October 20 – 26, 2012
&
Special Features
- Guided Tour of Cajun Country
- Tour Acadian Village
- Atchafalaya Swamp tour with lunch
- Shadows-on-the Teche historic home tour
- St. John Cathedral and 450 year old Oak
- Tour Avery Island and Tabasco factory
- Jean Lafitte Center
- “Fais do do” Cajun Dinner with live music for dancing
- Nottoway Plantation Tour
- Guided tour of New Orleans
- New Orleans Cooking School with lunch
- Mardi Gras World experience
From beautiful landscape to treacherous swamps, Louisiana is a mystical place; and the people of Louisiana are just as magical. Here you will experience different cultures, new music and fabulous food all while learning the history of both the Cajuns of Lafayette, and the Creoles of New Orleans, and learning why they possess such a “joie de vivre”!
Prices
Double: $1,285/pp
Single: $1,625/pp
Triple: $1,185/pp
Trip Protection Gold $105/pp
$100/pp if booked by April 30, 2012
Day 1, Saturday, October 20, 2012
Today we set out on our adventure toward Alexandria, Louisiana
LODGING: Comfort Inn & Suites
Day 2, Sunday, October 21, 2012
Bienvenue! Our Cajun experience begins as we learn the story of Evangeline and arrival of these amazing and resilient people. With our local guide we will visit an Acadian Village, the Jean Lafitte Center, St John’s Cathedral, and “little Paris”; St. Martinville to view the grave of Evangeline and the Evangeline Oak, where she waited so patiently for her love Gabriel, made famous by the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
LODGING: Hampton Inn
MEALS: Breakfast
Day 3, Monday, October 22, 2012
Today, we will tour Avery Island bird and wildlife sanctuary and the Tabasco factory, both located on top of a salt mine. We will also visit the Kon Rico rice Mill and the beautifully preserved ante bellum home; Shadows on the Teche. After all this we will have an introduction to Cajun music before having the chance to participate in a Cajun party-a“Fais do do”- with food music and dancing!
LODGING: Hampton Inn
MEALS: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 4, Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Today we finish our tour of Cajun Country with a boat tour and lunch at the Atchafalaya Swamp. Wildlife is abundant in the swamp-including alligators! After bidding “Adieu” to the Swamp we will head toward New Orleans with a stop and tour of Nottoway Plantation, with its presentation of a working pre-civil war plantation and home, along the way. Unless delayed, we should arrive in time for our hotel’s complimentary drinks and hors’ devours buffet.
LODGING: Drury Inn
MEALS: Breakfast Lunch
Day 5, Wednesday, October 24, 2012
“Laissez les bon temps rouler!” We begin the day in this exciting city with a narrated tour of the history and people of New Orleans. The tour ends the New Orleans School of Cooking, where you have the chance to learn the secrets of the “roux”. After this great lunch, you will have free time to explore the fabulous shops and fascinating alleyways of “Nawlins” at your own pace.
LODGING: Drury Inn
MEALS: Breakfast Lunch
Day 6, Thursday, October 25, 2012
Of course, we cannot ignore one of the most infamous parts of New Orleans’ mystique; Mardi Gras! We will visit Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World, the world’s largest producer of floats, sculptures and props. After the colors, lights and excitement of Carnivale, we will say “Au revoir” to New Orleans with a bountiful lunch in the gorgeous and historic courtyard of the Court of Two Sisters restaurant. Then off to Grenada, Mississippi for our overnight.
LODGING: Hampton Inn
MEALS: Breakfast Lunch
Day 7, Friday, October 26, 2012
After the great food, music and cultures of Louisiana we will understand the “joie de vivre” of the wonderful people we have met on this fantastic tour. We will arrive back in Springfield approx 4:30pm.
MEALS: Breakfast