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Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from Travel South USA!
. . . Ok. Ok. We know. It's not quite time for Christmas yet. But, it's not too early to start planning this year's Christmas adventure for you and your family!

If this year's holiday agenda is looking a little "ho-hum," might we suggest a break from tradition with the Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights?

The Natural State's Trail of Holiday Lights Tour takes you over the river and through the woods across some of Arkansas’s most revered cities, towns, landmarks and attractions.

From the picturesque North Arkansas Ozarks through the state's River Valley, Central and Ouachita Regions to the Southern Arkansas Timberlands, the tour is your chance to witness not only some of the most beautiful Christmas light displays you've ever laid eyes on but also to experience the many stop-over activities along the way.

You can go ice skating in Hot Springs. Take the Holiday Tour of Historic Homes in Yellville. Watch the Holiday parade in Pocahontas's historic downtown square. Go "Caroling in the Caverns" in Blanchard Springs, or have a "Musical Christmas" in Gurdon. Even visit the world's largest man-made Christmas tree in El Dorado.

If you've got the time, traveling the trail over several days is the way to go. Arkansas offers many unique stopovers such as bed and breakfasts, downtown luxury hotels and quaint river, lake and country-side cabins.

The tour is perfect for both the family, and for couples just looking for a little winter romance. Events begin as early as November 9th, so it's time to start planning! Let the glow of millions of red, green and white lights in 64 communities lead you through your Arkansas Christmas adventure.

In most parts of the country, October signals the end of summer heat and the beginning of the cool autumn air. Outdoor festivals and events are winding down. Music concerts and street performances are moving indoors. Downtown music festivals are quickly becoming an afterthought.

But down South in Baton Rouge, autumn temps signal prime time for outdoors events and festivals. October and November prove that no matter the season, one thing that never goes cold in Baton Rouge is the music.

Jazz. Rock. Southern-fried country. Vintage Louisiana classics. You can find all of the authentic rhythms of Cajun country at Sunday in the Park. The free Sunday concert series in Lafayette Park at the Shaw Center offers the opportunity to catch "brunch and music under the oaks," while dancing and relaxing to the classic tempos of live Louisiana tunes.

Sundays in the Park isn't the only thing going on in Baton Rouge during the fall. Live After Five returns to downtown Baton Rouge for Fall of 2008.

Head downtown right after work on Fridays (from 5-7), bring your lawn chair and make sure to set-up where you can see the stage as you kick back to the beats from bands like Stormy, Hip Boot Joe, Larry Garner, Travis Matte and the Kingpins, Papa Grows Funk and more.

There's just nothing like a cold drink, a shade tree and the cadences of saxophones, guitars and trombones on a fall afternoon in Baton Rouge.