press & media

AS SEEN IN

From Forbes to AFAR, Kristin’s expertise in sustainable luxury travel has been featured across top travel and lifestyle publications. Whether she’s weighing in on rising travel trends, calling out greenwashing, or sharing firsthand insights from the world’s most remote corners, her voice brings depth, honesty, and a bit of edge to every story. Below, explore a selection of recent press features, expert commentary, and industry recognition.


VIEW ON DESKTOP

How Responsible Travel Is Evolving — and How Advisors Can Ride the Waves of Change

Kristin adds a sharp, on-the-ground perspective to the conversation around airline sustainability. In the piece, she highlights how traveler expectations are no longer optional, they’re driving real change. Her commentary cuts through corporate speak, emphasizing that it’s time for action, not just ambition.

Travel Weekly

Disaster Struck These Destinations in 2023: Here’s Why You Should Visit in 2024

Kristin shares why returning to disaster-impacted destinations matters more than ever, highlighting how travel can be a force for recovery, resilience, and real impact. Her perspective encourages travelers to move beyond sympathy and show up with intention.

Travel Pulse

The Complete Guide to a Blissful Vanuatu Honeymoon

Kristin weighs in with insider tips drawn from her firsthand experience: Vanuatu’s cultural melting pot, featuring over 100 Melanesian languages alongside English and French, makes it a honeymooner’s dream of diversity. She also highlights the smart timing of a trip in April or November to enjoy great weather without the crowds.

The Knot

Our Complete Guide to a Pristine Honeymoon in the Cook Islands

Kristin highlights the Cook Islands as the honeymoon destination of dreams, where turquoise lagoons, palm-shaded beaches, and intimate resorts create a picture-perfect escape. She emphasizes that the ideal time to visit is during the dry season (April to November), especially toward November when you’ll enjoy great weather without peak pricing or crowds.

Travel Pulse

‘Would you like to upgrade?’ Travel brands want everyone to go premium — for a price.

Kristin brings the insider lens, highlighting how this shift toward premium pricing isn’t just padding airline profits, it’s reshaping the travel experience. She cautions that travelers should ask: are we really getting elevated comfort, or just paying extra packaging fees?

NBC News

It's not for everyone: 3 things to know about Antarctica expedition cruises

Kristin brings her expert travel insights to this Antarctica cruise guide, breaking down what to expect, what to pack, and how to make the most of an expedition that’s as thrilling as it is humbling. She emphasizes the importance of smart prep to keep the adventure epic, not chaotic.

Travel Pulse

These Cruise Lines Have The Best Customer Service In 2024

Kristin brings her savvy travel advisor perspective to this piece, highlighting that great customer service on cruise lines hinges on consistent support and thoughtful touches, not just flashy perks. She reminds travelers to look beyond the brand name and focus on how responsive and reliable the crew really is.

Forbes 

Is your next vacation actually eco-friendly? Here’s how to tell

Kristin brings her expert travel insights to this Antarctica cruise guide, breaking down what to expect, what to pack, and how to make the most of an expedition that’s as thrilling as it is humbling. She emphasizes the importance of smart prep to keep the adventure epic, not chaotic.

The Seattle Times

15 Mistakes To Avoid On A Cruise, According To Experts

Kristin offers her seasoned travel-advisor insight to warn against common cruise-planning pitfalls, from overlooking itinerary pacing to skimping on shore excursion research. Her no-nonsense advice helps travelers sidestep rookie mistakes and make their trip seamless from embarkation to disembarkation.

Travel + Leisure

Cruise Critic Announces Most Popular Cruises: Adult-Only Cruises Reign

Kristin jumps in with a savvy take: she notes that adult-only cruises aren’t just budget gimmicks, they’re shaping traveler expectations around atmosphere, service, and personalization. Her insight: when cruise lines cater exclusively to adults, it’s not just about who’s onboard—it’s how they deliver a refined, focused experience.

Forbes

Virtuoso Honors Eco-Friendly Partners During Under One Sky Luncheon

Kristin is recognized in this piece as the recipient of Virtuoso’s 2024 Advisor Sustainable Leadership Award, an honor highlighting her commitment to travel that uplifts communities, protects ecosystems, and sets a new standard for responsibility in luxury travel.

Insider Travel Report

Premium Leisure Travel on the Rise

Kristin weighs in on the growing demand for high-touch, high-comfort travel, where it’s less about status and more about substance. She explains that today’s premium travelers aren’t just chasing upgrades—they’re seeking ease, access, and once-in-a-lifetime moments done right.

Travel Pulse

Virtuoso honours partners, members with Sustainable Leadership Awards

Kristin is featured in this Latte Luxury News piece as the celebrated winner of Virtuoso’s 2024 Advisor Sustainable Leadership Award. With a track record of merging luxe travel and meaningful impact, she’s recognized for setting a bold standard, showing the industry that luxury and responsibility can ride in style. 

Latte Luxury News

Expedition Cruising Is One Of This Year’s Biggest Travel Trends. Here’s What You Need To Know

Kristin weighs in on the growing demand for high-touch, high-comfort travel, where it’s less about status and more about substance. She explains that today’s premium travelers aren’t just chasing upgrades, they’re seeking ease, access, and once-in-a-lifetime moments done right.

Forbes

Discover Turkey: 9 unforgettable destinations to explore

Kristin brings her expert perspective to this Turkey guide, highlighting the laid-back charm of Izmir, the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, and the natural wonder of Pamukkale. She encourages travelers to go beyond the obvious and connect with the culture, history, and rhythm of each region.










A Luxury Travel Blog

Romantic Getaway Mistakes

Kristin brings her seasoned travel-design expertise to this AskMen piece on romantic getaway risks. She highlights the pitfalls of overplanning and missing the moment, urges couples to balance surprise with structure, and reminds readers that the best memories come when you leave space for spontaneity.

Ask Men

How green is your next vacation? Here's how to tell

Kristin steps into this USA Today feature on sustainable travel with a sharp critique of greenwashing in the vacation industry. She urges travelers to look past glossy marketing, asking questions like whether accommodations are genuinely eco-certified and if tour operators actually engage and benefit local communities.

USA Today

12 bucket-list worthy culinary adventures

Kristin wrote this culinary bucket-list feature, celebrating once-in-a-lifetime dining experiences like underwater feasts in the Maldives, treepod meals in Thailand, and hot-air balloon breakfasts over Cappadocia. She highlights how these meals are more than just food. They are immersive cultural moments served with a side of unforgettable.

A Luxury Travel Blog

The ultimate 2-week trip to Thailand

Kristin, the architect behind this ultimate two-week Thailand itinerary, curates a vibrant mix of Bangkok’s temples, northern jungles, and southern beaches. Her expert pacing ensures each day strikes the right balance so travelers experience the culture, cuisine, and scenery without burnout.

The world’s best undiscovered wine regions

Kristin brings her travel-advisor expertise to this guide on off-the-radar wine regions. She highlights Valle de Guadalupe’s bold New World blends, Georgia’s millennia-old qvevri traditions, and South Africa’s Swartland craft wines. Her insight encourages travelers to sip beyond the classics and explore places alive with flavor and local spirit.

A Luxury Travel Blog

A Luxury Travel Blog

Discover the world’s most exclusive sustainable retreats

In this feature, Kristin spotlights how places like eco-luxury lodges in Costa Rica and solar-powered villas in the Azores prove that luxury and environmental care can go hand in hand. She emphasizes that true exclusivity means authentic conservation and community support, not just fancy packaging.

Top 8 hidden holiday gems for 2024

Kristin highlights lesser-known destinations like Norway’s fjords, Pristina in Kosovo, and Japan’s Iya Valley. Her picks invite travelers to skip the obvious and explore places rich in culture, scenery, and local character.

A Luxury Travel Blog

A Luxury Travel Blog

Baby’s first adventure: 7 game-changing tips for traveling with a baby

Kristin shares practical wisdom for traveling with a baby. She emphasizes smart packing, choosing family-friendly accommodations, and pacing your days so you can enjoy new places without overwhelming little ones.

The Main Differences Between Business Class vs. First Class—and Tips for Booking Each

Kristin weighs in on this Travel + Leisure guide comparing business class and first class. She recommends choosing based on the route, noting that business often covers the essentials while first class delivers extra privacy and elevated service where it counts.

Travel + Leisure

A Luxury Travel Blog

How luxury travel is defined in 2023

Kristin adds sharp insight to this piece on luxury travel definitions for 2023, noting the shift from flashy symbols like champagne on arrival to deeply personal, stress-free, and immersive travel experiences. She highlights that true luxury today lies in access, tailored service, and meaningful immersion—forget the glitter, it’s about substance.

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling to Europe this Summer

Kristin contributes her seasoned travel insight to this Forbes guide, pointing out that a smart summer trip to Europe means planning around heatwaves, crowds, and lingering COVID protocols. She recommends pacing your itinerary wisely and preparing for weather quirks so you can enjoy Europe's charm without burning out.

Forbes

A Luxury Travel Blog

Holiday Travel 2022: When Is the Right Time To Book?

Kristin weighs in on this GoBankingRates piece about holiday travel timing. She encourages booking early, around late September through early October, for the best fares. She also tips travelers to choose refundable tickets or flexible fares and set price alerts so they can switch if prices drop later. 

The Main Differences Between Business Class vs. First Class—and Tips for Booking Each

Kristin offers a savvy breakdown of how to renew your Global Entry membership efficiently. She highlights that you can renew up to a year before expiration and keep benefits for up to 24 months afterward if you renew early. Kristin also advises being aware of the October 2024 fee increase and recommends using credit cards that cover the renewal cost

Travel + Leisure

Go Banking Rates

Tips for booking an all-inclusive vacation

Kristin appears in this no-nonsense take on all-inclusive resort vacations. She stresses the importance of planning ahead, like booking key restaurants and activities, while also recommending leaving space for spontaneous fun. Her guidance helps travelers get the most from their stay, striking the perfect balance between immersion and relaxation.









Sources


What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise, According to Experts

Kristin contributes to this Thrillist guide with smart, real-world packing tips for Caribbean cruises. She recommends reef-safe sunscreen, a waterproof phone pouch, and lightweight layers for chilly indoor spaces. Her advice focuses on packing items that work for lounging, exploring, and unexpected adventures ashore.

Thrillist

Washington Post

5 Things We Learned at Virtuoso Travel Week 2024

Kristin appears in the TravelAge West recap of Virtuoso Travel Week  2024 as one of the sustainability award winners. The piece spotlights key trends like meaningful connection, sustainability, and tech‑enabled personalization, underscoring how events like this reinforce the power of curated, face‑to‑face partnerships. 








Sources


Journey to Sustainability: Kristin Winkaffe

Kristin sits down with Authority Magazine, sharing how WGT redefines luxury by blending authentic experiences with social impact. She explains that real luxury isn’t champagne on arrival, it’s things like staying in locally owned lodgings, and supporting community-run initiatives. Her story proves that travel can be both indulgent and transformational.

Authority Magazine

Travel Age West

Fodor’s No List 2025

Kristin appears in the TravelAge West recap of Virtuoso Travel Week  2024 as one of the sustainability award winners. The piece spotlights key trends like meaningful connection, sustainability, and tech‑enabled personalization, underscoring how events like this reinforce the power of curated, face‑to‑face partnerships. 








Sources


How Responsible Travel Is Evolving — and How Advisors Can Ride the Waves of Change

Kristin is featured in the Travel Weekly piece exploring how responsible travel  is evolving. Kristin highlights the importance of staying informed, celebrating genuine sustainability upgrades, and holding partners accountable when standards slip.

Travel Weekly

Fodors

Millennial Travel Trends That Will Refuse To Die in 2025

Kristin is featured in this Newsweek article highlighting how millennials are shifting their travel habits in 2025. She observes that the days of sprinting through multiple countries in one trip are fading, with travelers now leaning into slower-paced journeys that prioritize depth over breadth. 







Sources


12 Under-the-Radar Places You Should Travel to Now, Before They Get Popular

Kristin gets quoted in this AFAR feature on future travel hotspots. Her insight invites travelers to explore places that are on the cusp of popularity—and packed with culture and character.

AFAR

Newsweek

Real Talk: Is TSA PreCheck Actually Worth It?

Kristin endorses TSA PreCheck as a smart investment even for casual travelers. She points out that for about $16 a year you can breeze through security without removing shoes, belts, laptops, or liquids and skip long lines. She also reminds readers that many credit cards will refund the fee, making this perk almost free.








Sources


PopSugar

It's time to escape the Ordinary

Start Your Journey

Adventure Awaits

Complete our Trip Discovery Form below to connect with us and get started: