Travel Destinations: Expert Guides & Local Insights
Where should you travel next? Whether you’re dreaming of an Italian food and wine trip, a California road trip, a Hawaiʻi island getaway, or a few weeks exploring France, the best place to start is with advice from people who know the destination firsthand.
At Salt & Wind, we publish deeply researched destination guides, itineraries, and local recommendations for travelers who want to experience more than the usual highlights. Founded in 2014 by food and travel expert Aida Mollenkamp, our publication draws on repeat research trips, professional hospitality experience, and relationships with local experts.
Our destination coverage focuses on California, Hawaiʻi, Italy, France, Mexico, Spain, and Switzerland, with additional stories from places we’ve explored along the way. You’ll find advice on where to stay, what to eat, how to get around, and which cultural experiences are worth making time for.
Explore Destinations
Discover the places we know best through practical travel guides, regional food stories, and firsthand recommendations.
- California: Explore coastal road trips, wine regions, mountain towns, farmers’ markets, and the Golden State’s food culture.
- France: Find guides to Paris, Provence, Burgundy, the French Riviera, and other regions known for their food, wine, and cultural heritage.
- Hawaiʻi: Learn how the islands differ, where to experience local food traditions, and how to travel with respect for the communities and environments you visit.
- Italy: Discover regional cuisines, historic towns, wine regions, train travel, and itineraries that balance celebrated destinations with lesser-known places.
- Mexico: Explore the country’s distinctive regional cuisines, markets, cultural traditions, and cities through firsthand travel advice.
- Spain: Discover regional food traditions, city guides, cultural experiences, and practical advice for exploring Spain.
- Switzerland: Find inspiration for Alpine adventures, scenic rail journeys, charming towns, and regional food experiences.
Most Popular Destination Guides
Not sure where to begin? Start with some of our readers’ favorite articles:
- California: 10 Incredible California Road Trips For Your Bucket List
- France: Essential Tips To Know Before Traveling to France
- Hawai’i: Which Island Should You Visit In Hawaii?
- Italy: Driving Tips For Italy
- Mexico: Local Slang To Know Before Your Next Trip To Mexico
- Switzerland: How To Plan A Trip To Switzerland
Free Destination Bucket Lists
Looking for inspiration before you start planning? Our free destination bucket lists highlight favorite places, foods, and experiences in the regions we cover.
Explore our free travel bucket lists.
Travel Planning Advice
Once you’ve chosen a destination, explore our Travel Tips for practical guidance on itineraries, accommodations, transportation, and traveling thoughtfully.
You can also visit our Travel Guides for curated resources to help you decide where to go and what to experience.
Discover a Destination Through Its Food
We believe food offers one of the most meaningful ways to connect with a place. From Italian regional specialties and French markets to California produce and Hawaiʻi local food, our culinary coverage explores the ingredients and traditions that make each destination distinctive.
Bring those flavors home with our collection of nearly 600 professionally tested recipes.
Want Help Planning Your Trip?
If you’d rather have an expert handle the details, our team at Salt & Wind Travel designs personalized luxury trips informed by firsthand destination knowledge and trusted local relationships.
