Window shopping #11

Hotel merch worth burning, a travel rule going into effect next week, and the kind of trip I’m planning for the very first time

This is Window Shopping, a weekly mini-letter from Window Seat—your stylish scroll through what’s new and noteworthy in the world of travel. Each issue blends timely headlines, personal favorites, and design-forward hotels to keep your wanderlust well-fed.

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One of my favorite NYC hotels now has its own signature scent—finally, something you don’t have to smuggle out in your suitcase. @SIDIA just launched MUSE, a candle made in collaboration with the (incredible) spa at Hotel Chelsea, designed to evoke the creative spirit of the hotel and the 1800s roots of its spa. I’m always here for the evolution of hotels into lifestyle brands, so long as it’s done with intention and not just merch for merch’s sake. I’ve gone on at length about my love for sensory souvenirs—I love scent as a storytelling tool. Kudos to Michelle Siman!

Guys...it's finally happening: REAL ID enforcement finally begins on May 7th, meaning U.S. travelers 18+ will need a REAL ID–compliant license or a passport to board domestic flights. Make sure you have at least one on you each time you fly—this is a major shift in how we move through airports, especially for spontaneous or infrequent travelers. Check your state's requirements.

Menorca Moodboard (images c/o CN Traveler)

I just booked a trip to Menorca, where I’ll be leaning into slow, intentional travel for a much-needed mental reset. I’m prioritizing stays at luxury agroturismo hotels—refined countryside retreats that blend agricultural heritage with thoughtful, high-end hospitality. It’s a new kind of travel experience for me, and I’m craving the change of pace: long, quiet mornings, simple meals sourced from the land and sea just outside your door, a real connection to nature, and the kind of rest you can’t get in a city.

And of course, I’m already looking forward to the flight. I always do. This time, though, it’s extra special: I’ll be flying Singapore Airlines for the first time, in their business class no less. I’ve only ever heard glowing reviews—from the service to the seat to the sense of ceremony that comes with it. It feels like the perfect start to a trip that’s all about being intentional.

That being said: if you have any Menorca musts (do/eat/see/etc), please let me know in the comments!

Torre Vella—Menorca, Spain

Set on hundreds of acres in Menorca’s quiet south, this former farmhouse estate has been transformed into a serene escape surrounded by vineyards and dry-stone walls. Days here are simple in the best way—coffee on your private terrace, long walks through sun-bleached vineyards, a swim in the saltwater pool carved into the hillside. There’s no agenda, no pressure, just space to stretch out and feel the land around you. It’s understated, elemental, and *exactly* what I need.

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Tori Simokov is a Travel Writer and Graphic Designer/Strategist based in New York. To get in touch, email tori@v1projects.com. Want more? Check out Instagram, TikTok, or shop her curated favorites.