For those looking to participate in a unique, once–in–a–lifetime wildlife experience: search no further! Heavy poaching wiped out the elephant population in Majete Wildlife Reserve in the Shire Valley of Malawi. Therefore, it is planned to translocate 70 African elephants into Majete in July and August. To leverage funds for the monitoring of the translocated elephants and the final fencing of the Majete Wildlife Reserve, wildlife enthusiast can join this ambitious and exciting translocation project. The targeted elephants will be located by helicopter and darted close to the ground team with their recovery vehicles in a pre–selected area. A second Bell 407 helicopter will transport five participants per capture operation, allowing them to participate in locating the elephants, driving them towards the capture site, and observing the darting itself. A sixth guest will be seated in the capture helicopter and the remaining participants will be part of the ground crew. All adventurers will have the opportunity to experience the capture operation of bulls and family groups from the air and from the ground. Comfortable en–suite tented accommodation is foreseen for this unique 9–days adventure which also includes a beautiful boat safari up the Shire River after the capture operations. This truly exceptional adventure will take place between 3 July and 10 August 2006 and will cost approx. USD10,000 per person sharing.

Surrounded by centenary palm trees and banana plantations, Abama Villas is located on the west coast of Tenerife, with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the island of La Gomera, Abama Villas is in a privileged location that guarantees exclusiveness and privacy for all its guests. Designed by the world–famous architect, Melvin Villarroel, it integrates the ethnically inspired architecture, unique decoration and harmonious landscapes. Guests will be able to enjoy a 18–hole par 72 golf course designed by the golf legend Dave Thomas, a modern wellness and spa centre, restaurants guided by three star Michelin–Chef Martín Berasategui, a private jetty, a helipad and the Abama Beach, a sheltered cove of ivory sand, surrounded by a palm grove.

Exclusive Resorts is the leading private residence club for the discerning traveller. The club offers its members unprecedented access to a portfolio of over 300 of the finest holiday residences in 35 of the world’s most desirable locations, including Tuscany, the French Riviera, the Caribbean, the Alps and New York City. Each residence combines the spaciousness and elegance of a private home with the services and amenities of a luxury resort. Membership in Exclusive Resorts eliminates the burdens of multiple–home ownership and the uncertainty of villa rental by delivering a consistent and ever–expanding selection of five–star quality holiday homes with a dedicated concierge to tend to one’s every need.

Experience “Nomade Yachting” by Bora Bora Cruises, a six–night and seven–day intimate voyage of discovery through French Polynesia’s Leeward Islands, onboard a luxury yacht. Attention to detail, levels of exclusive comfort, a relaxed and intimate ambiance all combined with the natural beauty of the cruising grounds will, without any doubt, create a truly unparalleled experience. With only 30 cabins onboard, the key ambiance offered is that of a refined private yacht. With Bora Bora Cruises, you will live a unique style of voyage in French Polynesia, off–the–beaten path, without fixed schedule, constraints, sophisticated and authentic, simply “nomade”.

Flying Group recently concluded a leasing contract with “Aeroports de Paris” for half of the floor space in the new passenger terminal at Paris Le Bourget business aviation airport. The new business aviation terminal, currently under construction, is strategically located just in front of the main entrance of Le Bourget airport. This leasing agreement fits perfectly with the strategy of Flying Group for facilities at Le Bourget airport since the company had recently already obtained a concession to operate a site covering 32,000m² on which a completely new infrastructure will be constructed during 2006. Elsewhere in France, at the Cannes Mandelieu airport, Flying Group is also heavily investing in expanding its infrastructure to cope with growing demand.

It’s been quite a development from its start with only seven pilots flying the initial three business aircraft of NetJets Europe. Today, only ten years later, NetJets Europe employs over 500 pilots to fly more than 900 European customers on a fleet of over 85 aircraft. However, NetJets Europe is now gearing up to embark on a new hiring spree: a record number of 100 additional pilots will be hired this year in order to cope with the rapid and dynamic growth on the continent.

After purchasing four brand–new Raytheon Premier aircraft to complement is fleet of Hawker mid–size jets and Dornier328s, the Southampton–based operator joined the latest trend in business aviation by launching SkyClub. This prepaid block hour charter programme enables clients to purchase a minimum of ten hours which can be used as ‘flying credits’ on the company’s fleet. The pricing? Count on almost €45,000 for an entry level purchase of ten hours on a six–seat Premier I. According to Club328 ceo Mike Farge, the company responds to market demand for a high–quality service which is more cost–effective and flexible.

With a firm commitment to purchase five A318 Elites and taking an option for five additional aircraft, Jeddah–based National Air Service has become the launch customer in the Middle East for this new member of the Airbus Corporate Jet family. With a fleet of 28 aircraft, NAS is the largest private operator business jets in the Middle East. The addition of the Elite aircraft will further reinforce the company’s position as the operator of the largest fleet of Airbus VIP aircraft in the world. The company already operates two A319 Executives, one ACJ, two VIP A320s and has recently been chosen to operate a VIP A340–600.

Situated on a small point, nestling between two charming fishing villages and surrounded on 3 sides by the sea of the Emerald Coast, Ponta dos Ganchos offers the warmth and personalised service of a guest house together with the sophisticated infrastructure of an exclusive resort. There are only 20 spacious bungalows, of which some have a sauna, Jacuzzi and private plunge pool, in a vast nature area of 80,000 m². The resort even features an indoor heated swimming pool, fitness centre, tennis courts, and a private island for romantic picnics. Great diving is available at a nearby marine reserve and dolphins can usually be spotted off the coast.

The Hotel Palafitte, the only five–star establishment in Europe built on water, is situated on the outskirts of Neuchâtel town, midway between Geneva and Zurich Airport on one of the most prized sites of the Three Lakes Region and offers breathtaking views of the lake and the Alps. Its state–of–the–art technology makes the Hotel Palafitte a vision of what a hotel should be while still meeting the rigorous requirements of a five–star establishment. With its dependencies, built on stilts in the open countryside, The Palafitte, which boasts 40 spacious junior suites of 68 m² each, is unique in Europe and provides well–being in a quiet and relaxing lakeside setting.

Royal Malewane can be found in the renowned Thornybush Game Reserve on the western fringe of the Kruger National Park, in the heart of South Africa’s ‘Big Five’ territory. The lodge accommodates just 20 guests in utmost splendour, amidst breath–taking scenery. Each of the private suites has its own spectacular outdoor terrace with secluded pool and gazebo. Boasting panoramic views, the Royal and the Malewane Suites are the pinnacles of refinement and opulence. Fine dining is the order of the day at Royal Malewane. Dinner is a very special occasion served under the African stars, or with crystal and silver in the dining area. Enjoy game viewing, with an expert ranger and master tracker, either by open Land Rover or on foot.

Get ready for the third generation of individual human mobility. The German–Swiss designed Acabion combined the best of different traditional approaches and spiced it with sophisticated aeronautic and bionic concepts. With a weight of only 359 kg combined with an engine power of 360 hp, the Acabion accelerates faster than any Formula 1 car. However, this masterpiece of engineering, which features a passenger compartment for two adults, is so efficient at a constant speed that it even consumes half the amount of fuel than a 2006 high–tech diesel compact car. Tailormade versions of the Acabion can be provided anything up to 700 hp, and a range of internal fittings.

Forget jetskis, speedboats and Li–los. What you want is a mini–hovercraft. Simulate daring amphibious assaults on unsuspecting beach–goers or nip round to secluded coves without getting your feet wet — even glide across grasslands, marches and sand. The two–cylinder 625cc Hovpod ACX 52 hovercraft flies on a cushion of air, so it can go pretty much anywhere you want. The Hovpod has a top speed of 65kmph, can carry up to three adults, and with a 25–litre fuel tank should keep you cruising for about two hours. Its manufacturers claim you can learn to drive one of these in just 10 minutes. As from €22,000.

From 10 to 19 March 2006, the MECC in Maastricht (The Netherlands) will be the setting for the nineteenth staging of The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF). TEFAF has become one of the world’s most prestigious art and antiques fairs and a trendsetter in the field.

The European Fine Art Fair has been held in Maastricht since 1975. In those days it was known as Pictura Fine Art Fair and was attended by 28 dealers specializing in Old Master paintings and medieval sculpture. From this modest beginning the Fair has grown into an internationally renowned event. Today it is not only the world’s largest art and antiques fair but also the most prestigious and the acknowledged leader in the field. In 2005 the fair brought together 203 dealers from 14 countries and attracted 77,736 visitors. This year again more than 75,000 visitors are expected from all over the world to view the offerings of 215 leading art and antiques dealers from 15 countries. The Fair covers approximately 290,000 square feet, equivalent to four football fields. The offerings have expanded to include rare books, modern and contemporary art, decorative arts, jewelry and textiles.

TEFAF is a Mecca for museum representatives, private art collectors and connoisseurs from around the world. The quality could not be higher. TEFAF can be equated to a visit to an extraordinary museum displaying world–class paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, decorative arts, rare books and manuscripts from antiquity to the present day. The major difference is that, unlike a museum, everything at TEFAF is for sale. There are some 20,000 objects for sale and a rough estimate of the total value would be close to $1 billion.

More evidence that the world is becoming a watery playground: the latest residence concept can be found circumnavigating the globe starting in 2008 aboard the €540 million private residential cruise ship, the Magellan. With a full–service retractable marina, on–call Bell 429 helicopters and 300 ports of call, 200 owners will have access to their floating penthouses at any desired time. The amenities and services of the world’s finest resorts are a part of everyday life aboard the 244 m long Magellan. On–call housekeeping staff, a world–class Spa and marketplace, 24–hour concierge staff, indoor and outdoor pools, four fine dining restaurants, a 450–seat theatre featuring Broadway–quality entertainment, a casino and a Starbucks café are just a few of the conveniences that will make living aboard the Magellan a unique experience. With private apartments starting at prices around €1,5 million who wouldn’t want to be a sea nomad?

The Private Collection — Edition 2006 has recently been released and enjoys a fabulous success ever since! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to order your personal copy of this luxury book which is only available online on our www.xoprivate.com website in order to preserve its exclusivity. The latest edition of The Private Collection has again been designed into a stunning piece of art: a luxurious hardcover publication featuring almost 400 pages of truly stunning photography enhanced by spot varnish on the world’s finest escapes and operators. The perfect, original gift for a dear friend, family member or … yourself?