Alessio and Cecilia Tessieri make chocolate but saying it like that wouldn’t translate their passion for their work that has brought them to travel the world in search of the best cocoa beans for their Amadei chocolate collection.

Based in Italy’s beautiful Tuscany, in the communal city of Pisa, these driven chocolate makers and their employees spare no effort to produce some of the most tantalizing chocolates you can find. Although Amadei isn’t a major brand like Nestle, Mars or Hershey’s, chocolate lovers from the world over have developed a taste for their unique chocolate blends.

This smaller chocolate factory produces roughly 20,000 bars every year and some, like the 450-gram format of “Porcelana”, costs a cool US$90 — but rest assured, it’s worth it. In the case of Porcelana, the chocolate is made from porcelain-looking white cocoa and yes, it’s their most expensive brand.

In the late 80s, Alessio and his sister, Cecilia, took their first steps towards discovering the cocoa routes which happened to be less traveled. Over time, this very hands-on approach to finding the finest cocoa beans yielded tremedous results as their chocolate’s taste was as unique as their beans.

Together, the Italian chocolate makers experimented with new ideas which gave life to exclusive chocolate brands which have been made available worldwide. With passion and enthusiasm, they made their dream a reality and broke the homology of tastes to become the artificers of true and proper Renaissance taste.

Their chocolate collection is based on the belief that with each taste, a different emotion should emerge.

The brands you’re invited to sink your teeth into have Italian-sounding names like Toscano Black, Toscano Brown, Toscano Red e Blond, I Neri, Toscano White, I Cru, I Frutti, Le Praline, Le Barre and some lesser know ones, like the “9″ which is made of a unique blend of nine different cocoa bens.

The later also happens to be Cecilia Tessieri’s favorite pick.

High-cocoa-content dark chocolate, featuring unmatched purity and alleged medicinal qualities, enjoys a vogue among afficionados who are drawn to first quality chocolates. Italy takes pride in being home to companies like Amadei and a wide variety of specialty chocolate makers who create their sweet (and sometimes bittersweet) masterpieces exclusively from cocoa butter.

Amadei believes in the transparent sourcing of cocoa beans from the plantations and afterwards, their transformation in socially fair and environmentally undamaging conditions so that’s an approach bigger chocolate makers should emulate because more consumers will be requiring it, in the near future.

The Amadei chocolate brands are selectively made available in top 4-star and 5-star hotels, restaurants and luxury retailers, in both Europe and America. Of course, if you search a little, you can find online retailers selling various brands of Amadei chocolates — so more people can enjoy them.

Tags: amadei, amadei chocolates, cocoa beans, cocoa butter, fine chocolates, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, hazelnuts, toscano, chocolatiers, piza, tuscany, italy

Let’s say you had a busy week. No, better yet. A hectic few last months. Well, that’s more than enough to justify (ahem) taking a few weeks to indulge yourself, jungle-style.

You read that right: the jungle, the Indonesian jungle, more specifically.

Tarzans and Janes of the world will feel right at home at the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan. This luxurious yet intimate resort’s 18 suites and 42 villas offer the ultimate in privacy and comfort making it a wonderful tropical haven set in the lush Ayung River valley. Guest accommodations reflect the exotic surroundings, featuring uniquely crafted Indonesian furnishings and local handmade fabrics.

Locationwise, the Four Seasons Resort is located in the Indonesian village of Sayan, on the lush island of Bali. The resort is only ten minutes away from the island’s cultural and artistic centre of Ubud (be sure to visit the Monkey Forest).

Conveniently placed within the sound of the Ayung River, the resort’s two-level swimming pool is a cool and relaxing oasis cleverly designed to follow the river’s natural contours ‚Äì it’s just plain beautiful. The health club and spa features exercise facility, sauna, whirlpool and Ayurvedic spa pavilions.

Now, if you like innovative Indonesian specialty food as well as contemporary Asian-style cuisine, the resort’s Ayung Terrace, offering breathtaking views of the river below, should keep you raving for more delicious treats, meal after meal.

This is the kind of place you want to escape to, ideally with your loved one. It’s easy to imagine couples reinventing the world (hopefully, for the better), in this jungle paradise.

At between 500$ and 600$ a night, it’s another surprisingly affordable way to pamper yourself.

For travelers less familiar with this destination, let’s just say that with over 13,000 islands, Indonesia is the world’s most expansive archipelago. Bali is one of the larger islands, with a predominantly Hindu population of 3 million inhabitants and an agrarian economy.

By all means, it’s a refreshing tropical haven with a relaxed pace. Bali features splendid beaches, friendly people and a warm climate.

For all those who like Bali but would prefer a more urban, coastal experience, perhaps the Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay would be a good choice.

Tags: bali, four seasons resort, sayan, jungle, jimbaran bay, island, indonesia, travel

Please, could you tell me what time it is? I’m in a hurry and ohhh, that’s an awesome watch you’re wearing, who makes those? Well, if you’re a Patek Philippe watch owner, you could easily entertain your curious new friend.

Of course, you’d better tell your new friend what time it is to get that out of the way and then, you could talk about the rich heritage of this particular brand of finely crafted timepieces that are usually passed on from a generation to another.

Historically, Antoni Patek started making pocket watches in 1839, in Geneva, along with his fellow Polish migrant Franciszek Czapek. They separated in 1844 and, in 1845, Patek joined with the French watchmaker Adrien Philippe, inventor of the keyless winding mechanism. In 1851, Patek Philippe & Co. was founded.

Nowadays, Patek Philippe & Co. is one of the most famous and expensive brands of wrist watches, in the world. Many watch collectors and enthusiasts regard these timepieces as the very best, second to none. Over the years, a number of notable individuals, including members of royalty, movie stars and tycoons have worn these watches -and- even Albert Einstein was a customer.

If you’re one to pay attention to details, you’ll be happy to learn that the company still makes all movements in house, in Switzerland.

The most recent collections include wonderful models for both men and ladies. The supreme test of ingenuity, in the case of Patek Philippe watches, stems from the sheer number of complications they can engineer in a wrist watch.

Technically speaking, a “complication”, in watchmaking, is anything a mechanical watch might do beyond telling the time and simple date. Patek Philippe upholds a tradition in complications that are useful in everyday situations such as annual calendars, dual time zones and world time displays.

Yellow or white gold (everywhere), sapphire crystal case backs, ultra-precise dials, countless technical refinements and all the features busy people crave make Patek Philippe watches both a pleasure to own -and- a valuable investment. Assuming you’d be interested in selling your timepiece, prices ranging from 5k$ to 60k$ are commonplace but most owners tend to pass it along to the next generation.

While some models are quite conservative in style and form, others are resolutely trendy and would fit any fashion conscious young adult.

Perhaps next time someone asks you what time it is, the Patek Philippe watch on your wrist will prove to be a powerful conversation starter, who knows?

Tags: patek, patek philippe, wrist watches, timepieces, luxury, gold, sapphire

The first thing you’re likely to hear when you arrive at the W Retreat & Spa, in the sunny Maldives, is “maruhabaa” which means “welcome”, in the local language.

Located on the Northern Ari Atoll, this uniquely laid out resort and spa is a paradise for anyone looking to be pampered, Maldivian-style. Families looking to travel together are also welcome at this island-resort. However, divers might find this particular resort even more appealing thanks to a well maintained array of underwater diving sites, such as Maaya Thila, Fish Head, Panettone and Broken Rock. As a bonus, you can view the breathtaking house reefs and W’s own Fesdu house wreck. By all means, this is a amazing place to take pictures!

The room classes names say it all: Beach Oasis, Ocean Oasis, Seascape Escape and Ocean Heaven. It’s very easy to unwind in any of these rooms but you’re still free to choose according to your personal preferences.

If you’re into privacy when on vacation, you’ll love the all-villa retreat treatment. For instance, the bi-level beachfront and over-water retreats let indoor and outdoor mingle -and- roofs with peek-a-boo views of the sky really open up spaces. Furthermore, the glass-paneled floors reveal the lagoon’s fauna below.

Privacy is paramount at this W Retreat & Spa so you can enjoy your own plunge pool, sundeck and beach away from outside world.

Every room has an outdoor rainforest shower and honestly, that’s a blast. It’s impossible not to start a good day showering -outside- in such a magical setting. The 42 inch plasma TVs with DVD players are also a nice touch for anyone looking to catch up on Hollywood’s latest and greatest, hopefully with a loved one. There broadband internet access but there’s little chance anyone will bring a laptop to… relax, in this wonderful place.

Even if every room has a mini-bar, a munchie box (yummies) and a wine cooler, you’ll love the six (6) gourmet eateries on location, including the Fire (restaurant) where gourmet delights are served in rustic and natural surroundings with the moon and stars overhead -and- soft sand beneath your feet. Blissful… and delicious.

With 78 guest rooms available, the W Retreat & Spa Maldives may also prove to be the ideal setting for a “retreat” business meeting — with a stunning view, that is.

For those looking for the ultimate relaxation experience, there the Away Spa. The treatment areas allow for total privacy and complete renewal. Visitors can easily dedicate some time to their well-being with a natural healing therapy performed in one of 4 luxurious treatment villas. If you worked hard lately, you deserve to be pampered at the spa.

Of course, this is a W hotel so make sure to ask the Whatever/Whenever team what you crave and they will deliver whatever you want, whenever you want it. This retreat and spa should make for an ideal destination for your next “escape” into the world of luxury.

Tags: w hotel, w maldives, w retreat, w spa, retreat and spa, diving, underwater

Baby boomers around the world drive for many reasons but as retirement edges closer, many of them are looking for a more pleasurable set of wheels.

Discerning drivers will be happy to be reminded that Rolls-Royce, the venerable British car maker, has a new toy in store for them, it’s the six-speed automatic and extensively featured Phantom Drophead Coup?©.

The design team drew part of its inspiration for this “maritime themed” car from the classic 1930s J-class racing yachts which happened to be the fastest of their time. Like the Drophead Coup?©, these vessels possesed a combination of ability, versatility and fitness for purpose, not to mention downright beautiful.

If you like listening to the rain pattering on a cloth hood, you’ll like the idea behind Rolls Royce’s decision to opt for a soft-top instead of a more widely offered folding metal roof. The goals of honesty and integrity in the design process were paramount so this particular decision came naturally as the car stands to be a true coup?© and not “yet another” convertible.

The design team also found it important for the styling to give a clear hint at the Phantom Drophead Coup?©’s performance. That’s why the front of the car is more rakish and the radiator grille bears a rather streamlined shape.

Of course, it’s instantly recognisable as a Rolls-Royce but this new face embodies a modern, dynamic spirit while retaining the confidence and grandeur that has characterised the car maker for more than a century.

Another striking feature on this luxurious car’s face are its headlights which incorporate LED technology. These slim line sidelights add drama and expression to the Drophead Coup?©‚Äôs face.

Passengers can enter and exit the car in style, thanks to the unique and spectacular rear-hinged doors, which were pioneered in the Phantom. It takes a while to get used to these doors but, once you get used to them, they’re just as functional as “regular” doors, especially when using the automatic door-closing mechanism.

As you’d expect from the latest member of the Phantom family, the heart of this car is an all-aluminium 6749 cc V12 engine. Using some the most sophisticated engine technology available, including direct petrol injection, variable valve control and variable camshaft timing, it produces a maximum power output of 453 bhp at 5350 rpm and torquewise, 531 lb ft at 3500 rpm, all Rolls-Royce’s peerless refinement and unmatched drivability.

Tuned to deliver Rolls-Royce’s legendary ‘waftability’, this powerful engine gives 75% of its maximum torque at just 1000rpm while the remaining 25% arrives in one (sustained) linear stream, as the driver squeezes the throttle.

At just over 400,000$, the 2008 the Phantom Drophead Coup?© is different but in all fairness, it a good kind of different.

Tags: rolls-royce, phantom coupe, luxury car, waftability, powerful engine