|
 To
fully comprehend the colorful history and modern life of
New Orleans and the Deep South, you should see, hear,
smell, feel, and taste it. On this exciting 8-day
journey you will have the opportunity to do just that!
Your city tour is the best introduction to New Orleans
and where you''ll see the French Quarter and the St.
Louis Cathedral, and delight in views of the Moon Walk
and Pirate''s Alley. You may choose to cruise the
Mississippi River on an authentic paddle wheeler, tour
City Park, enjoy a ride on the streetcars along St.
Charles Avenue, or simply have a beignet and cafe au
lait at the world-famous Cafe Du Monde. En route to
Biloxi, a stop will be made at NASA''s John C. Stennis
Space Center and in the calm, protected waters between
Deer Island and the Biloxi shoreline, you will
participate in a real shrimping expedition. Other
highlights include a visit to a ceramic Mardi Gras mask
factory and a captivating tour of the pre-Civil War town
of Natchez, Mississippi. Here you will wander the
grounds of an antebellum plantation with its towering
oaks and quintessential Greek Revival architecture.
Finally in Lafayette, cruise along the bayous and
acquaint yourself with the history and culture of the
friendly Cajun people and enjoy the wonderful
Creole/Cajun food that this area is so famous for!
- Learn the art of
Creole and Cajun cooking from the experts at the New Orleans
School of Cooking and then partake in the wonderful
delicacies you've created.
- Experience the spectacular world of sea life on a guided
shrimping expedition in Biloxi.
- Discover the history and culture of the
Cajun culture on a visit tot he Jean Lafitte Center.
- Stroll the grounds of Bellingrath Gardens.
 Day
1: New Orleans, Louisiana - French Quarter
Acquaint yourself with the city that has given us great music
and food: the "Jazz Capital of the World," New Orleans. This
evening, dinner is included at the New Orleans School of
Cooking. Watch in delight as Creole and Cajun experts teach New
Orleans specialties and season them with history, trivia and
tall tales. It's a guaranteed good time for all! (D)
Day 2: New Orleans
Your day begins with a city tour, aboard a comfortable coach, in
that small parcel of land in the river bend now known as the
French Quarter. You will then proceed to historic Esplanade
Avenue and St. Louis Cemetery #3, one of New Orleans' oldest and
most intriguing cemeteries. Next, drive along Lake Ponchartrain.
Then, follow the streetcar line down majestic St. Charles Avenue
past Tulane and Loyola universities and beautifully restored
mansions before ending your tour at the world-famous Café Du
Monde for a beignet and café au lait. The remainder of the day
is at leisure to enjoy New Orleans at your own pace. (B)
Day 3: New Orleans - Theadore, Alabama - Biloxi, Mississippi
- New Orleans
Today, travel to Alabama to visit Bellingrath Gardens, one of
America's most beautiful gardens and homes. Truly a spectacular
sight, the gardens offer massive oak trees with Spanish moss,
150,000 azaleas, camellias, mums, alamendas and more than 2,000
roses. Later, arrive in Biloxi where you will be exposed to the
spectacular world of sea life - caught on a real shrimping
expedition. Enjoy this 70-minute living marine adventure cruise
which is navigated in the calm, protected waters between Deer
Island and the Biloxi shoreline. Upon leaving the harbor, the
shrimping net is set out with full details of how and what makes
the net spread and operate correctly. At the appropriate time
during the cruise, the net is pulled in and the entire catch
will be identified and presented for your inspection by the
Captain. (B, D)
Day 4: New Orleans
Discover New Orleans your way with a day at leisure. Grab a map
of the French Quarter and explore its beautiful antique shops
and boutiques. Take an optional cruise along the mighty
Mississippi River or ride an authentic cable car. Your Tour
Manager is on hand to recommend attractions and sightseeing so
you may experience all the city has to offer. Tonight, enjoy an
elegant dinner at the Court of Two Sisters, one of New Orleans
most famous restaurants. Afterwards, a short walk along famous
Bourbon Street brings you to Maison Bourbon to experience a
toe-tapping Jazz revue. (B, D)
Day 5: Biloxi - Covington, Louisiana - Natchez, Mississippi
This morning you depart for Covington where you visit Fancy
Faces, a ceramic Mardi Gras mask factory. You’ll have the
opportunity to learn step-by-step how each piece is molded,
fired, and decorated by hand. You’ll then partake in a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create your own special Mardi
Gras mask to take home! Later, continue to Natchez, a beautiful
town that captures the grace and elegance of the old south with
its many antebellum mansions. (B)
Day 6: Natchez - Lafayette
Learn about the rich history of Natchez as a local guide takes
you on a captivating tour of this pre-Civil War town. You will
also enjoy a tour of a famous antebellum mansion. Later, travel
to Lafayette, the capital of Cajun country and the town
immortalized in Longfellow’s epic poem, “Evangeline.” This
afternoon you will enjoy a cruise along the eerie bayous, a
great opportunity to get acquainted with the friendly Cajun
people. (B, D)
Day 7: Cajun Country
Experience a delightful tour through Cajun country, with a local
guide as your host. Discover the history and culture of the
locals at the Jean Lafitte Cultural Center where you get a
glimpse into the life of this 17th-century pirate. Also visit
Vermilion Ville, a 23 acre Cajun/Creole Heritage & Folklife
Park. Dinner is at Mulate's, featuring Cajun cooking and great
entertainment. (B, D)
Day 8: Lafayette - New Orleans - Tour Ends
This morning a short drive takes you back to New Orleans.
Delightful culture and cuisine, antebellum mansions, and the
magic of the French Quarter will make this a vacation to live on
forever. (B)
Stay Another Night - Add a pre or post night stay in New
Orleans. Prices start at $80 per person, double.
|
Uniquely For You
Fancy Faces |
| Fancy
Faces is a family owned ceramic mask
factory whose business revolves
primarily around Mardi Gras, the
carnival that occurs annually in New
Orleans. The Masks from Fancy Faces are
made from molds designed on-site, then
poured painted, and fired in kilns in
Couington, Louisiana, a suburb of New
Orleans. All of their masks are signed
on the back by the artists and
hand-embellished with varying degrees of
ribbons, laces, and fabrics. Fancy faces
is known for its trendsetting products.
Perhaps your design will become the
latest trend when you participate in a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make
your own special mask to take home.
Learn step-by-step the process of mask
making, from design conception through
completion .... and in the process have
fun creating a wonderful souvenir of you
time in New Orleans! |
Base Rates Per Person
| Departure Date |
Tour Rate – Twin |
Tour and Air Rate |
| Jun 12 2006 |
$1199 |
$1449 from
DFW |
| Sep 25 2006 |
$1199 |
$1449 from
DFW |
| Oct 09 2006 |
$1199 |
$1449 from
DFW |
| Nov 06 2006 |
$1199 |
$1449 from
DFW |
| Feb 12 2007 |
$1199 |
$1449 from
DFW |
| Mar 12 2007 |
$1199 |
$1449 from
DFW |
| Apr 16 2007 |
$1199 |
$1449 from
DFW |
*Tour and air prices are lead-in rates from a specific gateway based on twin
occupancy and are subject to change. Rates do not include inter-air flights.
Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Tours departing BEFORE
4/30/06 may follow a different itinerary than what is listed here. Please
confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. For tours that
feature a cruise, port taxes are not included in the prices above. Additional tour dates
may be available, please call us for information.
8 days, 12 meals
7 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners
Day 1-4 - Chateau LeMoyne French Quarter, New
Orleans, LA
Day 5 - The Natchez Eola Hotel, Natchez, MS
Day 6, 7 - Hotel Acadiana, Lafayette, LA
On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
NOTES:
- Due to transfer scheduling,
flights on the last day of your tour should be scheduled after
12:00 noon.
- Rates do not apply to Mardi
Gras or Jazz Festival season. If dates are available, surcharges
may apply
Back to Itinerary Page
|
