The most beautiful libraries in the world

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All libraries in the world, whether small or large, public or private, serve the same purpose: to preserve, cherish, or show off the riches of human knowledge. For the first time, an internationally renowned photographer takes the reader on a journey to more than 20 of the most historic of these magical places, all architectural treasures. From the dramatic, baroque Library of the Institute of France in Paris, to the splendid Vatican Library in Rome; from the majestic Royal Library in El Escorial, Spain, to the famed New York Public Library. Indeed, some of the most exquisite libraries of the Western world.

Guillaume de Laubier is one of France's foremost photographers of interior design. He has undertaken projects all over the world for magazines such as Elle Décoration, Architectural Digest, and Madame Figaro. Jacques Bosser, journalist and translator, has written for Architectural Digest and Connaissance des Arts as well as contributing to Le Dictionnaire international des arts appliqués et du design and Le Dictionnaire international du bijou. James H. Billington has been the Librarian of Congress in the United States for more than 15 years. www.amazon.co.uk

An egg for Easter

Drawing of the Imperial Rosebud Egg (Fabergé, 1895). A gift from Czar Nicolas II to Alexandra in 1895. Rows of diamonds edged with white enamel on gold divide the egg into panels, set on a background of translucent, wave patterned, red enamel. The egg is known as the Rosebud egg, because it contained an enamel rosebud as a suprise.

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Happy Easter to all! See you next week...

Hotel Cipriani: A Venetian Affair

Even if Carnival came to its end, there is always a good excuse to visit Venice. The city has always been a centre for architecture, the fine arts and the world's most exquisite crafts. The history of La Serenissima is a story best told by the lives of two of its' most well known citizens; Marco Polo, the merchant and explorer of the 13th century; and Giacomo Casanova, the seducer and lover of 18th century Venice. One used his mastery to explore the world and trade in the most precious goods, thus creating a great wealth. Whilst the other one worshipped all that is beautiful and romantic. Together, these two forces of industry and art have over many centuries created a truly magical city.

Having found the perfect hotel guarantees your pleasant and beautiful stay in Venice. It was in 1956 when Giuseppe Cipriani presented his project for a new hotel to his partners. His idea was to build a small palazzo very near to St. Mark Square, but at the same time distant enough to maintain privacy. The result was an amazing palazzo in the Giudecca island in Venice. Created to provide the very best of Venetian hospitality, Hotel Cipriani incorporates the most luxurious accommodation, the best service and the finest cuisine in an atmosphere of calm and seclusion.

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Hotel Cipriani offers a wide choice of suites and rooms, with views of the gardens, the lagoon, and St. Mark's Square. Palazzo Vendramin and the connecting Palazzetto are two 15th century buildings linked to the Hotel Cipriani. For the guests of these two palazzi, a private butler service is available.

The Hotel operates a free boat service to and from its private landing stage at St. Mark Square. Furthermore, the harbour of the hotel has docking facilities for yachts and boats up to 70 feet. In the hotel you can also find the Casanova Beauty & Wellness Centre where you can try the world’s most exclusive beauty treatments. The beauty centre is named after the legendary lover who once held clandestine trysts in the gardens of the Hotel Cipriani .

Cipriani-style food is simple, fresh and perfectly prepared: pasta and pastries are made in the hotel daily, as well as the breakfast croissants. Indeed a cuisine that meets international standards of excellence. The chef, Renato Piccolotto works in the hotel since 1970. His philosophy is to offer his guests authentic Venetian dishes in which the flavour of the ingredients is given pride of place. I do recommend the Ravioli filled with Eggplant and Mozzarella with Tomato and Fresh Oregano Sauce, and the Roast Rack of Lamb in a Crust of Herbs.

Julia Roberts, Martin Scorsese, Uma Thurman, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, and Donatella Versace are some of the people that stayed in the Hotel Cipriani.

Hotel Cipriani is an experience that few should miss. Just few hotels can match the splendour of this hotel.

© Orient-Express Hotels

Rolls Royce: Phantom Drophead Coupe

The maximum beauty of a convertible car is now a reality. The Phantom Drophead Coupe of Rolls Royce combines the latest light-weight engineering technology with the finest hand-crafted materials. Beautifully proportioned, this coupe is more dynamic than ever and it offers incredible levels of comfort.

Just 200 Dropheads will leave the factory each year. Each car is individually built by highly skilled craftsmen (100 craftsmen working on wood alone). It reaches 96,5 km/h in less than 5,7 seconds, and it can reach a maximum velocity of 240 km/h.

The inspiration for this car came from classic Riva powerboats and J-Class yachts. The resulting 100EX design study is elegance combined with leather, teak and aluminium. No other car can match the beauty and elegance of this Rolls.

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As Ian Cameron, design director of Rolls-Royce, said: ‘Someone once said that if we deliver a true Rolls-Royce, it ought to make time stand still. Time is a very, very important factor. It takes time to do anything competently, so you can't rush the design or the build of a Rolls-Royce. I think you must produce a quality that is timeless, and you should have the time of your life when you buy one of these cars. Typically, the customer who buys a Rolls-Royce is celebrating something. They're fulfilling a dream, an aspiration, or making a statement about success. If you don't achieve a sense of occasion with these cars, then you've failed. Also, because Rolls-Royce owners typically have a four, five or six-car garage, they're not buying compromise. They want a specific car for a specific use. To achieve that, you've got to be very clear with your goals’.

www.rolls-royce.com

Principe di Savoia: La Dolce Vita a Milano

Some days after Milano Fashion Week. A great occasion for talking about a great hotel in Milano, the Hotel Principe di Savoia. Three months ago I had to go to Milan for the presentation of a new line a brand was going to launch. I decited to stay in Principe di Savoia, as it was very near the place I had to go for my work. Member of The Leading Hotels of the World, right in the Piazza della Repubblica, the largest plazza of the city, this hotel indeed satisfied my expectations. With a very high standard of services and facilities, you will not leave this hotel unsatisfied. Since 1927 when the hotel opened its doors, until today, Principe di Savoia continues the tradition of being considered as one of the best and most luxurious hotels in Milan.

The hotel offers a variety of choices for dining-in experiences. Breakfast as well as afternoon tea and an à la carte menu are available all day at the Lobby Lounge. Indeed a very elegant café for some pastries and traditional English tea, as well as à la carte all-day dining. It has wonderful hand painted decorations, and windown overlooking the beautiful garden.

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You can also have a coffee or a drink at the Giardino d'Inverno, an elegant and exclusive place in the hotel. Decorated in a baroque style, with coloured glass dome ceiling, during the evening il Giardino becomes a relaxing piano bar.

The hotel has very good italian restaurant, the Acanto. One of the nights we stayed in, we had dinner there. And we really loved the food and the atmosphere the restaurant offers. As the decoration is concerned, the room is lighted by some amazing Murano chandeliers. The director of the restaurant explained that they were designed by Celeste Dell'Anna exclusively for the hotel, using as inspiration the great masters of the 1900s.

Fabrizio Cadei, the executive chef, has really prepared a fabulous menu. For starters I do recommend the duck fois gras terrine with pistachios, and the tagliolini pasta with langoustine ragout. The risottos are also fantastic. For the main course, I found the confit veal breast just delicious. For the fish eaters, there is an interesting selection of fish. For the dessert, as I love tiramisu, I ordered the trilogy of tiramisu…simply a dream! You just have to try it...it is all about a dining experience.
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The rooms and the suites are spacious and very elegantly decorated, mainly with silk or wooden panels, featuring a 19th century Lombard style. In the one I stayed, they bedroom and the sitting area were divided with curtained doors.

On the top floor of the hotel, you can enjoy Club 10 Fitness and Beauty Centre with its breathtaking view of the city. There is a really big pool area, gymnasium, and a beauty treatment area. After a long day, you will surely enjoy a thai massage. The best is the make up and hairdresser service. You are ready to go out in an amazing way.

Apart from the fully equiped business centre the hotel has, the tours and excursion services, it also offers complimentary service in a limousine to the centre of the city. This is indeed a very convenient service.

Some of the very famous clients of the hotel were Gabriele d’Annunzio, the Duke of Windsor, Gloria Swanson, Charlie Chaplin, Josephine Baker, Eva Peron, Aristotle Onassis, Aga Khan and Maria Callas. Now a days the Hotel Principi di Savoia is still a place where the international elite of business and leisure meet in an atmosphere of class and sophisticated style.

Let yourself go...Live your own Dolce Vita!