Arlberg becomes Austria’s largest ski area thanks to a newly opened £37.5m cable-car system. We take it for a test drive. December 1, 2017 As I pulled up outside my hotel in Lech, a very overweight fox ambled across the road in front of our coach. I took it as a sign of good things to come. I were in Lech to enjoy some early season skiing and although the Alps had experienced one of the lowest December snowfalls [...]
The best contemporary, modern ski chalets in Europe November 30, 2017 Modern ski chalets are more like Bond lairs than rustic cabins. We grab our skis and take a tour of the best ones on the market. Cristal de Jade, Chamonix Described as “simple and contemporary” by selling agent MGM Properties, this chalet is one for those who appreciate modern furnishings and fantastic views. Two huge [...]
Porsche Design makes the ultimate penthouse for a supercar collector April 27, 2017 Supercars aren’t just made to be driven, they’re made to be seen. To a collector, the curved bonnet, impeccable paintwork and fine leather interior of a $200,000 Porsche is a work of art just as worthy of admiration as a $5m David Hockney painting. The trouble is, cars don’t hang on walls, but Porsche Design [...]
Government cuts discount rate: Insurance sector says “crazy” decision will cost the industry billions February 27, 2017 The UK's insurers were left reeling this morning after the government announced changes to a key insurance sector discount rate, costing them hundreds of millions of pounds. Direct Line said annual profits for 2016 would be cut by up to £230m, while motor insurer Admiral estimated it will take a hit of up £100m and is to [...]
The Lake House, a self-built eco-retreat in Sussex, has ample grounds for entertaining and even has its own helipad September 29, 2017 Dreaming of having a great house is one thing, but those with real ambition dream of a great house with land. And boy, has this house got land. With 21 acres, this self-built five bedroom country home in the village of Plaistow in West Sussex is a fisherman’s dream. It has a three-acre rainbow trout [...]
Lloyd’s unerwriters call out Admiral’s marketers for inaccurate costume design February 25, 2016 NULL
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2017: The same old show with the same old problems June 8, 2017 Each year the Royal Academy selects many hundreds of works of art, both amateur and professional, and piles them high and wide for its Summer Exhibition. And each year many thousands of words are written questioning whether this is Any Way to View Art. The correct answer is “No, this is No Way to View [...]
WeWork snaps up 280,000 square feet of space in South Bank for setting up the largest co-working space in the world June 7, 2017 US shared office group WeWork has agreed to lease 280,000 square feet near Waterloo station to set up the world's largest co-working space. Owned by property giant Almacantar, the space at Two Southbank Place was let as part of London's largest leasing agreement this year so far. WeWork has 12 locations in the capital and [...]
Aviva share price rockets after releasing annual results that “speak for themselves” March 9, 2017 Aviva's shares leapt over six per cent this morning after beating forecasts and building up a hefty cash pile to reward investors. The figures Similar to other insurers, Aviva was hit by the Lord Chancellor's decision to cut the discount rate. It said the move had hit profits after tax by £380m. In its reported [...]
Admiral’s chief Henry Engelhardt might be setting sail and retiring in May, but at least Captain Birdseye is coming back March 17, 2016 Golden-hearted Admiral Group boss Henry Engelhardt is about to hoist the anchor and retire from his chief exec role at the insurer – and right on cue, one sea-faring brand spokesperson is about to make a comeback. After news leaked that the nation’s favourite fish finger-themed seafarer will be making a return to TV screens this year, Cap'n Birdseye [...]