New Orleans

Day 1

Today we begin our travels to New Orleans with an overnight stop 438 miles down the road to Meridian MS.

Day 2

Arrive New Orleans and tour the National WWII museum, then check into our hotel for 3 nights, the Four Points Sheraton in the French Quarter. The French Quarter, also known as Vieux Carre - or the "Quarter" to locals, sits on a crescent in the Mississippi River on some of the highest ground in New Orleans. Not only is this the city's cultural hub, but is a community where residents take time to reminisce with neighbors about times gone by and to welcome visitors in tthe streets. Intimate and unique, New Orleans; oldest neighborhood has exerted a spell over writers and artists since the time of Mark Twain, Lafcadio Hern and John James Audubon. This evening we will Watch, learn & eat! Sit back and enjoy watching skilled and entertaining chefs prepare a classic Cajun/Creole meal for you while learning about the vibrant history of New Orleans cuisine at the New Orleans school of cooking.

Day 3

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Aren't we lucky to get to celebrate on Bourbon street! To put us in the party mood we will visit Mardi Gras World where every day is Mardi Gras! Mardi Gras World is a year-round attraction dedicated to showcasing the history and craftsmanship of New Orleans’ proudest tradition. Visit our sprawling float den at 1380 Port of New Orleans Pl. and take a tour of the behind-the-scenes work that makes Mardi Gras a reality. You will have free time to revel or relax your choice, enjoy some jazz and then tonight we have reservations to dine at New Orleans second oldest restaurant after Antoines' Restaurant. Steeped in foodie lore, Tujague's is undeniably one of New Orleans' most famous and historic restaurants.

Day 4

Creole and Cajun culture and water is the theme of today. From the Laura Plantation on the banks of the Mississippi River, in the middle of New Orleans Plantation Courntry we will take a guided tour of the Big House and the 200 year old sugar plantation and a slave cabin where the ancient west-African tales of Compare Lapin, better known in english as "Br'er Rabbit", were recorded. We will have lunch at Frenier Landing Oyster Bar on the western shore of Lake Pontchartrain, and end our touring with a Swamp tour where the "waterways are the highways where you might see the wildlife that made the barataria Swamps the Crown Jewel of the Louisiana Purchase. This evening is yours to enjoy.

Day 5

We will depart New Orleans today, with a stop in Laurel MS, the charming town where HGTV's Home Town is filmed in. If you aren't familiar...Home Town is an American reality television series starring husband and wife team, Ben and Erin Napier. They don't know it but they should be my besties! Then onto Birmingham, AL where we will tour the Birmingham Civil Rights Instiute and overnight at Drury Inn.

Day 6

On our way home we stop in Nashville, TN for lunch before arriving back to Evansville.

B=Breakfasst, L=Lunch, D=Dinner