Goodbye 2025 – Hello 2026

Travel 2025 has been an amazing ride but it’s time to say Goodbye 2025 – Hello 2026. From Curacao to Alexandria Egypt, the time circling the world inspired interest in more travel. It’s time to show gratitude for 2025 and introduce what’s coming up next in 2026.

Here we go!

Good morning, friends — today we’re heading off the beaten path into the heart of Kentucky, to a place that proudly calls itself the Bourbon Capital of the World… Bardstown, Kentucky. If you love history, heritage, and a good stiff pour, buckle up.

Bardstown sits about 40 miles south of Louisville, nestled in rolling bluegrass country. Most folks fly into Louisville International Airport (SDF) and pick up a rental car — it’s a straight, scenic drive down I-65 that sets the tone for a real road trip.

Once you hit Court Square, you’ll know you’re somewhere special — nearly 200 historic buildings in the downtown alone. It’s been called one of the most beautiful small towns in America, and that’s not just marketing.

If bourbon had a Mount Rushmore, Bardstown would be carved right at the top.

Here’s the deal: the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a network of storied distilleries across the state — from Louisville to Lexington and beyond — but Bardstown is the heart of it. Roughly 11 distilleries within 16 miles of downtown make this a must-visit for aficionados and curious travelers alike. Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Top stops you can’t miss:

• Bardstown Bourbon Company – A modern marvel with tours and tastings that blend tradition and innovation. Bardstown Bourbon Co.

• Heaven Hill Distilleries – Big-name bourbon history with classic tours.

• Willett Distillery – A craft favorite with personality and rich flavor.

• Barton 1792 Distillery – Tradition meets approachable tours and tastings.

• Lux Row Distillers – A newer distillery putting Bardstown on the modern bourbon map.

Add to that Preservation Distillery, a charming micro operation that’s more like visiting a family farm than a factory. Preservation_2023

Whether you’re into deep history or just want to sip something smooth while a guide tells you how it happens, there’s a flavor for every palate.

You asked about the new bourbon hotel — and you’re in luck. Bardstown just opened The Trail Hotel — arguably the world’s first bourbon-centric hotel — and it’s a game-changer. The Trail Hotel+1

This place doesn’t just give you a bed — it immerses you in bourbon culture from the moment you check in. Bourbon-butlers can arrange tastings and VIP distillery tours, there are multiple bourbon bars onsite, a speakeasy, seasonal pool bar, fire pits, and even a wellness lounge to recover the morning after.

It’s luxury with a Kentucky twist — think sophisticated comfort, southern charm, and barrels of good taste.

Okay, you can’t just drink bourbon all day — you’ve got to eat. Bardstown has a delightful lineup of local favorites that fit any budget.

Classic Kentucky eats:

• The Old Talbott Tavern – Historic, charming, great comfort food and drinks.

• Mammy’s Kitchen & Bar – Local comfort classics and big southern portions.

• My Old Kentucky Dinner Train – Not just a meal — a moving bourbon experience with a gourmet lunch or dinner ride. My Old Kentucky Dinner Train

• The Rickhouse – Steakhouse with Kentucky flair.

• Marcella’s and the After Hours Cafe – Cozy local spot with great reviews.

• Bardstown Burger – Juicy local favorite for a laid-back bite.

• Toogie’s Table and The Bar at Willett – For New American and elevated Kentucky dishes.

• Hadorn’s Bakery – Sweet pastries to start your day right.

And for a pint or a nightcap? The Volstead Bourbon Lounge and Scout & Scholar Brewing Co. are locals’ picks for lively conversation and great drinks.

Bardstown isn’t just bourbon — though that’s reason enough.

• Stroll historic downtown — nearly 200 buildings and a real sense of Americana. Kentucky Bourbon Trail

• Take a food or walking tour — there are guided bourbon & beer walking experiences blending history and taste.

• Visit local attractions like classic shops, galleries, or even take to the skies with Classic Biplane Tours for a bird’s-eye view of bluegrass country.

Pro tip: If you’ve got the time, day trips to neighboring distilleries like James B. Beam Distilling or further along the Bourbon Trail make for unforgettable stories.

So here’s the bottom line — Bardstown isn’t just another dot on the map. It’s a living, breathing piece of bourbon history with great food, great people, and enough character to fill an old oak barrel.

Plan your ride, pick your distilleries, bring your appetite, and remember — this isn’t just a trip, it’s a toast to tradition.

Well friends, 2026 is around the corner… and that little number means something big.
Two hundred and fifty years as the United States of America. A quarter of a millennium.
That’s not just history… that’s a milestone worth celebrating with purpose, pride, and maybe a few goosebumps along the way.

So next year, right here on Travel With Annita, we’re taking a road trip unlike any other. We’re traveling America… one quarter at a time. Literally.

That’s right — we’re using the U.S. Mint’s quarters and commemorative coins as our travel compass. Every coin has a story. A place. A person. A piece of American spirit stamped right into it. And we’re going to follow those clues… and uncover the stories behind them — the little-known tales of courage, creativity, community, culture, and wild beauty that make this country what it is.

Because let’s face it — you can only talk about “the Grand Canyon and New York City” so many times. America isn’t just its postcards. It’s the quiet corners, the hidden heroes, the untold chapters, and yes, sometimes the places so remote you lose cell signal and suddenly rediscover peace and quiet.

All year long in 2026, we’re celebrating America’s 250th birthday with stories that connect directly to important moments throughout the year.

When January rolls around and we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we won’t just say, “he made speeches.” We’ll travel to the places where change took root, talk with people still carrying forward his legacy, and uncover communities where courage didn’t make headlines — but it made a difference.

When Black History Month arrives, we’ll lift up voices, places, and contributions that shaped this country far beyond the history books.

During Women’s History Month, we’ll spotlight the remarkable women who’ve appeared on U.S. Mint quarters — innovators, leaders, and trailblazers whose stories deserve center stage. And I’ll tell you right now — these women didn’t just “participate” in history. They pushed it forward.

We’ll mark Environmental & Wildlife celebrations, by heading to places where nature still stands strong and wild — places like Yellowstone, where wolves returned and changed not only the ecosystem, but the way we think about balance and preservation… and Alaska, where the brown bears remind us that nature is mighty, unapologetic, and magnificent.

And yes, we’re leaving the mainland too. We’re heading to Hawai‘i — not just for beaches and ukuleles — but for deeply rooted cultural stories. We’ll share the life of a woman who dedicated herself to preserving Hawaiian heritage and language… because heritage only lives when people protect it.

Every quarter we feature will lead us to people who built something lasting. To communities that said, “This matters, and we’re going to keep it alive.” To landscapes that remind us that beauty didn’t begin when we arrived — and it won’t end when we leave.

And since we value the past around here — we’re also going back to revisit some of our award-winning Travel With Annita episodes, because those stories weren’t just “nice travel features.” They were American stories. Stories about grit. Stories about faith in something larger. Stories about unity, even when the road wasn’t smooth. And in true American style — the road never is smooth… but we drive it anyway.

We’ll weave those earlier journeys back into this celebration — to remind us that the love for this country isn’t loud, shallow patriotism. It’s layered. It’s thoughtful. It’s proud of our progress, honest about our struggles, and deeply grateful for the freedoms and opportunities we continue to build together.

Now don’t worry — this isn’t a history lecture. Nobody’s grading you.
This is storytelling. Travel. Adventure. Discovery. And occasionally… snacks.
Because let’s be honest — every great American story comes with something delicious nearby.

Each episode will not only tell the story — we’ll also help you go experience it yourself. We’re creating travel guide booklets and itineraries so you can walk in these places, stand in these landscapes, step into these museums, meet the folks keeping these legacies alive, and taste the flavors that give each region its identity.

Want to follow a “Women of America Quarter Trail”? You’ll have one.
Curious about America’s wildlife and natural treasures? We’ll map it.
Want to explore indigenous heritage, immigrant stories, cultural preservation, artistic movements, unsung heroes, or the hometowns that helped shape national icons? We’ll give you the routes, the stops, the context, and yes — the best places to grab pie along the way. I’ve got priorities.

And here’s the heart of it…This series is about pride.
Not perfect-polished, brochure pride.
Real pride. The kind that says:
“We’ve come a long way.”
“We’re still striving.”
“And this country is worth caring for.”

It’s about reminding ourselves — and the next generation — why America is a place worth exploring, worth honoring, and yes… worth celebrating for 250 remarkable years.

Because when you stand in the places where history happened… when you meet the people preserving culture, protecting wildlife, strengthening communities, and pushing creativity… when you see the beauty of our land from rugged coastlines to towering forests to quiet town squares… you rediscover something important.

You rediscover that America isn’t just a nation on a map.
It’s a living, breathing story — still being written — and every one of us is part of it.

So in 2026, Travel With Annita is taking you across America — one quarter mile at a time — guided by coins, inspired by courage, fueled by curiosity, and grounded in deep appreciation for the land, the people, and the stories that hold this great nation together.

It’s going to be meaningful.
It’s going to be eye-opening.
And it’s going to be fun — because traveling with me always is. I don’t do boring.

So buckle up, pack your sense of wonder, and keep those quarters handy.
Because next year… every coin tells a story. And we’re going to find them all.