expensive

Luxist recently reported about Steven Spielberg’s amazing new $200 million megayacht the Seven Seas (pictured above). Now it seems as though the famed director wants to recoup some of his impressive investment – he’s offering the ultra-luxurious yacht for charter at $1.3 million per week. That makes it the world’s most expensive yacht charter, leaving the likes of P. Diddy and Simon Cowell’s crafts in the dust.

Continue reading Charter Steven Spielberg’s New Superyacht for $1.3 Million a Week: The World’s Most Expensive

Charter Steven Spielberg’s New Superyacht for $1.3 Million a Week: The World’s Most Expensive originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Recently we reported on the impressive racehorses owned by His Highness the Aga Khan, the immensely wealthy Muslim spiritual leader. The urbane Aga Khan, a philanthropist, Harvard graduate and stepson of Hollywood bombshell Rita Hayworth, hasn’t had as much good fortune when it comes to superyachts however. A considerable portion of his $800 million fortune has gone into what is supposed to be the world’s fastest superyacht, but instead is a serious snafu.

The 164-ft. Alamshar (pictured above), named after a prized racehorse, is a $200 million vessel commissioned by His Highness from the UK’s Devonport, which has now been in build for twelve whole years. Designed to break the transatlantic speed record, her ultra-expensive Rolls-Royce gas turbine engines underperformed and had to be replaced. It also caught on fire a bit. However, the luxurious craft was recently spotted performing sea trials and may one day soon be ready to sail.

[via JamesList]

The Aga Khan’s $200 Million Superyacht Snafu originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Swedish gun and rifle maker VO Vapen, founded in 1977 by master gunsmith Viggo Olsson, fashions the world’s most exclusive handmade hunting rifles. Their newest creation, the VO Falcon Edition (above), is the world’s most expensive priced at about $820,000. The VO Falcon Edition is a tribute to the deep rooted traditions of falconry in the Arabian world, covered by beautiful engravings of Peregrine and Saker falcons among other luxurious finishes.

Continue reading The Classicist: VO Guns Debuts the Falcon, World’s Most Expensive Rifle, for $820,000 [EXCLUSIVE]

The Classicist: VO Guns Debuts the Falcon, World’s Most Expensive Rifle, for $820,000 [EXCLUSIVE] originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

World’s Most Expensive Poker Set for $7.5 Million originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Abramovich Said to Be Owner of World’s Most Expensive Painting

EXCLUSIVE: Abramovich Said to Be Owner of World’s Most Expensive Painting originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Louvre, hyperphoto by Jean-Francois Rauzier, Waterhouse & Dodd

Is it all about money or art? The answer is probably both but if you’re in the Art 101 category, you can catapult up to PhD level at The European Fine Art Fair in Maastricht, the Netherlands.

TEFAF is the most sophisticated, highly vetted, and elegant art fair anywhere. All true, but it is also a place where the minute the doors swing open to VIP guests, there’s a stampede to the jewelry booths where for the most part glitz not glamour dominates.

Collectors, museum curators often accompanied by their trustees, and general connoisseurs attend to browse, to see and be seen, and to bring home treasures. This year, some 73,000 visitors attended. Most are Dutch, followed by Germans and Belgians, English, French, Italians, Americans and an impressively growing numbers of Russians and Chinese. Among a handful of Arab sheiks, most prominent this year was Sheikh Saud al-Thani, the art-hungry collector who is a cousin of the ruling Emir of Qatar. He surely arrived on one of the 154 private jets that landed on the tarmac of the tiny Maastricht-Aachen airport.

Van Gelder Antique Indian Jewelry

At the blue chip opening one of the first pieces to be snapped up was by a Russian collector: a billowing tapestry made of beaten red and gold bottle tops by the Ganaian artist El Anatsui. The price was $965,532. You can see his aesthetically beautiful “Earth and Heaven” sculpture installed in the African art galleries at the Met. In another gallery in the modern section, a well-heeled collector bought Spanish artist Joan Miro’s sculpture, “Oiseau Lunaire,” or moon bird, a wooden surreal, bird-like figure for $5 million. A bronze version of a moon bird by Miro is in the Nasher Sculptural Center in Dallas. That same day, March 18, Russian TV didn’t waste a minute filming at the booth of Van Gelder Indian Jewelry which showcased some fabulous South Sea pearls and antique jewelry.

Tickets to the private first day are distributed to dealers who then invite their most important clients. The next day, all are welcome at a tab of €50 or about $75.

Now if you don’t fit into the curator or collector category, what would draw you to TEFAF? Without a doubt, it is a remarkable learning experience for anyone who loves art. As Michelin says, it’s worth the voyage, merely to see some 5,000 years of impeccable art, exquisitely presented. It could be that some TEFAF director handed down guidelines to the presenting dealers insisting that they treat every inquiry with respect. You won’t find any condescending brush offs here.

Portrait of a Man with Arms Akimbo, Rembrandt

One item that drew large crowds was a fragment of an Egyptian water clock depicting Alexander the Great from about 332 BC at Belgium’s Harmakhis Galerie. Old Dutch masters, especially a portrait by Rembrandt, “Portrait of a Man with Arms Akimbo” from 1658 and Renoir’s “Woman Picking Flowers,” depicting Camille Monet in a field of flowers also gained a lot of attention. A major attraction was a Helmut Newton solo exhibition of 40 photos from London’s Hamiltons Gallery. Other standouts were Joana Vasconselos sensual feminine crocheted canvases at Haunch of Venison, Secessionist furniture at Kolomon Moser, beautiful Chinese textiles from Jacqueline Simcox in London. Only a BMW art car designed by Jeff Koons looked as if it had driven in by mistake.

TEFAF, first organized in 1975, invites 260 dealers from 16 countries all of whom undergo tremendous scrutiny to assure the quality, condition, and authenticity of their objects. About 100 dealers apparently are on a waiting list hoping to make it another year. Think of it as an art melting pot presented in an aura of gentility. It’s the most promising, sophisticated, and enjoyable fair for specialists and the general public.

Fab Fair for Art Royalty originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Abramovich Said to Be Owner of World’s Most Expensive Painting

EXCLUSIVE: Abramovich Said to Be Owner of World’s Most Expensive Painting originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Daily Mail reports that the British government postponed export of the work until last month in order to see if enough money could be raised to keep the painting from leaving the country. “Modern Rome – Campo Vaccino” was painted in 1839 and is his final painting of Rome, a culmination of all of the studies that he made during his two visits to the Italian capital. Before the most recent sale, the painting had only appeared on the open market once in the 171 years since it was painted. It was offered for sale by a descendant of the 5th Earl of Rosebery; the 5th Earl of Rosebery had bought the painting in 1878, while on honeymoon with his wife Hannah Rothschild. The painting was most recently displayed at the National Gallery of Scotland where it was on long-term loan.

Los Angeles museums have a small wealth of J.M.W. Turner works, the Getty now has two painting and two water colors. There are also Turners at the Huntington and the LACMA.

Most Expensive J.M.W. Turner Painting Finally Goes On Display At The Getty originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Most Expensive Painting Goes On Display In The UK originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 02:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Jackson’s role in the collectible world is a complicated one. There are hundreds of Michael Jackson collectibles on the market at any given moment. Items associated with him and his career have value but also to be considered are the pieces that he inspired. Jackson was a muse for some of the world’s top selling artists. In my research on the many associated Michael Jackson collectibles on the market I found that the most valuable pieces are mostly the works he inspired. This isn’t a comprehensive list but it gives a look at some of the most expensive pieces associated with Jackson.

Continue reading Five Of The Most Expensive Michael Jackson Pieces

Five Of The Most Expensive Michael Jackson Pieces originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 05 Mar 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Luxist recently reported about Steven Spielberg’s amazing new $200 million megayacht the Seven Seas (pictured above). Now it seems as though the famed director wants to recoup some of his impressive investment – he’s offering the ultra-luxurious yacht for charter at $1.3 million per week. That makes it the world’s most expensive yacht charter, leaving the likes of P. Diddy and Simon Cowell’s crafts in the dust.

Continue reading Charter Steven Spielberg’s New Superyacht for $1.3 Million a Week: The World’s Most Expensive

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Wealth

Charter Steven Spielberg’s New Superyacht for $1.3 Million a Week: The World’s Most Expensive originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Swedish gun and rifle maker VO Vapen, founded in 1977 by master gunsmith Viggo Olsson, fashions the world’s most exclusive handmade hunting rifles. Their newest creation, the VO Falcon Edition (above), is the world’s most expensive priced at about $820,000. The VO Falcon Edition is a tribute to the deep rooted traditions of falconry in the Arabian world, covered by beautiful engravings of Peregrine and Saker falcons among other luxurious finishes.

Continue reading The Classicist: VO Guns Debuts the Falcon, World’s Most Expensive Rifle, for $820,000 [EXCLUSIVE]

Filed under: Sports, Men’s Style, The Classicist, Wealth

The Classicist: VO Guns Debuts the Falcon, World’s Most Expensive Rifle, for $820,000 [EXCLUSIVE] originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Abramovich Said to Be Owner of World’s Most Expensive Painting

Filed under: Art, Wealth

EXCLUSIVE: Abramovich Said to Be Owner of World’s Most Expensive Painting originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Some of the most precious gems in famed fashion designer Ralph Lauren’s incredible car collection will be exhibited for the the first time ever in Paris this spring. Lauren’s collection, in our opinion the finest one in private hands on the planet, features impeccable examples of the rarest and most valuable vehicles in the world. We can reveal exclusively that four of his exquisite automotive works of art, which have never before been seen in public, will be on view at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris from April 28 – August 28: a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM; a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Scaglietti; a 1956/1958 Jaguar XKSS; and a 1931 Alfa Romeo Monza 8C 2300.

13 other Lauren cars will also be on display during the exhibit, entitled The Art of the Automobile: Masterpieces from the Ralph Lauren Collection, including an amazing 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (above), a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, and a 1938 Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic Coupé. The last two alone are worth about $30 – $40 million each, and are among the world’s most expensive cars. The Paris exhibit will focus on European models created between the 1930s and the 1990s, “illustrating the evolution of car design in the 20th Century.” They were selected by curator Rodolphe Rapetti and will be arranged by scenographer Jean-Michel Wilmotte, with the “kinetics” and sound of the vehicles conveyed by means of various films and recordings. The museum will also be producing a luxe book to celebrate the occasion.

Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Ralph Lauren to Exhibit Car Collection Classics for the First Time

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, The Classicist, Architecture & Design

EXCLUSIVE: Ralph Lauren to Exhibit Car Collection Classics for the First Time originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We’re heading to Europe in June (Spain and then Paris) and are looking at our cell phone options. We have an iPhone 4s, unlocked on the Verizon network, and I know we can grab a local sim but even that way data is a little expensive. We don’t really care too much about making calls and, if we wanted to, we could always use our Ooma account or Skype or something like that.

I was looking at Boingo but have read great and horrible reviews of them. Their hotspot plan is only $9.95/month and it looks as though they’ve go a bunch of place near where we’ll be. (Plus we can always just use the wifi in our hotels at night.)

Anyone every use Boingo? Got an opinion? Also, if you recommend a local sim for data, anyone actually use a specific model in an iPhone 4s and like it?

Thanks for your help,

stu

I have booked a Alcatraz trip for 9am Tues 8th May. We are staying at a hotel that crossroads Stockton St and Pine St. Our first visit to San Fran, so we are very unfamiliar with area. A bus is not for us, and a parking meter will not work for this trip to Alcatraz. We could take a taxi to pier 33(myself,wife, and 2 kids under 3yrs), but are not sure if kids are allowed to sit on our laps, also, the ease/difficulty of hailing a cab back to hotel?

We would much prefer to take our own vehicle, for convenience, stroller, and kids car seats. It seems parking lots around pier 33 are pretty expensive, and $40 for half a day is rather high. Are there any parking deals that you frugal FW know of please? Free or discount parking if you eat at a particular restaurant for example? Any links to parking coupons would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I am looking for folks on FW who went on a Caravan tour, preferably to Costa Rica or another South American destination.

In the past I’ve done tours which have had a soft age cap (35 years of age or younger) but the Contiki tours that go to South America seem to have too much plane travel for my like and are very expensive.

I’ve looked at the Caravan tours and like the itinerary and cost. I’ve read a decent amount of reviews on Tripadvisor and Yelp and they were almost all outstanding. While Caravan does mention that their tours are open to any age group, from the reviews I read, it appears that the majority of the clientele is older. There were somethings that I was unable to learn from the reviews so I am asking here:
I was curious just how old the average age is?
How laid back and “lazy” is the tour? I prefer sleeping less and doing more but that is not for every.
Some of the reviews did mention a lot of gift shop stops. This is typical on many tours, but is Caravan going overboard with it (More then a gift shop every 2 days seems excessive to me)?

Thank you for the information.
Greyrabbit

we are thinking about a trip to Florida next spring break (2013). I’m wondering what are some good places to go other than the obvious, WDW. We will definitely check out Disney but will probably spend a week there and a week elsewhere. Any suggestions for kid friendly but not too expensive places would be super helpful.

I need to rent a car from Enterprise in the Dallas area for 50 or 51 hours. They really gouge you for exceeding the 48 hours. At 51 hours it becomes a full extra day.

Question: Do they charge you based on the times you reserve, or the actual time you have the car?
I wish I could rent a half day…

48 hours = $69.17
49 hours = $81.77
50 hours = $92.77
51 hours = $103.76

FWIW, all of the usual coupon codes make the rental MORE expensive, so I didn’t use any…

Folks, I am thinking different this year summer. My job allows me to work from home. So now I am exploring to spend the 3 months of Summer (June – Aug) on a Hawaii island with family. Something which is quite far away from the expensive cities, No crowd, just a place with lot of nature. I would like to experiment living in a warm green place eating just vegetables and fruits and whatever is available naturally.

I am looking for suggestions about such a place in Hawaii. Budget is limited, so are the requirements. All I care is a good internet connection and a roof. I have a family of 4 with two young boys.