The Most Expensive Things

 There will soon be a fresh new way to cool off in the Middle East-via an $1 billion dollar ski resort.  Yes, the government and private sector partnership in Dubai has announced its plans to bring the winter sport experience to Dubai.  Dubai is famous for its excess-luxury hotels, exotic rental cars, exquisite cuisine, and now it is about to add even more indulgence.

Plans include an oversized ski dome set to rise from Dubai’s mega tourism development project-Dubailand.  The project is called “Dubai Sunny Mountain Ski Dome”, and it is the first of its kind in the Middle East.

The culinary world of the rich and famous is fascinating, in regards to the entrees, drinks, desserts, and of course, the outrageous prices.  As culinary explorers, join us on an epic journey through some of the world’s most expensive entrée, beverage and dessert items.  It is nothing but the best for our fans.

In the area of exotic cuisine, it takes a lot to surprise us at Imagine Lifestyles.  We love watching the Travel Channel, including Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations” and Andrew Zimmern’s “Bizarre Foods”.  Meet Guo-Li-Zhuang, Beijing’s luxury restaurant that caters to the elite-by serving several types of pricey penises and testicles.

Aimed at the curious, the connoisseur and the health conscious, this luxury Chinese restaurant specializes in serving up the penises of horses, yaks, dogs, bulls, ducks and rare specimens to those who can afford it.  Note that a meal at Guo-Li-Zhuang is well into the hundreds, with rare specimens such as Canadian seal penis costing upwards of $400 (this order must be placed in advance).

We are following-up on the highly anticipated Lamborghini Reventon Roadster, which made its debut recently at the Frankfurt Motor Show.  The first delivery in Singapore has been made, at the bargain price of $2.1 million dollars. 

We know you are thinking, “but it was supposed to cost only one million!”  Well folks, you can thank the strategic marketing geniuses at Lambo for that.

The lid, and top, are now off of the new Maybach Landaulet-a luxury car adding to the very definition of the luxury car.  The art of creating majestic automobiles has been furthered a bit with its introduction.

We at Imagine Lifestyles have been checking out what tickets to Super Bowl 44 Miami are selling for, and they are certainly not cheap.  If you are heading down to Miami to join us for the big game, you may be in the process of searching for the best deal you can score on the coveted tickets.

Stubhub is advertising a variety of pricing options, and the ability to search by price bracket, here are a few:

•    $1835-$2426
•    $2426-$2695
•    $2695-$3284
•    $3284-$4775
•    $4775 and up

We at Imagine Lifestyles wince whenever we read about an exotic car being crashed, totaled, mangled or otherwise destroyed, but when we read about this Ferrari 250 GTO crash that totaled an unbelievable $28,500,000 in damage, we truly felt for the guy.

Disclaimer:  this information may make you feel broke.  2009 was a challenging year for the economy, yet some lucky folks were not exactly feeling the strain.  So if you have ever wondered how the other half lives, check out 5 of the most expensive, rare and outlandish items auctioned off in 2009:

We at Imagine Lifestyles have been nostalgic this holiday season, taking some time to look back on 2009 and discuss the main luxury events that we have experienced and that have taken place.  Five of our top luxury events of 2009 have been:

1.    Attending the North American introduction for the Lexus LFA supercar
2.    The Grand Opening of the W Hotel South Beach
3.    Receiving delivery of our new Ferrari F430 Spider
4.    Anticipation for Super Bowl 44 Miami
5.    Following Barack Obama’s first year in office

As some of our fans know, with the 2010 Super Bowl Miami fast approaching, we are hosting a pre-Super Bowl week in honor of the event, and to get helpful tips out to our readers on where to stay, dine, and what to drive in South Beach.  Following is our top 5 picks for luxury condo rentals and mansion rentals in Miami, because for some, a luxury hotel just is not big enough:

•    South Hibiscus Island Estate
•    Villa 16
•    Pinetree Drive Mediterranean Mansion
•    Collins Avenue Villa
•    Alton Road Estate

Ok big spenders, the time has come to make some room in your bank accounts and wallets, as Lady Gaga is set to exercise her set of lungs at the luxe Fontainbleau in Miami Beach.  Better bring your “Poker Face” as well. 

Yes, I said “submerged” hotels-as in hotels with rooms that are actually beneath the surface of water!  So without further ado, let’s dive right into the top 5 underwater hotels:

1.    Jules Undersea Lodge, Key Largo, Florida
2.    Utter Inn, Vasteras, Sweden
3.    Hydropolis, Dubai
4.    Poseidon Undersea Resort, Fiji
5.    Underwater Hotel, Istanbul

Upon seeing footage of the Italian police, perhaps they should think about Crown Vics.  Italy is the land of the luxury car, auto anarchy, and expensive crashes.  With 3 police officers in Italy driving Lamborghini patrol cars, it was just a matter of time before one took a hit.

In an interestingly clever twist, it has been reported that Lexus intends to lease its new LFA supercar.  This is a remarkable way around the speculators market, and an innovative endeavor that paves the way for companies like Lamborghini and Ferrari to follow suit. 

The holidays have arrived again, and with them come the annual racking of the brain to conceive of the perfect gifts for everyone-especially for your man.  Now, you are free to pull the same tired number as last year, or as some of the more uncreative lovers may, or you could truly out-do yourself and really give it to him…with a luxury gift he will never forget!  Our top 5 luxury gifts for men this year are: