NEW ORLEANS & LOUISIANA
NEW ORLEANS & LOUISIANA
Ruston
Natchitoches
Alexandria
Sulphur Calcasieu
Lake Grand Lake
Bastrop Monroe
LOUISIANA
Mississippi River
NEW ORLEANS
Bogalusa
Zachary Baton Rouge Shenandoah
Lake Mandeville Lafayette Maurepas Lake
Pontchartrain New Orleans
Thibodaux Morgan City Raceland
Preservation Hall St Louis Cathedral
Bourbon Street , New Orleans
City Park
French Quarter Jackson Square
Garden District
Getting there : New Orleans is 10 hours flight from the UK .
Best time to go : A subtropical climate sees very hot and humid summers and cool winters . Spring and autumn herald pleasantly warm days and cool nights .
A feast of sights , sounds , seductive flavours and Southern hospitality
Famously known as the Big Easy , New Orleans is a truly unique city with a vivacious spirit and deep-rooted cultural fusion . Top of your sightseeing list should be the French Quarter with the iconic St Louis Cathedral , French Market , beignets from Café du Monde , Jackson Square and streets lined with pretty townhouses , galleries , bars and boutiques . To see more , hop on a streetcar to see the mansions on St Charles Avenue or the opulent estates in the Garden District . For a different city perspective , book a ride on a steamboat or paddlewheeler for a leisurely ride along the mighty Mississippi River . Along the way , you ’ ll want to make a pit stop or two for some signature foods , including gumbo , po ’ boy sandwiches , boiled crawfish and jambalaya . Of course no visit would be complete without music and no matter where your explorations take you in this city , the sounds of jazz drift through the air , with Preservation Hall a top venue .
When you ’ re ready for a road trip , Louisiana won ’ t let you down , with bustling cities , quaint small towns , swamps , bayous and more . For all things Cajun head to Lafayette , a city with French-influenced charm and a low-key attitude . There ’ s a rich choice of food and drink , some impressive swamps to explore , and the Mardi Gras celebrations are second only to New Orleans . At nearby Avery Island , you ’ ll find the Tabasco factory , where you can see how the seed is made into the fiery sauce .
The state capital , Baton Rouge is one of the south ’ s most historic , vibrant and unforgettable cities . The history here is as rich as the flavours , with plantations , memorials and museums bringing the city ’ s character to life , and hundreds of restaurants dishing it up on a plate .
Between Baton Rouge and New Orleans , along the winding , picturesque Great River Road , you ’ ll find Plantation Country . These elaborate antebellum mansions provide a unique look into the past and tours provide the opportunity to hear the stories of the people who lived and worked there , both free and enslaved .
UNMISSABLE NEW ORLEANS & LOUISIANA EXPERIENCES Get more out of your stay . Prices are per person
SWAMP & BAYOU TOUR from £ 59
Following a brief coach journey , board an all-weather swamp boat for a fascinating trip along Louisiana ’ s lively swamps . Enjoy a privileged view of the nesting grounds of critters such as alligators and egrets , raccoons and nutria as well as many species of snakes . Native guides inform you of the efforts to preserve and restore Louisiana ’ s vanishing wetlands . Includes transfers from New Orleans .
OAK ALLEY PLANTATION TOUR from £ 75
Just an hour ’ s drive from New Orleans brings you to this breathtaking plantation , which will impress from the get-go , as the quarter mile driveway to the house is completely covered by 250-year old oak trees . Enjoy time to wander around the immaculate estate and learn the human stories behind Oak Alley from your guide . Includes transfers from New Orleans .
FRENCH QUARTER FOOD EXPERIENCE from £ 75 ( includes tastings ) This mouthwatering 2½ hour tour wakes up your tastebuds with New Orleans ’ iconic pastry , the beignet . Head on to the French Market where you ’ ll meet some of its colourful personalities and stop for a local bite . Your guide then leads you on to sample both a classic Creole and Cajun New Orleans dish before you get to try some gumbo .
AIRBOAT SWAMP TOUR from £ 79
Travel by coach out of New Orleans before a fascinating small boat trip ( 6-8 passengers ) into the Louisiana swamps and bayous . Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife including alligators . Minimum age 5 years . Includes transfers from New Orleans .
EVENING JAZZ CRUISE WITH DINNER from £ 95 ( includes dinner ) Join New Orleans Steamboat Company for a leisurely two hour cruise onboard a grand paddlewheeler along the mighty Mississippi River . Along with breathtaking city views , look forward to a buffet dinner accompanied by jazz music .
ORIGINAL CAJUN FOOD BUS TOUR from £ 65
Hop aboard a cosy bus for a three hour tour and the chance to sample some famous Cajun food . This fun and casual tour takes you off-the-beaten-track and includes five tasting stops at locally owned Cajun restaurants around Lafayette . What you eat will vary , but may include king cake , gumbo , crawfish etouffee , fried shrimp and more . Available from Lafayette .
64 SOUTHERN STATES visit your local travel agent or call 08444 937 666