Welcome to another issue of “This Week in the World!” We had some optimistic news about the weeks ahead here in the UK this past Monday (more about that in the links below) so I’m finally starting to make some plans! Between nail appointments, buying museum tickets and planning some domestic weekends away… it’s so wonderful to feel like normalcy is inching closer by the minute. Not to mention, travel planning has picked up significantly— I think we’re all so excited about the hope that lies ahead!
If you’re new here, ‘This Week in the World’ is a weekly recap of content ranging from around the globe. My hope is that each week, no matter where you are in the world, you’ll be able to feel more connected to it: through news, travel, food & wine… really, anything that appeals to the culturally curious. Let’s dive into the content I sourced for week 9.
TRAVEL NEWS + UPDATES:
If you’ve been plugged into travel news during the pandemic, you’ve probably heard the term “vaccine passport” or “immunity passport” more than once. Here are 5 things to know about IATA’s Travel Pass app right now.
With travel stalled for the past 10 months, its sustainable comeback has been a popular topic. Here are some of the many sustainable initiatives that have been started during the pandemic, awaiting the return of travelers.
AROUND THE WORLD:
WEEKLY FAVORITES:
FAVORITE READ: I loved this piece from the NYT about why tea might be the perfect drink for the pandemic malaise. If you’re willing to splurge on £25 shipping, you can even get your tea and biscuits directly from Fortnum & Mason: one of the most iconic stores in London that’s loved by locals and tourists alike. Which brings me to…
FAVORITE PURCHASE: I recently topped up some of my favorite Fortnum and Mason items (they’re one of the few shops still open during lockdown since they are largely comprised of food items). Whether you’re placing an online order or making a list for when you come to London, here are some of my “musts”:
Teas: Rose Pouchong, Fortmason & Countess Grey.
Biscuits: Rose, Piccadilly Lemon Curd, & Chocolate Orange Afternoon Tea.
Condiments + Spreads: Fig Cheese Spread, Chef’s Truffle Honey, Blood Orange & Rose Petal Marmalade, and Dill & Mustard Sauce (great on salmon!)
FAVORITE WATCH: I take my WSET exam tomorrow so I’ve been watching a lot of wine-related videos to sharpen my knowledge. A few of my favorites have been Jancis Robinson’s YouTube videos (especially the ones from the 90s- they’re a real vibe) as well as the “A closer look” series on different varietals from the Somm streaming network. If you want to learn a bit more about wine these are some helpful starting points.
FAVORITE FIND: I purchased a version of this picnic basket last year and used it so much (and am excited to start using it again soon!) With outdoors being the safe play during a pandemic, now is a great time to invest in a nice picnic basket.
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That’s all for today. Happy reading and hope to see you back again next week!
xx
Whitney
