Fill in the blank: "Richard Branson's heart is made of _________." Some possibly popular answers could be "billions of dollars," "Virgin red," or even "charity," but really if you take it literally, Richard Branson's heart is made of island. Nope, not his beloved Necker Island in the Caribbean, but his other island, a heart-shaped in Australia's Noosa River. It's name is Makepeace Island, and Branson bought it back in 2003 with the intention of turning it into an eco-retreat for crew of his Virgin Australia airline (then called Virgin Blue).

Makepeace Island has hit the headlines today, however, because it's now open to the paying public, if you've got at least 7,900 AUD ($8,300) per night. Its spent its last few years as a private retreat for Branson's family and that of the CEO of Virgin Australia, but we guess they've got other places to go and people to see now.

For takers, the 25-acre island offers Balinese-style accommodations for up to 22 guests, and it's not out in the middle of nowhere either. Makepeace is only a quick riverboat hop from the heart of tourism in Australia's "Sunshine Coast." Oh yea, and it's got volcanic boulder bathtubs: ]]> JetSetCD 2011-07-12T12:40:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/6/30/6452/78399
Branson dressed as a boxer. He's quite the knockout (get it?).

After much scientific testing, complicated measuring and grueling research, we've come to the very important conclusion that it is impossible to think Virgin Group main man Sir Richard Branson is anything but extremely awesome. C'mon—the man kite-boards with naked models, says he wants to build a spaceship and then actually does it, saves the world daily with his many charities, and yet still has time to sit down with us for a quick chat.

We last caught up with Sir Richard onboard Virgin America's inaugural flight to Chicago-O'Hare. As for all other monumental occasions in his family of Virgin brands, Branson donned a fun costume and parades around for the cameras, bursting with vim and vigor. This got us thinking. What costume, after all these years of dressing wacky for promotional stunts, does Richard really wish he could wear? So we asked him. ]]> JetSetCD 2011-06-30T09:48:26-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/8/11/143738/214

It's the moment we've all been waiting for! Okay, so we haven't been waiting for it with bated breath, but we have been wondering when it would finally come about...

If you're a member of Virgin America's eleVAte frequent flyer miles program (membership is free), then you'll be able to earn points for your account from your travels on other Virgin-branded airlines. That's right, eleVAte isn't just for Virgin America any longer; flights on Virgin Atlantic, V Australia and Virgin Blue will count towards free flights as well. ]]> JetSetCD 2010-08-11T14:51:54-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/2/2/94237/51314

Virgin mogul Richard Branson—he of the naked model kitesurfing and private island—has added a very cool new toy to his impressive holdings. Fresh from all of the buzz surrounding the advancement of Virgin Galactic, Branson is pioneering ahead with a 3-person submarine named Necker Nymph, under a Virgin Oceanic brand, within his Virgin Limited Edition collection of properties.

It's the first sub of its kind, developed especially for Branson by Hawkes Ocean Technologies, and if you're game to pay $88,000 per week for a vacation onboard Branson's new yacht Necker Belle, you'll have the opportunity to take the sub for a spin. And what a spin it will be...

It's like an underwater airplane! More after the jump ]]> JetSetCD 2010-02-02T13:30:10-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/1/7/9359/40982

It's that time of the year again—Victoria's Secret Swim Catalog time! The issue, packed with images of bathing beauties frolicking in some exotic location is expected to land in your mailbox later this week, and as usual, we're desperate to know what beach paradise got the honor of being the set for the photo shoot.

This year, we are totally not surprised; cover girl Lindsay Ellingson and the rest of the Victoria's Secret models set up shop on Richard Branson's private Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. The swimsuit she's sporting for the cover actually features a removable bandeau, so Lindsay spent most of her time on Necker topless...which isn't exactly a new thing. Of the experience, she says: ]]> JetSetCD 2010-01-07T09:23:25-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/12/8/111614/683

Come 2010, not only will you be able to stay at Virgin Group head honcho Richard Branson's private Swiss ski lodge, but you'll also be able to go kite surfing alongside his silver foxness at the British Virgin Islands KiteJam.

From March 1-5 the BVIs, including Branson's luxury hideaway Necker Island, will be filled with kite boarding enthusiasts, celebrities, and pro kiteboarders including German Kristin Boese and American Gretta Kruesi. It'll be five days of inter-island events including flat water freestyle, waves, sliders and racing, and of course some after-hours partying. No word on whether or not Branson will walk on water however, or if he'll strap a nude supermodel to his back again. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-12-08T12:59:40-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/10/22/9320/9494

How do you throw a launch party for a luxury catamaran without the boat or its owner present? Well, if you're Virgin Limited Edition and Richard Branson and his new Necker Belle are unavailable to party, you just down canapes at one of New York City's best restaurants: Le Bernardin.

Surrounded by Virgin's signature red rubber duckies and with visions of Virgin Limited Edition's luxury properties—Swiss ski chalet and Moroccan retreat, anyone?—dancing in our heads, we managed to make it through a few Blue Margaritas at the Necker Belle party last night. Officially to welcome the twin-hulled beauty to the Virgin group, the event also showcased these other small and carefully curated properties owned by Branson through his Limited Edition Label. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-10-22T09:33:41-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/