Call the Louisiana Office of Tourism (800-285-3086) or the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission (800-346-1958) for information on the bavou country. Two re-created nineteenth-century villages in Lafayette—Acadian Village (800-962-9133) and Vermilionville (800-992-2968)—feature authentic period cottages that have been restored and furnished with vintage Cajun artifacts, and in December they are decorated for Christmas. They’re open to the public seven days a week, except for the major holidays. In the city, I stayed at the Lafayette Hilton, but if I had it to do over again, I’d opt for one of the smaller; charming inns around town or nearby plantation houses.