America’s Deep South

Welcome to New Orleans, Louisiana, America’s jazz capital with a transfer to your hotel. Meet your tour manager and traveling companions in the lobby at 6:00 p.m. for a welcome dinner. Meal: D

Begin the day with a narrated tour of New Orleans. See the sights you’ve heard about for years such as the historic French Quarter, the beautiful Garden District, the colorful River Walk along the Mississippi and the famous Bourbon Street. In the afternoon, visit the National WWII Museum. Designated by Congress as the country’s official World War II Museum, this remarkable attraction illuminates the American experience during the WWII era. Tonight, enjoy dinner and cooking demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Learn the basics of Louisiana cooking from well-known local chefs and be treated to a wide range of local classics. Meals: B, D

This morning, learn what goes into the making of the Mardi Gras parade floats. Since 1947, the artists of Blaine Kern Studios have been bringing Mardi Gras to life, creating many of the parade floats, from concept through completion. You will get a behind the scenes look at the world’s largest fleet of carnival floats and partake in a fun mask-making workshop to create your own unique, one-of-a-kind creation. Spend time in New Orleans on your own before climbing aboard the iconic Steamboat Natchez for a “real New Orleans” experience, a Dinner Jazz Cruise along the Mississippi River. Meals: B, D

Today embark on a narrated journey through the Louisiana swamp to see the vast wetlands, exotic wildlife, brilliant flora and the king of the swamp, the alligator. Later, come to the beautiful Destrehan Plantation, a magnificent 1900th century sugarcane and indigo estate. You will tour the impressive French Colonial-style mansion modified with Greek Revival architectural elements. At the Acadian Village, learn the story of the “Cajuns” who settled Louisiana’s delta and learn about their history, customs, language and contemporary culture. Meals: B, L

In the quainttown of St. Martinsville lives a love story so compelling that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow based his epic poem Evangeline on it. Visit the small museum and see the majestic “Evangeline Oak.” Then, travel south to Avery Island. Here, sits the TABASCO Pepper Sauce Factory. Known worldwide, TABASCO is one of the most popular sauces of its kind. Take a tour and have an on own lunch. Later, stop at the Jungle Gardens, a 170-acre botanical garden and bird sanctuary. Dinner tonight is at Prejean’s Cajun Restaurant where the ambience is pure Cajun-French. Acadian relics line the walls and Cajun music and cuisine are served up in a fun, casual atmosphere. Meals: B, D

Depart Lafayette for Mississippi’s “Southern Belle,” Natchez. Visit the impressive mansion Longwood. The nation’s largest octagonal house, Longwood’s construction began in 1860 but was halted by rising tensions over the Civil War. While the exterior of this octagonal edifice is largely complete, only the home’s lowest level was finished. After our included lunch we head over to our next museum home, the sprawling Stanton Hall. This palatial Greek Revival antebellum residence is elegantly furnished with period antiques and original Stanton family pieces. From its delicate arched millwork in the hall and parlors to the outstanding marble mantles and large pier mirrors, the home has infinite appeal. Meals: B, L

Today, travel into Louisiana’s historic Plantation Country. Step into the past as you explore Laura Plantation. See the museum, visit the Big House and stand in an authentic 1840s slave cabin. Continue to the impressive Houmas House Estate and experience the life of wealthy plantation owners in the 1800’s. The mansion has been restored to the antebellum era and the tour walks through its 250-year history, showing the architectural evolution of this manor house and how it became a grand estate. Then stop at the majestic Oak Alley Plantation, the impressive mansion whose twenty five acres of history and romance is dominated by the “alley” of 300-year-old live oak trees. Enjoy a tour and a tasty mint julep. Tonight, your tour manager hosts a farewell dinner. Meals: B, D

Bid a fond farewell to America’s Deep South with a group transfer to the airport in New Orleans for flights out after 12:00 p.m. Meal: B