History, Culture & Tradition in Louisiana
Back to Louisiana
History, Culture & Tradition in Louisiana14 nightsFrom £1145 per person
Price includes: Flights, accommodation and car hire
Day 1 UK to New Orleans
New Orleans is a city that marches to the beat of its own drum. A stop at the French Quarter Visitor Center unit of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park introduces you to the traditions and life in the area. Rangers lead daily walks to tell the story of this special place and its ties to the Mississippi River, or you could take a guided walking tour of the French Quarter for in insight into the history, architecture and vibe of the area. There is music playing every evening in the French Quarter. Try the Maison Bourbon Jazz Club or the House of Blues for music. Also check to see if there are performances scheduled for Preservation Hall. Magazine Street is a great place for shopping, including antiques. Explore the Garden District which gets its name from the huge homes and gardens that fill block after block, or take a trip on the Steamboat Natchez and discover more about the history and life on the Mississippi River.
Stay three nights in New Orleans.
Day 4 Drive New Orleans to Plantation Country, approx. 75 miles
Located between the historic cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Explore a remarkable area where the past is gloriously alive. Here, a collection of famous plantations dot the landscape along the Mississippi River, each offering a unique journey back in time. Enjoy delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine, exhilarating swamp tours and all the richness of Louisiana's vibrant culture. To really immerse yourself in history stay the night in one of the plantation homes, such as Nottaway, Oak Alley or Madewood.
Stay one night in Plantation Country.
Day 5 Drive Plantation Country to Baton Rouge, approx. 45 miles.
Experience all the things to do in the capital city. From a hot culinary scene to live music, Baton Rouge offers a unique Louisiana experience. Politics is deeply entwined in the culture of Baton Rouge; it can be found both in the storied past of local dealmakers, showcased at the Old Louisiana State Capitol, and in the political history that is being written now inside the art deco skyscraper that serves as the current capitol. A revival is underway in the city centre where attractions range from a riverfront casino to the USS Kidd floating museum to the ultra-contemporary Shaw Centre for the Arts, which clusters an art museum, gallery spaces, theatres and restaurants in the heart of downtown.
Stay two nights in Baton Rouge.
Day 7 Drive Baton Rouge to Lafayette, approx. 60 miles.
Lafayette mixes all the amenities of urban life with the unmistakable influence of the region's venerable Cajun and Creole cultures. Lafayette is said to have more restaurants per capita than any other American city. Numerous music clubs feature home-grown talent, including both traditional and contemporary Cajun and Zydeco performers. Make sure you visit the Blue Moon Café or McGee’s Landing. Admire the many murals in downtown Lafayette which depict some of the region’s history and life, as well as statues and sculptures, mostly by local artists. Explore the Acadian Cultural Center in Lafayette which tells stories of the origins, migration, settlement, and contemporary culture of the Acadians (Cajuns) and other area groups, with displays of local tradition including music, story-telling, dance, and food, and explore the mysteries of the Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana's wildest place.
Stay one night in Lafayette.
Day 8 Drive Lafayette to New Orleans for Flight back to the UK.
Prices from £1145 per person, based on two people sharing, including flights on British Airways from Heathrow to New Orleans, car hire and accommodation, staying 3 nights in New Orleans at the Maison Dupuy, on room only, 1 night in Plantation Country staying at the Nottoway Plantation, 2 nights in Baton Rouge staying at the Radisson Hotel Baton Rouge, on room only and 1 night in Lafayette staying at the Doubletree by Hilton Lafayette, on room only.
