NEW ORLEANS:
"A Food Lover's Delight"
2020 Dates: March 29-April 1 ... Oct 25-28
Day 1: We take a morning flight to New Orleans. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel. After freshening up a bit, we board the Steamboat Natchez for an enchanting Jazz Dinner Cruise. We'll be afforded great views of New Orleans while dining and listening to the sounds of the "Dukes of Dixieland" on this fun-filled cruise. (D)
Day 2: We begin the day with breakfast. We then take a fascinating tour of New Orleans where we see, among other things, the famous French Quarter, the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park, the French Market, the magnificent St. Louis Cathedral, the Old Mint, Jackson Square, City Park and Pirate's Alley. We will also visit the residential area of Gentilly and take a ride on Lakeshore Drive along Pontchartrain Lake. Also included is a drive along the lovely tree-lined St. Charles Avenue to see the stately homes in the famous "Garden District." This evening is highlighted by a delicious dinner in one of the fine restaurants in the French Quarter. (B,D)
Day 3: Breakfast starts off another thrilling day. We begin with a visit to the New Orleans School of Cooking to experience an entertaining cooking class. We’ll learn how to cook some of New Orleans’ favorite dishes, season the lessons with a bit of history, trivia and tall tales (and take home recipes). After our lesson we’ll even get to lunch on these delicacies. As it’s said of New Orleans cooking, “if you don’t like the food here … you just don’t like food!” We then take the short ride to Mardi Gras World where we get an insider’s view of how Mardi Gras is brought to life. We’ll stop in at the float den, where artists work year-round to build the spectacular floats, learn about the secrets of Mardi Gras and even get to taste a slice of the famous Mardi Gras king cake. Following this we visit the elaborate 18th century Destrehan Plantation. Guides in period costumes take you through one of America’s oldest plantation homes, characterized by ornate Greek style architecture, to give you a good feeling for what life was like in the early days of America’s existence. This evening is free to enjoy dinner on your own in one of the many fabulous restaurants for which New Orleans is known. (B,L)
Day 4: After breakfast we visit the D-Day Museum, always a highlight of a visit to New Orleans. The museum, which is dedicated to the soldiers who fought so valiantly in World War II, is replete with films, photographs, oral histories and diaries that take visitors from the early stages of the war through its successful conclusion. We then transfer to the airport for our return flight home. (B)
Price: $1,489 per person, dbl occ;
single sup: $575
Our Tour Package Includes:
* Accommodations for 3 evenings
* 3 Breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
* Gratuities for the included meals
* Jazz dinner cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez
* Special cooking class session
* Sightseeing & Admissions
* Services of a professional tour escort
* Baggage handling, transfers & tax
Airfare is additional
