednesday, 24th of October, a select number of Aston Martin guests enjoyed an exclusive preview screening of the new James Bond film, Skyfall, in the fashionable surroundings of London’s Curzon Cinema, Mayfair. 

The British luxury sports car maker – which has supplied the world’s most famous secret agent with his transport in no fewer than 11 of the 23 films – arranged the hugely anticipated preview screening for 150 guests. Following an intimate champagne reception hosted by Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, London influencers, VIPs, Aston Martin customers and the finest in business took their seats to watch the thrilling new Bond film. 

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

Attendees included: Hugh Laurie, Hugh Bonneville, Allen Leech, Princess Beatrice York, Dave Clark, Princess Eugenie York, Holly Branson, James Middleton, Ben and Mary-Clare Elliot, Richard Whitehead and Amber Nuttall.

Jacquet Droz - Bird Repeater

To do a homage to Jaquet Droz's founder Pierre Jaquet-Droz, who was a lover of ornithology and automata, the brand unveiled a new minute repeater - the Bird Repeater. 

A truly spectacular design that sets this time-piece aside from everyone else with the base of the dial in mother of pearl, hand-engraved and painted. The same goes for the birds featured on the dial. The most exciting feature of this watch is definitely the movement of the birds and the waterfall, when the minute repeater is activated. 

The Bird Repeater will be showcased at Baselworld 2013 and the price will be close to half a million Swiss francs. 

Eric Clapton auctions his rare Patek Philippe

Eric Clapton will be auctioning his ultra rare platinum-cased Patek Philippe (reference: 2499/100P) Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, which was launched in production in 1951. During 35 years of its production, only 349 watches were made, of which only two were cased in platinum, thus making this time-piece extraordinary. 

This Patek Phillipe is expected to reach over $4 million when it gets auctioned off on November 12 at the Four Seasons hotel in Geneva. 

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa reopened

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa recently opened after a 6 month $30 million refurbishment. Rancho Valencia is one of Southern California's most celebrated luxury resorts, situated in beautiful Rancho Santa Fe. Spanning 45 lush acres of gardens, trails, olive groves, casitas and more, this Mediterranean inspired, all-suite property offers the finest accommodations, service and programming that San Diego has to offer. 

Song For Marion after party

On Friday, 19th October, the stars of Song for Marion attended the London Film Festival screening after party at the Mayfair Hotel sponsored by CIROC Ultra Premium Vodka. Guests included Gemma Arteton and Sir Terrance Stamp.

In the lavish surroundings of the Mayfair Hotel, guests were greeted with trays of CIROC red carpet and CIROC rocks cocktails. Gemma Arteton was seen enjoying herself with husband Stefano Catelli and friends, and was overheard saying how much she had enjoyed working on Song for Marion. 

Sir Terrance Stamp and Gemma Arteton

Gemma looked every part the Bond girl in a black jacket style dress paired with beige Prada wedges. When speaking about the film Gemma said ' I was working on a violent badass film when I discovered this script and I thought it was beautiful.' 

Iconic Sir Terrance complimented fellow co-star Vanessa Redgrave openly saying that she had ‘such great tragedy the year before making the film - losing her daughter, sister and brother and that's what goes towards making her a great artist.' 

British Director Paul Andrew Williams created a beautifully touching film that had guests weeping in their seats. He also paid a personal tribute to his Drama and English teacher who stood to an applauding audience. 

As the evening wore on, guests including the real life choir appearing in the film who also attended the premiere and party enjoyed the atmosphere as they danced in to the early hours of the morning to a range of music.