The Weekly Travel Edit
Reflections one month in, hotels in New York + England, plus a Mother's Day gift edit
Ramblings du jour
It’s been just about a month since I published my first post here, and it has excited me to no end that people are subscribing who I have never met. If you are one of those people, thank you for being here!
It seems that many of the people I admire who publish on Substack had a big following when they launched, which has at times made starting this feel fairly vulnerable, as I’m essentially starting from scratch. I’m not an influencer, a magazine editor, or a published author. I didn’t kick-start this by importing a large list of contacts (other than literally my mom, sister, and a few friends who messaged me).
I’m doing it for the love of it, for a consistent place to share, and with the hope of building a community of like-minded travel and adventure seekers over time. My about page is a good place to learn more about me, my background, and the format you can expect from this newsletter, if you happen to be curious.
In this edit, you will find:
🌎This week’s article round-up includes links to a few other travel-adjacent Substack articles that I loved this week and a sale I’m shopping to prep my girls’ closets for summer
🗺 Two resort properties that have been in my saved folder for years — one in upstate New York and a country property in the Cotswolds
🎁Plus, a few travel-related Mother’s Day gift ideas
To your next adventure,
Lindsey
If you’d like full access to The Travel Desk — including hotel reviews, destination guides, personal essays, and miles + points strategies — consider a paid subscription (you get $20 off for committing to a year!). The Weekly Travel Edit will always be part of the free subscription, and I’ll publish other free content periodically.
Weekly recommendations
This essay on why a good life is inconvenient struck a chord and made me consider how travel often takes away some of the frictionless convenience we are all so used to (ie: Amazon, grocery delivery, DoorDash, to name a few), making room for real connection to be a key part of the experience.
Mayfair is one of my favorite London neighborhoods, and this round-up of restaurants is spot-on. My picks from the list: Gymkhana (one of the best meals of my life) and Scott's, a perennial classic.
Trade Offs, the new-ish Substack from
, has quickly become one of my favorite reads each week because they are my version of aspirational style and travel goals (and it’s fun to get a little peek behind the curtain of their life). They wrote a thoughtful essay on the psychology behind memorable trips this week, and it deeply resonated with me. I particularly loved the suggestion to end each trip with something special.What it looks like to visit Costco in France from
. Spoiler alert: I was surprised by how much is actually the same. I would, however, very much like one of those 2-pound jars of Dijon.Sale alert: For anyone who loves British brand Boden for kids’ clothes as much as I do, they are running 25% off sitewide with code KN4H. It is the perfect time to shop for swimwear and play clothes (this was a favorite from last year), ahead of summer travels.
Hotels on my radar
The Lake House on Canandaigua, Upstate New York
The Lake House on Canandaigua is a design-forward lakeside retreat in New York’s Finger Lakes region. The resort features 125 thoughtfully designed guest rooms, a wellness-focused spa, and two standout dining options: the farm-to-table Rose Tavern and the beloved Sand Bar, a reimagined local favorite. Guests can enjoy amenities like a lakefront pool, fire pits, and curated activities such as wine tours and sunset cruises. I imagine this to be an idyllic place to escape the heat in the height of summer, and I love the idea of touring wineries in the Finger Lakes region as part of a visit.
Thyme, The Cotswolds, England
Thyme, nestled within the 150-acre Southrop Manor Estate in the Cotswolds, is a meticulously restored collection of 17th-century cottages, barns, and farmhouses. The estate encompasses 31 individually designed rooms, the Meadow Spa, the Ox Barn restaurant, and The Swan pub, all emphasizing sustainability and a deep connection to nature. Thyme has been applauded across the travel world for its holistic wellness offerings and farm-to-table dining experiences. I am personally dying to visit and attend their cookery school.
📰 In case you missed it…
Travel-inspired Mother’s Day gift edit
For the mom who loves to relive trips from the past, get her the Aura Frame. I’ve purchased three of these for various family members, and they are one of the most-loved gifts I’ve given.
For the mom who always goes over the weight limit on her checked bag, get her a Kindle Paperwhite to lighten the load.
For the mom who deserves an upgrade to her do-it-all tote, this chic one from Rue de Verneuil should do the trick.
For the mom who likes to take a beach walk or workout after breakfast at the hotel, the Cricket Dress from Addison Bay is a must-have (I may be wearing it while writing this post).
For the mom who wants to take her summer glow on the go, this Sephora set with favorites from Merit, Rare Beauty, and Make-up by Mario is a no-brainer.
For the mom who is still talking about “the good olive oil” from her last trip to Italy, add this set to cart.
Hotel photos courtesy of their respective property websites. If you are interested in booking one of the properties featured, drop me a note.