Happy Holidays!

This newsletter is one 1 week late but I could not let the year end without sending Holiday cheer and thanking everyone for their ongoing support of The Sophisticated Life and Culinary Travels by The Sophisticated Life!

Welcome to our new subscribers! The Sophisticated Life is my blog & brand that has been in existence since 2012 and Culinary Travels are small group trips based on my brand's niches of travel, food & wine!

My Year In Travel

It has been another busy travel year and I have no regrets (lol). This year I traveled for birthdays, family reunions, Culinary Travels, and as a luxury travel advisor for FORA Travel. As a travel agency FORA is top tier! It gives me access to THE most luxurious properties, cruises & private air options all over the world. In 2025 I booked over $300,000 worth of travel with FORA. This number means I am damn good. (lol)

Culinary Travels completed its 3rd year with trips to Mexico City (new destination for me), Napa Valley (1st Women's Wine Weekend) and Portugal (3 days in Lisbon and 7 day river cruise). I met extraordinary people that are now part of our expanding Culinary Travels community. Next up is the sold out trip to Japan in May.

For 2026-2027 look out for announcements on Charleston, Italy, Peru, a Mediterranean cruise... I am cruising for the 1st time on Virgin Voyages in January and I have heard great things. I will keep you posted.

BTW-January through March is "Wave Season". During this time cruise lines have the BIGGEST sales of the year! Lock in rates and perks for cruises throughout the year or next year!

2026 Exciting World Events!

In 2026 there is so much to get excited about and to start planning for! The 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place this summer in North America, The Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina in Italy, and the total Solar Eclipse on August 12th are a few. Iceland and Spain will offer the best views for the eclipse. And of course there is the United States Semiquincentennial or America250 that will be celebrated on July 4th. Events will take place across the nation and in Philadelphia and Washington DC in particular. All these events require advanced planning but make great multigenerational family vacations!

Holiday Food & Wine Pairings

These pairings are delicious year-round but are especially fun during the Holidays. Please share with me if you try any of them. Enjoy!!

1. Brie with Cranberry Chutney + Brut Cava or Champagne

Warm or creamy Brie paired with tart cranberries meets its match in crisp, festive bubbles. This is an effortless appetizer that feels instantly celebratory. During our Culinary Travels trip to Spain we visited Penedes. Penedes is known for Cava which is Spanish sparkling wine. Our tasting at Juve & Camps was amazing. They have a wide range of Cavas for you to choose from.

2. Mini Crab Cakes with Lemon-Dill Aioli + Sauvignon Blanc

A bright, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the richness of the crab while lifting the citrus and herb notes. Perfect for cocktail hour or holiday brunch. If you prefer bright, crisp, dry, highly acidity, "herbaceous" Sauvignon Blancs then try one from New Zealand. Kim Crawford is an example of a brand from New Zealand that is widely available.

3. Glazed Holiday Ham with Sweet Potatoes + Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir’s soft tannins and red-fruit notes are the ideal match for a glazed ham and warm holiday sides. It’s a balanced, family-friendly pairing that works beautifully across the table. If you can find-or order-Mumm Napa Sparkling Pinot Noir-get it!! We visited Mumm during our Women's Wine Weekend in Napa Valley and this was one of our favorite wines! Several of us paired it with our Thanksgiving meal.

4. Caribbean Black Cake + 10–20 Year Tawny Port

Tawny Port brings caramel, toffee, and dried-fruit flavors that echo the richness of black cake. It’s decadent, indulgent, and the perfect finale to a festive meal. Needless to say we drank A LOT of port in Portugal. This was my second visit and the Douro Valley and Porto are simply breathtaking. In terms of brands or labels-Taylor's is widely available in the US.

If you have made it to the end-BRAVO and Thank You! I will see you in 2026~~

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1984 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30327
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