Sri Lanka’s Cape Weligama resort is the new jewel of the south coast. 

Why Go: Since the government of Sri Lanka defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 2009, a handful of very high-end luxury resorts have begun thriving in the country. Sprawling accommodations, pristine pools, gourmet dining, and privately led excursions through tranquil tea fields and ancient ruins have become the norm, not an exception. The renowned Amanresorts has two outposts on the island, and Ulagalla opened in 2010 to …

The jewelry designer Carole Shashona, known for creating symbolic pieces with amulets depicting the Hindu god Ganesha and Buddhist symbols like the lotus flower and the “om” symbol, has turned to West Africa to forge her latest collection. Available exclusively at Barneys New York, the Tribal Collection ($3,000 to $8,500) features eight unique pieces with glass beads handmade by Ashanti and Krobo women in Ghana. The women carefully fire recycled glass in a furnace; even the slightest bit of overheating will de…

In 1995, Garen and Shari Staglin held their first Music Festival for Brain Health after helping their son Brandon through his diagnosis of schizophrenia at age 18. While the family personally experienced the stigmas associated with mental illness, they also realized how little the medical community knew about brain disorders, and they saw firsthand the obstacles involved in funding research devoted to cognitive science. They made it their mission to support neuroscience through the private sector and foster a …

This fall, Napa Valley’s Staglin Family Vineyard will host one of the season’s most meaningful and celebratory events: the 20th annual Music Festival for Brain Health. To date, the organizations founded by the Staglins—One Mind for Research and the International Mental Health Research Organization—have funneled nearly $200 million into cutting-edge research on cognitive health and brain science. This year’s event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14. Saturday’s festivities include a scientif…

This summer has been a good one for the U.S. yacht builder Palmer Johnson, which recently launched the second boat in its PJ 170 Sportyacht line and the first example of its futuristic PJ 48 M Supersport series.

The more classically styled of the two new yachts, the PJ 170 features architecture with a gentle, uninterrupted curve that extends all the way from the ship’s stern to its forward superstructure, where it meets the aggressive, angular bow. In a signature design feature of the Sportyacht line, the a…

Amphibious seaplanes have long been popular for sport flying, offering access to waterways as well as airports, but a new design from the start-up MVP Aero promises to expand those capabilities, creating a more boatlike aircraft. The two-seat airplane—introduced as a full-scale mock-up at July’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the world’s biggest aviation event—will offer a unique deck-like platform that pilots can use to cast for fish or pitch a tent, for example. The MVP—for “most versatile plane”—will be able to mo…

A listing at the Four Seasons Private Residences Miami is currently the city’s most expensive condominium available for sale. Designed by Handel Architects along with the Florida-based design firm Bermello, Ajamil & Partners, the 11-year-old building towers over downtown’s lively art galleries, theaters, restaurants, and nightlife, and homeowners have access to a 24-hour concierge, an on-site spa, and a 40,000-square-foot fitness center.

Facts & Stats

Setting: This 8,911-square-foot condominium o…

Earthy yet avant-garde, these alluring new furnishings are fresh takes on the great outdoors.

Inspired by the white sand beaches and azure blue waters of the French Caribbean, the new St. Barts Collection from New York–based furniture designer Andrianna Shamaris launched earlier this summer. The line consists of coffee tables, side tables, and dining tables (from $390 for a basic bench to $19,800 for a console table) made of reclaimed teak that is aged in the sun and sea air for at least 12 months and coate…

The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, located on Banderas Bay on Mexico’s west coast, is now offering what it calls the Ultimate Tequila Tour, a special day trip that gives four guests a behind-the-scenes look into tequila making at the Jose Cuervo distillery. The family-run brand is largely considered the world’s first tequila maker, having produced the spirit for some 250 years.

The experience begins with a private helicopter ride from the resort to the Jose Cuervo distillery in Tequila, Mexico, about 150 m…

In late June, Bombardier Aerospace delivered its first Challenger 350 super-midsize jet to NetJets, which plans to add seven more by the end of the year. The 350 is an upgrade of the Challenger 300 with bigger windows, a longer wingspan, new winglets, and more efficient engines. The interior of the NetJets Signature Series Challenger 350 was designed specifically for NetJets, with an advanced high-definition wireless entertainment system, custom wood veneers, and a fresh, modern color palette. The jet carries …