This Week in the World: Week 19

Hello again, and Happy Mother’s Day to all who celebrate! I know there is a wide array of emotions that can come with this day: for people who have lost their mom, who are struggling to become a mom, who have a complicated relationship with their mom, or who are lucky to have a great relationship with their mom, but haven’t been able to see her in a long time due to COVID. Wherever you are on the spectrum (including possibilities I didn’t name), I hope today you feel loved and thankful for people in your life who have taught you, nurtured you and made you who you are today. Furthermore, I hope we can all celebrate all the diverse ways that someone can be a “good mom”. I’m know I’m so thankful to so many people in my life who I’ve watched be a great mom (especially my own!)— all in their own unique ways. Working moms. Traveling moms. Stay at home moms. Entrepreneur moms… and so many other titles. Hats off to all of you for the unique and wonderful ways you show up for your families.

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

• Italy’s green pass (which will be used to welcome tourists this summer) ‘will be valid for US and UK visitors’, says tourism minister.

• Tahiti and the rest of French Polynesia has reopened to travelers from the US.

• Need a new U.S. Passport? The wait time Is up to 3 months right now.

• These are all the countries that UK residents will be allowed to travel to (quarantine free) starting May 17.

AROUND THE WORLD

• In honor of Mother’s Day, I loved this story on “13 ways to raise a travel-obsessed child.”

• For young climate activists, the pandemic is the defining moment for action.

• Sadiq Khan has been re-elected as Mayor of London.

• A three-week rosé festival is coming to London!

WEEKLY FAVORITES

• FAVORITE LISTEN: One of my favorite UK-based news podcasts had an episode this week that I really enjoyed titled “America’s gun debate— why we’re getting it so wrong.”

• FAVORITE WATCH: I’ve heard about the film “Bottle Shock” for a while but had never seen it before this weekend (after one of my WSET teachers insisted I watch it). It’s based on the true story of the "Judgment of Paris", when California wine first started to become famous after it defeated French wine in a blind taste test. It’s an easy watch and a great way to learn a bit about wine’s history.

• FAVORITE FOOD: I ordered THIS COOKBOOK a while ago, but I love it because everything in it can be made in a single pot, pan, or tray, and it comes with suggested tweaks for making vegetarian dishes fully plant-based. It also includes chapters on how to eat more sustainably and waste less food. If you want to try a few recipes before you buy, HERE are a few.

• FAVORITE FINDS: Sézane (arguably my favorite store in the world) just launched a new collection and I want so many things!

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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

This Week in the World: Week 17

Hello again! It’s been a non-stop week as clients continue to inquire about summer travel, group trips are being rescheduled, new prospective group trips are being planned and London is bustling with things to do! I’m enjoying being busy again and having so much excitement 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 17.

TRAVEL NEWS, UPDATES + INSPIRATION:

• What will summer 2021 look like for travellers?

• With vaccinated (or negative test) Americans now able to travel to Greece, you might want to consider reading up on this list of 13 of the most beautiful villages the country has to offer.

• We don’t know for certain yet, but France is aiming to reopen to vaccinated Americans by summer.

• Even if you’re not acting on booking travel just yet, it’s a great time to be dreaming up plans for a future trip! I, personally, am reading up on this list of 5 Amazing Wine Destinations in Africa for Delicious Drinks and Beautiful Views.

• Venice isn’t the only European city filled with charming canals…consider visiting one of these other destinations for fewer crowds.

SUSTAINABILITY

This past week we celebrated Earth Day. I shared some tips and tricks about how our individual micro-decisions can have a large collective impact. If you haven’t already tried incorporating these efforts into your daily life, consider giving them a go.

• This re-usable beeswax parchment paper is a great alternative to single use plastic wrap (and easy to clean!)

• Composting is an important practice that can reduce greenhouse gases and instead, turn food scraps into more fertile soil. If you’re not quite ready to set up a compost in your back garden (or perhaps you don’t even have a yard!), try collecting your food scraps in these biodegradable compost bags and popping them in the freezer. Then, find a community compost where you can drop them off.

• This podcast had a week full of great episodes including why and how to eat less meat, how to talk to your kids about climate change and several other listens that are only about 20 minutes each.

• A number of global leaders have issued carbon reduction goals that are more ambitious than previous targets…but is it enough?

• Here are eight new environmental documentaries to watch and learn from.

• And, of course, travel is a huge contributor to carbon emissions. Here are some ways to travel a bit more sustainably.

AROUND THE WORLD

• The world watched as Derek Chauvin was convicted on all accounts of George Floyd’s murder this week. I enjoyed reading this article on why celebrating Chauvin’s conviction is not enough.

• Meet Afghanistan’s incredible first female tour guide.

• Since Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup on February 1, an initial shock has lead to many protests. This article explains how the country’s people hold out hope for international help… yet none is coming. This podcast also has some good information on the subject.

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

xx

Whitney