Italy's Most Iconic Family-Run Hotel and Highsnobiety Join Forces—And We're Obsessed

Our brand-new brick-and-mortar section showcases our favorite indie shops (because shopping IRL is a nostalgic delight). Plus, HAP's NYC Know-It-All strikes again with knockout recommendations.

Jun 12, 2025

Buckle up for this week’s edition of Happenings—your three-minute travel fix packed with sass and global flair, straight from the sharp mind of editor Luke Abrahams.

Travel Topics for Your Next Dinner Conversation 💬

An asteroid could hit our moon. OMG, our poor moon and cue Aerosmith. She's been through a lot these past 4.5 billion years. The earth has kicked her ass a few times, and big old Jupiter got a taste for slinging big rocks at her for a billion years - so Professor Brian Cox tells us, anyway. Things could get a whole lot worse for our gal in the sky once 2032 takes over our calendars, as scientists predict a "city killer" sized asteroid might crash into our friend in the sky. If it does, asteroid 2024 YR4 will be the largest ever lunar impact of its kind in modern history. Sadly, it is a little too far for y'all to Instagram. For the big rocks that could hit earth and kill us all, clicketh here.

These airlines are adding more leg room to economy class. I am not adverse to flying coach. The benefit is you are sat with real people and dodge all the wankers in business who think they are celebrities when they are not. And do not even get me started on the folk in premium economy. Devils, indeed. The peeps at US Traveler did some digging, and it turns out many airline fleets are upgrading their cabins to accommodate more room for our legs. All Nippon Airways, Swiss, and even Aussie carrier Qantas are all in on the big old upgrades. For a full debrief, check out the piece here.

The Highsnobiety x Il Pellicano Collab Is Brilliant 🤌

This mashup collaboration in celebration of Il Pellicano's 60th birthday brings together tradition and modern style in a capsule collection that reflects the timeless charm of the hotel with a fresh, updated look, so the PR team says :)

I just want the cap, to be honest. Check out the collab here.

Brick & Mortar: Where to Shop Offline 🚶‍♀️🚶

Oh, hello, new section. This one is dedicated to our favorite indie shops around the world. As I live in London, I will, of course, kick off with the greatest city in the world. Here's a little list of my favs to check out when you are next in the Big Smoke—streets included.

John Sandoe Books (Sloane Square) - I think it's still a hit with the Instagram crew. Anyway, a lovely indie bookstore since 1957.

Exmouth Market (Farringdon) - I love the food here, but it is also a haven of cute local shops. Think cards, plants, and knick-knacks.

Camden Passage (Islington) - There's an amazing Japanese matcha coffee shop called Katsute 100, plus an abundance of antique stalls.

Pentreath & Hall (Bloomsbury) - I am obsessed with the candles here. Lovely wrapping paper, too. It's just LOVELY.

Gay's The Word (Bloomsbury) - It's the oldest and only LGBTQ+ exclusive shop in the whole country. Can you believe it?!

(Left to Right: John Sandoe Books, Pentreath & Hall)

NYC Know-It-All: Volume VI 🗽

Our weekly column from hospitality-obsessed city native Megan Shelton unveils the gotta-be-there spots across the Big Apple that are anything BUT basic.

In honor of Bar Convent Brooklyn, cocktail pop-ups are popping off across NYC–tonight, June 12, is your last chance to catch Dante and Mastercard's immersive homage to The Savoy's American Bar, complete with historic cocktails and live jazz (*exclusively for Mastercard holders, 21+). Also wrapping tonight: Grand Cayman's acclaimed Library By the Sea brings its literary-inspired cocktail magic to the Lobby Bar at Hotel Chelsea.
As if Café Zaffri wasn't enough reason to book a stay at The Twenty Two–the London-born private members' club and luxury hotel–Kourtney Kardashian Barker's wellness brand Lemme is now stocking their popular Sleep Gummies in every guest room.
The Frick Collection has opened its first restaurant in 89 years. Westmoreland, a 50-seat museum-exclusive restaurant run by Danny Meyer's Union Square Events and Chef Skyllar Hughes, offers an American menu and curated cocktails.
British artist Louise Giovanelli unveiled a new series of layered paintings–on view through June 21 at Grimm Gallery–inspired by emotionally charged scenes from four films selected with New York's Metrograph theatre, translating cinematic tension into visually striking stills.

For more NYC + travel content, follow Megan, who doubles as HAP's NYC Know-It-All and Contributing Travel Editor, on Instagram, TikTok, and her Substack, Turndown Service

The Sexy Coffee Table Book You Need In Your Life ☕📘

YSL was GOD. We know that, and that is why you need to snap up this glorious ode to photographic Frenchie splendor. It is oh so sexy, with forewords by Madison Cox and Christoph Wiesner. And guess what, you can preorder it now for Christmas. Listen, it is basically around the corner, so shhh. Buy it here.

THE Spotify Playlist to Know 🎶

RapCaviar. I have been on a Nicki Minaj bender this week, and this playlist is nothing short of iconic. It's always updated, and is just a thing of pure lyrical spatting genius. It's a good listen on the commute, too. Listen here.

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