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Started UrbaneSpaces to cater to that niche market of design savvy individuals. UrbaneSpaces is a boutique real estate agency dealing with architecturally distinguished, unique properties. More on the company and some of the properties we have dealt with can be found on the website at urbanespaces.com

Luxury Travel Myanmar


Luxury Travel in Myanmar is not quite as oxymoronic as it seems when in the

Yangoon, a name perfectly suited to the economic capital of
Myanmar as it signifies the End of Strife. Arranging for luxurious, special touches
here in Myanmar Between the charming surrounds of
The Governor's residence, the Victorian-styled
Strand hotel or the luxury hotel, Kandawgyi Palace where the suite directly faces
the famous lake in Yangon, marks a great start to your travel around Myanmar.

In spite of the fact that Bagan is not of the list of the Wolrd
Heritage Site, it will be a mistake to missing it during your luxury tour
of Myanmar. Bagan, in fact, has been nominated by the New York Times as one of the Top 10 Destinations to go to. Architecturally rich with an amazing amount of temples,
stupas and pagodas, this city is almost iconic for the tourist
visiting Myanmar. From a spectacular balloon ride early morning or evening or a suite
with spectacular views of temples, your experience of Bagan can be arranged
to capitalize on your surrounds and experience.

To complete your travel experience, a stop in Inle Lake will surely be highly
recommended where you will have time to admire the azure blue lake in luxury.
A lunch/brunch break at the Inle Princess Resort(with a spectacular
view of Inle Lake), along with a spa treatment overlooking the same lake- are some
of the extra touches that will make your trip to Inle Lake a memorable one.

Mandalay, yet another popular stop for most travellers to Myanmar, is recognised for its
artisanal culture. Transfers by a luxuriously retrofitted boat to another island close to Mandalay, picnics
on remote stretches of beach prepared by an advanced team and elephant riding through villages are some
of the activities in Myanmar for travellers keen on experiences and luxury.

End of the travel in Putao which is recognized as a veritable paradise
in the Burmese Himalayas. Your last nights in Myanmar will be spending
in the unexpected luxury Malikha Lodge given the locality.

Luxury Travel Dubai


Luxury travel and Dubai have become somewhat synonymous what with the glitzy nature of the city. It is effortless to take pleasure in luxury travel to Dubai, what with the multitude of luxury hotels but what distinguishes a run-of-the-mill luxury tour with an ´insider´s access´ trip to Dubai would be snagging the

right connections and working with someone who knows the best places in the city.

Dubai combines well with other countries in the region- Abu Dhabi, Oman or Iran and would make for an excellent stopover, the convenient flight connections to and out of Dubai as well as its sophisticated infrastructure making it an ideal staging ground for any journey around the Middle East.

Dubai is one of the states of United Arab Emirates (UAE), there is much more capital invested in its progress than any other manufacturing site in the whole world. There are many projects still in Dubai which are under construction; and one of its major projects at this time in progress is the Three Palms, in which there are 3 non-natural islands are under construction in the form of palm trees, and at the top of these three false islands there is constructing a breakwater in order to give protection to each island. It is also fact that each palm of Specific Island will have more than one function; the Jebel Ali will mainly concentrate on entertainment, the Jumeirah on international hotels and restaurants, and leisure and the Deira on residential use. It is very famous in the world and people used to refer to it as the 8th Wonder of the World.


Luxury travel in Dubai would inadvertently involve a spot of shopping. Dubai, well known for its gold souks, the fashionable abayas and some of (if not the largest) malls in the world, has a lot to offer by way of shopping. From homegrown talents to international fashion names, cuisine that draws inspiration both regionally and internationally and a workforce that is equally diverse, Dubai is the easiest introduction for any traveller looking to initiate themselves with the Middle East

Luxury Travel Morocco


Morocco, fusing influences of North Africa and the Mediterranean, looks from the northwest shoulder of Africa. It´s been the homeland of the berbers since second the millennium and today, you´ll find similar cross cultural influences of the Arabs, African and Mediterranean influences in Morocco.

The environment in morocco is having great verity according to geographical location, combining skiing and mountain ranges with the vast expanse of the Sahara desert. And the mountains are heavily wooded and in winter the mountains are covered with snow. This country is very important in the migration of birds that spend time of winter in Morocco.

The exoticism of Morocco has fascinated many western travellers- from icons like Talitha Getty in the 60´s to the fictional Penny Lane from the movie ´Almost Famous´, referring to Marrakech as the capital for privileged, bohemian chic.

There are plenty of sophisticated riads and hotels, facilitating luxury travel to Morocco. The Palmeraie area is Marrakech sees luxury incarnations of palaces, discreet luxury hideouts referencing Persian pleasure gardens and Andalusian architecture to the chic boutique riads in the areas closer to the Djemaa el Fnaa.

The official language of this country is Arabic. But the people there can speak French, Spanish, and English as well. The Religion is Islam and the mosque is center of all worship. The national drink is mint tea- instantly obvious once you get invited to the many rounds of mint tea whilst carpet merchants roll out their offerings. Industries include construction textile and processed food. Tourism earns foreign exchange as a result of millions of tourist. In the culture of morocco music and dance plays a vital role. And in the Islamic culture the architecture have resulted in great and splendid treasure- main hallmarks of which will be present in any luxury travel itinerary.

Trekking, climbing on mountain ranges, horse riding and during winter, skiing, are activities that can be undertaken during your stay in Morocco. Being a Muslim country there are many festivals and holidays according to Islamic calendar, New Year's Day, the end of the month of Ramadan, National Day, the Anniversary of The Green March and Independence Day are among the National celebrations.

Luxury Tours to Turkey


If the world were one state, then Istanbul would be its capital- the words of Napoleon Bonaparte an indication of the reverence that he holds Istanbul in, is today, ultimately true. With the confluence of Eastern and Western cultures, Istanbul is an interesting city to explore and discover at your own pace. Straddling both Europe and Asia, Istanbul was the jewel in the crown for the Ottoman empire and today visitors can witness the various influences that the city has come under.
So this is the main feature of this country, because of which Turkey is so important as far as the luxury traveling is concern. There were many big and famous empires of the world, who ruled over turkey. Travelers are going to Turkey since last 8000 years and they discovered much wealth of
artifacts, which was left by those great empires. But nowadays the luxury travel to Turkey is going to become very famous and common throughout the world.
There are many attractive places in the country which ranging from beaches famous for its nightlife and party culture to ancient and famous cities of the world. Then there’s Turkish cuisine- considered as one of the finest as far as national cuisines are concern. The exciting mixture of culture, tradition, and natural beauty makes this country an unforgettable natural gateway to the all other countries of the Asia, and on the same time as the greatest destination of Asia.
Luxury travelers to Turkey would discover much in the way of privileged access. It is a country that reveals itself in different ways to different individuals and everyone would most definitely find their own way to enjoy Istanbul. Luxury tours of Turkey, based in luxury hotels(often converted from palaces and historical homes), access to private tours and collections as well as some of the most spectacular travel experiences available, Turkey is definitely well set up as a luxury travel destination.
The abundance of thermal springs in Turkey allows too for Turkey to be developed as a spa destination. Then there are many thermal springs, and especially the ancient culture are just one of the highlights for a luxury tour of Turkey.

Luxury Travel Malaysia


Malaysia is one of the most beautiful countries of the world having every type of favor of enjoyment in it. Malaysia has a shoreline that is three thousand kilometers (i.e. almost 1,860 miles) lengthy and very famous and all in all rainforests that are thought to be the world’s oldest rainforests. The cultural diversity and natural attractions of Malaysia have drawn many tourists to Malaysia.
From Malaysia’s colonial influence, its Malay courtly heritage(especially writ large in the states of Trengganu and Malacca) to the luxury hotels that are now available in the country- the potential for luxury travel in Malaysia is endless. Nature enthusiasts are lured to Malaysian Borneo for its wild tropical jungles and the amazing cultures of its local people- quite distinct from peninsular Malaysia with tribes like the Negrito, Iban and Penan.
Langkawi, already a favourite with honeymooners, similarly beckons with its rich nature and under-the-radar beaches(although, having quite
recently been voted as one of Asia’s best beaches by a respected travel magazine, the ‘under-the-radar’ nature of Langkawi’s beaches looks set to
change.
Malaysia is full of a varied coastline. Beaches of Malaysia are as diverse as its original culture. This country has the brand that it has smooth pebble beaches, black sand beaches as well as powdery beaches. The luxury travel solutions in Malaysia similarly reflect the elements that draw visitors to Malaysia- from the colonial Carcosa Seri Negara, a heritage hotel perched on top of a hill, an eco-luxury getaway an hour’s drive from the bustling metropolis of Kuala Lumpur to award-winning spa getaways that take inspiration from courtly Malay rituals.
There are many wonderful buildings around the country but KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) and very famous PETRONAS twin tower are most wonderful and that’s why they are so famous that if you are on a trip to Malaysia then you should not miss the chance to see them. It is a most recent wonder of the world and they symbolize the quick progress of Malaysia.
Luxury travel to Malaysia, whilst facilitating the best of luxury hotels, would also mean privileged access via stays in private estates or royal family homes.

Luxury Travel India



Luxury travel and India sounds like a perfect mix/composition of words   
for describing a dream experience in the real word proposed by luxury travel company. No one can ignore the existence of this land of treasure symbolized by a population who lives with her rich culture in a respect of her traditions. Hindustan as India is called by her inhabitants, retains an amazing amount of luxury hotels from the heritage part of India to the renowned hotel chains without forgetting to mention the safari lodges, making luxury travel
to India a unique and culturally enriching experience.  In the land of Gandhi, the entire rainbow colors will be found on the   women's saris(most synonymous with the Rajasthani women- something you'd notice as you travel
throughout India) as in your plate full of a local meal. Tasting the  
traditional chicken Tandoori will certainly be the first step of a   long discovery of Indian?s cook based on an incredible mix of several   different kinds of spices and herbs.  Without these delicious moments spending around the table, in   accordance with luxury, you will be transfer wherever you would like   to go by a luxury limousine with a chauffeur for discovering the historical   places.  After these long days walking in Delhi streets or visiting the iconic   Taj Mahal, you will enjoy your stay in the most luxury accommodations   existed in India where you will be treating as a maharajah and a   maharani. Boutique hotel or Palace, the places proposed will have the   luxury that you are looking for during your luxury tour of India.

Luxury Travel Thailand


The Buddhist country of Thailand is one of the greatest destinations of Asia. Thailand is a place of remarkable places and has a well-developed infrastructure for tourism. The life in its capital city Bangkok is very fast and full of actions of nightlife. An easy introduction to South East Asia for the first timer, Thailand is a country that provides all the visitors with modern advantages to ease and facilitate their travel experience.

Renowned Thai hospitality and the sophistication of the luxury hotels in Thailand, allows for luxury travel to Thailand to be within the reach of many.

The official language of Thailand carries a beautiful quality and inflections, which, even to the casual observer, would reveal the gentle attitudes of its people. The currency used in Thailand is named as "baht". Thai people are very conscious about their traditions and one

tradition is "wai" i.e. to press your hands like you are in prayer and bent yourself a little. This greeting is possibly a cultural influence of India, indicating the cultural trajectories around Asia.

The visitors of Thailand have one big advantage that they a wide variety of choice in every field i.e. to live in an eco-beach resort, a wellness getaway favoured by celebrities like Elizabeth Hurley to the dizzying array of luxury hotels and beach resorts to activities like visiting the archaeological ruins in ancient capitals, a private blessing ceremony in Ayutthaya or visiting monasteries involved in the preservation of the Thai traditional performing arts. And it is well known about Thailand that is always had something new even for the persons who have already visited- with many regional travellers opting for weekend getaways to sample the shopping, spa and luxury hotel experiences of its capital Bangkok to the international traveller who visit Thailand over and over again, doing it a little differently and experiencing something new each time.

Many visitors come to Thailand for shopping and it is too easy to spend a lot of time shopping for exotic souvenirs in Bangkok and other favoured tourist cities like Chiang Mai and Phuket.Luxury tours in Thailand is easily facilitated by the efficient domestic flight connections within the country.



Wicker in Singapore


Every upscale development's made the conversion to wicker poolside lounge chairs in place of the pleb white-plastic chairs(that gets really greasy and reminds you of unsanitary public pools).

For your roof terrace, poolside or even the balcony, turn to:

Ohmm and Gloster

Gloster has very good-looking love seats(with optional sail) at reasonable prices and the sole distributor as I understand it is Fun's Florist and Nursery at Andrew Road.

Fun's Florist and Nursery

551 Thomson Road (Junction Of Andrew Road) Singapore 298180
Tel : 6253-7023
Fax : 6251-1027

Maharam in Singapore



More on the thread of finding previously-unavailable decor brands in Singapore, FabricNation; a company with a cute name strategically situated on Haji Lane, now carries Maharam textiles.



Maharam, with collaborators like Paul Smith and Andree Putman(Paul Smith allegedly having "approached Maharam in 2002 after seeing I Morosi alla Finestra, a Gio Ponti designed silk, at a Ponti retrospective at the Design Museum in London") delivers fabrics backed by a certain conceptual resonance and progressive use of materials.

Fabricnation (Singapore) Pte Ltd
57A Haji Lane Singapore 189250
Tel : 6299-0538
Fax : 6299-3719

Where to Source Interesting Tiles in Singapore



Previously I'd always have turned to Rice Fields- a small, well-designed tile and bathroom fittings outfit that's recently re-located to the much-hyped Tiong Bahru Neighbourhood.

Recently however, I'd discovered GFA Global as well. With an interesting website, gorgeous accompanying visuals and possibly the only store that carries tiles imitating the textures of leather and metal, GFA Global also carries my much sought-after Bisazza feature tiles.

Check out GFA Global's website here

Another Fengshui ad- Cannot explain: Only Special People Understand!




The cornerstone of most forms of advertising- you 'get it' because you're special...

Alec Baldwin calls the Real Estate Agency


You need 'brass balls to sell real estate'?

Borat-Buying a House


And Sometimes I lament the lack of interesting customers?

Herald Newspaper Real-Estate Ad, 1984 (with cute blonde)

To use an oft-employed phrase, a 'retro' ad.

Mocca Bodybuilder Ad - Guy Selling House

A guy trying to sell his house does it by showing off his pipes. Why are Mocca ads so crass?

Invisible City



A documentary about space and memory and how we stake our claim on spaces, no matter how temporary-from the graffiti on the wall or the tissue paper in a food court.
The official website here: