DIP YOUR BRUSH

A signed Andy Warhol Flowers realised HK$35 million, under estimate, at Christie’s Hong Kong on 28th May. Are we seeing investors turning away from things to hang on walls? What’ll happen at the company’s subsequent sale of 20th and 21st century works, 26-27 September? This will inaugurate Christie’s Hong Kong’s new Asia Pacific headquarters in the Zaha Hadid-designed Henderson Building in Central.

BANANA WATER, ANYONE?

Mixologists Hunter Stanley and Manuel Belotti play center stage at The Dorchester’s Vesper Bar. They specialise in exotica as well as good old G&Ts, Old Tom Gin and The Dorchester’s own tonic. With spectaculars, say last Friday’s popup from Sydney’s Maybe Sammy, Australasian world-best. ‘Breakfast in bed’?  Devised by Maybe Sammy’s Martin Hudak, it’s Flor de Cana 18yrs, maraschino, PX sherry, Banana water.

HEART IN THE MALDIVES

For a quick romantic weekend in The Maldives, Anantara Veli ticks all the boxes. It’s adult only (no interrupting kids). Go by water: it’s only 30 minutes’ speedboat from Malé airport (no hanging around for seaplanes). Stay over-water: Deluxe Overwater Pool Villas have 20-foot infinity pools. And fight the water. Super-surfing at Dhoni Beach, with down-the-line left barrels.

CONTEMPORARY YET VINTAGE

There’s a reason for slurping Singapore Slings on the 27th of June – Singapore Sling Day. For every 25 Slings sold, Raffles Singapore, the Sling’s birthplace back in 1915, plants a tree in regeneration areas of Indonesian rainforests. The legendary 1887-vintage hotel’s marvellously modern-with-memories: suite 207, Alexandra Champalimaud design, honours Elizabeth Taylor.

CITY OF MARBLE 

Go Rome queue-free. Sal and Marilena Barberi have unobtainable access, in other words tickets with no queue lines involved, for St Peter’s Basilica. Every Saturday, 3 o’clock precisely. Later, dine on the seventh floor of Sofitel Villa Borghese. Local artichoke, fritto misto, and stupendous views (Sofitel’s jacuzzi terrace suite #701 is two minutes’ walk from the restaurant, same views).

WHEN IN ROME

Rome is on Windstar’s coming Med-in-Winter cruise schedule – along with Dubrovnik, Venice, Nice, Barcelona, Genoa, Malaga, Malta and Livorno/Florence. The seasonal weather can even encourage onboard sunbathing after yet another memorable shore excursion with fewer crowds than in Summer. The 312-passenger Star Legend’s all-inclusive (James Beard dining, fine wines and WiFi). Selfies galore.

JET SET TREND

Privately, or turning left on scheduled flights, you still need to ooze success when travelling. Current vogue is simple, guys and girls. Black whatever and not too tight. Sneakers white, and not obviously branded. The New York Times has rigorously tested over 100 sneaker types, price ceiling $200. One of their tops is Nike Air Max 90s, debuted in 1994 for running and evolved to streetwear. Gentlemen and ladies.

SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE 

The word Billionaire has an allure, as does Monaco. Put them together, and they are irresistible. Billionaire Club founder Flavio Briatore has signed with Stéphane Valeri, Chairman and CEO of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer SBM, for a month-long second edition of Billionaire Club at Sporting Monte-Carlo. From 22nd July, Chef Batuhan Piatti's food and entertainment are incroyable.