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Sacred Assisi: A Spiritual Journey {Published in TravelWorld International magazine; radio segment on Talking Travel radio show}  byStephanie Morelande is Stephanie Moreland.

It is late afternoon when I arrive in Assisi. I have no idea what to expect, but as the bus winds its way up the hillside in which the ivory-colored buildings of this medieval town are nestled, I feel something pinch my heart. The feeling takes me unawares. Looking about I try to grasp its meaning. It is as if something inside is being drawn to the place. I get off the bus and look at the town still above. The vague emotion increases as the slow but deliberate funicular carries me upward to the entrance of the town. My heart is pounding but I cannot tell if it is from carrying my heavy suitcase or because of this strange feeling. The sun is setting, and with a backdrop of a crimson-smeared sky, I enter the stone gates and step back centuries in time….  See Published Article
 

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The Calusa Indians: Shell People of the Estuary {radio segment on Talking Travel radio show; article published in electronic magazine}  My name is Stephanie Moreland.

The water slaps the rocks on the shore of the estuary with a cadence that has been heard by human beings for over 2000 years. In my imagination, I hear the sounds of a child’s laughter, and see small dark hands splashing in the water. In my mind’s eye, I see a tall, bronze-skinned fisherman standing waist deep in the water. His long, straight black hair hangs around the finely sculpted features of his face. Creases form at the outer corners of his eyes and on his lips from long days of working in the sun. His lean, muscular arms strain under the weight of the net woven of palm leaves….See Published Article
 

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On Sacred Ground: Devils Tower National Monument {radio segment on Talking Travel radio show; article published in electronic magazine}  My name is Stephanie Moreland.

When I told people that I was going to Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming, most looked at me oddly and said, “Where's that, and why are you going there?” Others would have a vague recollection of a giant rock formation they had seen in the 1977 movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind, starring Richard Dreyfus. From what I knew already about Devils Tower, this response disconcerted me on a number of levels. And now that I have actually been there, I can say with certainty, that Devils Tower is much more than a set for a Steven Spielberg movie….   See Published Article
 

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The Hidden Treasures of Galveston {radio segment on Talking Travel radio show; article published in electronic magazine}

I close my eyes for a minute and wiggle my toes so they scrunch deeper into the coarse sand. I hear the seagulls cawing overhead and I can smell the pungent odor of sea, salt, and fish mixed with the sunscreen that I have slathered on to protect myself from the blistering Texas heat. It is a smell that may not be altogether pleasant, but it brings back many memories for me….See Published Article
 

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St. Augustine’s Haunted B & B: Casa de la Paz {published in Offbeat Travel}

I did not realize that the Casa de la Paz bed and breakfast had an elusive special guest until shortly after my arrival in St. Augustine. I had done my research on this quaint place before I left home, but I realized that I would experience more than I had anticipated when owner George Dann informed me that I was staying in the most haunted room at the Casa de la Paz: the Queen Isabella….   See Published Article
 

St. Augustine: A European Travel Experience in Florida {radio segment on Talking Travel radio show; article published in electronic magazine}

There are a lot of things I didn’t know about St. Augustine. However, I could find it on a map. I heard that it was near some terrific beaches. And I had some vague awareness that there was a whole lot of American history contained in this relatively small area. So when I planned a trip to St. Augustine, I knew there would be some surprises in store for me. But I had no idea that I would leave this city feeling as if I had been immersed in a grand and momentous European destination….See Published Article

The Market on Avenue L: Meet Jim Manning and His Cosmopolitan Catered Affairs {Published in Endeavor Lifestyles Magazine}  My name is Stephanie Moreland.

Jim Manning did not know that he would be named Houston’s 2006 “Caterer of the Year” when he began cooking at an Aspen, Colo. hotel after college. In fact, as a student of political science and psychology, he thought graduate school was in his future. Manning’s culinary vision continued to develop after he moved to Houston and was a cook at the esteemed Remington Hotel—now called the St. Regis—in River Oaks. Several restaurants and renowned catering companies later, Manning opened his own catering business, Catered Affairs. That was 12 years ago….Click to inquire.
 

Giving Houston a Second Thought {radio segment on Talking Travel radio show; article published in electronic magazine}

In the grand scheme of things, my life in Houston has been a blip. But time is relative. And writing about the town I have spent most of my life in can be a daunting task, because of that “state of dependence in which the existence or significance of one entity is solely dependent on that of another.” And so at the age of 28, I — a Houstonian since my days as a toddler — set out to discover my city….See Published Article
 

Summer in the Hamptons: Vacationing in the Lap of Luxury {Published in Endeavour Lifestyles Magazine}

For years, the Hamptons have been America’s summer playground for the rich and famous. The chance to hobnob with celebrities such as Stephen Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld and Sarah Jessica Parker is only part of the draw. Located on the east end of Long Island, New York, in Suffolk County, this group of towns and seaside villages exudes opulence. From golden beaches and palatial estates to fine dining, upscale boutiques and a vibrant nightlife, the Hamptons are a perfect mix of natural beauty, intrigue and sophistication. Click to read published article.   byStephanie Morelande i
 

Our Little Secret: Summer in Seabrook
{Published in Endeavour Lifestyles Magazine}

Seabrook is an appealing summer getaway. With ecotourism, water recreation, a family environment, and quaint shops and restaurants, this is a city that is full of possibilities. And, the interesting part—it is one of Texas’ best-kept secrets.  Click to read published article.  byStephanie Morelande i