Wanderlust Travel Adventures by Kristina

10/27/2026

Japan was by far my most booked destination this year. I have sent a lot of clients to Japan over the years, but this year more clients than ever--from families to couples. Japan is a destination where it pays to have a knowledgeable advisor with lots of experience with the destination and very good in-country partners. I work with the best hotels, English-speaking guides and private drivers. 🇯🇵

When you are ready to start planning Japan please email me: [email protected]

Our Japan luxury travel guide includes the best hotels in Japan, Japan tours, Japan cruises, Virtuoso travel advisors that specialize in Japan, and more.

10/21/2026

2027 travel trends are telling us something: luxury is becoming more personal, more intentional, and more informed.

We’re seeing a return to analogue. Less time scrolling through endless options, more time being present, making meaningful connections, and experiencing a destination beyond the highlight reel.

Transformational travel is on the rise too. People want trips that change their perspective, take them out of their comfort zone, and leave them with something more.

And when it comes to planning experience matters more than ever.

There are so many new faces entering the travel industry, and while there’s room for fresh perspectives, there’s something invaluable about working with an advisor who has actually been there. Someone who knows the difference between what looks incredible online and what truly delivers in person.

The new luxury is having someone you trust narrow down the possibilities, cut through the noise, and eliminate decision fatigue. Someone who knows your travel style, understands the details, and can guide you toward the right experience without you having to research every single option yourself.

Because it isn’t just about where you stay or how you get there. It’s about the confidence of knowing you’re in good hands.

In 2027, the most valuable thing a travel advisor can offer isn’t just access. It’s experience, perspective, and the ability to make every decision feel a little easier.

Less overwhelm. More intention. Better travel.

09/23/2026

MY CARIBBEAN SUMMER

I usually gravitate toward places with distinctive local cultures, fascinating histories, and beautiful, wild landscapes. The Caribbean has not been at the top of my mind as far as my travel interests go. After three separate opportunities to visit different islands this summer, I can tell you I have a new found appreciation for the Caribbean.

St. Kitts & Nevis, Curaçao, and The Bahamas each offered something completely different, and together they completely changed the way I think about the Caribbean. 🇰🇳 🇨🇼 🇧🇸

I snorkeled through healthy seagrass beds where endangered sea turtles make their home, explored pristine coral reefs, saw conservation projects in action, and learned about the history and culture of these islands from some truly exceptional local guides and art curators.

And summer turned out to be a wonderful time to experience it. The water is warm yet refreshing, marine life is thriving, cultural celebrations are in full swing, and the quieter season can mean fewer crowds and a more relaxed experience. For travelers who value exceptional experiences, there is something particularly appealing about experiencing these islands at a slower pace.

What I realized most, though, is how unfairly I had simplified the Caribbean. Each island has its own history, culture, ecosystems, traditions, communities, and character. And there is something wonderful about experiencing those places through the people who know them best, getting under the water, learning the stories, and seeing the natural beauty beyond the resort.

These three islands later, the Caribbean has proved to me what an amazing travel destination it can be. Sometimes the most rewarding destinations are the ones that challenge what you thought you knew.

Let me help you discover some amazing places in the Caribbean.

08/27/2026

One of my absolute favorite parts of being a travel advisor is supporting family-owned hotels.

I love meeting the owners, hearing their stories, and learning about the vision they have for the properties they love so deeply. When a family has poured their heart and soul into creating a hotel, you can feel the difference, and knowing my clients are supporting those families and communities makes the experience even more meaningful.

Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of visiting some incredible family-owned properties in Italy and beyond:

and Palazzo Manzi Terme & Spa in Ischia, where a long-time Ischian family is deeply invested in their island, its people, and its heritage.

Therasia Resort Sea and Spa in Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy, where supporting the local community and protecting the island’s fragile environment are central to the experience.

Donna Carmela Resort & Lodges in Sicily, born from a family’s passion for horticulture and transformed into an extraordinary botanical retreat.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Passalacqua on Lake Como, where you can feel the owners’ personal passion in every detail. These aren’t simply hotels, they are family legacies.

And Brown Bear Bay Lodge aka “BBB” in Alaska, where an incredible family dedicated to conserving wild places has created a beautiful model where ethical tourism directly supports wildlife conservation. Exactly the kind of business I love to support.

For me, luxury travel isn’t simply about beautiful hotels. It’s about knowing the story behind a place, experiencing it firsthand, building relationships with the people who create these experiences, and knowing which properties will be the right fit for my clients.

That is the kind of travel I love to curate.

If you value exceptional properties and meaningful experiences, I’d love to introduce you to some of my favorite family-run hotels around the world.

The Harlowe Group

08/18/2026

Four days at Brown Bear Bay Lodge aka “BBB” in Alaska changed how I think about luxury wilderness travel. Not getting closer at any cost. Not turning wildlife into a spectacle.

But learning how to enter a wild place without asking it to become something else for us.

My time at Brown Bear Bay with NorthWild Travel was a remarkable lesson in ethical wildlife viewing.

The philosophy is simple: we should not inconvenience the bears so that we may enjoy them.

The suites, Code of Conduct, small-group format, and approach to viewing are all designed around patience, respect, and coexistence.

At one point, we were approximately 20 feet from a grizzly mother and her cubs. What struck me was not simply the proximity, but the discipline behind it.

We weren’t there to force an encounter. We observed their behavior, remained predictable, and allowed the bears to determine the terms of the interaction.

Ethical wildlife viewing means adapting to the animal, rather than asking the animal to adapt to us.

Over four days, we encountered bears, wolves, bald eagles, seals, and an extraordinary variety of birds. But perhaps the most memorable experience was learning what it takes to cultivate a culture of coexistence.

I also admire NorthWild’s model of making conservation part of the business itself, supporting conservation initiatives and the protection of wild places.

The idea is beautifully simple: if keeping wildlife wild and thriving creates lasting value, then the business of experiencing nature can become part of the business of protecting it.

An extraordinary experience that does not require the wilderness to surrender what makes it extraordinary.

For travelers who want more than a photograph, who want to understand a place, travel with intention, and experience wildlife on its own terms, Brown Bear Bay is something very special.

Learn more about ethical bear viewing at the link in my bio.

Every photo and video in this post was taken on my iPhone. Imagine what you could capture with a real camera!

07/30/2026

We had the most amazing time last week at Sea Turtle Camp at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis in partnership with the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Taking my kids on sea turtle night walks along the wild beaches of Nevis with marine scientists to search for nesting sea turtles for research and conservation purposes, and snorkeling with wild sea turtles were 10/10 experiences. This is transformational travel. Giving my kids these experiences and watching them fall in love with the ocean—this is what it’s all about.

Yes, it was a beach vacation at a beautiful resort, but it was so much more than that.

I would love for all of my clients to have these adventures that bring tears to their eyes because you are just in absolute awe of the experience at hand.

Thank you Four Seasons Resort Nevis for this incredible experience.

07/28/2026

It may sound counter intuitive as we are still in the throes of summer, but we should be planning your winter vacation right now for best rates and availability. And I am not talking about the week between Christmas and New Years because that should already be booked by now (although I am working on a couple of trips for that time period and availability is very tight for these dates!), I am talking about January - March. Ski trips, a tropical getaway over Presidents Weekend, a romantic Valentine’s getaway, even spring break. Let’s a get a jump on planning spring break before everyone heads back to school and starts thinking about it.

I have lots of winter trips in the works already to London 🇬🇧, Paris 🇫🇷, Bahamas 🇧🇸, Canada for skiing 🇨🇦, all over Asia, Iceland for northern lights 🇮🇸, Italy 🇮🇹. I had a great time skiing in Europe last winter, if you would like to check out some new ski destinations. I’m working on some very cool trips to Morocco and Japan right now for early next year.

Whether you are thinking of a cold weather getaway or a warm weather vacay, let’s get planning your winter travels! ✈️ 🌎

07/16/2026

My family just got back from an unforgettable stay at with ‘s first Family FAM trip, and it was the kind of trip that reminded me why I love helping families create these memories.

From meeting flamingos and feeding sea turtles to learning about sharks and stingrays, playing for hours at the Baha Bay waterpark, and soaking up those crystal-clear Bahamian beaches, every day felt like a new adventure. We also loved exploring the local art and Bahamian culture, playing mini golf, hitting the arcade, catching the nightly fountain shows, and enjoying dinner while the kids had the best time at Kids Club (yes, parents’ night out is absolutely a vacation highlight!).

What surprised me most was how effortlessly this destination works for families. There truly is something for every age, whether you’re traveling with toddlers, school-aged kids, teens, or grandparents.

Sometimes the best family vacations don’t require a long-haul flight—just a quick escape where everyone comes home happy (and already asking when they can go back). resorts are always a hit with my family clients.

05/06/2026

On Global Travel Advisor Day, I am reflecting on what it truly means to do this work as a luxury travel advisor.

Behind every itinerary I design is a deep level of care, intention, and attention to detail. My role goes far beyond booking travel. I curate experiences that are thoughtful, seamless, and tailored to each client’s preferences and expectations.

From honeymoons and safaris to multigenerational family vacations and milestone celebrations, every journey is crafted to feel effortless while delivering something truly memorable.

To my clients who continue to trust me with some of life’s most meaningful moments, thank you. It is a privilege to play a part in how you experience the world.

04/25/2026

This would be such a great cruise itinerary!

A Summer Voyage from Reykjavík to London
Departing August 18, 2026.
From Reykjavík, this 10-night voyage crosses to explore the Faroe Islands, Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, and beyond, before finishing in London.

Reach out to me to discuss as my clients receive VIP perks on Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. [email protected]