Once the sole milieu of science fiction films like Minority Report, the self-driving car is moving closer to reality as Tesla’s Autopilot for the Model S attests. Recently announced by the electrifying marque, the autopilot hardware—while hardly hands-free—enhances driver safety with integrated warning systems and automated environmental responses for proactive protection.

Now standard, the package includes front-mounted radar, an electric-assist braking system, and 12 ultrasonic sensors that cast a 16-foot…

Looking to surpass BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo has launched an all-new compact luxury sedan—the Alfa Romeo Giulia. After revealing the rear-wheel-drive sport sedan at a small event in Italy this past summer, Alfa Romeo trotted out several examples at this year’s Frankfurt auto show.

So far, the Giulia has only been shown in its sportiest variant, the Quadrifoglio, whose name is in homage to the cloverleaf used on Alfa Romeo racecars since 1923. The Giulia Quadrifoglio is powered by a version of the 51…

Thomas Jefferson said, “One travels more usefully when they travel alone, because they reflect more.” Given this sentiment, the Lone Ranger on the Serengeti package at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti presents an ideal opportunity for untamed introspection. Designed for adventurers traveling solo to Tanzania, the experience reveals the beauty of the African landscape and its inhabitants, while providing a boutique base camp for self-discovery.

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Set in the center…

Originally published in the October 2015 issue of Robb Report Collection as “Telling Secrets”

Charles Curtis was working as a chef—after graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris—when he decided the liquid side of the restaurant business was where he should be. He got a job with a wine distributor and went to work selling to restaurants, and in 2004 he became the 22nd American to earn the prestigious Master of Wine certification. After a series of impressive posts, including heading the wine departments for C…

Will the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider be Robb Report’s 2016 Car of the Year?

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The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider displays a design reminiscent of the marque’s 33 Stradale from the late 1960s—a V-8-powered car that could cover a kilometer faster than any other production car; not even the V-12-powered Lamborghini Miura or Ferrari Daytona could catch it. Like the 33 Stradale, the 4C Spider is quick and agile because its design is based on the principle that speed is a function …

At the break of dawn, Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market is buzzing with activity. Buyers haggle with each other at the tuna auction, while retailers set up shop in the market and prepare for the onslaught of customers. The market runs like a well-oiled machine, giving tourists and locals alike an insider’s look at the thriving Japanese landmark. Perusing the world’s largest fish market is just one of the activities on the roster for guests who book the One Journey, Two Capitals vacation package offered by the Ritz-C…

Originally published in the Fall 2015 issue of Robb Report Health & Wellness as “Road to Recovery”

A premier private psychiatric facility adds a Maine hideaway to its rehabilitation offerings.

In Camden, Maine, a new road—actually a winding, tree-lined drive—leads to a more sober future and the 14-acre estate where that journey begins. Opened last April, McLean Borden Cottage is the newest of McLean Hospital’s addiction recovery facilities, and its most luxurious.

Visible only from Penobscot Bay, …

From October 22 through 25, the third-annual WestEdge Design Fair, a four-day event showcasing modern designs and home furnishings from more than 150 upscale designers and architects, will take place in Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hangar. In addition to perusing booths filled with cutting-edge furniture, lighting, and kitchen and bathroom decor, attendees can sit in on panels hosted by leading design experts. Discussions will range from “Bringing the Travel Experience Home: Design Inspiration from Around the…

Crafted from sheepskin, shearling jackets are comfortable, breathable, and fashionable—making the versatile coats perfect for any occasion. Here are four shearling jackets that are both fashion-forward and guaranteed to keep you warm all winter long.

Originally published in the October 2015 issue of Robb Report Collection as “Under the Gloss”

There may be no better judge of vintage Italian metal than Gary Bobileff, who has been restoring rare Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Maseratis in his San Diego workshop since 1979. He has served as a concours judge for the Ferrari Club of America and Lamborghini Club America for more than 25 years and is frequently sought out by collectors for authoritative assessments. We caught up with Bobileff as he prepared for an…