Founder & Luxury Travel Advisor
The Calm in Your Travel Storm
Valerie Baker-Wynn · Founder & Luxury Travel Advisor · Windblown Travel
Windblown Travel designs immersive small-ship and small-group luxury journeys for people whose time is already spoken for — who would rather hand the whole thing over than lose a weekend to browser tabs and second-guessing. River cruising is where most people begin — the slow, storied way into Europe — and it opens onto a wider world of small-ship travel: expedition voyages to the ends of the earth, private safaris, and escorted journeys built around depth, not logistics.
Valerie Baker-Wynn is the kind of travel advisor you didn't know you needed until you've traveled with her. The one who already knows which cabin you'll love, which shore excursion to skip, and exactly who to call when things go sideways. Spoiler: she answers.
Over a decade ago she founded Windblown Travel — and she's been crafting luxury river cruises, small-ship expeditions, and curated land tours for discerning travelers ever since. Her husband Mike travels with her whenever he can, and together they bring a warmth and partnership to every client relationship.
She's a river cruise specialist who has personally sailed ships across AmaWaterways, Avalon, Tauck, Riviera, Amadeus, and other leading lines — and through the ASTA river cruise conference, has toured 20+ vessels across 9 brands. She holds certifications as an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor and CLIA Master Cruise Counselor, with a deep roster of supplier credentials to match. She knows this world from the inside, not just from a brochure.
I've sailed AmaWaterways twice. The cabin sizing, the active excursion options, and the wine-pairing dinners genuinely set them apart from the field. They are my first recommendation for first-time river cruisers who want a premium experience without feeling over-managed.
Avalon's panoramic suites are unlike anything else on the river. The open-air balcony concept gives you 30% more living space than a traditional French balcony — and the beds face the view. It's a small detail that changes the entire experience.
Tauck's river cruises stand apart because of what's included that others charge extra for. Every excursion, every meal ashore, every cultural performance — it's all part of the fare. For travelers who hate surprises on their bill, Tauck is the answer.
Amadeus is the hidden gem of river cruising. Austrian-built ships with impeccable engineering, lower passenger counts than competitors, and a distinctly European atmosphere. I recommend them to clients who want something the American market hasn't discovered yet.
Riviera operates with a refreshingly straightforward approach — no gimmicks, no upselling, just solid river cruising at a fair price. For clients who want the river cruise experience without the premium price tag, Riviera delivers consistently.
Credentials & Certifications
Partner Network
A Network Built Over a Decade — Not a Single Brochure
Valerie holds preferred partnerships and certifications across the world's leading river cruise lines, expedition operators, ocean cruise lines, and luxury land tour companies. This breadth of relationships means you always get matched to the right experience — not the one with the highest commission.
River Cruise Partners
Expedition & Small Ship
Ocean Cruise
Land Tour Operators
This list reflects some of the suppliers Valerie works with — not the limits of what's possible. If you have a brand, ship, or destination in mind, she either knows it personally or knows exactly who to call.
What Our Clients Say
Trusted by Discerning Travelers
Pure perfection! Valerie was the first travel agent we've engaged with for a trip and we could not have been more pleased. From the initial land/cruise tour booking to excursion choices to onboard experiences, she was there every step of the way keeping us informed and answering questions. Valerie has the patience of a Saint. She is not only professional, but friendly and compassionate. When a family member in our party had a medical emergency, her immediate response and communication between Princess and the family was not only impressive, but very reassuring to everyone involved.
The Studers
Alaska Cruise Tour
Valerie is the only agent I will use. She has planned a couple trips for us and has been available at the drop of a hat no matter the time. Even when problems arise outside of her control, she handles them with ease and professionalism.
Emilie B.
Multiple Trips · Michigan
Valerie is absolutely amazing, always shoots straight from the hip and has the rare combination of talent and compassion.
David R.
Business Review
Your Questions Answered
Questions About Working With a Travel Advisor
Windblown Travel charges a professional planning and design fee to ensure every journey receives thorough research and personalized attention. This fee covers consultation, itinerary design, supplier coordination, and ongoing support from booking through your safe return. Specific fee details are shared during your initial conversation with Valerie.
Valerie provides hands-on, personal service that online booking engines cannot replicate. She negotiates preferred rates, secures cabin upgrades through supplier relationships, and provides 24/7 support during your trip. She sits on hold so you don't have to — and she answers the phone when things change.
Valerie holds CLIA Master Cruise Counselor (MCC) and Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) certifications, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor status, IATA accreditation, Certified Travel Associate (CTA) designation, and Travel Leaders Super Agent recognition. She also maintains certifications across dozens of individual cruise and tour suppliers.
Valerie specializes in luxury river cruises, having personally sailed ships across AmaWaterways, Avalon, Tauck, Riviera, Amadeus, and other leading lines. She also designs expedition voyages to Antarctica and the Arctic, luxury ocean cruises, and private guided land tours through partners like Kensington Tours and Abercrombie & Kent.
Absolutely. Many clients come to Valerie with a feeling rather than a destination — a desire for adventure, romance, cultural immersion, or relaxation. She uses her deep knowledge of destinations and suppliers to match your travel personality to the right experience, itinerary, and operator.
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Ready to travel with someone who actually answers the phone?
Begin Your JourneyWindblown Travel is an independent luxury travel agency founded by Valerie Baker-Wynn and based in South Bend, Indiana. The agency specializes in luxury river cruises, small-ship expedition cruises, and high-end guided land tours. Valerie Baker-Wynn holds the CLIA Master Cruise Counselor (MCC) and Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) designations, the ASTA Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) credential, and is a Travel Leaders Super Agent. She has personally sailed river cruise ships and toured more than twenty vessels across nine brands. Windblown Travel operates as an independent affiliate of A.S.A.P. Cruises Inc.
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