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The 2025 Escape List: Private Islands, Sky Villas & Helicopter Views 🏝️🚁

Inside: The 6,225-Carat Emerald That Became 15 Masterpieces 💎

To those who seek life’s finer pleasures,

Welcome to your weekly dose of the extraordinary—curated for those who don’t just appreciate luxury, but shape it.

In this edition, we explore the kind of escapes and experiences that money alone can’t buy: private islands with custom wine cellars, emeralds born from the Earth and reborn as wearable masterpieces, and vessels designed not for travel, but for statement.

This isn’t lifestyle inspiration—it’s lifestyle confirmation.

📰 Upcoming in this issue

  • Private Islands & Sky-High Luxury: Where to Escape in 2025 🏝️✨

  • Chris-Craft’s New Sportster 28 Is a Floating Dream Machine 🚤✨

  • A Jewel of a Story: Chopard’s Insofu Emerald Collection 💎

Private Islands & Sky-High Luxury: Where to Escape in 2025 🏝️✨ read the full 1,275-word article here

Article published: March 20, 2025

I just read “Escape in style: The best private islands and five-star luxury resorts to book in 2025” by LLM – Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, and let's just say—2025 might be the year you finally book that bucket-list retreat.

This isn’t your average roundup of luxury resorts. It’s an invitation into a world of helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon, oceanfront villas in the Maldives, and private music performances on Richard Branson’s island.

These five handpicked destinations aren't just lavish—they redefine exclusivity, blending sustainable escapes with show-stopping opulence. Whether you're drawn to desert calm or electric Vegas nights, there’s a five-star experience that’s quietly (or loudly) waiting for you.

Key Takeaways:

  • 🏝️ Necker Island, BVI: Richard Branson’s private paradise offers yacht charters, private concerts, and space for just 34 guests—total, tailored seclusion.

  • 🎲 The Venetian, Las Vegas: Gondola rides, two high-end casinos, and rooftop pools deliver peak glamour with curated wine tastings and helicopter Strip tours.

  • 🌵 Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley, AZ: Desert luxury meets farm-to-table dining, Grand Canyon helicopter tours, and firepit-lined private patios with sweeping mountain views.

  • 🌊 Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives: With Michelin-starred dining, spa sanctuaries, and oceanfront villas, this resort is where quiet elegance meets over-the-top indulgence.

Chris-Craft’s New Sportster 28 Is a Floating Dream Machine 🚤✨ read the full 1,170-word article here

Article published: March 16, 2025

Chris-Craft’s Sportster 28 doesn’t just cruise—it captivates.

At 28 feet long and weighing just under 10,000 lbs fully loaded, this sleek vessel is engineered for thrill-seekers and luxury lovers alike.

With room for 12 guests, it blends high performance with upscale comfort, boasting plush, modular lounges, integrated storage, and even a sunpad and swim deck at the rear.
Whether you're tearing across the lake at over 50 mph or soaking in the sun with your crew, the Sportster 28 redefines what it means to enjoy the water—beautifully.

Key Takeaways:

  • 🚀 50+ mph Speed Potential: With up to 430 hp, this boat rivals Chris-Craft’s Launch series in power, hitting mid-50s mph depending on setup.

  • 🛋️ 12-Person Social Lounge: U-shaped bow seating, hidden heads, and sunpads deliver maximum comfort and conversation space.

  • 🎵 Luxury Details Everywhere: JL Audio system, stitched furniture, and synthetic teak decking turn it into a floating VIP suite.

  • 💸 Starts at $200K: With extras, expect to go well beyond that—this beauty demands commitment (and a generous budget).

A Jewel of a Story: Chopard’s Insofu Emerald Collection 💎 read the full 760-word article here

Article published: March 18, 2025

Chopard has just unveiled a marvel in haute joaillerie: the Insofu Emerald Collection, created entirely from a single, raw 6,225-carat emerald found in Zambia.

Named Insofu—the Bemba word for “elephant”—the gemstone’s shape and scale inspired not only the name but the centerpiece: a striking elephant-shaped pendant.
Over the course of nearly a year, elite gem-cutters in Geneva coaxed 850 carats of refined emeralds from the original stone, turning nature’s masterpiece into 15 one-of-a-kind creations.

From Art Deco chokers to diamond-framed cocktail rings, every piece tells the story of the Earth’s raw beauty, made dazzling by craftsmanship and vision.

Key Takeaways:

  • 🐘 6,225-Carat Origin Story: One of the largest emeralds ever found, Insofu inspired a full collection—and its elephant-shaped hero piece.

  • ✂️ 850-Carat Yield: A year of meticulous cutting revealed just 850 carats of usable gems, showcasing emerald’s unpredictable nature.

  • 🧩 15 Unique Creations: The collection includes chokers, earrings, cocktail rings, and a convertible pendant-brooch, each revealing a different facet.

  • 💎 Sustainable Transparency: By starting from raw stone, Chopard ensures ethical sourcing and deep collaboration across its supply chain.

One last thing

At this level, luxury isn't about access—it's about discernment. It's knowing where to go before the world discovers it, acquiring pieces that tell stories no one else can, and embracing experiences so refined they can't be replicated.

For those building legacies, not just portfolios, these aren't indulgences—they're investments in a life well-lived.

Catherine Beaumont
Editor-in-Chief
Boston, Massachusetts
Flying Private

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