Louisiana's Finest
Back to Louisiana
Louisiana's Finest14 nightsFrom £1860 per person
Price includes: Flights, accommodation and car hire
Day 1: Fly from the UK to New Orleans
On arrival collect your car and drive to Baton Rouge, approx. 80 miles
Experience all the things to do in the state’s 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 one night.
Day 2: Drive from Baton Rouge to Natchez, MS, approx. 90 miles
The original capital of the Mississippi Territory, Natchez, was at the heart of the slave trade and is the birthplace of the Mississippi Riverboat. Why not go for a self-guided tour through the streets of Natchez' historic district with over 50 antebellum homes and historic churches. Worthy of a visit is the "Under the Hill" area made famous by Mark Twain or explore one of the most interesting cemeteries in the South.
Stay two nights.
Day 4: Drive from Natchez to Shreveport, LA, approx. 200 miles
Great food and culture meet non-stop gaming and live entertainment in the northwest corner of the state, just a short drive from the borders or Texas and Arkansas. Experience a lively arts, craft brewery and music scene. Visit a diverse range of museums that tell the story of famous musicians, galaxies, cultures, and explorers. Enjoy festivals that showcase Louisiana’s traditions of good music, great food and all-night entertainment.
Stay two nights.
Day 6: Drive from Shreveport to Natchitoches, LA, approx. 75 miles
Natchitoches, (Nack-a-tish) the original French colony in Louisiana, is the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. Established in 1714, Natchitoches, retains its European flavour through its architecture, heritage and lifestyle. The City’s Historic Landmark District includes many historic homes, churches and commercial structures. A mixture of Queen Anne and Victorian architecture, along with Creole style cottages can be seen throughout the district.
Stay one night.
Day 7: Drive from Natchitoches to Lafayette, LA (144 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 homegrown talent, including both traditional and contemporary Cajun and Zydeco performers.
Cajun Country Swamp Tours are available from nearby Breaux Bridge. These eco-swamp tours travel through Cypress Island/Lake Martin Swamp, famous for its impressive scenic beauty and wildlife. See alligators, egrets, herons, bayous, ancient cypress trees covered with Spanish moss and more of what you envision a Louisiana swamp to be.
Stay two nights.
Day 9: Drive from Lafayette to Thibodaux and Houma, LA, approx. 100 miles
On your way from Lafayette head to Avery Island and visit the Tabasco Factory and Museum, where you can take a tour and see how the world-renowned sauce is made, and learn everything you have ever wanted to know about the five generations of McIlhenny family who have made the sauce and the history of the Tabasco brand. You can dine at Restaurant 1868, with classic dishes all flavoured with the sauce.
Thibodaux was first settled by French and Spanish Creoles from New Orleans, but rapidly became a refuge for the Acadian exiles of the mid-1700s. Visit some of the historic plantations in the area and make a stop in at the Jean Lafitte Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center to learn more about the area. It offers canoe treks in the Spring and Autumn, plus daily walking tours and Monday night Cajun jam sessions.
A network of bayous and shipping channels converge on Houma, the city is the jumping-off point for countless charter fishing adventures, birding expeditions and swamp tours. Mardi Gras celebrations consume the city each year.
Stay for two nights in Houma or Thibodaux.
Day 11: Drive to New Orleans, LA approx. 55 miles
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. There is music playing every evening in the French Quarter. Exploring the Garden District which gets its name from the huge homes and gardens that fill block after block. 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.
Stay four nights in New Orleans.
Day 15: Return to the UK.
