BUILDING DREAMS

Thomas Heatherwick is surely today’s most versatile architect. The 54-year-old leader of a 200-person London studio has accomplished significant projects, including the iconic bright red double-decker buses found in the city. In New York, he’s converted the High Line former rail track to a much-admired sustainable walkway and installed The Vessel, a 16-floor-high open beehive in Hudson Yards. In Silicon Valley, he helped create the Google Campus above. Read his story, Heatherwick, Humanise: A Maker’s Guide to Building Our World.

CATCH THE WIND OF VICTORY 

Is this the world's longest sporting event? The opposite of a sprint, the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup starts on 22nd August in Barcelona and runs until 27th October, 2024. Two knights of the realm are determined to win the cup for the UK. Ineos legend Sir Jim Ratcliffe, left, controls the purse strings, while Sir Ben Ainslie is in charge of the rudder.

FUN AND FABOLOUS

Calorie consumption and the hot Caribbean sun sound tempting. Newly-opened Vida Cayman, is getting rave comments for living up to its ‘life well lived’ tagline. Fresh air, e-biking and watersports, evening barbecues (all 26 rooms, 750sq ft, have kitchenettes). The favourite room of owner-architect Derek Serpel and his fit-fanatic wife Milly is #402, for its in-room tub.

REVAMPED WONDER

San Francisco’s Transamerica Pyramid has been a city icon since the 48-floor building was finished in 1972. It was bought by international developer Michael Shvo in 2020, and since then, he’s spent $400 million on a Foster & Partners renovation, opening mid-September. Stay six minutes’ walk away at the futuristic Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcardero. Room 4614 has unbeatable high rise views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

CROWN JEWEL OF DINING

Andrew Carmellini is fast becoming king of lifestyle dining. Among his 15 restaurants is Café Carmellini, at New York’s trendy Fifth Avenue Hotel. Oysters a la Mary, perhaps, or calamari calabrese, to start. Go on to duck-duck-duck tortellini or rabbit primavera, all in the over-the-top space. Martin Brudnizki's design.

HEART OF ASIA

To Thailand, for new-style AvaniWell well-being at the 196-room Avani+ Hua Hin Resort on the Gulf of Siam, 150 miles south of Bangkok (the area was popularised by King Rama VII a century ago). Traditional Thai Medicine and physiotherapy plus Reformer Pilates and healthy dining.

ONE STICH AT A TIME

Look right, true luxury level. Wherever, whatever and however. Try a Hermès cotton shirtwaist – a snip at $2,575, though that does include mother-of-pearl buttons. Pair it with a baseball cap, contrast belt and today’s essential sneakers. That’s style.