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My clients receive comprehensive destination guides, but I believe great travel inspiration should be shared with everyone. Here you'll find insider tips from my travels, wine region discoveries, and destination highlights that might just inspire your next adventure. Whether you're planning a honeymoon, anniversary trip, or culinary escape, let's explore the world together!

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The Sophisticated Guide to Thanksgiving Wine Pairings: Expert Selections for the Discerning Host

Elevate your holiday table with these sommelier-approved wine pairings that transform Thanksgiving dinner into a world-class tasting experience. Thanksgiving Traditions Thanksgiving has been a yearly highlight since I was young. Some of my fondest memories are from my grandparents’ house on Thanksgiving; I would arrive early to watch the Macy’s Day Parade, follow my grandmother […]

Holiday dinner red wine candlelight feast

Food + Wine

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The Ultimate Guide to Tuscany’s Noble Wines: Brunello, Vino Nobile, Chianti Classico & Super Tuscans

Your Expert Guide to Planning the Perfect Tuscan Wine Experience When you close your eyes and imagine Tuscany, what do you see? Rolling hills carpeted with vineyards, cypress-lined drives leading to ancient stone villas, and cellars filled with some of the world’s most celebrated wines. For discerning travelers seeking an authentic Italian wine experience, Tuscany […]

Historic Tuscan wine estate villa surrounded by olive groves and vineyards in Chianti region Italy

Exploring Wine, Food + Wine

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Florence in Autumn and Winter: A Guide to the Renaissance City’s Quieter Seasons

Discover why fall and winter transform Florence into the ultimate destination for wine and food enthusiasts seeking authentic Tuscan experiences. Images courtesty of Unsplash Why Florence in Autumn and Winter is Extraordinary While summer crowds jostle for space beneath the Duomo’s magnificent dome, autumn and winter reveal a different Florence that locals have cherished for […]

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Vacation Inspiration

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Why Work With Me as Your Wine and Food Travel Advisor

TLDR: This post explains why working with a specialized wine and food travel advisor gives you access to authentic experiences with winemakers and chefs, saves you time on complex planning, provides expert support when travel issues arise, and offers the personal human connection that online booking can’t replicate. You’ve been scrolling through Instagram, saving posts of […]

Wine and food travel advisor Kathryn of Mistral Winds Travel standing in Paris France

Travel Tips

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Must-Have Travel Essentials to Buy on Amazon Prime Day 2025: A Luxury Travel Advisor’s Guide

As a luxury travel advisor specializing in wine and culinary tours plus romantic getaways, I’ve learned that the some travel accessories can transform a long travel day into a smooth experience. I’ve put together this list of Amazon Prime Day travel essentials for 2025. These aren’t just random picks; these are items I personally use […]

Aerial view of tropical island from airplane window - turquoise water destination for romantic travel

Travel Tips

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Azamara South Africa Cruise: Luxury Cruising, Authentic Experiences

I’m excited to share the full story of this incredible Azamara South African cruise in my latest YouTube video. Watch it here to see the stunning destinations and wine experiences come to life! For those who prefer to dive deeper into the details, continue reading for my complete analysis of why this journey was so […]

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Vacation Inspiration

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Perks of Hiring A Travel Advisor

When you’re thinking about your next trip, making sure it’s a seamless vacation is probably first and foremost on your mind. This is exactly how it should be! You’ve worked hard and deserve the best trip possible. This is a great goal to have, so you start brainstorming. You start thinking of hotels, flights, how […]

Kathryn Flynn, travel advisor, holding a coffee and smiling at the camera.

Travel Tips

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