France: The 161st Annual Hospices de Beaune Charity Wine Auction

The Hospices de Beaune or Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune is a former charitable almshouse in Beaune, France. It was founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor of Burgundy, as a hospital for the poor.

Ahead of the 161st annual Hospices de Beaune charity wine auction, hear about the altruistic history behind this auspicious charity sale, and how the funds raised are looking to the future. In this interview with Francois Poher (Director, Hospices Civils de Beaune) and Ludivine Griveau (Manager, Hospices de Beaune Domaine), learn about the founding of the Hospices de Beaune in the 15th century, as a hospital for the local community. Over the course of time, vineyards were donated by grateful patients and the wine produced has been sold to fund new, state of the art hospitals and technologies. Sotheby’s is proud to host the 161st Edition of the auction, which will be held at the Halles de Beaune on 21 November, the third Sunday in November, as per tradition.

News: Top 5 Stories For July 29, 2021 (Reuters)

Five stories to know for July 29: $1 trillion infrastructure bill, Federal workers, Big Tech, COVID-19, Tunisia

1. A roughly $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure investment bill advanced in the U.S. Senate, passing a key milestone that moves the emerging legislation toward formal debate and possible passage.

2. President Joe Biden is expected to announce that all civilian federal workers will need to be vaccinated against the coronavirus or face regular testing, social distancing, mask requirements and travel limits, a source said.

3. Twitter is shutting its reopened offices in the U.S., while other big tech companies are making vaccination mandatory for on-campus employees, as the highly infectious Delta COVID-19 variant drives a resurgence in cases.

4. Australia’s military will help enforce a lockdown in Sydney after the city of 6 million posted a record daily rise in COVID-19 cases and state authorities said the outbreak was likely to get worse.

5. Tunisia’s president said he was addressing the dire economic and COVID-19 situation and probing widespread corruption after invoking emergency powers to seize control of government in a move his foes called a coup.

Walking Tour: Republic Of San Marino (4K Video)

San Marino is a mountainous microstate surrounded by north-central Italy. Among the world’s oldest republics, it retains much of its historic architecture. On the slopes of Monte Titano sits the capital, also called San Marino, known for its medieval walled old town and narrow cobblestone streets. The Three Towers, castlelike citadels dating to the 11th century, sit atop Titano’s neighboring peaks. 

English Guest Houses: The ‘Lord Crewe Arms’, Poet Auden’s Favorite Bolthole

‘No other spot brings me sweeter memories,’ remarked the poet W. H. Auden about the Lord Crewe Arms. 90 years later, the beauty of this historic bolthole, on the Northumberland/Co Durham border, hasn’t changed. 

Harriet Compston, July 27, 2021

In the village of Blanchland, the 12th-century building was originally a guest house for Blanchland Abbey. Today, the Calcot Collection runs the show and the company’s clever touches — as seen in Barnsley House — shine through.

The superb food is modern British with big flavours, made using local produce. After cocktails in the barrel-vaulted Crypt Bar, we feasted in the elegant dining room: my favourite dish was the super succulent roasted guinea hen with a garden herb sauce.

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Morning News: Balkans Travel, China Nuclear Arsenal, U.S. Travel Ban

We discuss the creation of a “mini-Schengen” common-travel area in the Balkans. Plus: we analyse what the expansion of China’s nuclear arsenal means for the rest of the world and why the US is persevering with its travel ban on most foreign citizens.

Walking Tour: Lyon – Southeastern France

Lyon, the capital city in France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Its center reflects 2,000 years of history from the Roman Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules, medieval and Renaissance architecture in Vieux (Old) Lyon, to the modern Confluence district on Presqu’île peninsula. Traboules, covered passageways between buildings, connect Vieux Lyon and La Croix-Rousse hill. 

Japan Tours: Tokyo’s ‘Must See’ Landmarks (Video)

Tokyo is a city of neighborhoods and Paul Tierney from Walk Japan is here to take you to some of the must-see landmarks like famous temples, shrines, restaurants, and small local areas that allow you to get the sights, sounds, and flavors of Tokyo.

Video timeline: 00:00 Introduction 00:26 Nihonbashi 01:26 Kanda Shrine 02:22 Akihabara 03:27 Sentō (Public Bathhouse) 04:08 Yanaka Ginza 04:56 Sensō-ji 07:07 Ameyoko 08:10 Niku no Oyama

Night Walks: Pisa & The Leaning Tower In Italy

Pisa is a city in Italy’s Tuscany region best known for its iconic Leaning Tower. Already tilting when it was completed in 1372, the 56m white-marble cylinder is the bell tower of the Romanesque, striped-marble cathedral that rises next to it in the Piazza dei Miracoli. Also in the piazza is the Baptistry, whose renowned acoustics are demonstrated by amateur singers daily, and the Caposanto Monumentale cemetery. 

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