New Orleans & Louisiana Cajun Country

Welcome to New Orleans! The “Big Easy” is truly a city for everyone. From its unique Bayou cuisine like gumbo, po-boys, jambalaya, and beignets, and its jam -packed venues playing Dixieland, to its other worldly Voodoo charms and gris-gris, you will find a magical welcome. So, settle in and get ready to absorb all the delights of the French Quarter for the three days. Dinner is on your own.

After breakfast, we will head out to experience the French Quarter on a guided walking tour. As the oldest neighborhood in NOLA (New Orleans) the French Quarter is the heartbeat of the city whose historic buildings house millions of stories. We will walk around Jackson Square, the heart of the French Quarter, with the historic backdrop of the St. Louis Cathedral that sits atop the square, while the historic Spanish Colonial styled, Cabildo, and Presbytere, flank it. Moving on, we will stroll Bourbon Street that is home to some of the oldest bars and best restaurants in NOLA. We will pass Pirates Alley on Royal Street, where we will catch a glimpse of the historic Spanish Dungeon, and stroll around the colorful French Market, the oldest of its kind in the United States. Our final stop before boarding the Steamboat Natchez for a relaxing cruise on the Mighty Mississippi is at Café du Monde, famous for beignets. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome dinner.

After breakfast, will explore the oak lined streets of the Garden District lined with famous antebellum era homes that reflect a variety of surprising architectural styles including Greek Revival, Italianate, Gothic, Georgian, and Queen Ann. To get a feel for the life style of old New Orleans, we will tour the magnificent antebellum house and colorful gardens of Longue Vue Gardens and House, which are on National Historic Register. The gardens are an ever-changing pallet of color and form representing one of the most important landscapes of the 20th century Country Place era, and the house is appointed with exquisite 18th and 19th century antiques, textiles, and ceramics. This evening we will enjoy dinner in a historic New Orleans setting and share the adventures of the day with our fellow travelers.

After breakfast, we say goodbye to NOLA and head to the capitol of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, known for its landmarks, storied history, and interesting attractions. Our first stop is at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, built in the Gothic Revival style. Next we will do a drive by of the New State Capitol that is the tallest in the United States. Standing 450 feet tall, this Art Deco styled building is only one of four skyscraper capitols in the U.S. and, one of nine that does not have a dome. Our next stop the USS Kidd, where we will walk the decks of this restored Fletcher-class destroyer, the only one still preserved in her WWII configuration. The adjoining museum helps visitors understand the life of Navy sailors during that time period. Lunch is on your own.

After our tour, we will depart for the riverside town of Natchez with its fascinating history and meticulously maintained antebellum mansions. This is a city where you cannot help but be completely charmed. Natchez is also well known as the start of the Natchez Trace Parkway and is right in the center of music history with its location on the historic Mississippi Blues Trail, on U.S. Rte. 61, between NOLA and Memphis. This evening we are treated to a real southern experience with dinner at an antebellum mansion.

After breakfast, we will enjoy a city tour that introduces us to the 300 - year history of Natchez. A highlight of the day is to visit another beautiful Antebellum Mansion. After lunch, we depart for Lafayette, the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun Country, founded in the 18th century by French speaking exiles from Canada. Cajun Country, also known as Acadiana, is so different from the rest of the state - and the U.S. in general. They have created their own cuisine, musical styles, and dialect, known as Cajun French. Later we will enjoy an unforgettable Bayou cruise where we may spot an alligator, which can measure up to 13 feet long and weigh over 500 pounds!

Tonight dinner is on your own in Lafayette, well known for its’ restaurants. This is your chance to dine like a local and try some Cajun cuisine.

After breakfast we set out to discover the best of Cajun Country. Our first stop is at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, Preserve Wetlands, and Acadian Cultural Center. Here we will learn about the Acadians who settled the bayous and marshes of southern Louisiana. The center traces the history and culture of the Cajuns from the 1600s to the present day, with a fascinating glimpse at their contemporary culture. Don’t miss a walk along the boardwalk where you may spot an alligator in the bayou.

Our next stop is a visit to Martin Accordions, which has been building hand made accordions for Cajun and Zydeco musicians for decades. At this demonstration and shop tour we will gain a deeper understanding of this lively and irresistibly danceable music.

The final stop of the day is a visit to Avery Island for a Tabasco Factory Tour. Here we will experience the history and production of this world-famous hot sauce that has been made by the same family for more than five generations. We will be free to take the self-guided factory tour, see the pepper greenhouse, barrel warehouse, the Salt Mine diorama, the Tabasco Country Store, Restaurant, and the 170-acre Jungle Garden that surrounds the property.

This evening we will enjoy a fun-filled Cajun farewell dinner, where we can share our experiences of southern hospitality at it’s best.

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for your flight onwards.