Family Travel: A Taste of Scotland and Ireland

Posted on August 5, 2011 by Lorene Flewellen


How does one have just “A Taste of Scotland and Ireland”? The purpose of a trip like this is to give the inquisitive traveler the essence of culture and history of a lot of sites in a short amount of time, and yet leave you with the desire to come back and see more. Well, it was successful! We had a wonderful taste and want to come back to see and do more. We were with our extended family, a group of 12 people ranging in age from 22 to 76, who live in different regions of the United States and don’t get to see each other often. While the sites we saw were wonderful and inspiring, the best part of the trip was Continue reading →

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Disappointed in the Big Easy?

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Lorene Flewellen

Then it is your own fault. That is my conclusion after spending the past week-end delighting in the vast array of amazing dining options, live music, and the historical treasures. We also found treasures in many of New Orleans’ amazing restaurants, such as the “beignet” (think hot, fresh doughnut, only 10 times better), the bacon and fried oyster po’ boy sandwich, and shrimp and andouille ravioli. Our tour of restaurants took us to three very different, but exquisite 5 star restaurants. When dining at Brightsen’s Continue reading →

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A Room With A View…on the Danube

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Lorene Flewellen

A room with a view…and what a view it was!  From the golden vineyards of the Wachau Valley to the twinking lights of Budapest, the view from every room on our river cruise ship was striking.  The great thing about a river cruise is Continue reading →

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Autumn in Bavaria

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Lorene Flewellen

The faded Autumn sun glints against the green and yellow leaves that cap the city of Munich like a golden crown. As we walk in the lingering rays of sunshine, we hear the ringing of bells from the famed Rathaus, with its spectacular glockenspiel in Marienplatz. While Oktoberfest was “officially” over before we arrived, we enjoyed eternal Oktoberfest at Continue reading →

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Savoring Breakfast in the African Bush

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Lorene Flewellen


Getting up at the crack of dawn is not something I do everyday, however, when on safari, seeing the crack of dawn is part of the unforgettable and joyous experience of an early morning game drive in Africa. Dawn is one of the best times of day to see the zebras, elephants, wildebeest, and gazelles as they make their way to the popular watering holes. And of course, where the herbivores gather, the carnivores soon congregate, creating the tensions of nature. Continue reading →

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Creating a Legacy of Memories

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Lorene Flewellen

family in korea “You are traveling with your family?” one of my friends asked in amazement. Clearly she could not believe that this is something that I would have chosen for myself, however, she doesn’t know my family, our trips, and why I think traveling with extended family is one of the best experiences in life. Continue reading →

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Why We Love Italy!

Posted on September 7, 2010 by Lorene Flewellen

When polled about their favorite international destination, the majority of Americans fervently crown Italy with this coveted title, and have done so for many years!  So what is all this fuss about?  Well, let’s face it – Italy is a great place to visit and after having the great pleasure of being there twice this year, we know why… Continue reading →

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Up Close and Personal in Shark Alley

Posted on January 24, 2009 by Lorene Flewellen

right whales

If you have ever watched “Shark Week” on the Discovery Channel, you know that Walker Bay, on the southern coast of South Africa, is the home of “Shark Alley”, a favorite hunting ground for the Great White Sharks. We tried to get the professed shark lovers of our group to get into the shark diving cage to get an up close and personal experience; it looked absolutely fabulous and very safe. Continue reading →

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Shiraz in South Africa

Posted on January 23, 2009 by Lorene Flewellen

Shiraz vines grow not three feet from our patio at La Petite Ferme. Up close, you can see the green grapes start to ripen. However, as you look further, the rows stretch out and blend into a carpet of green as they slope down the hill. We are looking down into the Franschhoek Valley (translated as French Corner), with its fruit orchards, vineyards, and purple lavender fields pieced together as if they were part of a patchwork quilt. Continue reading →

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The Amazing Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Posted on January 21, 2009 by Lorene Flewellen

cape of good hope

The “White tablecloth” was just beginning to cover Table Mountain when we arrived. That is what the locals call the white clouds that rest on the top and sides of Capetown’s most notable landmark. Continue reading →

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