This episode of Big Blend Radio’s Vacation Station travel show shines the spotlight on three fun and festive summer celebrations in historic Natchitoches, the oldest city in Louisiana!
Featured Guests:
- Arlene Gould - Executive Director of Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Jimmy Harper - 16th Annual Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival held Sept. 14-15, 2018
- Melvin Holmes - 19th Annual Cane River Zydeco Festival & Poker Run held Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 2018
- Dr. Shane Rasmussen - 39th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival held on July 20-21, 2018
Photo: Jessie Brown of the Choupique Cajun Band - Photo by David Simpson.
Featured music on this episode is “Crystal Ball” from the new album “Second Shot” by Jon Roniger & The Good for Nothin’ Band!

From kayaking and hiking, to rooftop cocktails and festivals, Anacortes, Washington delivers small town star power! Get the inside scoop on this historic and natural northwest paradise with travel writer Linda Kissam ‘Food, Wine & Shopping Diva’, Erik Schorr - Anacortes Kayak Tours, and Amanda Hubik - Anacortes Chamber of Commerce. Featured music on this episode is “Seafaring” by The Madisons. Read Linda's article on Anacortes, here: http://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/anacortes-delivers-small-town-star-power/

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Adventure traveler, writer, photographer and anthropologist Rick Quinn discusses his latest book, RoadTrip America's “Arizona and New Mexico: 25 Scenic Side Trips”. This outstanding new guidebook adds extraordinary two-lane adventure to straight-line Interstate road trips. Music on this episode is “Sunset Steps” from the "Please Remember Me album " featuring music by artist Ted DeGrazia and guitarist Domingo DeGrazia. More: http://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/arizona-and-new-mexico-25-scenic-side-trips/

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From the Emerald Isle to the Land of Fire & Ice, and Scotland's Shetland Islands, travel writer Debbie Stone shares her adventures on a ten night Ireland and Iceland trip aboard the Celebrity Eclipse with Celebrity Cruises! Read Part 1 (Ireland) of Debbie's article series, here: http://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/exploring-the-emerald-isle/
Featured music is "Bonnie Ship The Diamond" by Highland Way - www.HighlandWay.us

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From hiking through ancient old-growth forests and exploring sea caves, to kayaking and watching birds and wildlife, travel writer Allen Cox discusses the wilderness adventures one can experience on British Columbia’s beautiful and remote Vancouver Island. Allen is editor-in-chief at Northwest Travel & Life Magazine and VP of International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association. Featured music is “Before the Rain Falls” from guitarist Jon Durant's latest solo album, “Parting Is”.

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Yearning to explore a fresh dining and shopping scene for your next long Southern California weekend getaway? From fusion cuisine and cooking classes, to wine tasting and shopping, travel writer Linda Kissam explains why Costa Mesa should be on your radar. Read her travel article here: http://blendradioandtv.com/listing/costa-mesa-california-getaway/
Featured music on this episode is "Hey Hey California" by Everett Coast.

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Wester Ross is designated by the Scottish government as an area that represents the very best of Scotland’s renowned scenery and is officially recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere reserve, one of only 6 in the UK. From local cuisine to outdoor adventures, travel writer Chrissy Nason-Smith joins Lisa D. Smith on Big Blend Radio, to provide an inside scoop on this beautiful region, where she also owns An Cos Shieldaig, a luxurious 5-star vacation house in the historic village of Shieldaig. Shieldaig is located on the North Coast 500, a 516 mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland that starts and ends at Inverness Castle. Launched in 2015, the NC500 has already been voted one of the top five road trips in the world. Read Chrissy's article, here: http://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/discover-beautiful-wester-ross-scotland/
Featured music is ‘Skye Boat Song’ from the Highland Way album, ‘By Land or Sea’. www.HighlandWay.us

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Part 3 of our Big Blend Radio Excellence in Tourism series on How to Put the “I” Back Into Community through a Responsible Tourism Plan that incorporates the 8 Keys of Excellence.
This discussion focuses on Sustainable Tourism, Wildlife Conservation, Youth & Community Involvement, and the 2nd Key of Excellence: “Failure Leads to Success” - View negative community attributes as opportunities to enhance, improve and enrich.
Featured guests include:
- Bobbi DePorter - Co-Founder of SuperCamp (the world’s leading summer academic achievement program for teens and pre-teens). www.SuperCamp.com
- Adam M. Roberts “The Compassionate Conservationist” - Wildlife conservationist and non-profit consultant.
Music on this episode is “No Crisis” from the Tall Men Group's new album “Stripped Down”.
More info see: http://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/putting-the-i-back-in-community-pt-1/

Sarah Elliston explains how a choice ladder can help a family plan a vacation together, one that includes the places and activities that mean the most to them. Sarah is the author of the book “Lessons from a Difficult Person – How to Deal With People Like Us”, and is a faculty member of the William Glasser Institute and is a workshop leader and trainer who is certified in Values Realization, Parent Effectiveness Training and Reality Therapy. Read her article, here: http://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/whats-really-really-important-in-a-family-vacation/
Featured music is ‘Traveling’ by Tucson, Arizona based singer-songwriter Wally Lawder - see www.WallyLawder.com

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From kayaking and limo cycling to ghost tours and German cuisine, travel writer Kathleen Walls discusses her adventures in Seminole County, a non-theme park destination in central Florida. Read her Seminole County article here: http://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/seminole-county-florida-from-paranormal-to-nature/
This show is sponsored by the International Food Wine Travel Writers Association (www.IFWTWA.org). Featured music is 'Silver Ghost' by James Saunders.

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