http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com Welcome to our new weblog. On this site you will find an archive of articles and information, as well as news and feedback on a broad spectrum of topics. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:59:27 +0000 en hourly 1 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/aretusa-puerto-banus/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=aretusa-puerto-banus http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/aretusa-puerto-banus/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:56:19 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=937 Founded by Italians and known as one of the best Italian restaurants in the Puerto Banús area, Aretusa is a stylish front-line eatery overlooking the marina that also serves a selection of international favourites.]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/aretusa-puerto-banus/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/contemporary-world-interiors/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=contemporary-world-interiors http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/contemporary-world-interiors/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:28:33 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=910 In her book, Contemporary World Interiors, Susan Yelavich surveys some of the world’s most sumptuously stylish homes, resorts, commercial premises and public areas, charting the evolution of 25 years of interior design. In doing so she takes the reader on a tour of world cities―or more correctly, their interior spaces―focusing on a selection of colourful and striking designs. Rather than gloss over a few iconic references, Yelavich’s work is an in-depth study of more than 450 projects by over 400 designers and architects, from Philippe Starck, Marcel Wanders and John Pawson to Zaha Hadid, UdA, Atelier Bow-Wow and LOT-EK. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/contemporary-world-interiors/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/the-clarence-dublin/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-clarence-dublin http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/the-clarence-dublin/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:53:12 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=868 Going to spend some time in Dublin and want to do it in style? Then expect the Clarence to come up whenever you search for references to ‘Dublin’s finest hotels’. Given such overwhelming evidence, we took everyone’s word for it and booked a few nights of delicious R&R at the iconic city centre pad. It proved a popular decision – not just with ourselves, but with virtually everyone we mentioned it to. Our taxi driver further added to a sense of anticipation that had been raised by Irish friends back home, as he drove us to the very place. “Ah, the Clarence, now that’s one of our best.” The fact that Bono and The Edge of U2 own this fine establishment naturally adds to its glamour, but you sense this is certainly not the only reason for the hotel’s fame. `]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/the-clarence-dublin/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/baile-atha-cliath-the-friendliest-capital-in-europe/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=baile-atha-cliath-the-friendliest-capital-in-europe http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/baile-atha-cliath-the-friendliest-capital-in-europe/#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:03:04 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=831 From opulent shops, restaurants, hotels and trendy night time spots to thriving culture and beautifully renovated historical sights, Dublin is at the forefront of a modern revival boosted by high economic growth and the rise in wealth that accompanies it. Gourmet, Michelin-star aspiring restaurants have mushroomed, as have avant-garde design hotels and bars, not to mention a plethora of shops and boutiques where it is surprisingly easy to spend profusely. Amid all this new energy and forward-looking confidence there are still the old famous sights to enjoy, like Trinity College and the town castle. Chances are they’ve had a recent clean up and look as revitalised as the city feels, but search a bit deeper and you will still find the Ireland of old, with its sticky-carpeted pubs that smell of stale beer and haven’t seen a decorator since the Suez Crisis. Such places offer little to please the eye yet it is here that you will get a glimpse of the character and sense of humour for which these islanders are famous. Whatever your preference, seek and ye shall find…]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/baile-atha-cliath-the-friendliest-capital-in-europe/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/palma-de-mallorca-a-truly-mediterranean-port-of-call/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=palma-de-mallorca-a-truly-mediterranean-port-of-call http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/palma-de-mallorca-a-truly-mediterranean-port-of-call/#comments Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:32:46 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=813 Although small in area, Mallorca’s diversity of landscapes, climates and impressions allows it to cater to a great many different tastes, something that has helped to preserve its age-old appeal as a cherished beacon in the seas. Indeed, the fact that Palma’s international airport is the third largest in Spain is an indication of just how prosperous the island has grown on the tourist trade. But Mallorca’s popularity as a place to soak up the sun, splash around in azure seas and just get away from it all is not a new phenomenon. Evidence suggests that Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans alike used this jewel of the Mediterranean as a place of retreat and repose, making it one of the oldest known tourist destinations in the world. What drew them to this fair isle becomes evident once you lay eyes on its sandy beaches, sheer cliffs, rocky alcoves and deep blue seas. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/palma-de-mallorca-a-truly-mediterranean-port-of-call/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/royal-siam/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=royal-siam http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/royal-siam/#comments Sun, 10 Jul 2011 11:05:41 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=770 At once mysterious and welcoming, Thailand is a tropical paradise with hidden depths beyond its beaches, spa resorts and nightlife. Typically South East Asian, Thailand is the confluence of three great cultures. Dominated for centuries by the neighbouring Khmer, the people of Thailand have also been strongly influenced by India and China. From early Hindu influences through to Buddhist conversion, the Thai have borrowed from their Indian and Chinese neighbours to create a distinctive identity of their own. While many of these traditions may have their origins in the India of classical times, and while a large percentage of the population is of Chinese extraction, the resulting mix is a spicy blend that can be rightly labelled as Thai. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/royal-siam/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/music/rock-the-rock/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rock-the-rock http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/music/rock-the-rock/#comments Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:33:01 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=759 There’s a buzz in Gibraltar and now it’s extending to the music scene too as this summer the ‘Rock’ is gonna rock to the sound of a multi-band festival. It’s promising to be one of the best ever events in Gibraltar, with a line-up that includes the Simple Minds, The Alan Parsons Project, Taxi and Noiz. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/music/rock-the-rock/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/vienna-classic-capital-of-europe/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vienna-classic-capital-of-europe http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/vienna-classic-capital-of-europe/#comments Sun, 19 Jun 2011 14:04:41 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=752 Forever associated with the classical music inspired by the waters of the Danube River that flows through its heart, and the Baroque palaces and operas built to give those immortal tunes a home of their own, Vienna is also a wonderful city in many other ways. One might be tempted to think of the Austrian capital as an open-air museum, where waltzes play to a backdrop of elegant classical buildings and handsome couples dressed in their finery, yet even though this is one of the best preserved cities in the world Vienna is very much a vibrant, modern metropolis too. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/general-interest/vienna-classic-capital-of-europe/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/motoring/mini-clubman-fun-on-four-wheels/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mini-clubman-fun-on-four-wheels http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/motoring/mini-clubman-fun-on-four-wheels/#comments Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:27:41 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=743 So you may be more accustomed to seeing car reports on Ferraris, Lambos, Bentleys, Rollers and 300k Mercedes, but if articles like this are to do more than allow us to salivate over cars that only a privileged few can really afford then maybe it’s worthwhile to discover that there is a lot of driving fun to had in the affordable price bracket too. Which is why I decided to focus on the imminent launch of the Mini Clubman, expected to hit showrooms across Europe and America early next year. It seemed appropriate, too, as this pint-sized estate seems just the accessory to take shopping—it looks better on you than a designer handbag and it fits a hell of a lot more goodies too. ]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/motoring/mini-clubman-fun-on-four-wheels/feed/ 0 http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/boy-george/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=boy-george http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/boy-george/#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 19:10:15 +0000 Michel Cruz http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/?p=725 Each year, over two million people buy an item of clothing or an accessory in one of the more than 2,000 Armani outlets in countries all over the world, generating revenues in excess of $700 million. This is the profile of a company that has enjoyed continued growth since it was established in 1975 and still shows no signs of slowing down. Loyal to a philosophy of design that has produced his trademark style of simple yet refined elegance, Giorgio Armani has not only weathered the vicissitudes of time, he has thrived on them. The secret of this remarkable success is the clean design that gives his creations a timeless quality, which transcends fashions and fads—the surest mark of a master. As a young man, Giorgio Armani gave up his medical studies when he realised that he had a greater affinity for design. After several detours, he found his true vocation in the hectic and exciting world of the Milan fashion industry, where his first notable design, now almost 35 years ago, was a button for a jacket by Nino Cerruti, his erstwhile employer. Displaying a unique personal touch at a very early stage in his career, Armani plunged wholeheartedly into the unknown, breaking new ground and shirking no challenge in the process.]]> http://michel-cruz.rimontgo.com/freelance-writing/boy-george/feed/ 0