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Mozart’s Last Castle: Image: Thomas Meyer Photography provided by Concierge Auctions.

Many people believe that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the most significant musical genius to have ever lived. His more than 800 compositions, which included concertos, symphonies, and operas, helped to define the classical age and served as an inspiration to composers such as Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. Even now, performances of his music can be found all over the world. Mozart, a young maestro, began writing pieces at the age of five and his first symphony at the age of eight. He performed for royalty while touring Europe with his family. He was named court concertmaster in Salzburg in 1769 when he turned 13. He would later serve for other royal clients, including Emperor Joseph II, before going out on his own as an independent.
At 35, Mozart passed away in 1791 after becoming ill during the world premiere of his opera La Clemenza di Tito. Some of his most beloved compositions, such as the opera The Magic Flute and his Requiem, which he was unable to complete before his death, were created during his fruitful final year.

A beautifully decorated living area. Image: Thomas Meyer Photography provided by Concierge Auctions.

Count Franz von Walsegg of Schloss Stuppach in Salzburg, Austria commissioned Mozart’s last composition. The bidding for this historic castle, one of the few in lower Austria still privately owned, will be open until December 14 at Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions in New York. A price of 12 million euros was previously offered for the palace. Known as “Mozart’s Last Castle,” the building now houses multiple other companies and a top-notch performance venue. The property acquisition includes access to the experience theatre, club salon, concert program, and castle shop.

The beautiful dining space. Image: Thomas Meyer Photography provided by Concierge Auctions.

With some partial renovations in the 15th and 17th centuries, the castle has a complex history that begins at least in 1130. The officer in charge of the castle defied the Nazi orders to blow it up in 1945 so that it wouldn’t fall into Soviet hands, and the castle survived. Its architecture, which incorporates aspects of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, reflects the several eras in which it was built. The exquisite four-story home is encircled by a beautifully designed park featuring ornate gardens and historic trees.

Fully equipped kitchen area. Image: Thomas Meyer Photography provided by Concierge Auctions.

The old house has rare treasures throughout. The 50 rooms of the castle offer a variety of leisure areas, including a formal dining room, two halls, a movie theatre, and a library. The estate also has a dungeon and the Renaissance-style Requiem chapel. Along with Mozart, other well-known guests of the castle include Emperor Franz Stephan of Lothringen, Napoleon Bonaparte, Franz Schubert, Pope Pius VI, and Princess Isabelle von Bourbon-Parma.

Wind down in the bedroom. Image: Thomas Meyer Photography provided by Concierge Auctions.

The Austrian village of Gloggnitz is home to Schloss Stuppach. The region has a wealth of historical sites and several Gothic and Baroque architecture. It’s conveniently located—a rail or automobile ride from Vienna takes only about an hour. Vienna, sometimes called the “City of Music,” has a rich and lengthy history of classical music, opera, and theatre. Mozart resided in the city for much of his career, married at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and was interred in the St. Marx Cemetery. Numerous monuments, a museum, and the composer’s surviving apartment testify to the composer’s close relationship with Austria’s energetic city.

Enjoy a bath in this charming bathroom. Image: Thomas Meyer Photography provided by Concierge Auctions.

The auction will be held by Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions. Photos: Thomas Meyer Photography provided by Concierge Auctions.

Source: www.conciergeauctions.com

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As I stepped off the helicopter, the overwhelming beauty of the Okavango Delta unfolded beneath me. It was a visual symphony of nature, a place where dreams met reality. My journey with andBeyond in Botswana had begun, and I was about to embark on an adventure that would awaken the eight-year-old boy in me, living out his Indiana Jones and Jungle Book fantasies.

The first awe-inspiring moment came swiftly. As our safari vehicle approached a secluded thicket, a majestic pride of lions emerged from the shadows. Their golden coats glistened in the African sun, and I could hardly believe I was this close to these magnificent creatures. The wild echoed with the sound of their soft roars, a memory etched in my mind forever.

The surprises kept coming. From my room, perched amidst the lush foliage, I gazed out at a private plunge pool that overlooked the delta. There, like guardian spirits of the wilderness, a group of elephants gracefully strolled by. I watched in silent wonder, feeling as if I had a front-row seat to an intimate gathering of Earth’s most majestic beings.

Safari journeys are honest conversations between your adult self and your inner child. As I ventured deeper into the wilderness, I saw hippos with their young, their bulbous forms gently gliding through the delta’s channels. Zebras raced with the wind, their black and white stripes creating a mesmerizing pattern as cheetahs pursued them. It was as if I had stepped into the pages of a storybook, living the tales of my childhood imagination.

But it wasn’t just the wildlife that left me in awe. The Okavango Delta gifted us with glorious deep orange sunsets that painted the sky in vivid, breathtaking hues. It was as if the heavens themselves were putting on a show, a daily reminder of nature’s unparalleled artistry.

My home during this journey was andBeyond Sandibe, a lodge that seamlessly blended with the natural world around it. Inspired by the elusive pangolin, the architecture of the lodge was a harmonious union of contemporary design and African authenticity. The rooms, reminiscent of weaver’s nests, were nestled in the treetops, providing panoramic views of the delta. I felt like a bird perched high in the branches, my own personal eyrie to observe the theater of the wild.

The game drives led by our guides were nothing short of remarkable. Their deep knowledge of the land, as well as their uncanny ability to track the animals, added a layer of excitement and connection to the experience. Every outing felt like a treasure hunt, with each encounter revealing a new and captivating chapter of the delta’s story.

What truly set andBeyond Sandibe apart was the warm embrace of the staff and chefs. They made me feel not like a guest, but like a cherished member of the family. Their dedication to hospitality and their passion for the natural world resonated in every smile and every dish they prepared. It was a feeling of being at home, albeit in the heart of the wilderness.

In this land of visual wonders, where our memories are drawn from what we see, andBeyond Sandibe was a masterpiece of sight, sound, and sensation. It was an adventure that left me forever changed and inspired. I encourage every traveler, every storyteller, and every adventurer to experience Botswana with andBeyond Sandibe. This, without a doubt, must be on everyone’s bucket list. As a seasoned traveler, I can confidently say that andBeyond Sandibe ranks among my top five must-experience destinations in the world. It’s a place where the line between reality and dreams blurs, where the spirit of adventure thrives, and where the wild calls to the inner child in all of us.

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You can transform a vacation by paying for a series of luxury upgrades along the way. This completely reinvents your experience and can turn it into the best holiday of your life. Some luxury upgrades are arguably not worth purchasing, but here are some you should definitely think about paying for: 

Fast-Track Airport Security

There once was a time when you could stroll through airports without worrying about long security queues. Sadly, this isn’t the case anymore and you’re usually arriving 3 hours ahead of time just to make sure you’re not stuck waiting to pass through the scanners. 

That’s where the first luxury upgrade comes into play: fast-track airport security. 

Most airports give the option to pay money and get sent through a semi-private security area. You bypass all the queues and can be through in minutes. It’s not an overly expensive service either, but to be honest, you’d pay pretty much anything to dodge the long lines. 

Airport Lounge Services

All airports will have lounges that provide private areas for people to wait for their flights. They offer a lovely quiet area that’s free from the hustle and bustle of normal airport life. Instead of frantically trying to find something to eat or fighting a hundred people for the last seat, you stroll into a lounge and enjoy luxury home comforts. 

Some of the best airport lounges are truly luxurious and extremely comfortable. Many offer fine dining options while a few even provide hot showers! Almost every airport lounge will be accessible if you pay for it. Most of the time, you gain access by having certain perks – like an American Express card or first-class flight tickets. But if you don’t have these, speak to someone at the lounge and they’ll state the fee for entry. 

It’s well worth it to get a moment’s peace before you jet off. There are few things worse than pre-flight stress in an airport. Lounges let you hide from all of this and get a far more enjoyable experience. 

Improved Tickets

Some flights will have various ticket options to choose from. Across the world, most airlines will provide economy, premium economy, business, and first-class tickets. If you hate being crammed together with loads of people or can’t stand screaming babies on your flight, you need to upgrade to a better seat class. 

The more you pay, the better the travel experience. First-class seats usually offer the most space, quiet cabins, and constant food service. A few of the best first-class tickets in the world also provide free gifts you can take home with you! 

Of all the luxury upgrades on our list, this is probably the most worthwhile. Especially if you’re on a long-haul flight and will be sitting in the same place for 5+ hours. It’s a horrible experience doing this in the economy, so upgrading to business or first class reduces loads of stress. Think of it this way, it’s an opportunity to get your holiday off on the right foot, rather than landing and having so much stress hanging over you already. 

Also, as touched upon above, first-class tickets come with other perks. The main one is access to VIP airport lounges in some airports. Instead of paying separately to enter the lounge, your ticket will give you access. 

Early Boarding 

What happens if better ticket classes aren’t available? This is often the case for shorter flights on smaller aircraft. If you only have one ticket option, the next best luxury upgrade is to get early boarding. The majority of airlines will offer early boarding alongside more spacious seats, despite only having the capacity for one seat class. 

Here, you at least get to board the plane before everyone else and bypass the mad rush. You’ll be seated with your bags stowed while everyone else stresses out trying to find overhead luggage space. 

For us, this is an essential upgrade on any family vacation. Getting you and your kids aboard the flight before everyone else helps you settle down and have easy access to your bags. 

Private Transfers

After flying to your destination, you get off the plane and pass through border control. You collect your luggage and have to find your way to the hotel or resort you’re staying in. This is where another vital luxury upgrade helps make the vacation much more satisfying. Avoid busy public transport or smelly cabs by upgrading to a private chauffeur service. You’ll receive a personal driver in a comfortable car that takes you directly to where you need to be. 

In all honesty, you can get as fancy as you want here. Some private transfer services provide nice minivans while the more expensive ones are limousines. It’s entirely up to you, but the point is that you can relax in the back seat and enjoy an effortless journey to your final destination. 

Likewise, begin your vacation with a private transfer from your house to the airport. Again, you don’t have to get any public transport or worry about finding a parking space for your car. It starts the whole experience in a positive way. 

Private Pools

It’s highly recommended to book a hotel room with a private pool. Or, you could book a villa with its own pool. Either way, this is an underrated luxury upgrade. You no longer have to go down to the communal pool and hope there are sun loungers free. You can relax in your own private space and have nothing to worry about. 

This is one of those upgrades you think is excessive, but once you’ve experienced it you realize it’s hard to go back. You want privacy while on vacation as you’re trying to relax. A private pool gives you fewer things to stress about! 

You’ll notice all of these upgrades tackle different stages of your vacation. Some deal with the initial transfer to the airport, and then you’re making the airport experience far more enjoyable. After this, you’re getting a better flying experience before being transferred to your hotel with no worries. Here, you get to enjoy the most luxurious vacation with a private room and pool. Honestly, what more could you wish for from a holiday?!

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