What's the most expensive Valentine's Day gift?
Well, quite simply, that depends entirely on your budget, your finances, your investments, your bank account and how much you're willing to spend to impress that very special lady in your life.
It's all a matter of taste, timing and finding the right gift to say, "I love you."
Options are aplenty.
Jewlery.
Designer handbags.
Designer clothing.
Romantic getaways.
Luxurious train excursions.
Dinners for two.
Per tradition, gift giving plays a big role on February 14th. So, while flowers and chocolates are nice, they really shouldn't be associated with romance.
Your partner deserves to be spoiled.
So, let's get busy.
If luxury is your thing, let me be your "one stop" decision maker for exclusive Valentine's Day gift giving.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Made up of 17 authentic and beautifully restored 1920s vintage carriages, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express time travels back to the golden age when luxury train journeys were the most favored by the rich, the famous, the glamorous and the powerful.
Today, prices range nightly from $2,900-$3,750 per person for a twin cabin to $9,780-$10,680 for a grand suite.
The package itself includes all onboard meals, usually consisting of a four-course dinner, continental breakfast, a three-course brunch or lunch, steward service and champagne on arrival.
Suggested journeys include London to Vienna, Vienna to Paris, Lyon to Cannes, Verona to Brussels, Paris to Venice and Florence to Paris.
Tiffany & Co.
The name, the branding, the selection, the goods, the special treatment, the individuality, the history. Nobody does it better than Tiffany's.
And Tiffany diamonds have captured the imagination for centuries.
Elegant. Beautiful. Stunning. Priceless.
It's a gift that lasts forever.
Suggested gifts: Tiffany Victoria alternating ring ($22,300), Tifffany Victoria pendant necklace ($15,900) and Tiffany Victoria earrings with South Sea pearls and diamonds ($11,700).
The Coco Chanel Iconic Handbag
An instantly recognizable Chanel handbag is a timeless choice for connoisseurs, collections and anyone with a penchant for Paris chic, glamour and revolutionary style.
Although Chanel had previously designed handbags - the very first was marketed in 1929 - it wasn't until 1955 that she cemented her place in "handbag history" with the invention of the 2.55 handbag.
Designed in a neat rectangular box shape, the 2.55 featured a revolutionary long chain shoulder strap - a design first - which gave the wearer hands-free independence. It also came equipped with a back slip pocket and a hidden zip pocket.
Today, it remains a world favorite and one that is always in style.
Suggested gifts: The black Chanel classic handbag, lambskin and gold-tone metal ($10,200) and the black Chanel caviar-quilted flap handbag ($11,650).
The Hotel Chelsea
Built between 1883 and 1884, The Hotel Chelsea, located at 222 W. 23rd Street in the heart of New York City's "Chelsea" district has housed many notables from Arthur Miller and Andy Warhol to Janis Joplin, Patti Smith, Jack Kerouac and Bob Dylan.
Gothic. Parisian. Artistic. Rebranded. Decadent. Celebrated. Bohemian.
It's quite the place to visit or check in for a romantic night or weekend.
Featuring 155 guest rooms, The Hotel Chelsea is not only filled with memories of its rich, iconic past, but bristles with an eccentric, sumptuous peculiarity that heightens its aura, its significance, its clientele and its anything-can-happen-in-a-night mystique.
Guests can dine in the Lobby Bar, the Cafe Chelsea and El Quijote, all of which feature traditional dishes, small plates, modern pairings and French, Spanish and European bistro dining.
Rooms for overnight stays, weekends or longer include the Petite Queen, the Petite King, the Accessible King, the Deluxe, the Chelsea, the Premier and the Superb Balcony. Deluxe suites are also available.
Pricing for overnight stays for two range from $540-$1270 per person. Pricing per person for full weekends range from $650 to $1800 per night.
All garments are produced by hand and crafted by the most skilled fashion artisans.
Contrary to ready-to-wear, these haute couture designs are strictly one-of-a-kind rather than mass produced. Each piece, in turn, is treated as a work of art in the sense that they are created for one specific person, collected and cherished for decades as a major design investment.
They are Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Versace, Valentino and Fendi.
For pricing or to book an appointment, call the fashion house directly.
Le Bernardin (155 W. 51st St., N.Y.C.) not only serves the best and freshest seafood on the menu, but pricing includes a four-course prix-fixe meal ($210), a three-course luncheon ($127) and a chef's tasting menu at $315 or for $485 with a wine pairing.
Filet mignon, guinea hen and wild mushroom pasta are available upon request.
All you have to do is think hard, plan ahead, open your mind, decide what is best for you and yours, take the plunge and simply enjoy.
