Discover Wanderlust Travel | January 2026 Travel Compass


Carla’s Curated Compass

Where culture, luxury, and adventure meet to spark your next unforgettable escape.

Happy New Year!

It's a new year and time to start thinking about what new destinations to explore this year and start planning if you haven't already. It's never a good idea to wait until the last minute to plan travel. To lock in the most desirable locations on a ship or to assure your spot on a popular tour during peak seasons, its best to plan ahead. Hotel availability can become limited during these times.

If you have an idea or a dream but need some help developing the details to make it come alive, don't wait! Reach out now, I would love to help you.

🎊Cheers to 2026 🎊


January's Featured Tour

Romantic Rhine for Wine Lovers (Amsterdam to Basel)

On this river cruise, enjoy a bike ride through Cologne, taste Riesling in Rüdesheim, and stroll through Strasbourg’s Old Town.

Priced from $4,230+pp


Featured Virtuoso Property

Check out this historic, ultra-luxury 5-star grand hotel offering elegant rooms, world-class spa and wellness experiences, and refined dining in a serene park setting.

Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa

Baden-Baden, Germany


Travel Industry News & Headlines

👮🏽‍♂️

TSA launching an alternative identity verification program (TSA Confirm.ID)

If you still aren't REAL ID ready, there is now a non-refundable $45 fee to access TSA checkpoints for 10 days...

Read More→

❄️

12 Cozy domestic winter trips for a ladies getaway

Start planning now for the next winter season!

Read More →

🛷

Best spots in the world to view the Northern Lights

If you are looking for someone who has experience booking these destinations, you've found her!

Read More→

🛳️

Oceania Cruises® Announces Transition to Adults-Only Experience

All reservations that contain guests under 18 will be fully honored and warmly welcomed...

Read More →

⚜️

Discover hidden gems in New Orleans

Explore the peaceful side at quieter times in lesser-known neighborhoods. Go beyond the usual tourist hot spots, and enjoy local favorites for food and accommodations...

Read More →

🧳

How to maximize your PTO

The trend now is focused on ultra-short international trips, nature-focused stays, event-driven travel, solo adventures and culinary experiences...

Read More →


Monthly Trusty Travel Tip

Travel Tip

Dislike crowds and the high travel costs? Consider traveling during the shoulder season. This period offers pleasant weather, fewer tourists, and lower prices. The timing varies by destination, but it's typically when the weather remains ideal, and the peak tourist rush has either not yet begun or has already ended. For example, visit Italy in October or Greece in May.


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Carla | Discover Wanderlust Travel

Hi, I'm Carla, an Virtuoso luxury travel advisor based in Tampa, Florida. I help busy couples alleviate the stress of researching and planning their well-deserved vacations. By personalizing the travel experience according to my clients' travel style, preferred pace, and goals, I help eliminate decision fatigue. My expertise is in crafting unique and personalized itineraries for Italy first-timers, luxury river-cruises with pre and/or post cruise immersions, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as chasing the Northern Lights and Antarctica or Galápagos expeditions. My clients are adventurous or curious at heart and prefer to travel off-the-beaten path, desire small-group and private touring, and appreciate travel as an essential part of living a full life. I help manage the finer details to avoid hiccups along the way. I'm with you as your advocate from the planning stages, during travel, and until you return home. All you need to do is pack! Subscribe to my monthly travel newsletter for debunked travel myths, packing insights, luxury travel tips, insider details and more.

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