Wine Travel Planning
Wine Travel Planning
I like to joke that I never got over "show and tell” as a kid, which explains why I am a photojournalist, wine writer and travel advisor. Whether it is a bottle of Etna Bianco or a secret eco-resort in Provence’s Camargue, few things thrill me more than introducing someone to something special.
Let’s connect and start hatching a plan for your next dream trip.
Introducing Opening a Bottle Abroad
Personal. Tailored. Curated.
For years, members of Opening a Bottle have enjoyed my photo-rich stories, wine education guides and context-filled tasting reports. Now, they have access to Fora, a unique travel agency that I have joined which enables me to book vacations, plan itineraries and rollout VIP perks like never before.
If you’ve been dreaming of visiting any of the destinations featured in Opening a Bottle, now is your chance to experience the sights, sounds and flavors yourself.
How It Works
Using Fora as my host agency, I can access secure booking channels for hotels, river cruises, ground transportation and tours, and tap into my connections within the wine industry for exceptional winery visits. Fora’s network of more than 5,000 certified and trained travel advisors are also there to help brainstorm ideas with me should you have a special request.
Visit my Fora page and click Contact Kevin. If you’re a member of Opening a Bottle, mention it in your message — you’ll receive a $100 credit toward planning services.
We’ll schedule a conversation to discuss your destination, timing, travel style and budget.
From there, I’ll design a personalized plan that may include accommodations, transportation, curated experiences, dining reservations, suggested itineraries and — best of all — which wineries to visit.
My goal is to handle the research and logistics so you can focus on enjoying the trip.
Sample Itinerary
Want to get a sense for what I can offer?
View this specially created sample itinerary for a couple’s anniversary trip to Florence, Chianti Classico and the Venetian Lagoon.
Why Fora
As a Certified Fora Travel Advisor, I’ve completed extensive training and gained access to a global network of trusted travel partners — from boutique hotels and villas to river cruises, local tour guides and transportation providers. Earlier in my career, I worked closely with travel planners creating industry publications, so stepping into this role while maintaining Editor-in-Chief duties of Opening a Bottle feels natural.
Since joining, I have been so impressed with this company. Fora’s platform finds what my clients need quickly, their training videos answer every question I have, and their exclusive relationships run deep. Best of all is the passion and insider knowledge of other advisors. This community spirit translates into smarter planning and better experiences for you.
Ready to Travel?
Reach out today, and let’s start mapping out that dream trip you’ve always wanted to take.
FAQs
What destinations do you cover?
My top destination is Italy, for my expertise is most extensive there, and my relationships within Italy’s wine and tourism sectors run deepest. A close second would be France, with Spain, Austria, Germany and Switzerland following closely behind. I am also well-connected to California and Oregon’s wine industries and love planning itineraries to domestic destinations.
While my passion is wine, no trip to these regions is complete without dabbling in the local culture. I am keenly aware of over-touristed areas and I actively encourage my clients to visit equally thrilling yet more intimate destinations and neighborhoods. In addition to curating which wineries are worth a visit, I love to carefully select distinctive hotels that offer a memorable sense of place.
How much does it cost to plan a trip with you?
I’m compensated in two ways: through commissions paid by travel partners such as hotels and ground transportation companies and, only when appropriate, through a travel-planning fee paid by clients. My travel-planning fee depends on the complexity of your travels and the size of your group, but usually ranges from $50/day to $100/day based on the length of your trip.
Members of Opening a Bottle have an annual $100 credit towards these services.
When is a travel-planning fee assessed?
For multi-day custom itineraries, I charge a planning fee that covers the time and expertise required to design your trip. This fee also allows me to arrange elements that are often non-commissionable — such as winery visits, restaurant reservations and specialty experiences — ensuring your itinerary is seamless and thoughtfully curated.
More about Opening a Bottle
