5 days Spotlight on New Orleans (2017)
Get to know the “birthplace of jazz” during your extended stay in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Discover its unique flavors during a cooking class featuring the popular dishes of the city, as well as dinner at a French-Creole restaurant. Learn the secrets of the city’s famous French Quarter on a walking tour featuring St. Louis Cathedral and the French Marketplace. Head out to the swamp to enjoy a cruise tour of the bayous to learn about the history and ecology of this fascinating ecosystem. Spend time at either the poignant National World War II Museum or the festive Mardi Gras World. Come to know the city’s music when taking in a spirited jazz revue at a French Quarter jazz club. You will be taken on a delightful discovery through the sights, sounds and tastes of the eclectic city of New Orleans.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Orleans, Louisiana - Tour Begins | Step into a cultural melting pot in the “Jazz Capital of the World” – New Orleans! This soulful city abounds with rich history, mouth-watering Cajun and Creole cuisine, and an incomparable soundtrack. Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans |
| 2 | French Quarter | This morning, enjoy a panoramic tour of the city with a local guide. Begin by seeing St. Louis Cemetery #3 which opened in 1854 and holds some of the most elaborate crypts found in the city’s cemeteries. Then, relax during a drive along the shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain. This romantic road eventually leads to St. Charles Avenue, whisking you past gorgeous mansions as well as Tulane and Loyola, two world-famous universities. This afternoon, it’s your choice! Take a walk through history at the National World War II Museum to learn about the American experience in the war. Or, celebrate the festive side of New Orleans at Mardi Gras World; come to know the history of this tradition and tour a working warehouse where artisans create spectacular floats for the famous parades. Tonight, enjoy a taste of traditional New Orleans during dinner at The Court of Two Sisters in the French Quarter. Following dinner, discover why New Orleans is known as the “Birthplace of Jazz” as you take in a spirited jazz revue at a local French Quarter jazz club. Breakfast & Dinner Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans |
| 3 | French Quarter | Get to know the city’s famous French Quarter on a walking tour featuring the majestic St. Louis Cathedral, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Continue on to the bustling French Marketplace where you’ll explore Pirates Alley and the Pontalba. Next, stop to taste a true New Orleans favorite – beignets at Café Du Monde. This afternoon take in the sights and sounds of the French Quarter Festival, a celebration of the food, music and life in the French Quarter, or you may choose an optional excursion to Oak Alley Plantation to explore the rich history of the Antebellum South. Breakfast Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans |
| 4 | New Orleans | Set out on a drive along New Orleans’ historic Esplanade Avenue. Then, journey through the Louisiana swamp on a cruise* narrated by your captain. Learn about the history and ecology of this fascinating ecosystem while keeping an eye out for wildlife, including bald eagles, herons, turtles and alligators! Return to New Orleans and spend the remainder of the day at leisure to discover this great city your way. Tonight, roll up your sleeves and prepare to discover how to cook New Orleans-style! During a cooking demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking, your chef will indulge you in everything that Louisiana cuisine has to offer. Breakfast & Dinner |
| 5 | New Orleans - Tour Ends | Your tour of this captivating city comes to a close today. Breakfast |