At the invitation of Jefferson’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, I (along with 10 other Texas travel bloggers) visited this beautiful, historic town.  Jefferson is in the Northeast part of the state, and while I had heard of the annual Jefferson Candlelight Tour of Homes that takes place in December, I didn’t know much else about it.

In the two days I was there, I discovered so many treasures. There is something for everyone! Nature, history, antiques, fun shops and great food. I spent two full days in Jefferson and there are still things I want to go back and see!

Jefferson, Texas for Nature Lovers

Our first day in Jefferson was the perfect “Chamber of Commerce” day and we started it with a beautiful and relaxing Turning Basin Riverboat Tour.

We learned from our knowledgable and entertaining Captain John about the history of this waterway. Jefferson used to be a major port in Texas where steamboats traveling from New Orleans shipped cotton and a variety of other goods.  John is also a wealth of information on the wildlife of the bayou. This was the perfect way to start our trip and set the stage for lots of wonderful things to come!

More for Nature Lovers

Caddo Lake Bayou Tours

Capt. Ron’s Swamp Tours Caddo Lake

 

Jefferson, Texas for History Buffs

With 100+ historical homes and landmarks, history is a BIG part of Jefferson!

Jefferson Historical Society and Museum

Housed in the 1890 former Federal Courthouse and Post Office, the museum is 4 floors of artifacts from Jefferson, Marion County and around the world.

Next door is the R. D. Moses Texas and Pacific Model Railroad.

 

This HO gauge model railroad was built and created over 30 years by R. D. Moses and his friend Jack Luck.  A must see for kids – old and young!

Scarlett O’Hardy’s Gone With the Wind Museum

 

This 1,700 square foot museum features the world’s largest private collection of Gone With the Wind memorabilia, including an autographed first edition of the novel, a Gone With the Wind themed Christmas tree and the original seats from Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta – the site of Gone With the Wind’s world premiere.

 

Bobbie Hardy, who collected everything in the museum, is a wealth of knowledge and a delight to listen to!

 

House of the Seasons is an historic home, built in the 1870’s. This gorgeous house is a fine example of the transition period between the Greek Revival and Victorian styles of architecture. The most unique features of the house are the cupola and the murals. In the cupola, under the picture, each wall contains a different colored stained glass that creates the illusion of the seasons of the year.

If you love architecture and beautifully restored homes, this tour is a must. House of the Seasons also offers Bed & Breakfast accommodations.

Other historic sites to include on your trip:

The Excelsior House Hotel which has been hosting guests since the 1850’s.

The Jay Gould Car – The private railway car of American Railway Developer Jason “Jay” Gould.

 

Jefferson, Texas for Ghost Lovers

Like ghost stories? Interested in the paranormal? Then Jefferson has something for you. Lots of the old homes and buildings boast ghost sightings and just weird occurances that can’t be explained.

The Grove, a home built in 1861 is known as the most haunted house in Texas. And when I say haunted, I don’t mean scary. Just lots of ghost sightings and other unexplained things that happen there.

Mitchell Whittington, local author and owner of the home conducts the tour. He is a fabulous story teller and expert on the history of the home and Jefferson. This tour is a must!

Also check out the Historic Jefferson Ghost Walk Tour.

Dining in Jefferson, Texas

 

Austin Street Bistro – Quaint restaurant open for lunch and dinner. I ate there for lunch and enjoyed their Chicken Salad on a Homemade Oatmeal Molasses Roll. Lots of fresh salads, soups and sandwiches. The Bistro Salad was outstanding.

 

 

Enoch’s Wine and Coffee House – I was in heaven – coffee shop on one side, wine bar on the other. Great coffee drinks including my favorite cappuccino on the coffee bar side. And wine from Enoch’s Stomp Winery on the other.  Along with the wine, we enjoyed a beautiful charcuterie tray.

Stillwater Inn – This fine dining restaurant has been a staple in Jefferson for 25 years. The gourmet onion rings they serve as an appetizer are to die for. Also try their Pecan Encrusted Trout.

McGarity’s Saloon – Don’t let the term “saloon” throw you. This is a kid-friendly restaurant with a fun ambience that specializes in New American dining with international influences. At lunch time – the salads are the star. Try the Iceberg Wedge or Watermelon Salads. Other interesting things on the menu – Bourbon Bacon Mac ‘N Cheese and Starbucks Pork Tenderloin.

Jefferson, Texas Bed and Breakfasts

 

Bed & Breakfasts abound in Jefferson. I stayed at The Green Gables at Jefferson B & B and absolutely loved everything about it! This historic home was built in stages between the 1850’s and 1870’s. It has been beautifully renovated. Accommodations include the Green Gables Suite (where I stayed) or Green Gables Cottage. Both have private entrances.

 

 

Breakfast is served in the sunroom or you can have it served in your room. I opted for the sunroom that was beautifully decorated for fall. Breakfast was delicious and included pastries, a breakfast banana split, mini frittatas, bacon and cinnamon toast. This is a fabulous place to stay and I will be back!

Other recommended B & B’s:

White Oak Manor

Black Swan

Delta Street Inn

Azalea Inn

Shopping in Jefferson, Texas

Jefferson’s brick streets are filled with all kinds of shops for unique gifts, souveniers and antiques. Here are some of my favorites:

Jefferson General Store – What’s a small town without a General Store? Chock full of every kind of candy you can imagine, gifts, souveniers, novelty items. You name it, they have it. My favorite – their Texas Pecan Pralines.

The Old Store – Antiques, gifts, tons of gourmet food items AND 20 different kinds of fudge. Don’t miss the fudge. My favorites –  Chocolate and Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge.

The Willow Tree Jefferson – Upscale boutique featuring women’s clothing, jewelry and home décor.

Bohn’s Gift Shoppe – Unique gifts including Blackburn jams, jellies & syrups.

Port Jefferson Outpost – Full service diner, coffee bar and mercantile. Gifts, bulk candy, fudge, t-shirts, kitchen goods and more!

So much to see and do in Jefferson, Texas! I could never have imagined it. Enjoy a weekend or a few days. Get away from the rat race and step back to another time. Take a girl’s trip. There is something everyone will enjoy in Jefferson!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we visited Maine, I ate lobster every day. Boiled Lobster, Lobster Rolls, Lobster Salad, Lobster Bisque, Lobster Wrap. Every. Day. And I loved it. I never got tired of it. What can I say? I LOVE Lobster! But there are plenty of great places to eat with all kinds of food. Thanks to a little research and recommendations from a friend who is a Maine resident AND a foodie, we didn’t have a bad meal the whole time we were there. So today I offer you my recommendations for the Best Maine Restaurants.

Best Restaurants in Portland, Maine

Becky’s Diner

Our vacation in Maine started in Portland. Our first morning there, we had the option of eating at the high priced and and not all that appealing breakfast buffet in our hotel.  That wouldn’t do, so we asked one of the employees at the front desk for a recommendation. He sent us on a short walk down to the waterfront where we had the most delicious breakfast at Becky’s Diner.

 

This family-owned establishment was featured in Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. It’s not a fancy place. It’s obvious that the locals eat there.  First-responders, fishermen, young professionals, families.

There was a  slight wait to get in, but we took a table at the counter, which was great for people watching. When we sat down we were served coffee in these huge, substantial (heavy) mugs. I loved the vibe of the place.

We didn’t get fancy with our order – eggs, bacon, sausage and an English muffin – all cooked to perfection. But the highlight for me was that the sausage they served was Italian sausage – some of the best I’ve ever tasted.

And the price! Tony and I got out of there for $14! For two full breakfasts and coffee! I think we’d pay more for that same breakfast at our local Denny’s.

Great food. Great service. Great price.

Bard Coffee

After sightseeing later that afternoon, it was time for a coffee break, so we stopped in at Bard Coffee. I tried Nitrogen Cold Brew for the first time and it was so delicious and smooth. The coffee shop itself isn’t much to speak of. Not a lot of extras like you would find at a Starbucks, but really good coffee. And they had a beautiful sitting area with some big trees outside. Perfect for enjoying a nice day and looking at the old historic buildings in downtown Portland.

Scales Restaurant

Scales was highly recommended by my friend who lives in the Portland area and it did not disappoint. It’s located on the wharf amid a lot of restaurants and bars and LITTLE parking, so walk or take an Uber. Their website says they offer complimentary valet parking during the dinner hour, so check on that if you plan to drive.

Since this is such a popular place, I made a reservation online several weeks before.They asked if we were celebrating a special occasion and I told them we were celebrating my 60th birthday.

The restaurant has sort of an industrial decor. Lots of light, open space and fresh seafood on display. It was crowded and the tables were very close together. We were seated in the back, right by the kitchen door. When I asked to be moved to a different table, they graciously accommodated us.

We began with some delicious cocktails and looked at the appetizer menu which featured the classics you would expect like steamed clams and oysters. But they also offered several items with a twist – Grilled Octopus with Chorizo and Fried Squid with Cherry Peppers. We split the Smoked Bluefish Pate which was made with grilled poblano pepper relish and served on toasted sourdough. To. Die. For.

Our entrees were more traditional. Boiled Lobster for me and Fish & Chips for Tony. Both were delightful.

After dinner they served us a special birthday dessert, which was not totally unexpected. But what was a surprise was this nice note and visit from the manager who was also a fellow Texan. Small world. We had a great experience at Scales and I’d go back there any time!

Taking and Alaskan Cruise? Get my Packing List here!

Lunch and Coffee in Rockland, Maine

Hill’s Seafood Company Restaurant and Bar

The next day, we started driving up the coast to Bar Harbor and got hungry for lunch around Rockland. Our recommendation for lunch came from good old YELP – Hill’s Seafood Company. We sat outside where we could see the marina and enjoyed Lobster Salad. Super fresh and chock full of lobster.

Rock City Coffee

After lunch, we walked next door to Rock City Coffee. They roast their coffee right on the premises and the place smells divine. I got my after lunch caffeine jolt and picked up a pound of freshly ground coffee to take with us to our rental in Bar Harbor. Delicious, robust coffee that comes in lots of varieties.

Best Restaurants in Bar Harbor, Maine

We spent most of our time in lovely Bar Harbor and had some wonderful meals there.

Coffee Hound Coffee Bar

Coffee Hound serves specialty coffee and artisan edibles. They are very knowledgable about coffee and get theirs from a local Maine roaster. SO FRESH. I had a delicious iced coffee there. My Maine friend says their Lobster Rolls are the best in Bar Harbor!

Travelin’ Lobster

 

This quaint, family -owned Lobster Pound is a little shack with a friendly staff and outdoor seating under some gorgeous trees.

They have traditional Maine Lobster Rolls. I enjoyed their customer favorite The Butter Sautéed Lobster Roll that is 5 oz. lobster meat sautéed in butter and served on a brioche bun. OMG it was good!

I paired that with a Belgian White from Allagash Brewery, a local Maine Brewery. In fact I had several of these beers on our trip! So good!

The Terrace Grille at the Bar Harbor Inn

This outdoor cafe that sits right on Frenchman’s Bay is the perfect spot for lunch, appetizers and cocktails. The views are stunning. We enjoyed a couple of happy hours at The Terrace Grille. The Blueberry Juniper Cocktail is a gin-based cocktail with fresh blueberries. Get it! It’s so refreshing.

Galyn’s Restaurant

Located near the pier in Bar Harbor, Galyn’s serves fresh seafood and hand cut steaks. The decor with beautiful dark paneling, soft yellow lighting and leather chairs speaks old fashioned steakhouse to me. In fact, when we walked in after a day of sightseeing in our shorts and jeans, I feared that we were WAY underdressed for the venue.

The staff could not have been more welcoming and assured us that we were dressed just fine. They seated us upstairs at a table by the window overlooking Frenchman’s Bay.

I had the Lobster Dinner (What else? I told you I had lobster every day) with a side of Lobster Bisque and Tony had salmon. Both were perfectly cooked and beautifully presented.

We had a great culinary adventure in Maine, thanks to some research, recommendations from friends, YELP reviews and some good luck. How do you find good restaurants when you’re on the road?

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Packing for An Alaskan Cruise

This post was sponsored by Allianz Global Assistance. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As I sit down to write this post, it seems like most of the U.S. is experiencing blizzards, ice and altogether miserable winter weather. And what else is there to do when you are stuck inside on a super cold day? Start planning your next vacation! You’ll likely have so much fun planning where to go, how to get there, where to stay and what to do. But do you ever make a plan for travel safety? How to keep yourself, your belongings and your identity safe in the new places you’ll go? Here are my Top 10 Tips To Stay Safe When You Travel.

1. In big cities, you should know the areas which are safe and those which are dangerous for tourists.
2. Travel like a Local: When visiting any location, know your surroundings and plan your route in advance. Be aware of how the locals talk and dress and avoid actions that will make you “stand out” as a tourist.
3. Check out travel guides and reviews before you take any excursions, tours or adventures. You want to make sure that the vendor is reputable and that you will get what is promised, have a good experience and are safe.
4. Don’t post itineraries or locations on social media! Posting your itinerary or location on social media allows potential thieves to keep track of where you are, making it easier for them to time a crime – both where you are and at home! Wait and share all those vacation pictures when you get home.
5. Don’t leave your bags unattended. You’d think that would be obvious. But it’s amazing how many bags are stolen when you set them down just for a minute and aren’t looking (think the baggage claim at the airport). If you aren’t vigilant, you are a target for thieves who are very adept, fast and determined to steal your bag.
6. Only carry in your purse or wallet what you absolutely need.  Take just the credit cards you’ll be using, your ID and cash for the day. If you must carry your passport, carry it close to your body.
7. Keep a record of important documents in a place other than your purse or wallet. If your wallet or important documents like your driver’s license, credit & debit cards, and medical insurance cards get stolen, this will help you know who to call and what to tell them.
8. Don’t show your valuables around. Walking around with your big, expensive camera around your neck, especially in an area where the value of that item is several times the local monthly income could be a problem. Put things of value that you must carry, like your technical devices in a daypack and only take them out when you need them.
9. Password protect your phone. Your phone stores sensitive information, such as access to your emails, and possibly even credit card information. If your phone is stolen, you don’t want thieves to be able to easily access it!
10. Get Travel Insurance. Depending on the company and policy you choose, travel insurance can provide:
    • Financial protection if your trip is canceled or interrupted for any reason.
    • Hotline assistance, which is especially helpful if you are in a country where you don’t speak the language.
    • Arranging Medical Evacuations.

Travel insurance policies, such as those offered by Allianz Global Assistance, are designed to cover you with financial safeguards in the case of events ranging from inconveniences to calamities. Coverage may include both costs incurred before your trip, such as nonrefundable event tickets or hotel stays, and during your trip, including travel interruptions and medical expenses.

You may think you don’t need it because you have certain safeguards with the airlines, cruise lines or travel agent you use. But maybe not.

For example, did you know that airlines aren’t obligated to do anything when your flights are delayed? When the airlines are the ones at fault,  they may offer some assistance, but they’re not bound by law or duty to do so.

There are a number of similar misconceptions that travel insurance can guard against. Insurance comes packaged together with specific coverage benefits – the type and amount will range based on the provider and the package selected – that fill gaps where your travel plans may be exposed to a number of threats.

What kind of threats? Take lost baggage. Lost and damaged bags are the No. 2 complaint issued to the Department of Transportation. Additionally, while domestic airlines safely transport more than 99 percent of all luggage, international carriers still lag behind.

But a lost, damaged or even stolen luggage benefit is just one small benefit of most travel insurance offerings. Others may include:

• Trip Cancellation Protection. This is the big one and includes reimbursement for non-refundable trip payments and deposits.
• Trip Interruption Protection.  Sometimes trips start on time and end prematurely due to forces of nature and other circumstances beyond your control. This benefit includes reimbursement for unused costs and transportation costs to return home.
• 24-Hour Hotline Assistance. While this doesn’t come with a dollar amount, getting real-time help when you’re in a pickle is invaluable. Especially if you don’t speak the native tongue. This can include the arrangement of evacuations for medical emergencies, pre-trip assistance, etc.
• Coverage for financial default. What if the tour operator for your upcoming family vacation stops answering your calls? And then the line is disconnected and the company is out of business. Travel insurance may be your most reliable means of financial recourse.

How to choose a Travel Insurance Plan

Among the first considerations to make when selecting a travel insurance plan is whether to pursue trip-specific or annual coverage. Frequent travelers and those with a big family or young kids may want to carefully consider the cost savings that an annual plan can provide. It’s not hard to do the math: when travelers add up the piecemeal cost of insurance for the trips they plan to take in the next year and compare it to the annual price tag, there will be a more attractive choice.

At Allianz Global Assistance, offerings range from the affordable and simple Essential Plan, which may work for the quick weekend getaway, to the Classic Plan with Trip +, which is designed for families traveling abroad who may experience any number of unforeseen challenges and inconveniences. Travelers can find the plan that’s right for them by visiting the Travel Insurance Plan Finder.

One final note about travel insurance that doesn’t come with fine print or footnotes – and that’s peace of mind. It’s a product you hope you never need to use but appreciate when you have it, similar to other insurance products. Once you weigh the importance of this peace of mind, as well as the other factors outlined here, you’ll be closer to being able to decide whether travel insurance is right for your next trip.

Planning an Alaskan Cruise? Get the Ultimate Packing List for Your Alaskan Cruise here.

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