This Week in the World: Week 32

I know, I’m still sharing photos from Italy. The truth is, I’ve done very little since being home in London besides work. It’s a very busy season (which I’m grateful for!) but I’m also leaving town again on Thursday for 3 weeks to go back to the states to see family and going to Belize for my next Atlas Adventures trip. Needless to say, these photos from Italy are far more interesting than me sitting on my couch! This particular photo was taken from the top of a mountain we summited while doing a Via Ferrata outside of Corvara. It was an incredible experience and one I highly recommend doing (email me for more information!)

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 32.

TRAVEL NEWS, UPDATES + INSPIRATION

• My travel planning page got a refresh this week! As you might have recently read, I joined the Embark Beyond team last month and am now able to access tons of benefits and perks for my clients (things like hotel room upgrades, complimentary breakfasts, spa treatments, welcome amenities, early check-in/ late check-out and more.) Given the rise in demand for travel advisors, my schedule is booking up farther in advance than it used to… so be sure to email me if you want to schedule a consult for later in September so you can take advantage of these perks for your upcoming trips!

• Given the rising Delta variant, is it safe to plan international travel this fall?

• Here are some ways to support small businesses when you travel.

• Have you heard of the travel insurance that will assure you a private flight home if you get a positive COVID test while traveling? Email me to inquire about booking (I’m able to get you a discounted rate of just $43 per day!)

• A lot of us have really grown to appreciate outdoor dining after the year we’ve experienced. Here is a list of the top 17 al fresco dining experiences to try in Europe this summer.

AROUND THE GLOBE

• The wildfires that have been happening in Greece are devastating (and climate change is being largely cited as the reason they’re happening). Here’s how you can help.

• Italians (mostly) embraced a ‘Green Pass’ to prove vaccination on the first day it became enforced.

• “How will the pandemic end? The science of past outbreaks offers clues.”

WEEKLY FAVORITES

• FAVORITE PURCHASE: I finally caved and joined the Nap Dress cult by purchasing this dress.

• FAVORITE LISTEN: I enjoyed the conversation around “Should we stop discussing politics at work?” on this episode of The Argument.

• FAVORITE READ: I love reading Lori Gottlieb’s “Dear Therapist” column in The Atlantic every month. She is a therapist (and the author of one of my favorite books “Maybe you should talk to someone”) who poignantly guides readers through the ordinary difficulties of human life.

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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 31

Happy first day of August. I’m still sharing photos from Italy (even though I’ve been back in London for a week now). As much as I loved everything about our trip, it’s also been really nice to be back home to my routine and to be able to catch up on a lot of work. This month will bring a lot of travel in the weeks ahead, as I prepare to go back to the US to see family, friends and then head to Belize to host my next Atlas Adventures trip—I can’t wait! Until then, I’m very much enjoying some relaxing time at home.

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 31.

TRAVEL NEWS, UPDATES + INSPIRATION

• The U.K. has reopened (without quarantine!) to fully vaccinated Americans!

• UNESCO adds 33 new sites to its 2021 World Heritage list— have you been to any of them?

• Travel is especially chaotic right now. Here’s why you should work with a travel advisor.

• Have you had a flight recently be cancelled or delayed? Here’s what you should do.

• 11 of the prettiest small towns in Italy (I can vouch for the first two… need to get to the rest!)

AROUND THE WORLD

• Simone Biles was a popular conversation topic this past week when she opted to prioritize her mental health by withdrawing from her participation in Olympic events. I, along with so many, applaud her decision and am frustrated hearing those who have criticized her decision. I saw several people share that “Simone Biles probably won't hear your tweets about her "quitting" or "playing the mental health card" but your friends who struggle with mental health issues will”. This podcast episode is a great listen about how incredible she is. I highly encourage anyone, but especially her critics, to listen to this inspiring story.

• “King Richard”, film starring Will Smith, will tell the story of Richard Williams (Venus and Serena’s father) in cinemas this November— I’m so excited for this!

• In honor of London reopening to American travelers in August, here are 73 amazing things to do in my favorite city this month.

• I love National Geographic and have so much respect for their reporting. I really appreciated this piece they did on why vaccines are highly unlikely to cause side effects long after getting the shot, as their science shows that even the most serious side effects for any vaccine, including COVID-19, occur within just a few weeks. A good read if you are apprehensive about the vaccine or know someone who is.

WEEKLY FAVORITES

• FAVORITE READ: I loved this piece on why “our biggest enemy is no longer climate denial but climate delay.”

• FAVORITE FINDS: While August is always one of the warmest month of the year, I always can’t help but to start thinking about the cooler temps right around the corner, so I’ve been eyeing some sustainable transitional pieces lately. Here’s what I’m looking to snag:

  • THIS ANORAK is sustainable, affordable and great for wet weather (which we have plenty of here in London).

  • THIS BAG is so timeless and elegant- I have had my eye on it for a while now.

  • THESE PANTS are made at a zero waste facility and look so comfortable- perfect with a tank and sandals in the summer or loafers and a cardigan as we enter into cooler temperatures.

• FAVORITE WINE: Ever since our trip to the Alto Adige region, I have been constantly craving an aromatic glass of Gewurztraminer (a popular varietal of this region). Highly recommend asking your local wine shop to recommend one to you (try to find one from Sudtirol specifically if you can) or you can order THIS ONE online.

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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 30

It’s been a wonderful three weeks in Italy: both revisiting some favorite places and exploring some new ones. After a year (plus some change) of not being able to travel or do my job, it felt surreal to be back in my favorite country— face to face with vendors I adore and drinking in these places I love so much. After our 5 day quarantine in Tuscany, we visited Ischia, Capri, Positano/Praiano, Rome, the Dolomites and Milan. It was a lot packed into 3 weeks, but I’ve never been so thankful to be exhausted. It was a wonderful experience that felt very safe, and I’d encourage anyone who is able to take advantage of visiting before tourism ramps up to full capacity (or likely, even more than before due to so many holidays that will need to be rebooked).

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 30.

TRAVEL NEWS, UPDATES + INSPIRATION

• 6 Must-See Biodiversity Hot Spots—and How to Visit Ethically

• Italy Will Require COVID Passes for Restaurants, Museums, and More.

• I was excited to read this story on South Tyrol coming out of my trip there - I couldn’t agree more!: ‘Forget the skis. In the South Tyrol region near the Dolomites, delicious food and gorgeous hikes are best enjoyed in summer.’

• Traveling to France soon? Here’s what you need to know about health passport requirements in France (effective as of July 21st).

WEEKLY FAVORITES

• FAVORITE LISTEN: I seem to share a “Life Kit” podcast episode every week, and this one is no exception! I really enjoyed this episode on “Cleaning up Your Social Media Diet.”

• FAVORITE SAVE: I love what this Instagram post has to say about being “cool”.

• FAVORITE PURCHASE: This slip dress from one of my favorite retailers is a perfect timeless staple that’s great for summer weather. I wore it a ton in Italy (with espadrilles and statement earrings (I love these ones made from recycled glass) to dress it up, or sandals and a wide brim hat for a more casual daytime look).

• FAVORITE READ: “How I learned to really listen to people”.

AROUND THE WORLD

• The beds in Tokyo’s Olympic Village are made of cardboard-the first time in Olympic history that athletes’ beds are made almost entirely out of renewable materials. The beds are part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games’ broader sustainability plan, which seeks to ensure the environment is at the heart of the event.

• Prince George turned 8 this week!

• Jane Goodall reveals what studying chimpanzees teaches us about human nature.

• The argument for switching off lights at night: why light pollution is harming our wildlife.

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

xx

Whitney