Recognized Culinary Travel Leaders 2025

Passionate traveller and co-founder of CheckinAway.com, where I share detailed reviews and guides for upscale hotels and unique destinations. Exploring the world one trip at a time—here to share insights and help you plan unforgettable adventures!

I’m the founder and on-the-ground host at Our Dolce Vita, an all-inclusive Italy tour operator for U.S. travelers. I provide quote-ready insights on Italy trip planning, itineraries, seasons, logistics, pricing, family travel, and what “all-inclusive” really means on the ground. I also work closely with travel advisors and specialize in Northern Italy, Tuscany, and Sicily. Based in Italy.

Christina Gales is a luxury travel advisor and founder of Christina Gales Travel, a boutique travel consultancy specializing in European itineraries, Caribbean escapes, elevated family travel, milestone celebrations, and luxury ocean and river cruises. A Fora and Virtuoso-affiliated advisor based outside Chicago, Christina has planned hundreds of trips across 20+ countries and serves over 100 clients nationwide. With extensive destination training across Europe, the Caribbean, Iceland, Hawaii, and Mexico—plus specialist certifications in luxury travel, cruise planning, and ecotourism—she brings both breadth and depth to every journey. Her preferred status with 8,500+ hotels, resorts, and cruise lines globally allows her to secure exclusive perks and VIP experiences for clients. As both a travel professional and mother of five, Christina is frequently sought after for her expertise in family travel strategy, multi-generational trip design, and making luxury travel approachable for real families. She speaks regularly on European travel planning, destination trends, the psychology of travel, and the shift toward meaningful, purpose-driven travel experiences. Her itineraries favor local culture, boutique hospitality, and personalized experiences over mass-market tourism. Known for her warm, collaborative approach and concierge-level support, Christina helps travelers feel confident, connected, and inspired—from dream to departure to memories that last a lifetime

I'm a mom of 2, and travel often with my husband and kids. I've travelled to nearly 40 countries and lived in 7. My website, Tiny Footsteps Travel, reaches tens of thousands of readers each month. Drawing on nearly a decade as a public school teacher, I create thoughtful, eco-conscious travel guides on my site that are family-friendly, for kids of all ages. I create itineraries, videos, and resources that make meaningful travel accessible for parents and their children. I primarily cover the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America, Scandinavia (especially Sweden, Denmark and Iceland) and the British Isles. I ensure that my readers have a true picture of what their trip entails through honest feedback based on real personal experiences.

I am a Certified Sommelier offering expert wine tasting, pairing, and more. I have contributed to many articles for Sommelier quotes, pairings, and more. I also am a certified Olive Oil Sommelier, and specialize in olive oil and wine pairings, olive oil recipes, mixology, as well as polyphenols and health of olive oil.

Turning the world into words Travel writer and journalist specialising in solo adventure and story-led travel for women. I'm Nika—a journo, adventurer and author with a 25+ years of experience across radio, TV, print, digital and social. My passion is solo travel and slow adventures—not just seeing places but getting under the skin of them. Walking my way to stories - my feet are wiser than my head, finding cultural connection and a deeper understanding through the people who live there: local families, creatives, journalists. And always, the taste of place. I've worked with global media and brands, including the BBC, Emap, News UK, DMGT, Bauer, Wizja TV, Foxtel, Expedia Group, Weber Shandwick, Havas and Publicis Groupe. 12x book babies on health & wellness. I mentor journos through the NUJ and host a Writers' Café in Hastings & St Leonards. Work and collaborate with me → https://nikatalbot.io Since 2020, I've been building Bold Types, recommended by Hotflash Inc. as “a helpful newsletter for the intersection of writing, the digital world and entrepreneurship, which can be a lonely place for many of us.” 🌐 Bold Types Adventures in journalism, from a GenXy writer who walks. Your weekly hit of optimism and grit. Join us → https://www.nikatalbot.io Professional memberships National Union of Journalists (London Freelance SoMe officer), Women in Journalism, Adventure Travel Trade Association, Digital Creator Association, The Media Society, Talking Travel Writing, TravMedia. Wall of Love “They should frame this newsletter in the Louvre—simply a joy to read!” – Eoin Whyte, Chief Revenue Officer & co-founder, Savvy. Here to fix your content gaps! 💎 “Two things to say from all of us… BRAVO & AMAZING! It was really engaging and fun to read. This is the reference we should keep for upcoming work.” — Daniel Mondragón, Global Brand Lead, Nestlé, The Science of Growing Up Happy Book "Recommended reading for Workforce Futurists!" - Andy Spence, Founder, Workforce Futurist “I was impressed with how much you connected to people and the place when you were here. You’ve got a gift for it. Not everybody is like that – comfortable striking up conversations with strangers.” — Marianne Lehnis, Founder, The Green Techpreneur Gold star for reading this far 🤩 Working in travel media? I'd love to connect. Get in touch - nika@nikatalbot.io.

I’m the Founder & Managing Director of Eating Europe, where I’ve been helping travelers discover Europe’s food, culture, and local life since 2011. My journey started when I moved to Rome in 2009 and fell in love with how food was woven into daily life. What began as casual walks through my neighborhood — introducing friends to the local butcher, gelato maker, and chefs — grew into food tours that offer travelers authentic, personal connections to the cities they visit. Since then, I’ve worked closely with local chefs, artisans, and small businesses across Europe to create immersive food experiences in cities like Rome, Lisbon, Amsterdam, and London. My expertise is in European food culture, culinary traditions, and experiential travel — showing people how food can tell the real story of a place and its people. Topics I can speak to: European food culture & traditions Experiential travel & food tourism How food connects people to place Building authentic food experiences Local food scenes in Rome, Lisbon, Amsterdam, London, and more

Jen is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of Peel with Zeal, a food and recipe website focused on bold, approachable recipes and practical cooking know-how. She specializes in gluten-free cooking without compromise, emphasizing big flavor, smart techniques, and realistic home cooking. Jen has been featured in national publications and works with brands as a recipe developer, food writer, and culinary educator.

I help couples, families, and busy professionals plan luxury travel without the stress. Specialties: destination weddings, honeymoons, all-inclusive vacations, and family trips. Based in Toledo, Ohio. My website is bit.ly/lisaschictravel

Jennifer Spatz is the Founder of Global Family Travels and a leader in regenerative, community-based tourism. A cultural anthropologist at heart, she designs immersive travel experiences grounded in her company’s mission to Learn, Serve, and Immerse—connecting travelers meaningfully with local communities, cultures, and natural environments. Through partnerships with global and local nonprofits, Jennifer integrates regenerative tourism principles and aligns programs with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Her journeys combine cultural exchange, educational experiences, homestays, and community-driven projects that strengthen social and environmental systems in the destinations visited. Her insights on regenerative travel have been featured in TravelAge West (“Regenerative Meets Family Fun”) and on the podcast Regenerative Tourism: When Sustainability Isn’t Enough. (see all news links here: https://www.globalfamilytravels.com/news)

I’m a chef, entrepreneur, and educator with more than two decades of experience at the intersection of food, wine, agave spirits, and travel. As the founder of Marcus Guiliano Productions and chef-owner of Aroma Thyme Bistro, I’ve built award-winning hospitality concepts rooted in real food, direct sourcing, and deep relationships with producers. My work extends beyond the kitchen. I lead immersive wine and agave experiences through VIP Winery Vacations, taking guests inside vineyards, cellars, and distilleries most travelers never access. I’ve personally visited hundreds of wineries across Europe, the United States, and Mexico, and I continue to study and document traditional agave production alongside master distillers. Through education, writing, speaking, and hosting, I focus on helping people understand what they’re drinking and eating — not just consuming it. Whether I’m teaching professionals, hosting travelers, or building hospitality brands, my goal is the same: to elevate taste, transparency, and connection from source to glass.

Whether the product I have been selling for over 10 years in aviation or restaurant business for both B2B and B2C, I searched for the answer to a simple question: "What do they need to buy my product?" Thanks to my advanced knowledge of MS Excel, after I understand, analyze, and visualize the data, I begin by emerging with market, market share and target segments. Then, I create the communication plan by highlighting the features that I will communicate with the product according to the needs and access channels of each segment. I make optimum use of the marketing budget given to me by making ROI calculations of marketing tools such as paid search, social media ads, incentives, etc.. After getting the permanent residence and work permit from the Canadian government, I want to move my experience and skills to Canada. Thanks to my fluent English and French, I look forward to exceeding new goals.

My name is Kristen and I have traveled, lived and worked all across the globe for over a decade. In 2013, after nearly a decade building a career in corporate marketing in NYC, I left it all behind to travel solo across 3 continents and 26 countries. From there I became a scuba diving instructor, and spent the next 10 years living and working in Thailand, Mexico, St. Croix and Florida. In 2017, I was voted PADI's Inspiring Woman Diver of the Year. Beginning in 2024 I joined Fora as a luxury travel planner and have launched my own travel brand and blog, Dear Destination Travel, so that I could help inspire others to make their travel dreams and goals come to life. I have now traveled to 6 continents and over 35 countries. My website, deardestinationtravel.com, is a complete travel resource and inspiration hub.

Iesha Vincent is a travel and lifestyle content creator and freelance journalist with a passion for storytelling rooted in attainable luxury, meaningful experiences, and modern family living. She is an active contributor for Yahoo and MSN, where she covers travel, lifestyle, fashion, and consumer trends, delivering engaging, SEO-driven content that resonates with everyday audiences seeking elevated yet accessible experiences. With features and contributions in major publications including Business Insider, Huffington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Washington Post, and more, Iesha brings a strong editorial background and a results-focused approach to digital media. Her work blends real-world insight with professional storytelling, making her a trusted voice for brands, tourism boards, and media outlets alike. Iesha specializes in family-friendly travel, luxury and mid-range destinations, lifestyle trends, fashion, wellness, and experiential storytelling. Through her platform LivingLesh, she creates visually compelling, informative content that connects audiences to destinations, products, and experiences in an authentic and aspirational way. Journalists value Iesha for her timely responses, media-ready insights, and ability to provide expert commentary on travel trends, consumer behavior, content creation, and lifestyle topics. She is available for expert quotes, press trips, feature contributions, brand collaborations, and editorial partnerships.

Yunna Takeuchi is Co-founder and CXO of City Unscripted, a platform that connects travelers with local hosts for authentic, personalized city experiences. Based in the UK, Yunna has played a pivotal role in building City Unscripted into a leading travel experience platform that moves beyond traditional tourism to offer genuine local insights and connections. As CXO, Yunna focuses on crafting exceptional user experiences that bridge the gap between travelers seeking authentic adventures and locals passionate about sharing their cities. Her leadership has been instrumental in developing City Unscripted's unique approach to travel, emphasizing meaningful cultural exchange and personalized exploration over conventional sightseeing. Yunna's vision for reimagining how people experience new destinations has helped establish City Unscripted as an innovative force in the travel industry, connecting curious travelers with knowledgeable locals across multiple cities worldwide.

Sue Calvert is the founder of Sojourns With Sue, a travel blog and YouTube channel inspiring women over 50 to embrace solo travel with confidence, humor, and curiosity. She covers solo adventures across Europe and the U.S., with a special love for big-city energy and the charm of small-town escapes. By blending safety advice, practical tips, and a touch of wit, Sue helps midlife women discover destinations, hotels, and strategies that make traveling alone not only doable but deeply rewarding.

Host of bespoke culinary experiences, private dinners, and intimate luxury events in Montepulciano, Tuscany.

Bespoke luxury travel & VIP concierge services. Creating extraordinary journeys worldwide with multiple certification programs.

Hey there! I'm Jessica, the developer, photographer, and writer of The Forked Spoon. Self-taught in all fields of blogging, I received my Bachelor's degree in MCD Biology from UC Santa Cruz. After a year of traveling through SE Asia and Europe, I discovered my passion for photography, travel, and good food. You can find me around Sacramento, CA, chasing after my spirited toddler, cooking, and dreaming about my next travel adventure. The Forked Spoon is a recipe website focusing on easy, family-friendly healthy recipes. My goal, always, is to keep The Forked Spoon real and relatable. Long-term, my goal is to combine my two great loves, food and travel, into a cultural cookbook where I share my travel stories, photos, and favorite recipes from all over the world.