Welcome to Viva La Europa! A weekly dose of European culture, news, travel and properties.

In this issue:

• 🐛 Berlin's Bug Bistro!

• 🇵🇹 Portugal's Golden Dilemma: The Visa Scheme Stirring the Pot!

• 🌍 What’s happening in Europe

• 🏡 21 hectare country estate in France for the serious horse lovers and equestrians

• 🏝️ Book the whole 8 bedroom former award-winning hotel in East Sussex

🐛 Berlin's Bug Bistro!

Nicole Sartirani, an Italian turned Berliner, is making waves (or should we say, wings?) in the culinary world with her insect-inspired tapas! Once an actress in Rome, she's now the star of Berlin's food scene, serving up critters with flair.

From her first "love at first bite" experience with a grasshopper, she's been on a culinary adventure, blending tradition with innovation. Her venture, MikroKosmos, isn't just about food; it's a movement to change perceptions and embrace sustainability. With regular events and pop-ups, she's making sure Berliners get a taste of this unique cuisine.

And while she admits to still being a bit scared of bugs (unless they're on a plate), she's convinced they're the future of sustainable eating. As she puts it, there are "a thousand reasons why you should start eating insects. And not one why you shouldn’t." So, next time you're in Berlin, why not hop over for a bite? 🦗🍽️

Thought-Provoking Questions:

• With the increasing need for sustainable food sources, could insects become a staple in Western diets in the near future?

• How much of our aversion to certain foods, like insects, is cultural rather than based on taste or nutrition?

• If presented aesthetically and deliciously, would you be more open to incorporating insects into your diet?

Ready for a crunchy culinary adventure? 😉

🇵🇹 Portugal's Golden Dilemma: The Visa Scheme Stirring the Pot!

Portugal's playing hard to get! They're thinking of ending their 'golden visa' scheme, and boy, the drama! While some European countries are ditching these schemes due to security risks and sky-high house prices, Portugal's got its own twist. They believe it's been inflating their property and rent prices. So, what's a golden visa? It's like a VIP pass for the rich to get residency, often by buying property. But Portugal's saying, 'Thanks, but no thanks!' They hope this move will help their housing crisis.

But, plot twist! Last year, these visas brought in a whopping €530 million to Portugal. And now, some fear the ban might be a party pooper for tourism. Especially in hotspots like Madeira and the Azores, where they're like, 'Hey, we liked those high-income tourists!' So, will Portugal swipe left or right on golden visas? Stay tuned!

🌍 What’s happening in Europe

• Norwegian writer Jon Fosse has been awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature. Born in 1959 in Haugesund, Fosse's extensive body of work encompasses 40 plays, novels, poetry, essays, children's books, and translations. He first gained recognition with the 1999 Paris production of 'Someone is Going to Come'. The Nobel committee highlighted his septology, including 'The Other Name', as his "magnum opus". Fosse's writing, while sharing a somber tone, radiates warmth, humor, and a unique vulnerability.

• Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest peak, has diminished by over two meters in just two years. In September 2023, it was measured at 4,805.59 meters, 2.22 meters shorter than in 2021. This fluctuation in height, influenced by ice and snow cover, varies annually due to weather conditions. The recent decrease might be attributed to reduced summer rainfall. However, Jean des Garets, the chief surveyor, emphasized that these measurements are for data collection, not interpretation, and the peak's height could increase in the coming years. Researchers have been monitoring Mont Blanc biennially since 2001 to study climate change effects in the Alps.

• Swedish criminals are exploiting Spotify to launder illicit funds. They use cryptocurrency to pay for Spotify streams, effectively cleaning their money from activities like drug deals, contract killings, and robberies. This is achieved by paying musicians via hard-to-trace cryptocurrency transactions. These artists then earn from streaming, allowing criminals to retrieve the laundered money. An investigator remarked, "Spotify has become a bank machine for the gangs." However, Spotify claims less than 1% of streams are artificial and addresses manipulated figures before payouts. The platform's royalty system has faced criticism, with some alleging it can be easily gamed.

🏡 Property finds of the week

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🏝️ Stays of the week