| LUXURY GUIDE | LUXURY GUIDE | IN VINO VERITAS FASCINATION
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01. Highway from Sedona (Red Rock) to Payson, Arizona; 02.+ 03. Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner in Arizona is quintessentially American; 04. Grand Canyon, Arizona; 05. Roadkill Cafe, Arizona; 06. Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
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adrenaline must course through the body of a racing driver. I also began to understand why car enthusiasts continue to crave for a BMW M3 or M5, or Porsche 911 Carrera well into their old age. Speed is addictive and dangerous but worth every moment. After our second stop in Payson we retracted the roof again. Ahead were Arizona’s sunnier climes and the evergreen Tonto National Forest – pine tree covered hills which shadow the route with almost sinusoidal regularity. Also highly visible are the towering Saguaro cacti common to these parts. It was an enjoyable and relaxing drive and I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. This is the life – I thought – driving or being driven, smiling at the sun with your hair ruffling in the wind. Our final destination was Scottsdale. Summer temperatures here surge to over forty degrees centigrade but now in February it was “merely” 26 degrees. This is a popular migration spot for so-called “snowbirds” – North American citizens in search of winter warmth. As a consequence the city scores highly for both five-star hotels and golf resorts. However, its pleasures are not confined to daylight and the city’s bars, clubs and hangouts are famous for keeping guests entertained into the early hours. For most of our party however all that awaited
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was the journey home. Some had flights that evening, others, like me, early the next day. On the plane home I took stock. I had just driven the world’s fastest four-seat convertible; a car whose sporty character and luxurious design will only be enjoyed by a few thousand fortunate owners. A story came to mind that Bentley’s Tom Housley had told us during a rest stop. A Bentley sales representative was once appointed to a distinguished female client in the Middle East. An order was placed and final details regarding accessories and interior colours were being discussed. Finally it came to the desired colour for the car’s body. Bentley offers ten basic colours but you may choose something entirely to your own taste – with a hefty premium, of course. The lady in question produced a bottle of nail varnish to indicate exactly the colour she had in mind. The representative was about to pop it into his briefcase, assuring her it would be no problem. But the woman protested, saying that her nail varnish had to stay where it was, as she simply couldn’t live without it! Thus the sales rep boarded his flight to England with neatly polished nails, taking pains to ensure that the lacquer did not rub off. This tale is perhaps indicative of the extraordinary lengths Bentley is prepared to go to for its clients. This is a brand with a tradition of customer care stretching back over ninety years. No obstacle is too great and the client’s wishes are always paramount. It was extremely rewarding to spend time in the company of such professionals. No car is the same. BENTLEY PRAHA, VRCHLICKÉHO 31/18, PRAGUE 5, WWW.BENTLEYPRAHA.CZ
PHOTO: COMPANY ARCHIVE, JAMES LIPMAN
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