This Week in the World: Week 23

Hello from Myknos! I am so thrilled to be traveling in Europe again for the first time since COVID. While I feel very fortunate to have come out of this last year with so few “bruises” compared to so many others, it was still a really challenging year not being able to do so many parts of my job. Now that destinations are re-opening and people are being vaccinated, I’m so happy to be able to get to places first hand so I can report on the current climate and better serve clients so everyone can stay make sure we’re traveling in a safe and informed way. I feel so incredibly thankful to be back to work doing what I love. I will never take it for granted. I will share more about my experience in Greece in just a moment…

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 23.

TRAVEL NEWS, UPDATES + INSPIRATION

• Are you keen to visit Greece too? Here are a few things you need to know:

  • Travelers must complete this passenger locator form before arriving to the airport for their flight to Greece.

  • Travelers also must present either their vaccination card (showing you’ve been fully vaxed for at least 14 days), a negative PCR test (taken within 72 hours of arrival) or a proof of antibodies from a laboratory.

  • COVID safety has felt really comforting thus far! Hotels/ hospitality in general are being fastidious with precautions, and we’ve spent all our time outdoors (except when in our room to shower/sleep). Many hotels also offer on-site testing so you’re all set for your journey back.

  • If you want help planning a trip to Greece, book a consulting session with me (I’m scheduling from late June onward at the moment).

• Both France and Denmark are opening to vaccinate travelers this week!

• I’m currently planning a trip to Italy this summer, but keeping a watchful eye out for developments as they happen. I found THIS ARTICLE to be helpful for those of you in the same boat.

• Have you seen the news this week from United? These futuristic jets set to launch in 2029 could half the flight time of international journeys (including New York to London in ~3 hours!)
  

• This little known region in Italy is meant to have some of the best wines.

• A hotel has opened at Versailles—and it’s everything you could hope for!

AROUND THE WORLD

• Happy Pride Month! While many often associate this month with fun parades or various posts we see on social media, it’s important to make time for education and advocacy. I enjoyed THIS ARTICLE on some LGBTQ+ history and THIS ONE from a few years ago to help with the “ABC’s”of LGBTQUIA+.

• Yesterday the world celebrated Environment Day. While it’s great that awareness is increasing, climate change and toxic air remain issues of deep concern.

• Naomi Osaka, a superstar in the tennis world, pulled out of the French Open after she was fined for skipping a news conference. I enjoyed this article, highlighting mental health and asking if it really had to end this way?

WEEKLY FAVORITES

• I love THIS STRAW BAG that I picked up for my trip to Greece (I love it because it’s great for a resort type of destination, but also works nicely for any destination in the spring/summer).

• I tried some Assyrtiko wine from THIS PRODUCER out of Santorini the other day and fell in love with it! We are going to try to go next weekend when we’re in the area… but I highly recommend checking out their wine!

• I’ve been listening to these playlists non-stop since arriving in Greece:

  • Aperitivo Time (have loved this one for a couple years now! Discovered it on a trip to Puglia).

  • Tropical House

  • Gurney’s Summer Bech Club

  • Cheval Blanc St-Barth x Philippe Paris

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That’s all for today. Happy reading and hope to see you back again next week!

xx

Whitney

This Week in the World: Week 22

Hello again! Hope you’re enjoying your weekend (and especially if you’re celebrating a long weekend in the US or the UK!) I’ve definitely been taking full advantage of an extra day and glorious weather! I went down to Kent with my friends Jo and Victoria on Friday for an overnight trip so we could tour Squerryes Winery on Saturday morning (more about that in a minute) and have some fun outdoor activities planned… like picnics and pub patios!

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 22.

TRAVEL NEWS, UPDATES + INSPIRATION

• I loved this piece titled “As Italy Opens to International Travelers, One Local Reflects on the Return of Tourists”.

• The EU Travel Certificate Program will launch this summer.

• 6 things you should know about traveling to Europe this summer.

• I am traveling to Greece on Friday and found this “need-to-know” piece to be very helpful.

• What does it mean to travel sustainably in 2021?

AROUND THE WORLD

• I laughed a lot reading this list of “21 Things You Only Learn Once You Move To London.”

• The Louvre is getting its first female leader in 228 Years… we love to see it!

• Seven of the best new UK restaurants to try in 2021 (adding to my list!)

• This Italian Region Is Enticing Tourists With Free Extra Nights.

WEEKLY FAVORITES

• FAVORITE LISTEN: If you haven’t heard about the commercial RyanAir flight that was forced to make an unexpected landing in Minsk… you need to listen to this.

• FAVORITE PURCHASE: A few weeks ago I bought THIS DRESS from one of my favorite London retailers (and the weather was finally nice enough to wear it this week!) Bonus: It was made with sustainable materials.

• FAVORITE FIND: As I previously mentioned, my friends and I went to Squerryes Wine Estate this weekend to tour the vineyard and taste some of their English sparkling wines. I’ve been hearing so much about the bubbly scene here (if you’re not already familiar with why the south of England is being referred to as the “new Champagne”, read HERE) and loved getting to see it firsthand… it did not disappoint!

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That’s all for today. Happy reading and hope to see you back again next week!

xx

Whitney

This Week in the World: Week 18

Happy Sunday, and Happy Greek Orthodox Easter to those who celebrate! My friend Victoria (who is half-Greek) is hosting a celebration in her garden later today for a few of us and I’m excited to embrace her culture while dining on some delicious Greek food! Being outdoors here in London is becoming nicer and nicer everyday, especially now that the beautiful wisteria is blooming!

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 18.

TRAVEL NEWS, UPDATES + INSPIRATION

• June 9th is the set date that Americans can start visiting France again.

• Flights to Europe are more expensive than they used to be. Here are 13 affordable places to visit in Europe (both cities and countryside) to keep your trip within budget.

• Another country to add to your list: Americans will now be able to travel to Spain starting in June.

• Africa’s Elephants are in peril—but could travel help protect them?

• Delta is back to selling 100% of the seats on their flights, which means gone are the days of always having an empty seat next to you (sigh).

AROUND THE WORLD

• It is absolutely heartbreaking to see what is happening in India right now. Here are some ways to help and where you can donate to help those in crisis.

• Scotland’s election is this week (6th of May) where Nicola Sturgeon is up for re-election. I enjoyed this podcast on how if she is re-elected, it would likely mean another referendum for Scottish independence.

• The days are getting longer and warmer here in the UK (and American travelers will likely be able to visit without quarantine soon!) Here are 7 glorious outdoor spots to enjoy a cocktail and enjoy the sunshine here in London.

MISCELLANEOUS

• It may sound silly, but I’m so excited I got a UK credit card this week! (Fellow expats will understand why this feels like quite an accomplishment!) Since I was already a US Amex cardholder, I had no issue opening the British Airways Amex here in the UK. If you spend £20,000 each year, you also receive a companion voucher (and if you apply using this link, you will receive 9,000 Avios points if you spend £1,000 in your first 3 months).

• Are you keen to build your wine cellar but don’t know where to start? One of my favorite wine shops in London, Barry Brothers & Rudd has a great program where you can pay as little as £100 per month to have experts build and store your cellar. It’s a simple way to build a collection of wine perfectly tailored to your taste, and you can “cash out” to collect your wine at anytime. I think it’s such a smart idea and am considering starting one myself!

• Plastic gets to the oceans through over 1,000 rivers (way more than what we originally thought). Here’s what you can do to help.

• Can you have alcohol after the COVID vaccine? (The question all wine enthusiasts are asking right now).

• 6 documentaries on sustainability that will make you think twice about what you buy.

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That’s all for today. Happy reading and hope to see you back again next week!

xx

Whitney