Author Archive for Celine Renaud

Celine Renaud is Head of Sales for Leo Trippi - a European agency specialising in renting Catered Chalets, Summer Villas and Chartered Yachts. Celine’s areas of expertise include Courchevel, Val d’Isere, Megève, Méribel & Chamonix in France, Revelstoke in Canada, & St. Barth in the Caribbean.

Hemel-en-aarde-wine-estates-creation-art-leopard

5 exquisite wine estates in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in South Africa

By on Dec 16, 2017 in Africa, Attractions, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, South Africa, Travel Miscellany

When Belinda Carlisle sang her hit: ‘Ooh, heaven is a place on earth, they say in heaven, love comes first’, she surely did not know about the Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley near Hermanus! Otherwise she would perhaps have sung: ‘They say in heaven, wine comes first’! Until 2006 this part was known as Walker […]

Southern Cape, Nyathi, elephants

5 special stopovers in the Southern Cape, South Africa

By on Nov 11, 2017 in Accommodation, Africa, Camping, Hotels, Regions, South Africa

If you are thinking about a travel holiday in a place that is far removed from crowds of tourists and long lines of sightseers, with luxury accommodation, breath-taking scenery and a surprise or two, the south-east of South Africa should be on your list for serious consideration. Umngazi Bungalows: gem of the Wild Coast Rugged coastlines, […]

Three luxury lodges, Okavango River

5 of the loveliest luxury lodges in Southern Africa

By on Oct 04, 2017 in Accommodation, Africa, Botswana, Hotels, Namibia, Regions, Resorts

Nine times out of ten, tourists come to the southern countries of Africa for a safari adventure; to enjoy the sights and sounds and smells of Africa, natural beauty, diversity of wildlife, interesting people and lovely landscapes. Africa is magical, but a holiday in Africa isn’t necessarily linked to luxury travel – it is always an adventurous experience, […]

Garden Route, Wilderness, panoramic view

Traveling through the natural garden of South Africa

By on Sep 13, 2017 in Africa, Attractions, Going Out, Regions, South Africa

A road trip down the Garden Route of South Africa, along the coast from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape is always an experience to remember. There are so many sights to see, so many people to meet, so many things to do. It really does not matter what time of the year you […]

San Giulio Island, Lake Orta

5 stops you mustn’t miss when visiting Lake Orta in Italy

By on Aug 18, 2017 in Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Western Europe

In Northern Italy, west of Lake Maggiore, you will find Lake Orta. Though not the biggest egg in the basket, it is surely one of the most beautiful lakes. It appears as if all the charm and memories of the larger lakes are found in this small sub-Alpine lake. Definitely a place for awe-inspiring moments! […]

namibia-orange-river-reflection

From South to North through Namibia

By on Jul 12, 2017 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Africa, Hotels, Namibia, Regions, Resorts, Speciality Travel

Namibia, a big country on the south-western shores of Africa, is a tourist paradise! A surprizing diversity awaits the traveller in this sparsely inhabited country: a long coastline and one of the oldest and largest deserts in the world; rugged mountains and vast open spaces, beautiful trees and savannah plains, and some of the most […]

paternoster-photography-paint with light

Painting with light in Paternoster

By on Jun 07, 2017 in Africa, Photography, Regions, South Africa, Travel Equipment

Luxury is… painting with light. Shutterbugs will be in their element when visiting Paternoster, on the west coast of South Africa. This serene and picturesque seaside village is truly a photographer’s paradise. To produce perfect pictures of picture perfect scenes is always a challenge. Walk with me and my camera! Keep the golden rule of […]

Lake Maggiore, St Catherina

Magical moments at Lake Maggiore in Italy

By on May 08, 2017 in Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Restaurants, Western Europe

Enthralling, fascinating, charming, alluring, captivating – perhaps these words are still not adequate to describe Lake Maggiore. All I can say, is that nothing could prepare me for that first glance at this breath taking scene unwrapping before me. Cobalt blue water, crisp fresh air, beautiful end of the 19th century villas bathing in the […]

Restaurants Cape Winelands Tokara art

7 delightful restaurants in the Cape Winelands, South Africa

By on Apr 12, 2017 in Africa, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, South Africa, Travel Miscellany

What is a holiday without good food? Most people come back from a luxury trip with lovely photos, interesting stories and many memories – including recollections of the meals they had enjoyed. Breakfast on an outdoor terrace, lunch at a quaint bistro, dinner at a gourmet restaurant in a beautiful setting. And travellers not only remember […]

Kagga Kamma rock formations

Your holiday redefined by outdoor art: Kagga Kamma, South Africa

By on Mar 09, 2017 in Africa, Attractions, Going Out, Regions, South Africa

Kagga Kamma, with its interesting name – though somewhat challenging to pronounce – is a private nature resort in the Koue Bokkeveld region of the Western Cape in South Africa. The name means “Place of Water” in the indigenous language of the nomadic San people, also known as Bushmen, who roamed this land from thousands of years in the past, […]

Get me to the church in time, Santa Catherina del Sasso, Italy

Get me to the church(es) on time!

By on Feb 07, 2017 in Attractions, Europe, Germany, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Western Europe

Churches, abbeys, monasteries – whatever you call them – played a very important part in people’s lives through the ages. Whether used for a wedding, a funeral, a religious ceremony, meditation or even as a refuge in times of war, it stood out as a place of consolation and comfort. Up to this day people […]

5 superb experiences in Skofja Loka - environment

5 superb experiences in Skofja Loka, Slovenia

By on Jan 14, 2017 in Attractions, Eastern Europe, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Slovenia, Travel Miscellany

From Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, many different excursions await the tourist. Our first choice for a trip down Slovenia’s memory lane was Skofja Loka, the 1000 year old town that lies snugly in the confluence of two rivers. Considered one of the most beautifully preserved medieval towns in Slovenia, Skofja Loka provided many superb […]

Portugal, Lisbon - city view

Portugal – 3 windows on medieval history

By on Dec 12, 2016 in Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Portugal, Regions, Western Europe

Portugal attracts millions of tourists every year. Bordering on Spain in the east, Portugal stands guard over the vast North Atlantic Ocean, at the western end of the European continent. It provides tourists with enthralling opportunities to discover and with many hours of laid-back relaxation. Sunshine and sea, architecture and agriculture, history and nature, food […]

Scenic walks: Eckabauer Peak to Garmish, Berggasthof

Soothe your soul: 4 scenic walks in Germany and Italy

By on Nov 15, 2016 in Europe, Germany, Italy, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Western Europe

Hiking is for many people the embodiment of a luxury holiday par excellence. Whatever your definition of ‘walking’ or ‘hiking’, it soothes the soul, relieves the stress and fills your memories with scenic moments. Invigorating autumn walks on both sides of the German-Italian border are fantastic breakaways. Here are a few suggestions: Eckbauer Peak to […]

Sunset over pool. Autumn in Mallorca_sunset over pool

5 highlights of an Autumn week in Mallorca

By on Oct 13, 2016 in Europe, Food and Drink, Leisure Travel, Regions, Spain, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

What an exhilarating week in Mallorca! The isle of Mallorca is of course one of the largest of the Balearic Islands, the others being Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. It has a coastline of more than 550 kilometres, impressive mountains and affordable Mediterranean food. With autumn in full swing I would love to share some of […]

Rock Arch of Comino, Malta

Hop, skip and jump to 3 Mediterranean islands

By on Sep 08, 2016 in Europe, Food and Drink, Malta, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Travel mate, let’s play! Where to this autumn? Let me recommend one Mediterranean destination, three sunny sister islands under a blue sky and surrounded by azure waters. Interested? Read on, and let me convince you… Grand Maltese masterpiece Positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, lies the seven-island Maltese archipelago. We […]