Natchitoches (pronounced nack-a-tish), this charming French Creole town has been celebrating a town-wide epic Christmas festival since 1926. This year, the Southeast Tourism Society named Natchitoches Christmas as one of the top 20 holiday festivals of the year to attend.
![Cooking on the Canal du Midi: Learn the delectable art of French Cuisine 2 Cooking on the Canal du Midi: Learn the delectable art of French Cuisine 2 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 3 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…
![Kiepersol Vineyard: Discover This Gem In East Texas Wine Country 4 Kiepersol Vineyard: Discover This Gem In East Texas Wine Country 3 Born from the desire to belong to the land and to create a sustainable heritage, Kiepersol Vineyard and Estates in East Texas wine country is much more than just a vineyard - it is a family passion. The sixty-acre estate sits on top of Bullard Salt Dome nestled in the rolling hills of Tyler, Texas just two hours east of Dallas is also home to a distillery, restaurant, and a bed-and-breakfast.](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Kiepersol-Winery-photo-by-Donna-Long-e1536632627775.jpg?fit=725%2C888&ssl=1)
Kiepersol Vineyard: Discover This Gem In East Texas Wine Country
Born from the desire to belong to the land and to create a sustainable heritage, Kiepersol Vineyard and Estates in East Texas wine country is much more than just a vineyard – it is a family passion. The sixty-acre estate sits on top of Bullard Salt Dome nestled in the rolling hills of Tyler, Texas…
![Puerto Vallarta: Mixing Art, Ecotourism and Craft Beer 5 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.
![Daiquiri - delicious frozen works of art in Shreveport 6 King Cake frozen daiquiri from Alky Therapy in Shreveport Louisiana](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/King-Cake-Daiquiri-photo-by-Donna-Long.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&ssl=1)
Daiquiri – delicious frozen works of art in Shreveport
Louisiana, this deep Southern state rich in 18th-Century French architecture is known for its charming gentile hospitality mixed with Cajun and Creole heritage and frozen daiquiri cocktails that are works of art.
![Boutique Hotel in Old Quebec City that will captivate you 7 The front entrance of Hotel Terrasse Dufferin](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Hotel-Terrasse-Dufferin-exterior-e1528303235675.jpg?fit=524%2C698&ssl=1)
Boutique Hotel in Old Quebec City that will captivate you
Women In Travel Summit (WITS) is an empowering sisterhood networking event for women in all genres of the travel content creation industry – writers, bloggers, influencers, and brands that help support diversity in travel. Each year, WITS partners with host destinations throughout North America drawing together some of travel’s most energetic, knowledgeable, and supportive network…
![Galveston: Tall Ships Festival Video 8 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 9 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
![Recharge To Be A Better You - 6 Ultra Relaxing Ideas 10 Recharge To Be A Better You - 6 Ultra Relaxing Ideas 4 So if you need a INTGODGSAU weekend, you are in luck because I have put together a list of spas where you can give yourself a kumbaya moment and recharge.](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/spa-beach.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1)
Recharge To Be A Better You – 6 Ultra Relaxing Ideas
Relaxation Breaks – You Deserve Them I don’t care who you are or what you do, male or female, young or old – life can be a challenge. We are pulled
![The Guadalupe River: Escape the Texas Heat 11 The Guadalupe River: Escape the Texas Heat 5 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….
![Foodie Gems of Shreveport, Louisiana 12 crawfish, mudbugs](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/crawfish-W-logo.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&ssl=1)
Foodie Gems of Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport has been a foodie mecca for diverse regional dishes since its founding in 1836. Shreveportites are infamous for putting their own unique spin on recipes that have been handed down or brought from other countries. This is but a small sampling of delectable morsels you can offer your palate when you visit Shreveport-Bossier City.
![Marker Cellars Wine Pairing and Texas Wine History 13 Marker Cellars Wine Pairing and Texas Wine History 6 Alvord, Texas - Marker Cellars in the Red River Valley hosted their first wine pairing and Texas wine history event.](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/set-table.jpg?fit=3885%2C2972&ssl=1)
Marker Cellars Wine Pairing and Texas Wine History
Sweet nectar from the high plains of Texas Alvord, Texas – Marker Cellars in the Red River Valley hosted their first wine pairing and Texas wine history event. Texas Wine History I was invited to join a small group of Texas wine lovers to enjoy an evening sampling bold Texas flavor matched with pasta, dried…
![Natchitoches - Louisiana's Best Kept Secret 15 Natchitoches - Louisiana's Best Kept Secret 8 Remnants of Natchitoches French Creole and Spanish roots are evident in its historical cotton plantations, and 19th-century landmark buildings.](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_3594.jpg?fit=3281%2C2768&ssl=1)
Natchitoches – Louisiana’s Best Kept Secret
Remnants of Natchitoches French Creole and Spanish roots are evident in its historical cotton plantations, and 19th-century landmark buildings. Natchitoches – A Road Trip To Louisiana’s Hidden Gem Natchitoches (pronounced nack-a-tish), settled in 1714 it is the oldest settlement in
![Sprinkles Cupcake ATM: A pink bundle of joy putting smiles on people’s faces 16 Sprinkles Cupcake ATM: A pink bundle of joy putting smiles on people’s faces 9 So there I was, standing in front of a pink ATM tucked in the side of a building. OK in all honesty, I did not have a craving. I was walking by on the street and saw the cupcake ATM sign and said, “whaaat?? This is crazy! So crazy I have to try it!” More honesty, it was not 2 a.m. but a sensible 3 in the afternoon so I could have a pre-snack before dinner. Everyone knows - life is short, have dessert first.](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Sprinkles-store-front.jpg?fit=2236%2C2048&ssl=1)
Sprinkles Cupcake ATM: A pink bundle of joy putting smiles on people’s faces
Cupcakes and ATM’s, two words not typically associated with each other in a sentence and definitely not as a thing. But it is and it is delivering an assortment of moist morsels satisfying sugary cravings any time – day or night. The Cupcake Craving There you are. It is 2 a.m. and you have a…
![Sunset Plaza Resort and Spa, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 17 sunset resort, spa, puerto vallarta, mexico, hotel](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/pool-area.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1)
Sunset Plaza Resort and Spa, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Welcome to Sunset Plaza Resort and Spa I pass through a security gate, and as I round the corner of the curved drive a grand
![Pisa ~ An Authentic Discovery 18 Pisa, leaning tower, Italy, Travel](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_1991.jpg?fit=2448%2C3264&ssl=1)
Pisa ~ An Authentic Discovery
Finding the real Pisa When we vacation, we love to get off the beaten path and
![Why Visit Huntsville, Alabama 19 huntsville, alabama, space camp, video, botanical garden, food,](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wikispace.jpg?fit=919%2C466&ssl=1)
Why Visit Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama Diverse, unique, and eclectic. It is a land where you will find lush, rolling green hills
![Space Camp and the Empty Nest 20 moon, space, space camp, huntsville, alabama, nasa, astronaut](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/IMG_0328.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1)
Space Camp and the Empty Nest
Space Camp – An Empty Nest Journey 3, 2, 1, mark. Pilot, you are a go to start auxiliary