DAY 1 NEW ORLEANS

Arrive at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) and proceed to your hotel for check-in. Maison Dupuy is a unique hotel set inside the city’s historic Vieux Carré district within the French Quarter, just two blocks from the heart of Bourbon Street. New Orleans is known world-wide for its multicultural and multilingual heritage, cuisine, architecture, music (particularly as the birthplace of jazz), and its annual Mardi Gras and other celebrations and festivals. The city is often referred to as the “most unique” city in America.

Accommodation: New Orleans for 1 night

DAY 2 NEW ORLEANS · BATON ROUGE

This morning after your breakfast you should contemplate taking one of the many half-day city tours available. These tours some by foot and others via motorcoach – offer a chance to see the major sights across the city like the French Quarter, the elegant Garden District, and the famous Lafayette Cemetery. Leave the capital city behind in the early afternoon and make stops at Houmas House Plantation and Longwood Plantation, each offering its own version of southern antebellum splendor, as you journey toward Baton Rouge for a one-night stay at the historic Nottoway Plantation. Along the way, Nottoway, known as “White Castle”, is the South’s largest remaining antebellum mansion and a member of Historic Hotels of America. Enjoy the unforgettable grandeur and gracious hospitality offered by this unique lodging experience and end your day with an elegant dinner at The Mansion Restaurant, offering classic Creole-inspired Louisiana cuisine. The beautifully restored turn-of-the century dining room boasts stunning views of the grounds.

Accommodation: Baton Rouge for 1 night

Today’s Suggested Optional Experience (at an additional cost)

FRENCH QUARTER WALKING TOUR (MSY-FQWT):

Let your own ‘local expert’ unravel the mysteries of America’s oldest and most unique living neighborhood! Follow in the footsteps of historic figures as you stroll along the Mighty Mississippi, through the French Market and Jackson Square, and down the banquettes (sidewalks) of quaint streets named for saints and sinners from our European past. See the old Quarter come to life as your guide explains its secrets and helps you understand all it has to offer – architecture, courtyards, food, music, art and gardens. You’ll discover love potion and gris-gris potions at the intriguing and unusual Pharmacy Museum.

DAY 3 BATON ROUGE · ST FRANCISVILLE · NATCHEZ

Have an early breakfast this morning and join the 9:00am guided Plantation tour for a bit of culture and a lot of history. Get to know this historic 64-room antebellum mansion with its collection of period furnishings, the pristinely manicured grounds, and the Nottoway Museum, which houses artifacts of the original owners. Shortly after, depart toward Natchez, stopping in St. Francisville as you leave Baton Rouge. This charming town is known for its historic downtown district and the numerous structures on the national historic registry. Pickup a “Walk Through History” brochure at the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum to learn all about this Historic District’s cultural and architectural history. Continue to Natchez where your stay has been arranged at the historic Monmouth Plantation.

Accommodation: Natchez for 1 night

DAY 4 NATCHEZ · VICKSBURG

Start your day by having a full breakfast and get ready to take the tour of the Monmouth Plantation this morning at 10:00am. This historic antebellum home contains many original Quitman pieces and is surrounded by formal gardens. The appeal of Monmouth lies in its carefully calculated balance, symmetry, and proportions, as well as the subliminal impact of the bold lines of the Grecian mode. After having lunch, travel to Vicksburg for a one-night stay at Cedar Grove Inn; this fine Antebellum Estate is one of the largest and most elegant bed and breakfasts in the South. While in Vicksburg make sure to follow the markers of the “Mississippi Blues Trail” and find facts you didn’t know, places you’ve never seen, and you’ll gain a new appreciation for the area that gave birth to the Blues, the single most important root source of modern popular music. In the early evening all Cedar Grove guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary glass of house wine as well as the chocolate & sherry turndown service performed nightly.

Accommodation: Vicksburg for 1 night

DAY 5 VICKSBURG · NATCHITOCHES

Wake up to a home-style country breakfast followed by a tour of this unique historical mansion. Tour all five historic buildings containing elegantly decorated rooms with period furnishings set on five acres of gardens. After the tour you may want to enjoy lunch and depart to Natchitoches for a stay in the beautiful historic district. From here it is easy to set out on foot to experience Cajun history in the numerous Creole Plantations that abound this area. You may also want to visit Alligator Park which offers visitors a glimpse at an authentic Cajun countryside, complete with Cajun music, genuine Cajun cuisine, and plenty of gators.

Accommodation: Natchitoches for 1 night

DAY 6 NATCHITOCHES · ALEXANDRIA · LAFAYETTE · VACHERIE

Today, after a delicious breakfast, depart Natchitoches and make a stopover in Alexandria, known as the heart of Louisiana. Here, historic plantation homes offer an authentic look at plantation life, and cultural art museums and galleries are must-see. Continue your journey to Lafayette. Located in the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun & Creole Country, Lafayette offers excellent cuisine, music, festivals, history, culture, shopping, architecture, arts, outdoors, and wildlife. You may choose to spend some time here before continuing to Vacherie for your overnight stay at the Oak Alley Plantation Bed & Breakfast. Ready for relaxation? Once you arrive at Oak Alley, acquaint yourself with the surroundings and explore the history of this this former sugar plantation. Enjoy a tranquil evening strolling the stately grounds and witness the impressive landscape of the River Region.

Today’s Suggested Optional Experiences (at an additional cost)

ATCHAFALAYA EXPERIENCE BOAT TOUR (LFT-ATCH):

Louisiana’s Atchafalaya is North America’s largest river swamp and ranks among the top 10 wilderness areas in the United States. On any given day one can expect to encounter beaver, nutria, otters, mink, deer, squirrels, and other mammals, as well as up to 38 species of birds, including some which are endangered. And of course, alligators!

OAK ALLEY PLANTATION TOUR (MSY-OAKA):

Experience a bygone era in one of the South’s most beautiful settings-Oak Alley Plantation, built in 1839. Marvel at the quarter-mile long alley of 28 magnificent Oak trees, each over 250 years old. Perhaps the most photographed plantation ever, Oak Alley has been the setting for such motion pictures as “Interview with a Vampire”, “Primary Colors” and the wedding of Bo and Hope from the daytime soap opera, “Days of our Lives”. Your guided tour will reveal the fascinating stories of the home and its history.

Accommodation: Vacherie for 1 night

DAY 7 VACHERIE · NEW ORLEANS

This morning, have a leisure breakfast. Depart Vacherie toward New Orleans for departure.