Away until September

Hey it's Sarah, with some out-of-office message inspiration [View in browser]( [Bloomberg]( Hello, it’s [Sarah Rappaport](, your luxury correspondent in London. I’d like to say that I’m writing to you from a balcony overlooking the Med, with an [Aperol spritz](in hand, like half of my Instagram feed seems to be doing. Alas, I’m at the office. It’s not just the algorithm making me feel like more people than ever are vacationing in Europe. Visitors—and especially Americans—have been pouring into the best tourist destinations this year. Spain’s [visitor numbers are up 28%]( over 2019. Travelers remain undeterred by sky-high hotel prices, [like $1,600 hotel rooms on the island of Capri.]( The general manager of the stylish [Rome Cavalieri]( told me a few weeks ago that bookings and occupancy were high in July, and he was expecting even more this month. Here in the UK, central London is packed with visitors: 2 million more international tourists are expected this year than last. In Europe, August means one thing: holiday. I got an out-of-office reply from a source in Sweden that said he’d be back in September! For those of us still working, we can spend the dog days of summer daydreaming about what we’d rather be doing. Or sneak in a last-minute trip. Here is some inspiration. Island Dream Homes The exterior of a five-bedroom country home in Pollensa listed for €5.5 million. Source: Savills I went to Mallorca to check out the new openings on the Balearic Island for Businessweek magazine earlier this year, including [Richard Branson’s Son Bunyola](. I hiked past gorgeous homes in seaside villages and imagined what it’d be like to live there. Apparently, I’m not alone: More people are moving there full-time, including Americans, thanks in part to a direct flight to Palma from the US. Prime property will cost you 15% more than last year. [Browsing listings](, however, remains a free and fun pastime. Escape to the English Countryside RH England, The Gallery at the Historic Aynho Park Source: RH England London is, of course, a world-class city with plenty to do and see, but some of the most exciting stories I’ve been reporting recently have been in the countryside. RH chose [the grand manor Aynho Park]( for its first overseas location—now open, and worth a visit on the countryside circuit. The very cool Experimental Group has opened [Cowley Manor Experimental]( in a stately home with grounds that are said to have inspired Alice in Wonderland. And London members club Maison Estelle has opened up a Cotswolds hotel called [Estelle Manor]( that has garnered a huge amount of buzz. Your best chance for star spotting if you come to the UK this summer might be in the Cotswolds and not in a restaurant in Soho. Nordic Adventures A tour of the fjords Photographer: Eric Elliot Some travelers are picking [island-hopping in the fjords]( over island-hopping in the Mediterranean Sea due to the extreme heat this summer. When I spoke to tennis star [Casper Ruud ahead of Wimbledon](, he also suggested visiting Norway, picking the midnight sun over the [northern lights](. If I were to go, I’d love to take Cartology Travel’s suggestion of a seven-day drive-and-ferry tour of the fjords and stay in cozy cabin-chic properties like [Storfjord Hotel](.  A $2.1 Million Road Trip I’ll take one in purple, please. Source: Bentley Bentley only made 18 of the [ultraluxury Batur models](, and my Pursuits colleague [Hannah Elliott]( got to test drive it around England’s endless arrays of roundabouts and rain. Hannah says: “It makes you feel like an actual tycoon.” You can’t buy one just yet. All 18 are spoken for. So that’s my hot list this summer. What are you dreaming about this August? Connect with Sarah on [Instagram]( or the social media platform[previously known as TwitterÂ]( More summer dreaming inspiration [Being a Private Chef in Greenwich Means Catering $100,000 Cannabis Parties]( In the hedge fund capital of the world, there are few limits to what can be called “dinner.” [The Vacation Picture That’s Sparked a Multimillion-Dollar Global Industry]( Luxurious “flying dress” photo shoots in must-see destinations are fueling a boom for the leisure photography industry—and for local businesses. [Secret Villas Inside Hotels Are the Ultimate in Quiet Luxury]( They’ve been sprouting up by the dozens: almost impossible to find or book online, highly private and exclusive, and with price tags that can exceed $30,000 per night. [Immersive Theater Comes to the Greek Islands at This Luxury Resort]( At the $2,200-per-night Kalesma Mykonos, guests are looking for more than just nightlife. This $112,000 production fits the bill. [Everything You Need to Know About Chartering a Yacht]( The ultimate guide to proper budgeting, the best destinations and the brokers that’ll make it all easy. Beyond Barbenheimer Our review called Barbie “surprisingly cerebral.” Source: Warner Bros. Pictures I was one of the millions of people to [see both Barbie and Oppenheimer]( on opening weekend. I’ve been a fan of Greta Gerwig since 2012’s mumblecore classic Frances Ha, and it’s fantastic to see her film [surpass $1 billion at the box office](. And it’s only August, but I’m convinced the best supporting Oscar race is going to be between Ryan Gosling’s hilariously committed Ken, and Robert Downey Jr.’s transformative performance as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer. The next big film event I’m excited for is the [BFI London Film Festival in October](, featuring Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn. It’s supposed to be a twisty tale about obsession and an aristocratic family, set in the mid-2000s. I’m here for it! Need suggestions on what to stream? Here are a few to get you through your next long-haul flight to Europe or just something to watch at home tonight. [Only Murders in the Building]( Hulu’s comedy starring the trio of Martin Short, Steve Martin and [Selena Gomez]( is back and better than ever in the new season. Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd have joined the cast, and it’s Rudd’s murder that’s driving the action now. He’s hilariously awful, and there are a myriad of suspects who have good motives to want him dead. Come for the mystery, stay for a scene-stealing Streep. Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Henry and Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex Claremont-Diaz share “the look.” Photographer: Jonathan Prime/Amazon Studios [Red, White & Royal Blue]( The film adaptation of the 2019 book (a favorite of BookTok) debuts on Amazon Prime Video this weekend, and it’s [a joyous romantic comed](y. Nicholas Galitzine shines as the fictional British royal spare and Taylor Zakhar Perez has a star turn as first-son Alex Claremont-Diaz. It’s easy viewing, and a fun summer watch. [Asteroid City]( Wes Anderson’s latest film is now streaming on Peacock, with a starry cast including Scarlett Johansson and Tom Hanks. It’s very stylish, like all Anderson films, but I found the themes of navigating grief through art very moving. Jeremy Allen White as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto and Ayo Edebiri as Sydney Adamu in The Bear. Photographer: Chuck Hodes/FX [The Bear]( The second season of the Chicago-based show is even tastier than the first, which was nominated for a slew of Emmy’s. Carmy is now working to turn his Italian beef sandwich shop into a fine-dining restaurant, and the show makes me care deeply about everyone involved. The pressure and pace remain high, and there’s some excellent guest appearances, including Will Poulter and Jamie Lee Curtis. So, you had questions... Whatever the topic, keep them coming for next week via our [Bloomberg Pursuits Instagram]( and [e-mail](mailto:askpursuits@bloomberg.net). Where is the best martini in London? London’s hotel bars are the place to go for a great martini. The Connaught is famous for [its martini trolley](, and I’m partial to the Vesper at the Dorchester’s[snazzy new Vesper Bar](. If you’re a drinks aficionado, you should [join our Top Shelf Society](! In the [first edition of the club’s newsletter](, we talked investment whisky, American Armagnac, pizza wine, festivals for beer and Champagne, plus a summery riff on the spicy margarita to make at home. The gin-and-raspberry spiked Bloomsbury Club at Gothic Bar is also pretty tasty. Photographer: Justin DeSouza I’m coming to London with my Bridgerton-obsessed teenage daughter in October. What should we do? Fun! October is a great time to come here. The crowds will be much more manageable, and the weather is (usually) pretty decent. As far as Bridgerton, luxury hotel the Lanesborough has a [Queen Charlotte-themed afternoon tea](, based on the spinoff series on Netflix, with pastel-hued pastries that harken back to the series. The V&A Museum in South Kensington will have a [Chanel exhibition](, following up on previous collections like the Dior Designer of Dreams. Another thing to put on your London to-see list: the [new Raffles at the OWO]( (more to come on this soon!) is taking bookings from Oct. 9. There will be nine restaurants and three bars at the OWO, which stands for Old War Office, and one of the lounge spaces on the ground floor has an excellent view of the famous changing of the horse guards on Whitehall. Try and stop in for a cup of tea or a drink if you have time. I had a sneak peek: It’s an incredible building with the grandest staircase outside of Buckingham Palace. What’s the last great meal you had in London? I had dinner at [Dovetale](, the new Tom Sellers restaurant at the 1 Hotel Mayfair with Pursuits food editor [Kate Krader]( this week, and it was a delight. We shared the roast chicken, which felt special, like a meal you get at the holidays. The Isle of Wight tomato tart with horseradish and a pastry base with parmesan was also a winner for me. A Knickerbocker Glory being assembled at Dovetale Photographer: Milo Brown But the best part of the meal was dessert. A charming, vintage-looking trolley was brought to the table, where Knickerbocker Glories (ice cream sundaes) were made in front of us as we chose the toppings. I picked mint chocolate chip and birthday cake flavors with chocolate sprinkles. It was a joyous childhood throwback, just a lot more glamorous. New for subscribers: Free article gifting. Bloomberg.com subscribers can now gift up to five free articles a month to anyone you want. Just look for the "Gift this article" button on stories. (Not a subscriber? 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