Featuring a combination of innovative architecture, art, high-class fashion, fine dining, and personalized services, luxury cities attract an international clientele seeking the best in hospitality, entertainment, and well-being. Thanks to time zones, we'll see that Gordon Gecko was correct in saying, "Money never sleeps."
Porto Cervo (Italy - Europe): the emerald jewel
A lavish spot in its own right thanks to its geographical location and architectural history, Porto Cervo is the unparalleled epitome of delightfully extravagant holiday retail therapy. In enchanting architectural settings far removed from the realism of daily life in Sardinia, its high-end shops greet travelers disembarking from their superyachts with a veritable battalion of sophisticated window displays with prestigious brands and haute couture creations. The entire Costa Smeralda is famed for being a shopper's paradise, but the epicenter of its extreme capitalism is this old port, reinvented in the 1960s by Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
=
Mahé (Seychelles - Africa), surrounded by 115 extraordinary islands
An archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, where tranquility and harmony reign supreme. The main islands of Mahé and Praslin are home to some of the most exclusive luxury hotels and resorts in the archipelago. Eden Island, a private island connected to Mahé, is the height of luxury. With more than 40 hectares of exclusive land, 16 hectares of private canals, and enchanting coral beaches, it offers prestigious residences such as apartments, villas with swimming pools, and terraced houses, all equipped with their own personal mooring space. Each property grants eligibility to apply for local residency. The port of Eden Island hosts yachts up to 100 meters, topping off an opulent living experience.
=
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (France - Europe): the crème de la crème of the Côte d'Azur
Located between Monte Carlo and Nice, Cap Ferrat is swathed in the boundless luxury that is the hallmark of this elite corner of France. Yachts are frequent visitors to its charming harbor, which is overlooked by sumptuous villas and exclusive restaurants with outdoor tables. Enhancing Cap Ferrat's incredible appeal is the sparkling Mediterranean splendor of a coastline bedecked with splendid abodes, prestigious hotels, and romantic restaurants. Frequently all of these things come together concurrently, such as at the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat (a Four Seasons Hotel), an icon of the French Riviera for over a century, which, in addition to its incredible sea-view suites, is home to Le Cap, a restaurant led by the Michelin-starred chef Yoric Tièche.
=
Los Angeles (USA - North America): out and about in Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is known by all as one of the most exclusive shopping destinations in the world. Here it's not uncommon to run across VIPs as they stroll around luxury boutiques and stores for high-end brands. Especially on Rodeo Drive, the street frequented by movie stars on the hunt for envy-inducing items in the most sought-after shops in Los Angeles. More sophisticated celebrities, however, avoid the paparazzi and frequent Melrose Avenue, where they find one-of-a-kind and vintage pieces in the stores of up-and-coming designers.
=
Dubai (United Arab Emirates - Asia): a riot of shopping centers and districts
With its massive shopping malls and rows of luxury boutiques, Dubai is establishing itself as the new capital of extreme shopping. Newly built just a short time ago, Dubai's shopping centers are already justifiably legendary, although some of the most interesting shopping experiences can be found in smaller shopping districts. City Walk, for example, has a number of shops, boutiques, restaurants, hotels, and outdoor entertainment venues, further enlivened by street art from some of the world's most famous urban artists. But for those in urgent need of a Cadillac, there is a boutique open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
=
Munich (Germany - Europe): spanning tradition and innovation
There is no other city in the world with an equivalent density of international luxury brand boutiques flanked by long-standing stores steeped in tradition. Home to the suppliers of the Bavarian royal court, some of whom still offer their exquisitely refined products to this day. The famous Maximilianstrasse was founded in 1853 at the behest of King Maximilian II to connect the Royal Palace and the Opera House. The street has gradually evolved into the city's foremost luxury shopping thoroughfare with high-fashion boutiques, luxury jewelers, and art galleries. Frequented by a sophisticated clientele, Maximilianstrasse is nowadays famous for being one of the most elite streets in Germany.
=
Como (Italy - Europe) and the Silk District
Enchanting not only for its spectacular lake popular with international VIPs (right, George & Brad?) but also for its signature Made in Italy style which originated from its silk industry: 80% of European silk fabrics are still produced here today. Como and its eponymous lake are the perfect place to sate your desire for elegance and sophistication without too much fuss. On the lake, silence is golden, and luxury is best experienced quietly rather than with ostentatious displays.