Meet Mindy

Meet Mindy

During graduate school, I completed a summer internship in a small port town in England, and that experience sparked what became a lasting love of travel. While I was based there, I spent weekends with friends exploring cities like London, Paris, and Dublin, and those early trips opened the door to a lifelong curiosity about new places, cultures, and the excitement of discovering somewhere new. That love only grew from there, including a solo trip to Australia not long after graduate school and years of naturally taking the lead on planning trips with friends and family.

That passion deepened even more after I married my husband, a retired Air Force veteran and full-time commercial pilot, who shares the same love of travel and adventure. Together, we have embraced a standby travel lifestyle that has taught us to be flexible, curious, and always open to what comes next. We love food, wine, culture, and the kind of travel that helps you connect more deeply to a place.

In 2020, we invested in a small vineyard in the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina, and are proud to now have our own wine brand, VINUV. More recently, after several visits throughout Italy, we invested in two small rental apartments in the beautiful city of Arezzo in Tuscany. Those experiences led to The Carry-On Companion and have shaped the way I think about planning it for others, with a strong appreciation for a sense of place, thoughtful details, and the experiences that make a trip feel truly meaningful.

A few questions to understand your style, budget, and must-dos.

I'll curate stays and experiences, then share clear recommendations.

We'll lock details and bookings; I'll stay available for support.