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.
Tag: featured
![Mexican Bus - Myth Busted 2 bus, mexican bus](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bus-e1481671348450.jpg?fit=511%2C249&ssl=1)
Mexican Bus – Myth Busted
Would there be chickens? I put my coins in the meter and got on the bus, a Mexican bus. Thanks to Hollywood and an over active imagination, I had
![Once you visit Puerto Vallarta, can you forget? 3 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)
Once you visit Puerto Vallarta, can you forget?
Puerto Vallarta As my last night in Puerto Vallarta comes to a close my mind I find myself thinking of things that I have seen, learned, and experienced.
![Gaby's - A Mexican Tradition 4 Gaby's - A Mexican Tradition 1 ***Gaby's Restaurant was visited during a press trip sponsored by Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board. The views and opinions are my own. ***](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/img_5918.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&ssl=1)
Gaby’s – A Mexican Tradition
***Gaby’s Restaurant was visited during a press trip sponsored by Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board. The views and opinions are my own. *** Located in the heart of Puerto Vallarta’s Gringo Gulch is family owned Gaby’s Restaurant. Gaby’s has been delivering authentic Mexican flavors since 1989. The stuffed avocado was absolutely delicious for a light lunch!…
![Dallas Farmers Market 7 Dallas Farmers Market](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/DFM-sign.jpg?fit=1958%2C1256&ssl=1)
Dallas Farmers Market
Farmers Markets They have been around as long as farmers. What started as small roadside stands has blossomed and evolved into gatherings of various sizes. From small towns to
![Ashton's B & B 8 New Orleans, marble, Ashton's B&B, B&B, luxury,](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/parlor.jpg?fit=3766%2C3864&ssl=1)
Ashton’s B & B
New Orleans’ Esplanade Ridge Historic District was once the most prestigious Creole neighborhoods in the city. Now it boasts one of the largest and most impressive concentrations
![Flea Market Haven in Canton 9 canton, texas, market, flea market, markets, flea markets, open air market, antiques, treasures, treasure, hunt,](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/vendors1.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Flea Market Haven in Canton
Canton is a small town with a very popular tradition. Once a month, approximately 400,000 people descend on this quaint farming community of 3,500 for a single weekend to
![New Orleans Airboat Swamp Tour Video 10 New Orleans](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/dsc01387.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1)
New Orleans Airboat Swamp Tour Video
New Orleans Swamp Tour New Orleans offers a wide range of activities and tours. An airboat or swamp tour with Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours is the perfect beginning to an adventurous weekend in New Orleans.
![An Evening With Manta Rays Video 11 snorkeling with manta rays](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/PICT0265.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1)
An Evening With Manta Rays Video
Moonlight Snorkeling with Manta Rays Manta rays have been a source of legends and myths for hundreds of years. Sailors at one time believed that they would attack and sink boats by grabbing the anchors to pull them
![The Botanist - where steampunk meets botanical magic 12 The Botanist - where steampunk meets botanical magic 4 One brief headline caught my eye, The Botanist – an eclectic dining experience steeped in charm and style. There are so many ‘wine bars’ and ‘brewers’ that this caught my eye. The name was just enough to give a little intrigue and interest without giving away what it was all about. It was so steampunkish!I was not disappointed! The atmosphere was easy, casual and laid-back. When I walked through the lobby I got the feeling that I had stepped back in time and had reemerged in a garden sanctuary. The interior was decorated with wood-accents that had a weathered-gray finish to them. There were botanical pictures on the walls that identified the different parts of flowers along with garden yard tools. Hanging from the ceiling was a magnificent display of steampunk art in the form of a three-wheeled bicycle that had glider-style wings attached to the sides and an umbrella secured in the center in a vertical position with a whirligig propeller on top of it. The bicycle also was equipped with a motor. The exterior of the restaurant was decorated in wrought iron panels with vines growing over them.The bar area was quite impressive with an expansive front bar that had ample room for the botanical mix-masters to work their magic with herbal infused liquor and spirits. The back bar consisted of a massive shelving system that contained a sizeable assortment of liqueurs infused with berries, herbs, and fruits in addition to a fabulous selection of craft beers and ales. The bartenders were dressed in the steampunk fashion of simple neutral colored clothes and suspenders on their pants.](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/the-botanist-bar-compressed-wp.jpg?fit=448%2C336&ssl=1)
The Botanist – where steampunk meets botanical magic
Steampunk infused with botanical magic Do you ever read those advertising magazines that are spread across the desk in your hotel room? I have to confess – Sometimes, maybe, but usually I just brush them aside to make room for all of the travel books, casual books, magazines, and electronics that I brought with me….
![The Smallest House in Britain 13 Britian Conwy Wales](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc01213.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
The Smallest House in Britain
Britain’s Smallest House Tucked on the end of a row of houses near the walls of Conwy Castle is Britain’s smallest house. The Quay House, with a footprint measuring a mere
![Mammoths in Waco, Texas 14 Mammoths](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/waco-mammoth-sign-compressed-wp.jpg?fit=448%2C336&ssl=1)
Mammoths in Waco, Texas
Waco Mammoth National Monument On the outskirts of the bustling city of Waco, Texas is a partially hidden piece of paleontological history of mammoth proportion.
![Have an Unforgettable, Adventure-packed weekend in New Orleans 15 Have an Unforgettable, Adventure-packed weekend in New Orleans 5 New Orleans is a truly amazing city! It is incredibly diverse and eclectic offering a wide range of activities for every interest from historical landmarks to new age vape shops and haunted tours to shopping for antiques or listening to live music in any one of the many bars or on the street corners and dancing in the street to getting married and parading down Bourbon St.](https://i0.wp.com/empty-nestopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/dsc01382.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1)
Have an Unforgettable, Adventure-packed weekend in New Orleans
New Orleans – Diverse and Eclectic New Orleans is a truly amazing city! It is incredibly diverse and eclectic offering a wide range of activities for every interest from historical landmarks to new age vape shops and haunted tours to shopping for antiques or listening to live music in any one of the many bars or…