Skyscraping Cities

Is a city truly a city if it doesn’t have at least a couple of buildings that graze the skies? Hong Kong leads the pack when it comes to tall edifices, with the highest number of skyscrapers over 150 meters high, according to data from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.

The Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen takes second place with 390 buildings over 150 meters, and New York City is in third place with 316 buildings. In fourth place is Dubai, with a total of 258 buildings of this scale, and is also home to the tallest skyscraper in the world, the Burj Khalifa, at 828 meters.

A ‘Blue Zone’ Reset

For those in search of a longer and healthier life, the award-winning Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary will host a special Blue Zones group retreat on Koh Samui, Thailand in May 2024.

Guests will absorb the wisdom and lifestyle habits believed to promote unprecedented longevity in the world’s Blue Zones, where residents have lower rates of chronic disease. The six-night retreat will include transformative workshops, nourishing meals and physical activities rooted in the traditions of these unique regions.

The Blue Zones group retreat will take place 5–11 May 2024 and is priced from around US$6,900 per person. It includes 26 treatments and activities as well as three daily meals. Accommodation is additional and starts at US$239 per night based on single occupancy.

Cruise with Peace of Mind

Responding to ongoing turmoil in the region, Oceania Cruises has rejigged its 2024 Mediterranean schedule to replace ports of call in Israel, Egypt and Jordan with a mix of old favorites and newcomer destinations.

“Our captivating new voyages have been carefully curated to combine beloved beach resorts and jet-set playgrounds with ancient cities steeped in tradition,” President of Oceania Cruises Frank Del Rio said.

“Seasoned travelers will appreciate our strategic and thoughtful realignment of destinations and itineraries to ensure their safety, security and peace of mind.”

The 42 revised itineraries range from 10 to 58 days. Detailed itineraries are available on Oceania’s website.

Mercedes-Benz’s Property Play

Luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has launched its new real estate brand Mercedes-Benz Places by revealing details of its partnership with Dubai development company Binghatti.

Mercedes-Benz Places Binghatti will be a luxury residential tower in Downtown Dubai that will reach 341 meters high with 65 storeys.

The ‘architectural masterpiece’ will draw on the Mercedes-Benz design philosophy of ‘Sensual Purity’.

“We are profoundly excited to be working alongside Mercedes-Benz – a truly iconic name – to develop the first Mercedes-Benz branded luxury residence in the world,” said Muhammad BinGhatti, CEO of Binghatti.

“Mercedes-Benz Places in Dubai is not merely a real estate development, it will also place community and mobility at its core, setting a new benchmark for intelligent living.”

Swarovski’s New Korean Address

Swarovski’s first flagship store in South Korea has opened its doors, located within popular destination Dosan Park.

The jewelry icon’s futuristic new addition spreads across four floors and measures 488 square meters. Its façade features a monumental swan logo, and each floor is lit up in Swarovski’s brand colors of blue, yellow and pink.

It brings its new Galaxy Collection to Korea, with the jewelry range made with Swarovski-created diamonds – lab-grown diamonds that are graded and certified by the International Gemological Institute according to the four Cs of diamond quality: color, clarity, cut and carat weight.

The collection is created with 100 percent renewable energy and recycled gold.

“Swarovski Dosan Park is a radiant symbol of our brand and omnichannel retail evolution, inviting customers to explore the universe of Swarovski in one luxurious destination,” said Michele Molon, Swarovski CCO. “Designed to ignite the imagination and spark wonder, this is where our global vision comes to life.”