There is no better way to cruise into summer than with a road trip. If you are looking to experience something a bit different than the great state of Texas, then Georgia should be on your mind. Known for its sweet and ever so juicy peaches it’s also home to several Grown in Georgia…
Category: Active Adventures
![Hawaii: 3 Polarizing Opposites Of The Big Island 2 Hawaii, spa, relax,](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Hawaiian-cliff.jpg?fit=2272%2C1704&ssl=1)
Hawaii: 3 Polarizing Opposites Of The Big Island
Hawaii, the 50th state of the Union and once known as the Sandwich Islands, is an archipelago comprised of eight major islands, each island has a distinct vibe. The Big Island of Hawaii is unique because Mauna Kea (more about Mauna Kea below) divides the island into three distinctly different environments – the Kona side,…
![9 Magical Christmas Markets : From Christkindlmarkts to Laser Shows 3 9 Magical Christmas Markets : From Christkindlmarkts to Laser Shows 1 Christmas markets are festive traditions that span centuries and were precursors for today’s festivals and laser light shows. The first mentioned Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, was Striezelmarkt in the German Saxony city, Dresden, in 1434. Christkind is literally translated as Christchild and is generally depicted in angel form with locks of curly blond hair, dressed in white and gold robes lined with fur and wearing a crown. Christkind, the spirit of Christmas, bestows gifts to children while spreading joy and peace.](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/blog-heading-christkindlmarkt.png?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1)
9 Magical Christmas Markets : From Christkindlmarkts to Laser Shows
Christmas markets are festive traditions that span centuries and were precursors for today’s festivals and laser light shows. The first mentioned Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, was Striezelmarkt in the German Saxony city, Dresden, in 1434. Christkind is literally translated as Christchild and is generally depicted in angel form with locks of curly blond…
![5 Best Tips For Diamond Hunting in Arkansas - Crater of Diamonds State Park 4 Crater of Diamonds old mine building](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Crater-of-Diamonds-State-Park-outbuilding_photo-by-Dona-Long-scaled.jpg?fit=2048%2C1586&ssl=1)
5 Best Tips For Diamond Hunting in Arkansas – Crater of Diamonds State Park
Diamond hunting, the search for a girl’s best friend. Do you have a yearning to go diamond hunting? Then perhaps you should consider a visit to the only mine in the world where you can hunt for your own diamonds. My husband and I are rock hounds. So, when we learned about the Crater of…
![Finger Lakes, New York: Do These 7 Things Other Than Drink Wine 5 Finger Lakes Corning](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/finger-lakes-CMOG-5-WM.jpg?fit=2048%2C1365&ssl=1)
Finger Lakes, New York: Do These 7 Things Other Than Drink Wine
Finger Lakes region of New York state is known for producing wine – really good wine. But what if you are not a wine drinker? Then what? Thankfully for non-wine drinkers, it is also known for towering rugged cliffs, sun-drenched rolling hills, and lush green valleys. Here is just a taste of what to do…
![Alaska Facts and History: Exploring 7 destinations 6 boat sailing in Alaska](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Alaska-Seward-boat-photo-by-Donna-Long.jpg?fit=2048%2C1710&ssl=1)
Alaska Facts and History: Exploring 7 destinations
Alaska, the 49th State of the Union, Land of the Midnight Sun and the Last Frontier is calling adventurous souls like a siren, beckoning them to discover it’s beauty – from the rugged snow-capped mountain peaks to the miles of ocean shoreline to the small towns and villages that far outnumber populated metropolises.
![Golf Louisiana's Audubon Trail: 5 Badass Bio-diverse Ecosystems 7 Golf Louisiana's Audubon Trail: 5 Badass Bio-diverse Ecosystems 2 Fore! Songbirds are singing and whistling; the sky is a deep fresh blue with fluffy white clouds, I am standing to the side of the green letting another group play through. As I wait, I think about where I am and how this trail of 15 golf courses is dedicated to protect the environment and preserve an English game that dates to the early 1500s. Starting in the Sportsman's Paradise area of Northern Louisiana and stretching to Cajun Country in the Southwest and Greater New Orleans in the Southeast regions, each course is designed to showcase the beauty and diversity of this state that is as striking as the game.](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/The-Golf-Club-at-Audubon-Park-image-by-Audubon-Park-2.jpg?fit=2048%2C1365&ssl=1)
Golf Louisiana’s Audubon Trail: 5 Badass Bio-diverse Ecosystems
Fore! Songbirds are singing and whistling; the sky is a deep fresh blue with fluffy white clouds, I am standing to the side of the green letting another group play through. As I wait, I think about where I am and how this trail of 15 golf courses is dedicated to protect the environment and…
![Big Island Hawaii Itinerary: 4 Unforgettable Activities 10 blog heading for Big Island Hawaii intinerary](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Blog-BIg-Island-Hawaiian-Itinerary.jpg?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1)
Big Island Hawaii Itinerary: 4 Unforgettable Activities
Big Island Hawaii itinerary – Tucked in a corner of tropical paradise surrounded by hardened black rolling lava fields is Hale Hau’oli’, a towering artistic eco-villa Airbnb with a surreal view of the Kalapana lava flow.
![5 Romantic Getaways For Couples in the US 11 romantic getaways for couples in the US](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/blog-heading-romantic-getaway.png?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1)
5 Romantic Getaways For Couples in the US
Romantic getaways are fabulous to reconnect with the love of your life. They are a way to make Valentine’s Day extend beyond one day. Here are five ideas for small-town romantic getaways to help you start planning a sizzling weekend retreat.
![Canal du Midi cruise: Explore Southern France 12 Canal du Midi cruise: Explore Southern France 5 The Canal du Midi, a silky pale green liquid ribbon that slowly meanders connecting the Mediterranean port city of Sète to Toulouse is one of the most notable and oldest inland waterways of Europe still in use. The lofty dream of engineer Pierre-Paul Riquet to create a direct passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean bypassing the Strait of Gibraltar enabling farmers and producers of wheat, wine, wools, silks, and salt a way to export their goods for trade.](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Blog-heading-Canal-du-Midi-video.png?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1)
Canal du Midi cruise: Explore Southern France
The Canal du Midi, a silky pale green liquid ribbon that slowly meanders connecting the Mediterranean port city of Sète to Toulouse is one of the most notable and oldest inland waterways of Europe still in use. The lofty dream of engineer Pierre-Paul Riquet to create a direct passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the…
![Canal du Midi Guide: A Must Read For Cruising 13 Canal du Midi Guide: A Must Read For Cruising 6 The Canal du Midi guide helps plan a bucket list vacation for empty nesters wanting to enjoy the French countryside, sipping wine and eating artisan cheese at a relaxed, unhurried pace, away from crowds. This cruising the Canal du Midi guide will help you plan your bucket list vacation.](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Blog-heading-Canal-du-Midi-Guide_-A-Must-Read-For-Cruising.png?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1)
Canal du Midi Guide: A Must Read For Cruising
The Canal du Midi guide helps plan a bucket list vacation for empty nesters wanting to enjoy the French countryside, sipping wine and eating artisan cheese at a relaxed, unhurried pace, away from crowds. This cruising the Canal du Midi guide will help you plan your bucket list vacation.
![Lake Charles: 17 Tempting Eateries And Activities 14 Lake Charles: 17 Tempting Eateries And Activities 7 Lake Charles, Southwest Louisiana’s premier destination for luxurious Vegas-style casino resorts. With a Southern welcome, Lake Charles offers its visitors gourmet restaurants, derby race tracks; and something you won’t find in Las Vegas ~deep-sea fishing and the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu.](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Lake-Charles-blog-header.png?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1)
Lake Charles: 17 Tempting Eateries And Activities
Lake Charles, Southwest Louisiana’s premier destination for luxurious Vegas-style casino resorts. With a Southern welcome, Lake Charles offers its visitors gourmet restaurants, derby race tracks; and something you won’t find in Las Vegas ~deep-sea fishing and the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu.
![Cooking on the Canal du Midi: Learn the delectable art of French Cuisine 15 Cooking on the Canal du Midi: Learn the delectable art of French Cuisine 8 Cooking by the Canal du Midi, which offers hands-on cooking classes, is an entertaining way to learn about and create timelessly classic French cuisine with modern ease. Located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of Southern France, owners David and Heather teach the classes two to three times a week in English. The classes cover a range of culinary topics from basic knife skills to modifying recipes to suit a person’s busy lifestyle or dietary restrictions with a focus on using local, seasonal ingredients - regardless of your location.](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Cooking-by-the-Canal-du.png?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1)
Cooking on the Canal du Midi: Learn the delectable art of French Cuisine
Cooking by the Canal du Midi, which offers hands-on cooking classes, is an entertaining way to learn about and create timelessly classic French cuisine with modern ease. Located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of Southern France, owners David and Heather teach the classes two to three times a week in English. The classes cover a range…
![5 Places To See Fall Color In Northern Alabama 16 Cheaha Park in Alabama fall colors reflecting off Cheaha Lake](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Cheaha-Lake-Pier.jpg?fit=882%2C460&ssl=1)
5 Places To See Fall Color In Northern Alabama
Autumn is the season of pumpkins, corn mazes, and stunning fall color. Make time this fall for a romantic weekend getaway to explore Alabama’s picturesque countryside. Generally awash in color from mid-October to mid-November with peak color the last week of October and the first week of November, Alabama has five parks that are ideal…
![Puerto Vallarta: Mixing Art, Ecotourism and Craft Beer 17 Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, dancers, malecon](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/IMG_6946-2.jpg?fit=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Puerto Vallarta: Mixing Art, Ecotourism and Craft Beer
The concept of ecotourism is one that has been around for decades. It is the concept of building responsible cultural and environmental awareness of an area while respecting and preserving the well-being of the inhabitants, both human and animal. Puerto Vallarta does this through art and eco-tours such as swimming with dolphins in the wild.
![Galveston: Tall Ships Festival Video 18 a row of 5 sets of lines wrapped around pins on a historic sailing vessel](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/lines-with-pins-3.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1)
Galveston: Tall Ships Festival Video
Galveston was a bustling seaport delivering food, textile goods, and people from around the world. The Galveston Historical Society brings this seaside city’s rich maritime history to life at the Tall Ships Festival where people can experience sailing nostalgia on board multi-masted schooners.
![An Unexpected Adventure In Quebec City 19 rooftop view of Quebec City with Chateau le Frontenac](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/QC-view-e1526587633901.jpg?fit=1365%2C1024&ssl=1)
An Unexpected Adventure In Quebec City
It was a beautiful sunny day in Quebec City, finally, after several days of grey, cold rain the sun was a welcome change on my
![The Guadalupe River: Escape the Texas Heat 20 The Guadalupe River: Escape the Texas Heat 9 The Guadalupe River lovingly called “the Guad” by locals of the Lone Star state, winds and meanders its way through Texas Hill Country. It flows past carved out limestone cliffs and mounds of gnarled cypress roots looking like they are dipping their toes in the river as they reach for water. A favorite destination for locals and visitors alike who are trying to escape some of Texas’ sweltering hot summer humidity. Thousands will travel to this cool water mecca over the course of a summer for a day of kayaking, tubing or rafting.](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/float-3w-logo.jpg?fit=2603%2C1742&ssl=1)
The Guadalupe River: Escape the Texas Heat
A Cool Reprieve The Guadalupe River lovingly called “the Guad” by locals of the Lone Star state, winds and meanders its way through Texas Hill Country. It flows past carved out limestone cliffs and mounds of gnarled cypress roots looking like they are dipping their toes in the river as they reach for water….