By Kim O’Hare
It’s not easy buying the perfect gift for the special person in your life. You spend hours, or even days looking high and low to find that unique one-of-a-kind gift only to find everybody and their uncle has made the same purchase.
With that in mind, UAEasy.com has compiled a gift list for that person on your list who really does have everything. Mind you, some of the prices are a little hard to swallow.
If you’re looking for exclusivity in Paris, Paris Prive makes dreams come true. Among the services offered are:
- Private and after-hours visits of famous places, including the Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, Versailles and Garnier Opera.
- Exclusive behind the scenes access to the most prestigious Maisons de Luxe.
- Private access to luxury crafts workshops
- Private lessons from the most reknowned Paris chefs
- Meet famous “noses” and order your own exclusive perfume
- Made-to-measure shopping in the best department stores, open for you only.
- Access to private salons of Haute Couture and the chance to meet their artistic directors.
To find out more about Paris Prive, visit their web site at http://www.parisprive.com.
Or maybe you’d prefer to hit the road? Forget about driving your boring BMW here. Treat yourself to a special holiday excursion being arranged to an old Soviet bunker in the Czech republic. This trip is over two complete days and involve, Russian tanks and various armoured trucks driving on an extreme off road course. Includes hotel, flights BBQ’s, meals etc. English speaking host, fantastic fun! Prices in the region of £599 (Dhs4,200) travelling from UK. http://www.russiantruck.co.uk/
They also carry a range of used Soviet military hardware for sale. How about an Mi24 Russian attack helicopter? These were widely used in the Afghanistan war in the 80s and I suppose compare to the US Apache machine you see today.
Before you think wow, great way to fly around and impress the neighbours, we should point out that although it’s complete (apart from a couple of gauges) and would start up, the machine has no air-worthiness certification and would cost a “bob or two” to put back in the air.
If you want something totally reliable, how about a SAM 6 Missile Launcher? Powered by the same engine as the T64, it makes all the right noises - ideal for moving your neighbours’ furniture around.
De-activated missiles are available, for that fully authentic look. Prices, ahem, negotiable.
How many times has that special person in your life said they wanted to escape to a tropical island?
Well, at http://www.tropical-islands.com, you can buy an island instead of dreaming about it. For example, $10m US you can buy a 400-acre Island in the Caribbean off Grenada.
The island features two volcanic knolls separated by a flat valley. The lush vegetation includes coconut palms and fruit trees and several sandy beach areas. Annual average temperature is 82F.
The price includes a two bedroom guest house, a water system and is fully furnished. If you opt to rent instead, check out http://www.vladi-private-islands.de, where they have a “rent before you buy” option on many of their multi-million dollar properties.
For six million euros you can buy the 1,100 acre River Island in France, which can produce more than a quarter of a million bottles of Bordeaux Superieur per year. Cheers!
The gift of travel is sure to score points with any loved one. Space Adventures http://www.spaceadventures.com/ is the only company in the world currently operating commercial orbital spaceflight.
Whether your desire is to conduct science experiments, achieve what few have done before or simply enjoy the feeling of weightlessness while taking in the spectacular view, Space Adventures is your opportunity to discover one of life’s greatest secrets: the wonders of space.
With Orbital Flight (Price: $25,000,000 US) you can spend one week at the International Space Station orbiting the Earth. The price includes six months of intense training, roundtrip transportation to the ISS, and a week’s lodging in space.
The Suborbital package (a bargain at $102,000 US) allows passengers to look down at the brilliant curvature of the earth and experience up to five minutes of weightlessness on a quick journey right past the edge of space. Other packages - such as the Zero-Gravity Charter - are available for slightly more modest prices!
Maybe you’ve been looking for that perfect investment property, a little fixer-upper. Look no further than http://www.missilebases.com for surplus US missiles bases which include both above and below ground accommodation. These heavy structures were built to withstand nuclear attack so they are ideal for entertaining frisky guests.
For $1.3 million US you can enjoy the privacy of an exclusive, luxurious mountain home which includes many acres of the most beautiful land New York State has to offer. The complex, accessible via its own private paved airstrip, offers the optimum level of security available today. It features 105 acres of manicured grounds, a hangar, 3 bedrooms with an open living area.
Of course, getting there is half the fun. Check out http://www.escapeartist.com/Yacht_Broker/Yacht_Broker.html for a great selection of luxury yachts sure to being a smile to any face on Christmas morning. For $11 million US you can snap up a 35-metre, wave-piercing catamaran that sleeps ten.
You might want to relax and leave the actual sailing to someone else. The 279ft Annaliesse is the most expensive private yacht charter in the world, and it’s owned by entrepreneur Andreas Liveras.
The ship comfortably holds 36 passengers and has one-to-one guest to staff ratio. On board there’s a gymnasium, library and a medical centre, as well as a spa and cinema. The owner’s suite is 1,200 square feet and the ship is available for $840,000 per week. http://www.AndreasLiveras.com
The summer of 2007 will see the eighth season of Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge at Cunningham Inlet on Somerset Island, Nunavut.
Arctic Watch is a permanent facility, located 500 miles north of the Arctic Circle and 50 miles from the nearest town, that offers rustic hotel-like accommodation in a remote Arctic setting.
Guests experience the beauty and wonder of this fabulous place whilst enjoying the comforts of home with fine cuisine.
Somerset Island is of particular interest to naturalists and photographers because it is a world-class beluga whale observation site. It is also home to many musk oxen. The terrain offers easy passage to both hikers and sea kayakers. The company also offers North Pole expeditions. http://www.canadianarcticholidays.ca/ArcticWatch.html
Maybe you’d prefer to ski and snowshoe to the geographic North Pole with Richard Weber, the world’s premier North Pole guide. Richard can lead both supported and unsupported expeditions . Canadian Arctic Holidays can organise all equipment, supplies and logistics for your North Pole dream.
Looking for something a bit more practical than a trek to the North Pole? Maybe a luxury car is on the cards. Find quality used Rolls Royce autos at the Big Lot - prices are surprisingly reasonable - well, until you receive your first servicing bill! http://www.thebiglot.com/used-cars/used_rolls_royce_for_sale.asp
So there you have it ... once again, UAEasy.com takes the guesswork out of Christmas shopping!

