Going on a trip is supposed to be fun, but too many times, we turn traveling into a stressful experience. That defeats the whole purpose of getting away and relaxing for a while. That’s why we’ve come up with this list of 5 tips to help you learn stress a little less when traveling.

1. Pack your bags early—Getting al packed up for your trip can be stressful. You have to make sure that you have everything you need, and you want to be certain you don’t forget to bring anything. If you wait until the last minute to start packing, you’re going to stress yourself out because you have to rush. Start packing for your trip earlier to avoid the stress.
2. Plan, but don’t over-plan—It’s always a good idea to have a plan for things you want to do on your trip. However, you have to be careful that you don’t over-plan. When you plan too much, you won’t have any flexibility to really enjoy your vacation. Instead, you’ll just be stressing out the whole time about sticking to the itinerary.
3. Don’t try to bite off more than you can chew—When making your plans, be realistic. Don’t try to do more on your trip than is really possible. You won’t be able to do it all, so focus on the important things and just try to enjoy what you can.
4. Don’t neglect your health—It’s natural to break your diet or stop exercising when you’re on vacation. There’s nothing wrong with letting loose, but you do have to still keep an eye on your health. Poor diet and lack of exercise can contribute to higher stress levels.
5. RELAX—You’re on vacation. Relax! Now isn’t the time to be stressing out. That’s part of why you’re on a vacation in the first place, so you can get away from the stress of your daily life. Don’t let the small things that go wrong overwhelm you. Keep it in perspective and enjoy your trip.

If you’re taking a trip to a Louisiana plantation, make sure you follow these simple tips to stay stress-free so you can enjoy your vacation.

There’s nothing more frustrating than going on vacation, arriving at your destination, and finding out that you forgot to pack an important item that you really need. It’s hard to remember everything when packing. That’s why it’s a good idea to make a checklist and start packing early. When making your checklist, don’t forget to include these 5 important items.

1. Extra shoes—You have to take care of your feet while traveling. Make sure you have shoes that are good for walking as well as a pair of nicer shoes for if you decide to go to a fancy dinner or show.
2. Pen and paper—There are many good reasons to keep a small notebook and pen on hand when traveling. First, you may wish to document your travels, so you can look back on the memories one day. You may also need to write down tour times or contact information that you can’t afford to forget.
3. Shopping bag—Planning on doing some shopping while at your Louisiana bed and breakfast? It’s a good idea to bring a nice tote bag along with you for storing all the souvenirs and other items you buy while you’re out. That way, you’re not lugging around several bags from different stores.
4. Medications—If you have any prescription medications that you need to take, make absolutely certain that you pack them up.
5. Hand sanitizer—It’s very easy to get sick when you’re out traveling. Think about it. You’re probably walking around to a lot of different places and touching different things. Keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you to fight off those germs.

What are some of the items you can’t do without when traveling?

Thinking about visiting a Louisiana bed and breakfast in 2012? A relaxing stay at a great bed and breakfast, like Bocage Plantation, is a unique vacation that you’ll never forget.
Of course, there are a lot of different things you need to consider when planning your trip to make sure it’s as great as it should be. Here are 4 questions to ask before you book your stay at a Louisiana bed and breakfast.

1. When should I plan to visit?
The weather in Louisiana tends to be pretty great all year round, and there are many great occasions for staying at a bed and breakfast, such as anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, honeymoons, weekend getaways, etc.
Simply put, it’s always a good time to stay at a Louisiana bed and breakfast, like Bocage Plantation. Whether you want to stay on a weekend, weekday, or holiday, you’re always sure to have a great experience.
2. How long should we stay?
This really depends on your personal preference. Some opt to stay just one night at a bed and breakfast; others spend several days unwinding and enjoying the relaxing, historic surroundings. By thinking about your budget, the amount of time you have to be away from home, and any interest you may have in visiting other places while out on vacation, you’ll have a better idea of figuring out how long to stay at the Louisiana bed and breakfast you choose.
3. Are the rates reasonable?
While price shouldn’t be the only thing you consider when choosing a bed and breakfast, the reality is that you probably do have a budget to consider. You want to make sure you’re not overspending on the bed and breakfast you choose.
To get the best rates, book your trip early. Compare rates from other nearby bed and breakfasts, and contact the Louisiana bed and breakfast to inquire about any specials they might be offering.
4. What kind of reviews does this Louisiana bed and breakfast have?
Before settling on a bed and breakfast, spend a little time reading reviews online. Every bed and breakfast claims to be great, but the reviews tell the truth. When looking at reviews, remember not to put too much stock into any single review. Instead, consider all of the reviews, searching for common themes from reviewers.
Tripadvisor is a great website to check out for bed and breakfast reviews.
If you stick to these tips, booking a great trip at a beautiful bed and breakfast will be much easier.

Looking for the perfect romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day? Visiting a Baton Rouge bed and breakfast is a great way to spend the holiday with the person you love most. Bed and breakfasts have always been a popular destination for couples. Lovebirds regularly stay at B&Bs for honeymoons, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, and other romantic occasions.
A Baton Rouge bed and breakfast is ideal for Valentine’s Day for many reasons.

• The historic surroundings of an old bed and breakfast instantly take you back to a more romantic time.
• Bed and breakfasts are much smaller than the typical hotel, providing a cozier, more intimate atmosphere.
• A plantation Baton Rouge bed and breakfast, like Bocage Plantation, gives you the opportunity to get away from the city to enjoy peaceful, romantic surroundings.
• Staying at a bed and breakfast is a different, more unique vacation. This will make your Valentine’s Day far more memorable than staying at a boring hotel.

Simply put, going to a bed and breakfast is one of the most romantic things you can do with your loved one for Valentine’s Day. A cozy, historic B&B, like Bocage Plantation Baton Rouge bed & breakfast, is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway with your partner.
Bocage Plantation, a top Baton Rouge B&B, is currently accepting reservations for Valentine’s Day. You can click here to book online now. Remember, space is limited, so book early before it gets filled up! Our historic bed and breakfast offers the romantic surroundings you’re looking for, so you and your partner are sure to have a memorable Valentine’s Day. Just take a look at these lovely pictures of Bocage Plantation to see for yourself how romantic our bed and breakfast is.
Have a question about visiting Bocage Plantation? Leave a comment and we’ll respond.

Many people think Bocage Plantation is just a bed and breakfast for spending the night and enjoying a tasty meal, but it’s so much more than that. Our facilities are often used to host an array of special events, including:

1. Holiday parties—There’s no better place to celebrate the holidays than Bocage Plantation. Our spacious bed and breakfast offers plenty of room for all your guests, and we have 100 paved parking spots for your convenience.
2. Family reunions—Thinking about getting the whole family together for a celebration? Bocage Plantation is centrally located to Baton Rouge and New Orleans, making it the ideal gathering spot for family reunions.
3. Weddings—Celebrate the biggest day of your life with complete elegance. Historical Bocage Plantation offers up a romantic backdrop for a memorable wedding. We can even help you with all of your wedding planning.
4. Garden parties—Our Louisiana plantation is the perfect setting for a garden party. The courtyard in front of the mansion can be perfectly arranged as a stage to present musical programs. You won’t find a more beautiful, picturesque venue for your garden party!
5. Company meetings—Bocage Plantation has double parlors, both upstairs and downstairs, that can easily be arranged for your company meetings. With our classy antique chairs, your meeting will be set in a stylish, unique venue.

Have a question about hosting an event at our Louisiana plantation? Leave a comment and we’ll respond.

Planning a big company party? Whether it’s a holiday party, a celebration of your company’s growth, or any other type of special occasion, it’s important that you avoid these 5 mistakes when planning your company party.
Mistake #1: Waiting until the last minute to set a date
Waiting too long to set a date for the party creates many problems. First, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to secure a venue that can accommodate all of your guests. And second, the longer you wait, the harder it will be for your employees to clear their schedules so they can attend the party.
The sooner you can start planning your party, the better. You’ll be able to find the ideal venue, and you’ll have enough time to plan all the details that go into throwing a memorable party for your guests.
Mistake #2: Not having a party planning committee
There’s a lot that goes into planning a company party. From securing the venue, to planning the menu, to thinking up fun games and activities, it’s just too much for one person to handle on their own. By creating a party planning committee with your staff, you can have a few people pitch in and make the planning process a little easier. Just be sure your committee isn’t too large, because everyone will have their own opinion, making it hard to get people on the same page.
Mistake #3: Not creating excitement for your party
Let’s face it—most company parties are boring. It can be hard to get employees motivated enough to attend. That’s why it’s important that you really take the time to generate some buzz and get everyone excited about the party.
Mistake #4: Doing the same party every year
Your employees are tired of attending the same party time and time again. This year, do something different to create some excitement. Add some new activities. Create a different theme. Host it at a different venue. There are plenty of things you can do to make your party fresh and fun for everyone.
Mistake #5: Choosing a bad location
Location matters. An interesting, unique location can take your company party from average to amazing. Bocage Plantation proudly hosts all types of events, including company parties and corporate events of all types.

Have a question about booking a company party at Bocage? Leave a comment so we can help!

Whether you’re planning a stay at Bocage Plantation or you’re headed somewhere else, it’s important that you pack properly for your trip. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of great packing tips that we’ve learned from years of managing a bed and breakfast and traveling ourselves.

1. Take a look at the weather forecast—A simple visit to Weather.com can give you a good idea of what the weather will be like at your destination for at least the next 10 days. This information will help you determine what type of clothes you need to bring (for hot weather or cool).
2. Pack some plastic bags—Plastic bags are good for packing toiletries, and it’s also helpful to have a few extra bags on hand for storing your dirty clothes.
3. Bring only the things you know you’ll use—Pack only the things you know you’ll use. You don’t want to be lugging around your entire closet in multiple suitcases, when you’re probably not even going to wear half of it. One easy way to avoid this is to pack clothes that serve multiple purposes (e.g. a polo shirt that could be worn during the day or at night).
4. Leave a little extra room for souvenirs—You don’t want to stuff your bags to the brim, because you won’t have room to bring anything extra back. Chances are, you’re going to buy some souvenirs while on your trip, so you need to leave a little extra room for these items.
5. Split up clothes when traveling with others—Sometimes, bags get lost. But a lost bag doesn’t have to mean your trip is ruined. If you’re traveling with someone else, put some of your clothes in their bag and vice versa. This way, if one of your bags get lost, you’ll still have some clothes to hold you over until it gets returned.
6. Roll rather than fold—For some reason, rolling clothes takes up less room than folding them. This lets you maximize your suitcase space.
7. Don’t wait until the last minute—When you wait until the last minute to pack, you’re either going to forget something or have to run to the store at an inconvenient hour to buy something you just found out you don’t have.

What are some of your best packing tips? Share them by leaving a comment.

One recent survey found that 8 out of 10 travelers said they wanted to try staying at a bed and breakfast in the upcoming year. What is it about staying at a bed and breakfast that’s so appealing, you ask? Why stay at a Louisiana bed and breakfast instead of at a typical hotel?
Well, there are a number of things a bed and breakfast offers that you just can’t get at the typical hotel.

• Romantic setting—Most bed and breakfasts are extremely cozy and comfortable. There’s just something about the surroundings that feels romantic. That’s why so many couples host their weddings at Bocage Plantation, and it’s also why we have so many people staying here on their honeymoons. Big hotels simply can’t match the romantic ambiance of a nice bed and breakfast.
• History all around you—Bocage Plantation (and some other B&Bs) is a registered historic treasure that was built back in 1837. The place is simply oozing with history, so staying here is almost like taking a trip back in time (without sacrificing today’s most desirable amenities).
• Unique experience—Let’s be honest, most average hotels are all pretty much the same. They look the same, feel the same. They all just blend together. Staying at a Louisiana bed and breakfast is different. It’s an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.
• Full breakfast included—Staying at a bed and breakfast means you get, you guessed it, a full breakfast in the morning. For a full breakfast at most hotels, you’ll have to pay a pretty penny, or you could enjoy their complementary, stale pastries (eww!). At Bocage Plantation, a full, delicious breakfast is included with your room rate.

There are many reasons travelers are choosing bed and breakfast lodging over staying at a hotel. What’s your reason?

If you’re a first-time bed and breakfast goer, you probably have quite a number of questions. From trying to figure out which bed and breakfast is best to deciding whether or not to bring the kids, travelers have many concerns when it comes to bed and breakfast lodging.

The good news is that bed and breakfast establishments are diverse, accommodating, and offer a great value. Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend out of town with that special someone or you want to visit somewhere special with the kids, bed and breakfast establishments offer something for everyone. And they provide an atmosphere that’s much cozier than staying in a huge hotel.

Bed and breakfasts also offer a great value for your vacation dollar. Their rates are usually quite competitive when big hotels, but they offer so much more for your money. You not only get to lodge in fine quarters, but your room rate also includes a full breakfast. And not the type of free breakfast you get at hotels. We’re talking about a real, honest to goodness breakfast that you and your fellow travelers will love.

If you have any concerns about bringing your kids, call the bed and breakfast before booking your trip to see if they are family friendly. The best innkeepers will even be able to suggest great things you can do locally during your stay.

Still not sure if staying at a bed and breakfast in Louisiana is right for you? Call the inn. Explain what you’re travel needs are (e.g. kids, pets, romantic, etc.) and ask if their establishment is a good fit for what you’re looking for. If it’s not, they will tell you so, and they will probably even be able to refer to a place that better suits your needs.

Do you have any questions about bed and breakfast lodging? Ask us by leaving a comment.

“I have had several people write me to ask about flooding.  I am just getting my head above water (figuratively) from work so I can finish this email I started yesterday.
Bocage was built originally in 1801.  There were NO levees.  Back then, they knew what flooded and what did not.   Bocage, l’Hermitage, and Houmas House were built on high ground.  We are 17 feet above MSL and I have checked with everyone to see about flooding.   Evidently, Bocage will not flood under the worst of circumstances today.   That is not to say that the town of Gonzales will still be there, but Bocage will.  ?