A contributor to International eXcellence and freelance journalist has been honoured at the 2015 State Street Institutional Press Awards, which recognise “outstanding performance” in institutional financial services reporting.
Roger Aitken, a former FT journalist who has written for International eXcellence on topics including luxury brands, classic cars in Turin’s Parco Valentino and Czech medical tourism, scooped the journalist of the year award in the ‘Regulatory Issues’ category at this year’s awards held at Momo’s restaurant in London on 11 November.

True perfection is an extremely rare quality particularly in an object.  I have come across it only once; a Ming Dynasty vase, one of a pair; they were made for the Imperial Palace, the owner bizarrely allowing me to handle it; magic.  I checked out the British Museum’s world class collection and nothing matched the purity and appeal of those Ming vases.   Near perfection which I assume takes into account an element of taste is also very rare; as a pure design as opposed to just a car is the Koenigsegg, the integrity of the design and the craftsmanship is sublime as is its performance.   Ro

We could have been forgiven for thinking that we had stumbled upon a film set as we emerged from the wooded lane and crossed the old stone bridge under which a tinkling brook – yes it did tinkle – flowed.  A lady dressed in an overall added to the scene as she waved and smiled as we passed.  The over-used word ‘quintessential’ is certainly justified here as it has picture perfect historic buildings of an English village with its cricket pitch set along the tranquil River Windrush complete with neatly mown verges and roses in full bloom.

Brown Fleming dominated the market for imitation wax prints on the West African Coast and although several attempts had been made to get an insight into Previnaire’s production process it was only around 1910 that several other companies in the United Kingdom, Switzerland and in the Netherlands managed to produce a quality of wax print that compared to the quality of Previnaire. These companies were extremely keen to do so, because the production of Previnaire’s two sided printed cloth was very time consuming, hence the production volume was very low while the demand was quickly growing.

Made In Holland, Adored In Africa

Having been an avid winter sports enthusiast since I was old enough to stand upright without assistance, Austria has long been on my radar during the colder months. And there’s no better destination in the country than Kitzbuhel, the Alpine enclave renowned for hosting the Hahnenkamm.

Planning a trip to the Indonesian paradise of Bali? On the hunt for the finest accommodation the island has to offer? We’ve selected a quintet of beachfront idylls, resplendent with private chefs, state of the art facilities, and stunning design to inspire your next long haul jaunt!
Villa Pawana
From: £18,744 per week
Bedrooms: 5

McLaren launched the new 570S Coupe in the Algarve last week at the Conrad Hotel and the race track at Portimao. It was quite a sight to see so many McLaren 570s’ all lined up outside the Conrad hotel, flanked by flames floating in the elongated water pools, and outside the race track in every available colour. Not quite as good as driving them, but we’ll get to that.
 

Resort: Argentière (France).  This is a resort that has its own character that can hold its own with a famous and larger neighbour; Chamonix.  Rising behind the village is an awe inspiring mountain of great character; Les Grands Montets (3,295m); a skiing area famous for its steep and demanding slopes, both on-piste as well as off-piste. The other main attraction in the entire area for experienced skiers is the fearsome Vallée Blanche, an off-piste 20km long route with a vertical descent of 2,700m.

Resort: Verbier (Switzerland) the town lies in a sunny, south-facing bowl with spectacular views of the surrounding peaks; it is the largest resort of the “4 Vallées” ski region with over 400km of pistes some of which are challenging and to make life easier, there are off-piste areas accessible by lifts.  A menu of skiing delights can be enjoyed; glaciers, couloirs and deep powder bowls for advanced skiers and riders.  The Savolèyres and Lac des Vaux sectors provide a more limited playground for intermediates and novices with some gentle runs.  Boarders will not be left out as there are the