Enjoy Southern charm on this vacation through some of the South’s most interesting and fun cities. Start your tour in New Orleans, the “Big Easy,” with a tour that highlights the French Quarter and a typical New Orleans above-ground cemetery. Enjoy lunch and a private demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking and learn how New Orleans specialties are made. After leisure time in New Orleans, travel to Cajun country and Lafayette, stopping first for a tour of Oak Valley Plantation, “the Grande Dame.” Visit a restored Acadian village in the bayou and enjoy a typical Cajun dinner before traveling to Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s capital. Enjoy a tour of Baton Rouge, including the Old Governor’s Mansion, the new Louisiana State Capitol, and the Old State Capital.

Then travel to Mississippi, where you visit Natchez; Vicksburg and Vicksburg National Military Park, which commemorates the Civil War battle held here; Jackson, Mississippi’s state capital; and Biloxi, where you visit the last home of Jefferson Davis, the Biloxi Lighthouse, the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, and the Hurricane Katrina Tree Sculptures. Also visit Mobile, Alabama. Then return to New Orleans, where you can choose your experience: enjoy a leisurely paddlewheel excursion on the Mississippi River, see the city’s haunted side on an Anne Rice Vampire Tour, or get a better understanding of events on the Hurricane Katrina Tour. Your tour ends with a New Orleans-style farewell dinner—a perfect conclusion to your vacation through some of the South’s charming cities.

New Orleans Jazz Fest April 22 departure
Join us on this departure and be part of all the action in New Orleans at the world-famous Jazz & Heritage Festival. Listen to the best sounds of New Orleans as well as the hottest names in music from around the world. The Festival also features a variety of vendors with local foods and crafts. Your Jazz Festival package includes a 1-day pass to the Jazz & Heritage Festival plus roundtrip transportation to the Jazz Fest grounds. Note: This package is only available on New Orleans extension.

Day 1 Arrive in New Orleans (Thu.)
Welcome to New Orleans, the “Big Easy.” At 6 pm, meet your fellow traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming Southern adventure.

Day 2 New Orleans (Fri.)
This morning, a Local Guide shows you the sights and sounds of New Orleans. Visit the French Quarter, including Jackson Square and Pirate’s Alley, then stop at a typical New Orleans above-ground cemetery and learn about the city’s unique burial customs. Drive along tree-lined St. Charles Avenue to see the stately homes bordering the historic Garden District. After seeing the city, enjoy lunch and a private demonstration at the NEW ORLEANS SCHOOL OF COOKING. Hear history and tall tales as you learn how New Orleans specialties are made. The remainder of the day is on your own to explore this vibrant city. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing and the best places to shop and dine. (B,L)

Day 3 New Orleans–Lafayette (Sat.)
Travel along the Great River Road to OAK ALLEY PLANTATION, “the Grande Dame.” Enjoy a guided tour of the house with time afterward to stroll the grounds in the shade of majestic oak trees. We then travel into the heart of Cajun country to Lafayette, where we’ll visit VERMILIONVILLE, a restored Acadian village in the bayou. Costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts and musical styles. This evening, get ready to tap your toes! We start with a visit to MARTIN ACCORDIONS, where we hear firsthand how the Martin family began making their Cajun accordions, and see what the process actually involves. Enjoy music and storytelling by the Martin family. Questions and audience participation are encouraged. Afterward, enjoy a typical Cajun dinner and dance lesson at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 4 Lafayette–Baton Rouge–Natchez, MS (Sun.)
We begin our day with an orientation tour of Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s state capital. Highlights include the Old Governor’s Mansion, the new Louisiana State Capitol, and the Old State Capital. We then cross the border into Mississippi and head for the charming port of Natchez, the oldest settlement on the entire Mississippi River. During your guided city tour, see magnificent antebellum homes, hear the city’s fascinating history, discover the romantic atmosphere, and uncover why Natchez is known as one of the most desirable small cities in the United States. Tonight, enjoy a delightful candlelight dinner at an elegant antebellum mansion. (B,D)

Day 5 Natchez–Vicksburg–Jackson (Mon.)
Travel along scenic Natchez Trace Parkway north to Vicksburg, a crucial Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi during the Civil War. At the VICKSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK an expert guide relates the dramatic story of the 47-day siege in 1863, which ended in victory for the Union. We then proceed to Jackson, Mississippi’s state capital, named in honor of President Andrew Jackson. (B)

Day 6 Jackson–Biloxi (Tue.)
We travel across the state of Mississippi through De Soto National Forest and to the wonderful Gulf Coast. Upon arrival in Biloxi, enjoy an orientation tour, seeing sites that include the Biloxi Lighthouse, the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, and Hurricane Katrina Tree Sculptures. We’ll also visit BEAUVOIR, the splendid last home of Jefferson Davis, the Confederate Civil War president. Later, enjoy a SHRIMPING TRIP and learn about the spectacular world of sea life. This evening, dinner is at Mary Mahoney’s, a Biloxi tradition serving presidents, dignitaries, celebrities, and local folks for over 40 years. (B,D)

Day 7 Biloxi. Excursion to Mobile, AL (Wed.)
Today we take the coastal highway into Alabama to visit the famous BELLINGRATH GARDENS & HOME on Mobile Bay. Walter Bellingrath, a pioneer in the Coca-Cola bottling industry, converted 900 acres of subtropical jungle into a magnificent estate. Stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens ablaze with colorful azaleas, camellias, and rose bushes. Before returning to Biloxi, explore the MOBILE CARNIVAL MUSEUM, which highlights the history of Mardi Gras in its true birthplace—Mobile. See the designs and artistry of majestic crowns, scepters, and robes, climb aboard a float, see historical photos, and witness the pageantry of past coronations. We return to Biloxi, where the remainder of the day is at leisure to shop for souvenirs, visit a local museum, or maybe try your luck at one of the dazzling casinos. (B)

Day 8 Biloxi–New Orleans (Thu.)
This morning we return to New Orleans. A Platinum exclusive, you CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE this afternoon. Select between a leisurely PADDLEWHEEL excursion on the mighty Mississippi, see the city’s haunted side on an ANNE RICE VAMPIRE TOUR, or get a better understanding of events pre and post Katrina and the “Rebirth of New Orleans” on the HURRICANE KATRINA TOUR. Tonight, enjoy a festive New Orleans-style farewell dinner, the perfect ending to your Southern holiday! (B,D)

Day 9 New Orleans (Fri.)
Your vacation ends this morning after breakfast with guests departing on individual schedules. Airport transfers are provided. (B)

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INCLUDED FEATURES

New Orleans: Sightseeing tour, lunch and private demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking; Choose Your Experience Enjoy a paddlewheel excursion, Anne Rice Vampire tour, or Hurricane Katrina tour; farewell dinner
Vacherie: Oak Alley Plantation
Lafayette: Vermilionville, private presentation at Martin Accordions, Cajun dinner and dancing at local restaurant
Baton Rouge: Orientation tour
Natchez: City tour, dinner at an antebellum home
Vicksburg: Vicksburg National Military Park
Jackson: Orientation tour
Biloxi: Orientation tour, see historic Beauvoir, enjoy a shrimping trip
Mobile: Visit Bellingrath Gardens & Home, Mobile Carnival Museum

Note:
The 04/22 departure features the New Orleans Jazz Fest as part of the New Orleans extension.

INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

STANDARD INCLUDED FEATURES
Learn more about transportation, hotels, and other standard included features offered.

MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
American breakfast daily (B), 1 lunch (L), 4 three-course dinners (D) including a farewell dinner in New Orleans.

SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
New Orleans Hotel Monteleone (F), Lafayette Hilton Lafayette & Towers (SF), Natchez Natchez Eola Hotel (F), Jackson Hilton (F), Biloxi Beau Rivage Resort (D)

PRICES
From approx $2,049 US per person double occupancy