SOUTHERN GETAWAY!

Check out this Southern Getaway at STAR LEAF TRAVEL

New Orleans & The Deep South:
To fully comprehend the colorful history and modern life of New Orleans and the Deep South, you should see, hear, smell, feel, and taste it. On this exciting 8-day journey you will have the opportunity to do just that! Your city tour is the best introduction to New Orleans and where you'll see the French Quarter. You may choose to cruise the Mississippi River on an authentic paddle wheeler, tour City Park, enjoy a ride on the streetcars along St. Charles Avenue, or simply have a beignet and cafe au lait at the world-famous Cafe Du Monde. En route to Biloxi, a stop will be made at the Bellingrath Gardens, one of Americas most beautiful gardens and homes. Enjoy a marine adventure cruise, and in the calm, protected waters between Deer Island and the Biloxi shoreline, you will participate in a real shrimping expedition. Other highlights include a visit to a ceramic Mardi Gras mask factory and a captivating tour of the pre-Civil War town of Natchez, Mississippi. Here you will wander the grounds of an antebellum plantation with its towering oaks and quintessential Greek Revival architecture. Finally in Lafayette, cruise along the bayous and acquaint yourself with the history and culture of the friendly Cajun people and enjoy the wonderful Creole/Cajun food that this area is so famous for!


Day 1: Arrive New Orleans, Louisiana - French Quarter
Acquaint yourself with the city that has given us great music and food: the "Jazz Capital of the World," New Orleans. This evening, dinner is included at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Watch in delight as Creole and Cajun experts teach New Orleans specialties and season them with history, trivia and tall tales. It's a guaranteed good time for all! Today dinner is included.

Day 2: New Orleans
Your day begins with a city tour, aboard a comfortable coach, in that small parcel of land in the river bend now known as the French Quarter. You will then proceed to historic Esplanade Avenue and St. Louis Cemetery #3, one of New Orleans' oldest and most intriguing cemeteries. Next, drive along Lake Ponchartrain. Then, follow the streetcar line down majestic St. Charles Avenue past Tulane and Loyola universities and beautifully restored mansions before ending your tour at the world-famous Café Du Monde for a beignet and café au lait. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy New Orleans at your own pace. Today breakfast is included.

Day 3: New Orleans-Theodore, Alabama-Biloxi, Mississippi
Today, travel to Alabama to visit Bellingrath Gardens, one of America's most beautiful gardens and homes. Truly a spectacular sight, the gardens offer massive oak trees with Spanish moss, 150,000 azaleas, camellias, mums, alamendas and more than 2,000 roses. Later, arrive in Biloxi where you will be exposed to the spectacular world of sea life - caught on a real shrimping expedition. Enjoy this 70-minute living marine adventure cruise which is navigated in the calm, protected waters between Deer Island and the Biloxi shoreline. Upon leaving the harbor, the shrimping net is set out with full details of how and what makes the net spread and operate correctly. At the appropriate time during the cruise, the net is pulled in and the entire catch will be identified and presented for your inspection by the Captain. Today breakfast and dinner are included.

Day 4: New Orleans
Discover New Orleans your way with a day at leisure. Grab a map of the French Quarter and explore its beautiful antique shops and boutiques. Take an optional cruise along the mighty Mississippi River or ride an authentic street car. Your Tour Manager is on hand to recommend attractions and sightseeing so you may experience all the city has to offer. Tonight, enjoy an elegant dinner at the Court of Two Sisters, one of New Orleans most famous restaurants. Afterwards, a short walk along famous Bourbon Street brings you to Maison Bourbon to experience a toe-tapping Jazz revue. Today breakfast and dinner are included.

Day 5: New Orleans-Covington,Louisiana-Natchez,Mississippi
This morning you depart for Covington where you visit Fancy Faces, a ceramic Mardi Gras mask factory. You'll have the opportunity to learn step-by-step how each piece is molded, fired, and decorated by hand. You will then partake in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create your own special Mardi Gras mask to take home! Later, continue to Natchez, a beautiful town that captures the grace and elegance of the old south with its many antebellum mansions. Today breakfast is included.

Day 6: Natchez - Lafayette, Louisiana
Learn about the rich history of Natchez as a local guide takes you on a captivating tour of this pre-Civil War town. You will also enjoy a tour of a famous antebellum mansion. Later, travel to Lafayette, the capital of Cajun country and the town immortalized in Longfellow's epic poem, "Evangeline." This afternoon you will enjoy a cruise along the eerie bayous, a great opportunity to get acquainted with the friendly Cajun people. Today breakfast and dinner are included.

Day 7: Cajun Country
Experience a delightful tour through Cajun country, with a local guide as your host. Discover the history and culture of the locals at the Jean Lafitte Cultural Center where you get a glimpse into the life of this 17th-century pirate. Also visit Vermilion Ville, a 23 acre Cajun/Creole Heritage & Folklife Park. Dinner is at Mulate's, featuring Cajun cooking and great entertainment. Today breakfast and dinner are included.

Day 8: Lafayette - Tour Ends
This morning your tour ends in Lafayette. Delightful culture and cuisine, antebellum mansions, and the magic of the French Quarter will make this a vacation to live on forever. Today breakfast is included.

I just love New Orleans! If you have never had a Cafe Au Lait & Beignets at Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter, well don't think it is about time??
At Cafe Du Monde they remember your order without writing it down!! Be sure to get you a mug, I love mine!