5 Texas Festivals To Put On Your Calendar This Winter

5 Texas Festivals To Put On Your Calendar This Winter
By Christopher Rivera

Whether the season is Summer, Spring, Winter, or Fall, Texas always has one thing the same - festivals. From music shows, to antique shows, and special events commemorating historical milestones of domestic importance, Texas reigns as a state that has many different types of events to participate in year round. During the Winter season, coinciding with holidays, many locals and visitors alike join together to participate in the abundance of activities offered in the state. Here are 5 Texas festivals to put on your calendar this winter.

1. Round top Antique Show

Hosted in Round Top, this show occurs twice a year and welcomes visitors from all over Texas. Started in 1967 by a group of 22 dealers, the show has rapidly grown in popularity and scope. Now, weekends before the event are filled with activities known as "preview weekend" leading up to the event 10 days beforehand. Dancehalls, football stadiums, and sports fields are commandeered and turned into antique displays, stages, and event centers. Even if you are uninterested in the actual antiques, there are fun activities for the whole family.

2. Brenham's Uptown Swirl

What better way to welcome the new year than a wine drinking festival? Each year Brenham hosts the Brenham Uptown Swirl in which you can purchase a yearly commemorative wine glass, grab a map, and walk to each of the local businesses who provide you with various varieties of wine. Locals and visitors bring their significant others, relatives, friends, or family and participate in walking tours all through historic downtown Brenham. Along with wines, local businesses sometimes provide other forms or entertainment, food, or merchandise deals.

3. Quilt Show

Held twice a year, the Brenham friendship quilt guild provides the ultimate festival for quilt lovers and arts and crafts aficionados. Quilting classes are offered as well as quilting displays, demonstrations, competitions, and more. This is the ultimate place to learn more about the art of quilt making from other professionals

4. Brenham's Downtown Christmas Stroll/Parade

Each year the historic downtown district takes part in the Christmas Stroll and Parade. Often it begins with the lighting of the courthouse square trees, caroling, and finishes with nightly walking tours to appreciate all the lighting and decorations. Horse carriage rides and snow tubing activities make the festival suitable for the whole family.

5. Chappell Hill Blue Bonnets Festival

After Winter is over, the festivals don't stop. Just before Spring officially arrives, the Texas official flower, bluebonnet, blooms and smears it's purple blue tint all over the grassy plains in thick bright patches. The Chappell Hill blue bonnet festival commemorates the season change with fun activities for the whole family.

To learn more about Texas festivals, go to VisitBrenhamTexas.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Christopher_Rivera/2290975
http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Texas-Festivals-To-Put-On-Your-Calendar-This-Winter&id=9581007

Read More

Exploring Hawaii Islands

Exploring Hawaii Islands
By Devisree Anoop

Hawaii islands are an escapade for those who want to have a hide out from the fast living mechanical world. These islands paves you the way to live close to nature away from the worries of your daily life. The islands are a dream destination of many. It is an archipelago of eight islands and different islets located in the Pacific Ocean. The splendid islands of Hawaii consist of eight islands such as Nihau, Molokai, Kaui, Maui, Lanai, Oahu, Kahoolawe and the Big Island. You can enjoy beauty and adventure in these islands. The islands originated from the underwater volcanic eruptions that happened thousands of years ago. This destination still holds the mesmerizing beauty of the red hot lava.

The travelers can do a number of things in the Hawaii Islands. Nature lovers can explore the evergreen forests at Hawaii. This is a hot spot for scuba divers. Other outdoor games such as beach volley, hiking and horse riding can be done here. Beach activities of Hawaii Island include underwater trips, scuba diving and submarine drives. The unlimited island destinations make Hawaii a sought after tourist spot in United States. An underwater expedition in these islands takes you to the unveiled beauty of the underwater terrain. The variety of flora and fauna, coral reefs and shipwrecks belongings gives you a new experience. Hawaii is blessed with a number of volcanoes and hot springs.

The tourists can have a romantic escape to the different islands of Hawaii. The long sandy beaches kissed by the splendid waves make it an ideal destination for honeymooning couples and lovers. The Big Island is a beautiful island that is double the size of all other Hawaiian islands combined. This island is bestowed with a live volcano. The Big Island is famous for exceptional coffee and orchids. The taste bud stimulating Hawaiian cuisine is another appealing thing about this archipelago. The travelers can have a close look on to the history of Hawaii by visiting the Historic Museum in Pearl Harbor. Water falls, long stretches of serene sandy beaches, lush green evergreen forests, botanical gardens, coffee plantations, charismatic volcanoes, coral reefs, underwater surprises, etc. makes Hawaii Islands a most sought after tourist hot spot in world tourism map.

The archipelago is a perfect destination for all your tripping reasons. Great hiking experience, wonderful views, exquisite cuisines and much more awaits travelers in this part of the globe. Hawaii is a must see for everyone passionate about exploring the scenic beauty of the USA.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Devisree_Anoop/478284
http://EzineArticles.com/?Exploring-Hawaii-Islands&id=9573727

Read More

5 Fun Itineraries For Last-Minute Winter Texas Vacations

5 Fun Itineraries For Last-Minute Winter Texas Vacations
By Morris Raymond

Texas vacations are always interesting. Depending on how you choose to travel, it is always surprising to see just how big the Lone Star State is from border to border. Texas is also known as a state that just cannot deal with winter weather. Considering the oppressing heat that the state experiences with very little exposure to ice and snow, it is no wonder that Texans have a hard time adjusting.

Still, if you're looking for a chance to check out what Texas has to offer, don't be afraid to travel during the winter, especially if it's at the last-minute. There's simply too much to miss out on.

For starters, there are the Hill Country craft beer trails. Over the last couple of decades, the craft beer movement in Texas has steadily grown into a popular way for couples & friends to get together for a quick jaunt out-of-town while enjoying some "hoppy" goodness. There are trails and breweries to follow depending on where you're in the Hill Country. Winter brews also lend themselves to unique flavors that are sure to please everyone.

Though a relatively new player in the state, the Brenham Market Winter Show is establishing itself in the antique and craft world, all while establishing its roots at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Brenham, Texas (home of Blue Bell Ice Cream). New to the show is a Puppy Parade as a way to raise money and awareness for The Urgent Animal Rescue of Hearne.

Be sure to check out the Texas Blue Bonnet Wine Trail. Sure, the bluebonnet isn't quite doing its thing until Spring, but the name of this trail more closely aligns with the relationship Texas has been developing with its own prize-winning vineyards. With close proximity to major cities such as Austin and Houston, and scenic drives from Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio, the trail showcases what Texas has to offer in terms of its natural beauty and its steadily growing reputation as a wine powerhouse.

Of course, no mention of winter travel can be complete without mention of Christmas. Everyone should experience the holiday River Parade in San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio is a city rich with the history of the Lone Star State. The River Walk is perhaps the city's most famous landmark second only to The Alamo. At night, citizens and visitors alike crowd into the River Walk area & greeted with not only an amazing light show, but there are also carolers on boats, amazing floats decked out with the holiday's greatest accents, and the city literally bursts forth with holiday cheer from the inside out.

From big city to small town, check out the Brenham Christmas Stroll and Lighted Parade. What better way to get all your Christmas shopping done early while taking in the small town holiday magic? You can also add a little cosmopolitan glitz to your last-minute trip by taking in a little culture. For nearly a decade, the Ovation Ballet Company out of Austin, Texas has presented The Nutcracker in Round Top, Texas. This ballet is quintessential Christmas.

Texas vacations, even if they are last-minute, don't have to lack pizzazz. With the right planning & willingness to be adventurous, a quick winter trip out-of-town makes the whole year ripe with possibilities.

Click here for more information about other last-minute trip ideas today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Morris_Raymond/2323165
http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Fun-Itineraries-For-Last-Minute-Winter-Texas-Vacations&id=9625515

Read More