About our IFWTWA Homepage

As food, wine and travel writers we take mouthwatering, refreshing, exotic, inviting photos every day. Now we’re excited to share more of our members’ photos with you. Each month we update our homepage with a new image and anecdote from our featured member photographer.

Pam and Gary Baker
IFWTWA Home Page Photography Committee

Featured Member & November 2023 Banner Winner

Deviled Eggs © Jacky Runice

The best deviled eggs on the planet courtesy of celeb chef, Art Smith, and his Reunion Restaurant on Chicago’s Navy Pier.

She hadn’t stepped a foot outside of Chicago when she took my first flight at age 17 to Spain. Even though her aim was to be a broadcast journalist, and she was for 20 years, she always managed to bring my travels back to her Chicago audience with radio documentaries about the culture and characters of places she visited. She transitioned to print journalism (syndicated travel column via Tribune Media Services and Travel Columnist for the Daily Herald Chicago) and then to the web where she wrote for CBS, LuxuryHotels.com, Examiner.com, AOL and others. Today she covers food and travel for USA Today.

Featured Member & November 2023 Banner Winner

Watson Lake Prescott, Arizona @ Marni Patterson

Watson Lake is located 5 miles north of Prescott, AZ. Its unique granite dells offer excellent photo opportunities, especially during monsoon season. We arrived when the clouds were gathering before an afternoon thunderstorm, but the sun was still visible.

Marni Patterson is a freelance travel writer photographer and videographer based in Phoenix, Arizona and a member of TraveMedia and Travel Writers University. She became addicted to travel when she lived in Belgium as an exchange student for a year. Publications she’s written for include GoNOMAD, TravelAwaits, Matador, Wander With Wonder Foodie Flashpacker and Reel Travels. Recent press trips include Breckenridge, CO, Outer Banks, NC, Bryan, TX, Memphis, TN, Clarksville, TN and Yakima Valley, WA.

Featured Member & October 2023 Banner Winner

Autumn in Solvang @ Cori Solomon

One of my favorite places to visit in the fall is the Santa Ynez Valley. I love the changing colors in the vineyards and surrounding landscape. Each year, the Santa Ynez Valley puts on Scarecrow Fest. The area merchants get creative and festive, creating scarecrows. As I drove from Solvang to Los Olivos, I passed Buttonwood Farm & Vineyard and saw the pumpkin and gourd patch with the scarecrow on the tractor. I had to stop and take a photo. I think this picture represents everything about autumn and harvest.

Cori Solomon, an award-winning freelance writer/photographer, based in Los Angeles, California, focuses on travel, art, food, wine, and pets. She often highlights the story behind the restaurant, chef, winery, winemaker, or artist. Her blog, The Written Palette, features eclectic articles about her experiences traveling, dining, discovering new wines, wineries, and wine regions, as well as topics including art and pets. In 2019 Cori became the Membership Chair of IFWTWA, and in 2020, joined the IFWTWA Board as a Director. In 2022 Cori became President of IFWTWA. In addition, Cori co-hosts IFWTWA webinars, which showcase wine regions, travel destinations, professional development, and other topics.

Featured Member & September 2023 Banner Winner

Rockefeller State Preserve @ Irene S. Levine

We are fortunate to live close to Rockefeller State Park Preserve, a 1,771-acre public park in Pleasantville, New York. Sited on land donated by the Rockefeller family, the stunning landscape changes with the seasons.

Irene S. Levine, PhD is an award-winning journalist, author, and blogger who has written many hundreds of articles—on health, mental health, travel and lifestyles—for some of the nation’s leading magazines, newspapers, newsletters and websites. After a distinguished career as a psychologist at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and a decade of moonlighting as a freelance writer, feeling torn between two passions, she transitioned into her “second act” as a full-time travel writer.

Featured Member & August 2023 Banner Winner

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest @ Kim Jackson

This photo was also taken when I went to Uganda in 2019. Unfortunately, my guide was not able to join me on the Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The night before, I fell and hurt myself. Luckily, the next morning I felt better and went on a gorilla trekking with other people.

It only took us about an hour to find a family of Gorillas. When we got there, I was breathless. There was a family with a huge male (in the picture), along with a female and a few young ones. It was an absolutely amazing experience to be so close to these beautiful animals.

Kim Jackson is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in Agassiz, BC, Canada. She focuses on travel, exploring nature (especially waterfalls), wine, and hikes with the family. Kim’s journeys have taken her to many places within North America, and most recently, to Uganda, Africa. She enjoys exploring her province of British Columbia, which includes traveling with family, going on solo trips, and creating her own road trips. She finds joy in researching new places to visit and incorporates her interests into her travels.

Featured Member & July 2023 Banner Winner

Wild Horses in Shackleford Banks — Outer Banks in North Carolina @ Michael Hodgson

The power and grace of these Spanish Wild Mustangs galloping through the shallow shoals is something to behold, especially from so close (but not too close) and while sitting chest-deep in the water watching them. Shot in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Featured Member & June 2023 Banner Winner

Caribbean Sunset, St. Vincent and the Grenadines @ Debbra Dunning Brouillette

Approaching Petit St. Vincent private island resort after an idyllic day sail in the Grenadines.

Debbra Dunning Brouillette’s articles and photos have appeared in the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, Indulge, AAA Home & Away, Denton Lifestyles and Evansville Living magazines; online digital outlets, including JohnnyJet.com, TravelWorld magazine, Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope e-newsletter and TravelSquire.com; as well as her own site, TropicalTravelGirl.com. She is a Contributor to GettingOnTravel.com, which focuses on luxury travel over 50, and is an Associate Editor of Food Wine Travel magazine, published by the International Food Wine Travel Writers Assn. (IFWTWA). She was recently elected to IFWTWA’s Board of Directors for a four-year term.

Featured Member & May 2023 Banner Winner

Schooner Mary Day During Rendevous @ Teresa Bitler

I took this photo from the deck of the Schooner Mary Day during Rendezvous. The event is when the entire Maine Windjammer Association’s fleet meets in a harbor for food, live music, and fun. The next morning, a thick fog had moved into the harbor. Luckily, it burned off after an hour or two, and the fleet was on its way again.

I love to explore historical places and new cultures. Over my 15+ years as a travel writer, I’ve harvested grapes at Sonoma Grape Camp, shared cupcakes with a Hopi medicine man and flown in a World War II trainer. While I love traveling, my passion is telling stories (and taking photos). My work has been published in National Geographic Traveler, USA Today/10Best.com, American Way, AAA publications, the Arizona Office of Tourism, TripSavvy, The Culture Trip, Sherman’s Travel, and many others. I’m the associate editor of Sunseeker, the Allegiant Air inflight magazine, and the travel editor of Wander with Wonder. I’ve written four guidebooks and contribute to another.

Featured Member & April 2023 Banner Winner

Postcard Perfect Burano @ Debbie Stone

On a day trip from Venice to the island of Burano, I was mesmerized by the eye-popping, neon hues of the houses. I learned that each house is painted a different color from its neighbors and in fact, anyone that wants to paint his/her place needs to get approval from the local community government first.

This particular scene stood out– the bridge over the canal, the rainbow colored houses, their reflection in the water and the bright blue sky – because it encompassed everything that I wanted to remember about this charming place.

Debbie Stone is an established travel writer and columnist, who crosses the globe in search of unique destinations and experiences to share with her readers and listeners. As an avid explorer, She welcomes new opportunities to increase awareness and enthusiasm for places, people, culture, food, history, nature, outdoor adventure, wellness and more. Her travels have taken me to nearly 100 countries and to all seven continents, and my stories appear in numerous print and digital publications, including Luxe Beat Magazine, Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine, Parks & Travel Magazine, Northwest Prime Time, Go Travel World, Outdoors NW Magazine, Santa Fe Fine Lifestyles Magazine, Woodinville Weekly, The Edmonds Beacon, Southwest Stories Magazine, Northeast Traveler Magazine and Travelworld International Magazine, among others. She also shares her travel experiences on a regular basis with the hosts of Big Blend Radio. Her work reaches well over 3 million readers and listeners representing a demographic of primarily affluent professionals and active retirees.

Featured Member & March 2023 Banner Winner

The turquoise waters of Moraine Lake @ Kat Anderson

Moraine Lake is famous for its stunning, bright turquoise water. When sunlight reflects off the rock silt particles, it produces a naturally vibrant, blue-green hue. These glacial waters are found in Banff National Park, Alberta. While Moraine Lake may look like an inviting spot for a swim, its waters are icy cold year-round.

Kathryn Anderson is a travel and wellness expert. As a freelance travel writer, her mission is to inspire others to live a life they love through adventure, travel and self-care. Based in Vancouver, BC she has visited 22 countries on 5 continents. She has been published in a wide variety of publications as well as runs her own travel blog. A Certified Fitness Instructor with over 12 years of experience, Kathryn has a wide breadth of knowledge when it comes to health and wellness. This former Marketing Manager also loves promoting her travels, wellness tips and favourite spots on Instagram.

Featured Member & February 2023 Banner Winner

Camel Trek Shadows in Wadi Rum @ Sharon Kurtz

While on the IFWTWA Media Trip hosted by VisitJordan, several of us took a sunrise camel trek into the majestic Wadi Rum desert landscape. On the way back to our bubble tent camp, the early morning sun cast shadows on the golden sand; a dramatic ending to a incredible experience.

Featured Member & January 2023 Banner Winner

Mozzarella appetizer at Belvedere Hotel Grindelwald @ Therese Iknoian

I sat down for our first dinner at the Belvedere Hotelin Jungfrau Switzerland and was greeted by this appetizer plate that was as gorgeous as it was tasty: Tender pillows of Schangnauer buffalo mozzarella sat on arugula leaves with a splash of tomato ragout and a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar. Every bite melted gently in your mouth with the perfect combination of flavors and textures. Yes, I dream of this appetizer.

Featured Member & December 2022 Banner Winner

Christmas in Granada, Nicaragua @ Jim Farber

Christmas celebration of lights and firecrackers on the plaza in Granada, Nicaragua. It’s very special to experience the holidays in a different country.

Featured Member & November 2022 Banner Winner

Bass Harbor Head Light @ Lisa Morales

Bass Harbor Head Light Station in Tremont, Maine, is one of three maintained by Acadia National Park. Built in 1858, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Lisa Morales is a marketing and public relations director by day and writer by night. Her “beats” are the visual arts, food and wine, and Art Basel Miami and satellite fairs. She has contributed to Widewalls, the Food Wine Travel magazine, Culture Trip, and La Ceramica in Italia e nel Mondo. Seeking solace from her marketing life, Lisa cooks and blogs about her food and wine pairing adventures, travel and art escapes. She holds an Honors B.A. in Cinema Studies and English Literature from the University of Toronto, and a certificate in Business Administration and Radio and Television Arts, from Ryerson University. When she has time, Lisa continues to study the visual arts and photography online and is preparing for the WSET 2 and Certified Specialist of Wine exams.

Featured Member & October 2022 Banner Winner

View of vineyards from patio of tasting room at Opus One © Scott Kendall

Opus One in Oakville, California, is the brainchild of wine legends Robert Mondavi and the Baron Philippe de Rothschild. This porch setting overlooking the vineyards is the perfect place to enjoy the single vineyard wines made at this special place in Napa Valley.

In the words of Robert Mondavi:

“Wine to me is passion. It’s family and friends. It’s warmth of heart and generosity of spirit.”

Scott is the Founder and Editor of PlayStayEat.com and a writer, photographer, and videographer based in The Woodlands, Texas. Scott has written numerous articles covering Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, England, and France in Europe and many articles throughout the US covering the Texas Hill Country, Colorado, Washington State, Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York, New Orleans, Lake of the Ozarks, and other areas in the US. He has been published in EuropeUpClose, International Living, Links & Libations, MilesGeek, Touring Bird, Airguides, Travel Writer’s Cafe, and other publications. His website with links to his articles can be found at PlayStayEat.com and scottkendalltravels.com.

Featured Member & September 2022 Banner Winner

Dubai Spices © Norm Bour

The city of Dubai has several “souqs,” which are bazaars that specialize in certain commodities, like silver, gold—or spices.

Featured Member & August 2022 Banner Winner

Watery Reflections in the Penobscot Bay © Sharon Kurtz

The highlight of our Maine windjammer cruise on the Schooner Lewis R. French was a lobster bake on a secluded island. Our trusty island transport was a traditional rowboat called “the Peapod”.

Sharon Kurtz is a Texas-based freelance travel, food, and spirits writer, photographer, and videographer. She shares her passion for travel, culture, and food by exploring local customs and flavors at home and around the globe. She launched her writing career in 2018 with over 100 published articles and videos to date. Her bylines appear in print and web-based publications including GoNomad, FYI50plus Magazine, Food Wine Travel Magazine, Parks & Travel Magazine, Travel Squire, International Living, and more. Sharon received a photography award in IFWTWA’s first photo contest. She is a member of NATJA and Travel Massive.

Featured Member & July 2022 Banner Winner

Bluefield Grapes After a Summer Shower ©Jo Clark

Bluefield Estate Winery in Gainesville, Florida is a small family-owned vineyard. They grow Blueberries and Muscadine grapes for use in their wine production.

Featured Member & June 2022 Banner Winner

Farm-Fresh Salad and Cheeses © Athena Lucero

When the host at Alpe Rompiago, a farm hut in the lower Alps of Ticino, Switzerland, asked what I would like for lunch, I requested a salad. Within minutes, she gently placed before me a most beautiful plate of farm-grown produce with slices of divine goat and cow cheeses. She had made the cheeses, which came straight from the cheese cellar downstairs. I savored every morsel as I sat alone in the small dining room – until I saw through the glass walls the herd of goats rushing out from the barn. I dropped my fork and ran outside to witness the fantastic “stampede.”

A seasoned travel journalist, Athena Lucero shares through storytelling her passion for discovering the endless corners of our world – the people who live there, the food they eat, what there is to do, and great places to stay. Be it skiing across the Swiss Alps, wandering the villages surrounding Greece’s Corinthian Gulf, learning that Monterrey is Mexico’s most American-looking city, or finding that the most authentic Chinese cuisine in North America is in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada — she arrives with an open mind, a big heart, and an empty stomach … then returns itching to write her tales. Athena’s motto? “Food is the international language that brings people together!” And what excites her most is finding that untold off-the-beaten path story.

Featured Member & May 2022 Banner Winner

Wondrous Telluride © Debbie Stone

I took this photo behind a flowerbox in the middle of Telluride’s historic Main Street, as I wanted to enhance the breathtaking view with some bold color.

Featured Member & April 2022 Banner Winner

Dierberg Star Lane Winery Cave © Cori Solomon

From their Missouri roots, Jim and Mary Dierberg started their first winery in Hermann, Missouri. After deciding to expand into European varieties, they discovered Santa Barbara County and the wonderful wines produced in this region. In 1996 they purchased the property located in Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA in the Santa Ynez Valley. The Dierbergs built a state-of-the-art Spanish Moor style winery known as the castle. Entering the winery cave feels like you are in the catacomb of a monastery. The cave also houses the Dierberg Star Lane, the family’s legacy, a library of wines that will last for future generations.

Featured Member & March 2022 Banner Winner

Avocado Toast never looked so yum © Therese Iknoian

There is Avocado Toast, then there is THIS Avocado Toast at Eagle Café at Pier 39 in San Francisco. Stoking up before biking across the Golden Gate Bridge, my husband, Michael Hodgson, and myself enjoyed breakfast on the deck in San Francisco’s glorious fall sunshine. With a perfectly cooked egg trickling down the side of the avocado, it was tough to pause to take this photo and not just dig in!

Featured Member & February 2022 Banner Winner

The Hamburg Wasserschloss © Michael Hodgson

The Wasserschloss is a moated castle located in the Speicherstadt of Hamburg. Surrounded by historic buildings and situated between two canals in the former free port zone, the Wasserschloss is one of Hamburg’s most photographed sites. My wife, Therese Iknoian and I were in Hamburg in late November 2021 enjoying the city in the winter (very cold, but very pretty).

Featured Member & January 2022 Banner Winner

Grape Harvest in Basilicata Italy © Valerie Fortney Schneider

Participating in the grape harvest is a treasured tradition, bringing friends together in the vineyard for a day of hard work, laughs, great food, and the end reward of good wine after its crushed, fermented and aged. We love being included in our friends’ annual vendemmia of aglianico here in Basilicata Italy.

Banner Winners for 2021

January

Rogue Valley from Medford, the heart of the Rogue © Travel Medford

“Take in this view of the Rogue Valley from Medford, the heart of the Rogue. With rolling hills of vineyards, the wild and scenic Rogue River and a wealth of outdoor recreation, such as Roxy Ann Peak in the image, you will need several days to truly explore this award-winning, undiscovered wine country. It might also surprise you to know that the Rogue Valley is a short distance from Oregon’s only national park, Crater Lake, but is also home to the World’s Best Cheese at Rogue Creamery and the renowned Harry and David. Come eat and drink your way around this hidden Southern Oregon gem and be prepared to experience the unexpected.” For more about Oregon’s Rogue Valley Wine Country, see article and podcast here.

February

Bench Overlooking the Ocean © Sofia Bournatzi

This photo was taken in Athytos, a village in Halkidiki Greece. It is built on the top of a 75-rocky cliff viewing the Aegean Sea. Athytos is known as the village of the artists due to the incredible location and the traditional architecture that inspire them. A big sea-view “balcony” hosts the village’s restaurants and bars and between them colorful benches have been located alongside. For the visitors of Athytos these benches provide small moments of romance, inspiration and happiness.

April

Charbroiling oysters at Drago’s in New Orleans © Therese Iknoian

Drago’s Seafood Restaurant of New Orleans is known for its “original charbroiled oysters” which are devoured by the hundreds each night in a show of dancing flames and speedy shucking skills. As a travel journalist, you are expected to try the house specialty, right? But what if you haven’t touched an oyster in decades due to a “bad experience?” Since it’s your job, you do the polite thing. Well, I ended up reaching for a couple more, too! Bathed in butter, garlic, parmesan and lemon, and hot from the grill, they really are pretty dang yummy. And a show to enjoy!

May

No one can resist a gorgeous sunset. While on a trip discovering wineries in the Snake River Valley, I visited 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards in the Eagle Foothills. The winery is located at one of the highest elevations in the area. During my visit I captured this spectacular view of the vineyards at sunset. There is a feeling of the Wild West and at the same time the topography reminds me of the Red Mountain AVA in Washington. The colors of the sunset as it changes the hues of the landscape seem to enhance this feeling.

June

Travel to the village of Chinchero to see Quechua women demonstrate the art of weaving.

Learn how the weavers prepare the baby alpaca wool through the dyeing and finishing process. Then take the opportunity to purchase the beautiful hand-made Peruvian textiles, blankets, shawls, ponchos, sweaters, socks, gloves, and hats that aren’t available at that price elsewhere.

July

England is known for its gardens, and Hidecote Gardens is one of its best. This stately honey colored home on the grounds of Hidecote is surrounded by some of the most beautiful gardens in the countryside of The Cotswolds, just two hours west of London.

August

From blueberries to lighthouses, Maine is truly a delightful destination, especially MidCoast Maine where coastal views and oceanscapes are a huge part of the experience. Visiting sights is one thing when road trippin’ along the coast, but how about you pull up a chair and just enjoy the view?

September

The photo was taken from Prospect Point in Niagara Falls State Park where I was entranced with the Illumination of the Falls that occurs every night. The lights change from blue to red to orange and it really does take your breath away. I wanted to capture the flow and power of the water pouring over the top of the falls, the mist rising up and caught in the beam of light, with the backdrop of the city lights from the Canadian side behind.

October

A pelican rests his wings after catching a few fish off Florida’s coast. The photo was taken while I was on a boat ride from Fort Myers to Cabbage Key. (Just about an hour’s drive from our convention site of St. Petersburg.) There are so many wading and sea birds in that area. He was just posing on a maker out in the water.

November

While on a Media trip to Whidbey Island, Sherrye Wyatt, PR & Marketing Manager for Whidbey/Camino Islands and I were finishing a spectacular dinner at Fraser’s Gourmet Hideaway in Oak Harbor.

Sherry said, “We are so close to Deception Pass State Park, why don’t we head that way before we go back to Coupeville” where I was staying mid-island.

We parked in the Rosario Beach parking lot on Fidalgo island, and camera in hand, walked up the Rosario Head trail to the bluff overlooking the Rosario Strait.

Nothing could have prepared me for this sweeping sunset views, framed by the islands dotting the Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains on the horizon. The rapidly changing colors & cloud formations were mesmerizing.

It is times like this that remind me of the Ibn Battuta quote – “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller”

December

These are soft gingerbread cookies that my family makes together every Christmas. The recipe is on my website. They are great cookies to ship in care packages!

Banner Winners for 2020

June

“Taken at Bread and Butter Bakery, a small bakery down a tiny side street a couple of blocks from Sante Fe’s plaza. Even though this is a gluten-free bakery, many who enter are captivated by the gorgeous cakes, macaroons, and cookies, finding their products appeal to gluten-loving bakery consumers also.”

July

“This garden table setting captured my eye as I wanted to convey the authentic California wine country experience of Wente Vineyards, America’s longest, continuously operated family-owned winery, founded in 1883.”