July 2016 Table of Contents: The Experience Issue

When it comes to luxury, we’re doing rather than just buying. That means taking one-of-a-kind vacations, flying to far-flung restaurants, and seeking out personalized in-store shopping. This trend appears in surveys of the wealthy’s spending habits and anecdotally, in my conversations with Bloomberg users. “How can I get late hours at a museum as a gift for my wife?” one wants to know. “Can I cook in the kitchen with a Michelin-starred chef?” another asks. Nowadays, spending is all about storytelling—it’s fun to regale your co-workers with a tale about climbing a volcano, less so to show off your fancy new tie.

With that in mind, I’d like to welcome you to our experience issue. It’s about getting out there and doing it—investing in memories, not goods. The adventures we feature include making pizza with a Neapolitan master, training with Brazilian jiu-jitsu’s top black belts, and watching two baby silverback gorillas play in the wild.