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Positioning the state as one of Mexico’s foodie destinations with the aim of expanding tourism to all regions of the state and developing new products. Starting on June 18, the World Day of Sustainable Gastronomy, and promoting under the hashtag #YucatanIsFlavor, the campaign highlight the recipes, ingredients and gastronomic experiences of the  Yucatan.

“The Year of Yucatecan Gastronomy” places our food as part of the axis of our promotional campaign” said Michelle Fridman, Minister of Tourism. “The Yucatan’s history goes back to the big bang and forward to the Maya to today. We have hundreds of years in flora, fauna, people, and food is always part what is happening here. There is no better way to narrate the identity and history of Yucatan than in its flavors and gastronomy.”

Yucatán gastronomy is culturally rich traditions that bring together Maya, Spanish, Caribbean, Dutch and Lebanese influences. It mixes ingredients such as corn, tomato, and beans, with endemic products such as habanero chili, sour orange, and the popular Achiote, used to create a red paste called recado that is used in tamales and over all types of proteins, most popularly wild turkey and pig.

Some of the more traditional dishes of the state of Yucatan include Sopa de Lima (chicken broth seasoned with local Yucatecan lime), Huevos Motuleños (tortilla with beans and fried eggs), and the Cochinita Pibil (pork marinated in Achiote paste and sour orange juice and cooked in an underground pit). Visitors to the state will find these dishes served at posh haciendas converted into restaurants or hotels, other may take a meal in the home of the living Maya, while visiting the southern part of the state and the PUUC route.

Modern Yucatan offers of one Mexico’s trendiest foodie scenes spanning across its six regions and including rooftop dinning in Valladolid, beach clubs in Progreso and Mezcal tastings in the yellow city of Izamal. Its capital, Merida, is home to traditional cantinas, modern restaurants, and mixologists.

As part of “the Year of Yucatecan Gastronomy” campaign, SEFOTUR will make special alliances. Beginning with commitments the state, to work with the many municipalities to promote their own culiary offerings to state-wide initiatives to fund and promote events such as Restaurant Week, the first-time editions of festivals promoting its honey, tacos and recados. The ministry will also work with local chefs as  “Gastronomic Ambassadors of Yucatan” to further promote the campaign across platforms. International organizations like the UNWTO, the Gastronomic Tourism Laboratory (IICA), and the Aspen Institute will also be tapped to join the initiative.

“Gastronomic tourism has a very strong element of sustainability, like the actions we have taken efforts in, it is an exertion that seeks to include, diversify, decentralize… that seeks the endemic, the organic, the authentic, being a very noble segment, and in Yucatan we have a great diversity of ingredients and dishes, we have a gastronomic narrative that few destinations in the world have, from Mayan techniques and ingredients and the different migrations to the footsteps of other cultures in the region”.

She added that this type of tourism will allow, in the year of economic recovery, to bring benefits to the communities that need it the most, since in these areas is where many of the ingredients and supplies that are consumed in the restaurants are produced.

The Yucatan is Flavor campaign follows the ministry’s 365 Days of Yucatan campaign which took place between 2021 and 2022 during which time 365 tourism products were promoted to local, national and international visitors, many developed in an effort to increase tourism.

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A smiling reception staff that, knowing I was on my way, had my room waiting and greeted me. Check in was incredibly quick and while I was waiting to meet manager, Rauni Kew, I was treated to a visit with the foster pup that was playing in the reception area. The team at Inn By The Sea works with the local animal shelter to help place dogs that need a forever home by fostering them in the hotel. (How in credible is that?) I was greeted by the manager and given a site tour of the beautiful ocean front hotel. Although modern and upgraded to meet the luxurious standards of her visitors, the hotel has its historical touches and “stories” throughout. My room wasn’t simply a room. I was given a two-bedroom suite with beautiful views of the grounds and the ocean. The staff has forgotten nothing within the suites and rooms at the hotel, including the most lavish bedding and linens. It was very hard for me to get out and experience the rest of the hotel. My suite had a fireplace where I sat and enjoyed some wonderful wines while looking out at the gorgeous surrounding grounds. I also relished the full kitchen and a bathroom with soaking tub Soaking tubs are another of my indulgences and this one came with comforts like bath bombs and fragrant soaps and lotions. With every single amenity, (click here to view more photos) I enjoyed a relaxing and indulgent two days of the best Inn By The Sea has to offer. This luxury hotel is recognized for green hotel practices, which makes it a wonderfully responsible and perfect place to spend any special occasion or family vacation. Only a short distance from downtown Portland, the hotel is perfectly located making it easy to feel like you’ve traveled to a far off luxurious destination. It’s close enough so visitors can explore and enjoy activities and restaurants throughout Portland. I found no reason to leave the hotel grounds.

The Spa
I love spas. In fact they are one of my favorite services to experience. I’ve visited many spas all over the world and tried an array of treatments. Our Portland Spa is dedicated to ensuring its guests experience the best indulgences.
I enjoyed the Sea Waves 60-minute treatment and was whisked away on a magical, luxurious, relaxing journey of pure bliss. My masseur was extremely knowledgeable and recommended oils that worked wonderfully with my treatment. Before and after, I enjoyed a beautiful sanctuary with my own locker and luxuriously soft robe, and sandals.
I also had access to private steam rooms, a wonderful 5 head shower experience, beverages and snacks that were perfect before and after my treatment. A visit to Inn By The Sea is not complete without a visit to their amazing spa.
The Restaurant
Eating at the onsite restaurant, Sea Glass is a gastronomical affair like none other. The chef creates magic with fresh, locally sourced food for every palate and every food consideration. In addition to his amazing creations, Chef Andrew offers new and innovative vegan specialties that even this carnivore absolutely loved! Each meal at the hotel was an indulgence and I felt like royalty.
From the blueberry butter that accompanied the freshly baked breads to the Local Lobster Toast at breakfast, to the Spring Pea & Burrata every bite was a unique and delicious experience.
At the end of the day a wonderful experience at any hotel whether a luxury facility or a hostel is determined by how welcoming a guest feels and how the staff interacts with them. Inn By The Sea gets it right on all aspects. Although I was there for a sponsorship, I also witnessed the attention and care the staff gave other visitors. It was no less special than my own. Each person was greeted and treated with kindness, genuine care of their comfort and experience, and with a friendly and warm smile and attitude. I can’t recommend Inn By The Sea enough.
Portland Harbor Hotel – A City Retreat
My next stop would find me in the heart of the Old Port District. Surrounded by a vibrant foodie and music scene, Portland Harbor Hotel offers the best for its guests.The rooms have been renovated and are beautifully decorated and spacious. Each includes a variety of amenities and what you don’t find in the room can be delivered to you in seconds.
I checked in early, as I like to do, to allow me to explore the facility. My warm and cozy room had accents of Maine’s costal life. The luxuriously comfortable linens make it hard to want to leave.
Again, I enjoyed a wonderful bathroom with a soaking tub, gorgeous marble counter tops, spacious shower, soaps, shampoos, and lotions that were plentiful. There is a quaint workspace that is perfect for someone like me who has to work a little during my visits.
The staff was more than welcoming and helpful in so many ways. One of the amenities that surprised me was the free car service the hotel offers to its guests. I used it quite often since I was not familiar with the area. The drivers were helpful, kind, and easy to talk to.
It’s very nice to have a service like this for guests who have appointments or need a ride somewhere they are not familiar with.
The Restaurant
Oh what a treat I experienced at Blue Fin! I have eaten in many restaurants around the world. I’ve had amazing experiences, met amazing chefs, and indulged in some of the world’s most amazing meals.
But my experience with Chef Gil Plaster is, hands down, one of the best experiences I’ve had to date. I can honestly say that he is a genius. His passion for his craft is not just palpable, but contagious.
After meeting him and listening to his background and how he pursued his career, I knew that I was going to experience a gastronomical delight. But what I thought was going to be incredible turned out to be almost unbelievable.
Chef Plaster decided he would cook for me pesonally. Each dish was preceded by a description of what he was going to prepare, where the inspiration for it came from and how he had put his own special spin on it.
I don’t know how chef did it but everything he told me I would be tasting, in the order in which he said I would taste it, was exactly as he detailed. He explained that everything he used was locally sourced.
He was very proud of the fact that he was instrumental in introducing Southeast Asian spices with a mix of Latin flavors into the seafood central of Maine.
I have never tasted such amazing dishes…ever! I was honored to be one of the people who get to experience chef Gil’s genius and would tell any foodie to go to Portland just to eat at one of his tables.
The rest of the staff and facility is equally amazing at what they do and their genuine care and consideration for their guests is evident in the various events and extra attention they take each day.
From outside fire pits to enjoy wine and snacks in their courtyard, to a full bar where you can enjoy a variety of cocktails in front of the fireplace. Every aspect of the hotel is designed for comfort and luxury.
My last few days found me at Captain Lord Manor Located in Kennebunkport a 25-minute drive from Portland, Captain Lord Manor is an oasis for those who want to get away from city life.
This amazing bed and breakfast is known a Maine’s Top Rated Kennebunkport Inn and after my stay, I completely understand why. Owned and operated by Rick Litchfield and Bev Davis, this amazingly warm and intimate manor offers the best of modern amenities while still staying true to the old world beauty of the area.
Each room holds a special design and comfort with amenities not usually found in most manors. My suite was called The Regulator. It was uber luxurious and a perfect place to relax after a day of exploring Kennebunkport.
As you can probably guess by now, a soaking tub is something that I love to experience. The one at Captain Lord Manor is out of this world! Beautifully deep, and set in a wonderfully comfortable and luxurious setting, the tub in my suite was one I didn’t want to leave.
During my three-day stay, I enjoyed 4 wonderfully relaxing soaks in the tub and had to force myself to get out! I also enjoyed the fact that the seating area I the main part of the house is set up to encourage guests to turn off their phones, put down the social media interaction and talk to each other.
The comfortable couches and relaxing atmosphere make for great conversation. There is always nice music playing and there is always someone around to chat with.
Breakfast
Each morning breakfast is served with the ringing of a bell. The night before the staff posts what will be served and the times breakfast will be available. Most days, there are two different times to indulge in the full, home cooked breakfast. One for early risers and one for those who like to lie around and enjoy their room a bit more.
Although breakfast is the only meal that is served, the staff at the manor ensures that guests do NOT go hungry. There are homemade goodies served throughout the day like baked goods, cheese and crackers, iced tea and lemonade. There is also a coffee station where you can enjoy a fresh ground cup along with hot chocolate and a variety of hot teas. Spa
Captain Lord Manor has an onsite spa service. The personalized touches and menu is wonderful as was the masseur. On the day of my service I came back from an outing to get ready for my treatment and found a wonderful little package waiting for me in my room.
It is these little touches that make any stay a treat and one that is memorable. My treatment was relaxing and just what I needed after a day of exploring. The owners are happy to organize the whole package for you making it simple to just show up, be pampered and leave relaxed and rejuvenated.
Food In The Area
The staff at the manor is happy to recommend area restaurants and I was happy they did!
Mabel’s Lobster Claw
This amazing little restaurant is a perfect place to go when you want to enjoy authentic Maine coastal cuisine. Located on the cove side of Kennebunkport among seaside shops and local stores, Mabel’s Lobster Claw has been around since the 1050s.
The restaurant offers inside and outside seating. In the winter months the outside eating area is equipt with heaters so patrons can still enjoy the fresh smell of the ocean. I chose to sit outside to enjoy the slow paced surroundings and old world charm.
A warm and knowledgeable server who agreed that the best way to enjoy the restaurant was to allow the chef to prepare the best greeted me. I sat back and enjoyed some of the best seafood Maine has to offer.
I started with a house special; charred Brussels sprouts with blue cheese, pecans, and scallions. It was a wonderful rendition of a common veggie and was amazing.
Next came flavorful crab cakes that were sweet and clearly extremely fresh. That was followed up with sea scallops that couldn’t be but a few hours old. They were perfectly seared and served.
I couldn’t leave without trying the lobster mac & cheese. Mabel’s rendition was beyond delicious. Moist, sweet lobster with the perfect amount of cheese to noodles to lobster made it a wonderful experience.
Dinner was finished with a wonderful slice of blueberry pie that was to die for! I can’t suggest and recommend Mabel’s Lobster Claw enough if you are visiting Maine. It’s a must if you want to experience authentic area seafood and ambiance.
On the Marsh Bistro
This fine dining experience was something that I was told I would never forget. Recommended by Rick, owner of Captain Lord Manor, I was very much looking forward to my experience at On The Marsh Bistro. I was not disappointed.
The manager greeted me personally and reserved a beautiful table that I the corner that allowed me to overlook the whole restaurant.
The atmosphere and ambiance of the restaurant is equal to it’s beautifully decorated interior. After taking a short tour, I was seated and the deliciousness began. My first dish was a flavorful pumpkin soup that was perfectly seasoned and creamy.
A wonderfully delicious Spring Pea Risotto followed that up; again perfectly seasoned and cooked. I enjoyed a delicious Italian wine that paired well with each dish and happily so since Italian wine is my favorite. The meal ended with a wonderfully sweet and gorgeous dessert. A generous slice of Limoncello & Mascarpone Cake served with Blueberry Coulis and Candied Orange Slice was the perfect way to end my wonderful experience at On The Marsh.
What I Discovered In Portland, Maine was surprising, wonderful, and an experience I won’t soon forget. I look forward to a return visit.
that area of Maine has to offer.
Have you visited Portland, Maine and it’s surrounding coastal towns? What did you think? Share your experiences with us!

by: Marie Hernandez, www.seriouslytravel.com

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PRESENT-DAY HISTORY

     Sponsored by the San Jacinto Museum of History Association, the festival is a full day of entertainment, vendors, food, family activities, cultural exhibits, games and fun set amidst living history: music and dancing on three stages featuring country-western bands, flamenco dancers, Native American presentations, square dancers and much more; 15+ food vendors; make-and-take activities and crafts for children; children’s train; petting zoo; medicine wagon show; birds of prey; weavers, spinners, blacksmiths and other demonstrators; and dozens of unique hand-crafted items for sale.

      The Official State of Texas Ceremony Commemorating the 182nd Anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto will take place at 10a.m. on Saturday, April 21. This annual event will take place inside the monument at the Jesse H. Jones Theatre.

     “We are so proud to continue to present this festival with free admission, free shuttles and free parking, which would not be possible without our presenting sponsor H-E-B, as well as The Dow Chemical Company, Pasadena Strawberry Festival, City of Deer Park, City of La Porte and LyondellBasell,” says Larry Spasic, San Jacinto Museum of History President.  “Just as important are our partners who help us coordinate this event, including the City of La Porte, TPWD, the volunteers from San Jacinto College and Deer Park ISD, Clean Harbors, La Porte EMS and Hampton Inn Deer Park.”

YEAR-ROUND ATTRACTION

     The San Jacinto Monument is open all day year round except for Thanksgiving Day, and December 24th and 25th. Visitors can ride the elevator to the top for a panoramic view of the festivities, explore the special exhibit, watch a Texas history movie and tour the hundreds of museum pieces on display.

            There are modest admission fees for the elevator ride, movie and the special exhibit entitled “A Destined Conflict: The U.S. – Mexican War,” located inside the Monument. For more information, the public may visit www.sanjacinto-museum.org and Facebook, or call 281-479-2421.

The event is coordinated by the San Jacinto Museum of History Association with the assistance of Texas Parks & Wildlife and the San Jacinto Volunteers reenactors.

ENTERTAINMENT & EDUCATION

• Jake Worthington will headline the main stage. The La Porte native was named “Runner-Up” on Season 6 of the hit NBC TV Show “The Voice” in 2014.

• Fred Rusk & the Zydeco Hi-Steppers will perform on the main stage. This band has been serving the Houston/Louisiana and surrounding areas for 12 years and consist of 5 faithful Zydeco musicians that collaborate to bring the unique sound of a Funky Cajun-French gumbo.

• Danza Azteca Taxcayolotlwill perform a version of a Danza Azteca ceremony with a dozen dancers from around Texas dressed in colorful regalia, wearing headdress with beautiful long feathers, and utilizing natural instruments to compose traditional rhythms for ceremonial dancing. Through dance steps and drum beats, the dancers will be honor generations of indigenous traditions.

• Last Chance Forever, The Birds of Prey Conservancy will present interactive demonstrations of magnificent birds including hawks, owls, eagles, falcons and vultures.

• The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Mariachiconsists of the following instruments:  violin, trumpet, vihuela, guitar, guitarra de golpe, guitarron and arpajalisciense.  The program was established in 1998 and has done performances throughout the state.

• Texas Snakes is a fun and hands-on educational show of many different species of non-venomous indigenous snakes of Texas for the children to view and touch.  Emphasis is on teaching about the environment and how reptiles provide their part for the balance of nature.

• Houston School of Irish Music prides itself on giving students a fun and enriching environment to play traditional Irish music. The school is comprised of the North Texas School of Irish Music, with branches in Allen, Texas, and Murphy, Texas, and the Houston School of Irish Music.

UPDATED INFORMATION

     All festival activities are updated regularly on the San Jacinto Museum of History website at www.sanjacinto-museum.org and facebook.com/sjbattlereenactment.

presents world class 3 ball juggling and amazing balance tricks while engaging the crowd in a relaxed and unobtrusive manner.

Camel Rides will be available for a small fee from 11am to 2pm. Camels played an important role in Texas history when the state hosted the U.S. Army’s camel experiment, a short-lived project that used camels to ferry supplies across west Texas and the Great American Desert from 1856 to 1866.

Gilbert Hernandez is a reenactor portraying his great grandfather, Santiago Tafolla. Tafolla was a Hispanic pioneer in Texas and part of the Texas Camel Experiment as well as the only known Hispanic in Texas to leavememoirs during the Civil War. Hernandez’s presentations consist of the story of the Texas Camel Connection, working with the camels as a Calvary soldier and a Government employee all during the 1850s and 60s.

Mixteco Ballet Folkloricoprovides Houston area youth with cultural activities that preserve Mexican customs, traditions and culture through the art of music and dance.

J.R. “Jack” Edmondson is a celebrated historian, author, and reenactor. An alumni of the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Christian University, he is best known for his educational portrayal of the illustrious General Sam Houston.

Charles Lara aka Black Beaver will reenact a Delaware Blanket Trader to teach festival goers about the Texas of the 1800s.

Dan Barth will use his Medicine Show Wagon to tell the tales of special 19th century cure-all elixirs, and entertain with a little magic.

Exhibit of TPWD’s popular Operation Game Thief, its wildlife crime-stoppers program offering rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction for a wildlife crime.  Begun in 1981 as a result of laws passed by the 67th Legislature to help curtail poaching, the program is highly successful.

North Harris County Dulcimer Societywill provide musical entertainment throughout the day.

Blacksmiths, weavers, spinners and other demonstrators will give visitors a full sense of how life was in the early 1800s.  Sutlers (civilians who sold provisions to military posts) will be on hand to sell or show their wares.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department will offer archery classes for young people.

Visitors can also view the restored marshlands and look for otters, great blue herons, osprey, mottled ducks and American avocets.  The marsh is historically important because it barred the escape of many of General Santa Anna’s troops during the 1836 battle.

Representatives of the San Jacinto Descendants, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Sons of the Republic of Texas, the Texas General Land Officeand theTexas Independence Trail Region will be on hand to share their history.

Texas Independence Square Dancers—square dancers from various groups throughout Texas—will demonstrate square dancing and give lessons.

Visitors can browse through the vendor area to admire unique hand-crafted items, Texas products and history-related items.

The Children’s Area—sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company and Deer Park ISD—includes:

A 55’ train complete with train whistle and Texan and American flags.

Make-and-take history activities and crafts created and overseen by Gifted/Talented specialists from Deer Park ISD.

Marsha’s Petting Zoo with sheep, goats and other friendly small animals.

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     In this edition of The Hotel Guide, we feature incredible beaches and top destinations. For instance, some can’t-miss stops in Texas include San Antonio,Arlington and beachgoers can revel at South Padre Island.

     Every good traveler also needs to focus on their Health and Wellness and that’s another reason we launched our Wellness Section sponsored by IDLife. Get tips to stay healthy while traveling and even utilize a new state-of-the-art teledoc via Hello, Alvin.

     Ready for some international travel? You don’t want to miss the 5-star, all-inclusive resort called Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Maya. This impeccable resort will help you make memories to last a lifetime. While in Mexico, be sure and visit the state of Campeche and learn about tons of Mexican history and culture.

     For great story ideas or to be a part of our “Experiences” section, send me a personal e-mail by clicking here. Looking for great hotel deals? Remember that you can book all of your travel from our website or by simply clicking here.

     Remember, we make travel easy.

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Lexington, TX.

The small town of Lexington, about an hour east of Austin, is home to Snow’s BBQ. The spot seems unassuming, a red shack and some picnic tables, but its barbecue is anything but. Snow’s is only open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. till everything’s sold out, and pitmaster Tootsie Tomanetz and her crew start slow-smoking their meats at 3 a.m., ensuring a sumptuous feast.

Lucky visitors get an opportunity to meet Tootsie, one of Texas’ great pitmasters. Although her brisket is mouthwatering, Tootsie believes her pork steak is her true specialty. Be sure to taste for yourself.

Austin, TX.

There’s a reason why customers, the press and even the President of the United States rave about Franklin Barbecue. Open since 2009, this East 11th Street eatery lives up to the hype. Its menu features the usual spread of brisket, pulled pork, and other smoked meats, but the trick lies in owner Aaron Franklin’s attention to process.

Every morsel is prepared with love, patience and an uncompromising commitment to quality, with the brisket slow-smoking for up to 15 hours. Arrive early, as a two-hour wait is common any day of the week. Anyone that’s eaten at Franklin’s can attest it is well worth the wait.

Also located in East Austin is John Mueller Meat Co., founded by its namesake, a charismatic third-generation pit master. The John Mueller Meat Co. slings traditional smoked brisket, beef ribs, sausage, pork ribs and more from its trailer on East 6th Street. While you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, when it comes to sides, the baked squash is second to none.

Another Austin favorite is La Barbecue, which was founded by LeAnn Mueller, sister of John Mueller. Not to be outdone by her brother, LeAnn founded La Barbecue in 2012 and its ‘Cuisine Texicana’ received immediate success. The restaurant combines traditional barbecue flavors with a spicy kick, and the pulled pork moistened with a tangy vinegar-based sauce and the chipotle coleslaw are must-eats.

Lockhart, TX.

If you are looking for the barbecue capital of Texas, you’ll have to take a drive to Lockhart, which was designated asthe official state barbecue capital by the 76th Texas Legislature and is located just 40 minutes south of Austin.

In Lockhart, BBQ standbys include Kreuz Market and Smitty’s Market, two establishments owned by siblings who founded their joints after the dissolution of the legendary original Kreuz Market. Each keeps the tradition alive with succulent, lean brisket and superbly smoked meats all around, and Kreuz eschews barbecue sauce altogether; that’s how confident they are in the taste of their meat.

Other famous Lockhart barbecue joints include Black’s Barbeque, which was established back in 1932, and Chisholm Trail Barbeque, which was founded in 1978. One of Black’s Barbeque’s claims to fame is that in the 1960s President Lyndon Johnson asked Black’s to provide barbecue sausage for a meal at the U.S. Capitol. The sausage was prepared and flown into D.C., with the Secret Service and Department of the Agriculture supervising the Presidential affair.

Houston, TX.

The Galleria area of Houston may be known for its shopping but it offers up some serious barbecue as well. Luling City Market is a local standby, and its smoky meat gets its flavor from a non-gas cooking process over post oak wood. Must tries are the Market’s beef sausage and special mustard-based barbecue sauce.

Statewide Winners

Texas’ barbecue belt is packed with destinations that would rank number one in any other state. Other iconic favorites include the Salt Lick, which is located in the town of Driftwood about half an hour south of Austin, Lockhart Smokehouse in Dallas, Angelo’s Bar-B-Que, a Fort Worth Institution, and Killen’s Barbecue in Houston.

In Texas, it’s a hotly contested toss-up. Whether you’re a fan of pulled pork, fatty brisket or tender ribs, visitors’ mouths will be watering at any of these iconic eateries.

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Grand chandeliers, lavish crown molding and polished floors enhance the French style lobby and provide a stunning welcome. Beautifully decorated guest rooms and the most comfy hotel bed I’ve ever slept in made it easy to relax and rejuvenate after exploring the plethora of delicious restaurants and lively bars lining Bourbon Street.

Life’s a Parade

While in town, I enjoyed a tour of Mardi Gras World and learned about the history of New Orleans Parades and parade krewes (who help put on the lavish parades that are the signature events of Mardi Gras). I even got to try on a few parade costumes and make my own mask.

The foodie in me had a blast on the walking food tour where we all enjoyed a sample of authentic local cooking at each stop and learned about the various influences that helped create Cajun cuisine.

People Rocked

From the hotel to the tours, my recent trip to New Orleans was quite the experience however, my favorite part of visiting New Orleans was its people.

Whether locals, transplants or tourist, everyone seems happy to walk the streets of the city and strike up a conversation with a stranger, hung a new best friend or laugh at a shared joke…and maybe even throw some beads!

courtesy of: KJ Feder

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Port Arthur Hotels
The city has a myriad of hotels to choose from, including The Holiday Inn Park Central, The Holiday Inn Express, The Hampton Inn and Suites, La Quinta Inn and Suites, Best Inn and Suites and Comfort Inn and Suites.As well, the Jack Brooks Regional Airport is serviced by American Airlines via American Eagle.
Alligator Wedding
Shh.. Save the Date! Surprise your group with Port Arthur, Texas’ Alligator Wedding Ceremony and Cajun Dining Experience at Beau Reve (Beautiful Dream) fine dining restaurant
More Info?
For more information, visit www.VisitPortArthurTx.com or e-mail Callie Summerlin, Director of Sales at 409-985-7822, Callie@poartharthurtexas.com

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