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

In this issue:

• 🧑‍✈️ The Wealthy's Shortcut to Global Gallivanting

• 🍣 Sushi with a Puglian Twist

• 🌍 What’s happening in Europe

• 🏡 A 13 bedroom castle in Umbertide

• 🏝️ Watch the northern lights in a glass cabin on a lava desert

🧑‍✈️ Passport to Paradise: The Wealthy's Shortcut to Global Gallivanting

Ahoy, jet-setters and globe-trotters! Ever wondered how the ultra-rich hop from one tropical paradise to another without the pesky visa restrictions? Enter the world of "golden passports"! For a mere pocket change (if your pockets are deep enough) ranging from $100,000 to over a million, you can snag yourself a shiny new passport from some of the world's most exotic locales. No need to live there, just flash the cash!

But it's not just about the travel perks. These golden tickets offer the wealthy an escape hatch from potential legal troubles or political instability back home. Big names like ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel have jumped on the bandwagon, with countries like Malta, Cyprus, and even Austria rolling out the red carpet for these high-flyers.

However, not everyone's on board with this VIP passport club. Critics argue that these programs could be a gateway for criminals looking for a hideout. Plus, there's the whole debate about whether citizenship should even have a price tag. But hey, if you've got the gold, why not go for the golden passport?

Thought-Provoking Insights:

Passport Privilege: The ease of your global gallivanting largely depends on the color of your passport. Rich Western nations usually have the upper hand, but golden passports are leveling the playing field... for the wealthy, at least.

The Geopolitical Game: While these passports offer the rich an escape route, they also boost the economies of the issuing countries. For instance, the Caribbean nation of Saint Kitts gets over 40% of its GDP from its citizenship-by-investment program.

The Controversy Continues: The European Commission isn't a fan, citing security risks. Some countries have even shut down their golden passport programs amidst concerns. But as long as there's demand, there will always be supply. So, where's your next passport from?

🍣 Sushi with a Puglian Twist: De Vita's Culinary Innovations

Chef Raffaella De Vita, who is based in Tokyo, has her roots in Puglia, Italy. She has innovatively combined the culinary essence of southern Italy with Japanese sushi, coining her creation as "Mediterranean sushi".

While Puglia is renowned for its traditional dishes and authenticity, De Vita has ventured into experimental cooking by blending the culinary traditions of both regions. She crafts classic Japanese dishes, such as sashimi, but with an Italian flair, using the rich seafood from the waters surrounding Puglia. De Vita is also challenging the age-old Japanese notion that only men can make good sushi due to women having "warm hands".

She draws inspiration from her childhood in Puglia, especially dishes like "fave e cicorie" (broad bean and chicory), which her mother excels at making. Even when preparing pizza, she infuses it with Japanese and Russian elements. Her cooking style is a contemporary fusion of two traditional cuisines, deeply rooted in Puglian culture, making it distinct and heartfelt.

🌍 What’s happening in Europe

• France is introducing its 29th immigration bill since 1980, sparking significant controversy. The bill aims to appeal to both political extremes, offering undocumented workers a path to legal residency while also facilitating deportation enforcement. However, it's faced criticism from both sides: the left deems it too restrictive, while the right believes it's too lenient. The bill's introduction is seen by some as a political move, with each government feeling pressured to address migration.

• Recent heat waves could reduce global growth by nearly 0.6% in 2023, with several European countries severely affected, as per Allianz Trade's estimate. Spain's GDP might drop by one point, Greece's by 0.9 points, Italy's by 0.5 points, and France's by 0.1 points. Extreme heat events significantly impact economies, productivity, and work quality.

• TikTok faces an EU fine due to mishandling children's data, as decided by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). This follows concerns over TikTok's age verification and transparency in processing children's data. The decision aligns with an investigation from 2021 regarding TikTok's adherence to the EU's GDPR rules.

🏡 Property finds of the week

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🏝️ Stays of the week