Step into a Cultural Melting Pot in the “Jazz Capital of the World”
Indulge in a taste of a New Orleans favorite – beignets at Café du Monde; Experience a spirited jazz revue at a jazz club in the French Quarter; Journey through Louisiana’s swamp country on a narrated cruise. Soak in the ambiance of the old South with a drive along St. Charles Avenue; Enjoy dinner at the Court of the Two Sisters; and Join a local guide for a walking tour of the famous French Quarter. Learn to cook New Orleans-style at the New Orleans School of Cooking; and Enjoy a panoramic tour of New Orleans featuring St. Louis Cemetery, opened in 1853.
Group #994267
March 21-25, 2021
Enjoy five days in fabulous New Orleans; highlights include the world-famous French Quarter, the New Orleans School of Cooking, St. Louis Cathedral, the French Marketplace, a Swamp Tour, and a Jazz Revue. 5 days, 6 meals, hotel, airfare, & taxes. $2049 Double, $2449 Single, $2019 Triple. **
Day 1: Sunday, March 21, 2021: Your tour begins; step into a cultural melting pot in the “Jazz Capital of the World,” New Orleans! Experience this soulful city abound with rich history, mouth-watering Cajun and Creole cuisine, and, of course, an incomparable soundtrack.
Day 2: Monday, March 22, 2021: This morning, enjoy a panoramic city tour with a local guide. Start by seeing St. Louis Cemetery #3; opened in 1854, it holds some of the most elaborate crypts found in the city’s cemeteries. Relax during a drive along the shore of Lake Ponchartrain. This romantic road eventually leads to St. Charles Avenue, whisking you past gorgeous mansions and two world-famous universities, Tulane and Loyola. This afternoon, it’s your choice! Take a walk through history at the National World War II Museum and learn about the American experience in the war – OR – celebrate the festive side of New Orleans at Mardi Gras World and come to know the history of this tradition while touring a working warehouse where artisans create spectacular floats for the famous parades. Tonight, learn how to cook New Orleans-style! During a cooking demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking, your chef will indulge you in everything Louisiana has to offer. (B, D)
Day 3: Tuesday, March 23, 2021: Introduce yourself to the city’s famous French Quarter on a walking tour that features such sights as the majestic St. Louis Cathedral, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Continue on to the bustling French Marketplace to explore Pirate’s Alley and view the Pontalba. Head over to Café du Monde for a taste of a true New Orleans favorite – beignets! This afternoon explore more of New Orleans on your own, or you may choose an optional excursion to Oak Alley Plantation to explore the rich history of the Antebellum South. (B)
Day 4: Wednesday, March 24, 2021: Set out on a drive along New Orleans’ historic Esplanade Avenue. Then, journey through Louisiana swamp on a cruise* narrated by your captain. Learn about the history and ecology of this fascinating ecosystem and keep an eye out for wildlife, from bald eagles to herons, turtles, and alligators! Return to the city and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to discover more of New Orleans your way. Tonight, immerse yourself in the flavors of traditional New Orleans during dinner at The Court of the Two Sisters in the French Quarter. After dinner, discover for yourself why New Orleans is the “Birthplace of Jazz” during a roaring jazz review at a local club in the French Quarter. (B, D)
Day 5: Thursday, March 25, 2021: Your tour of this captivating city comes to a close today. (B)
*In cases of severe inclement weather, entrance to the Cabildo and Presbytere museums will be substituted in place of the swamp tour.
**This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven grounds and cobblestone streets.
Experience it! The French Quarter
A captivating jewel on the shores of the legendary Mississippi River, New Orleans’ French Quarter is the heartbeat of a magnificent city. A tapestry rich with history and culture is woven together with an old-world charm that’s attracted literary titans, artists, and legendary musicians since the era of Mark Twain. Every year, more than 10 million visitors descend on this vibrant city, ripe with art galleries, antique stores, jazz clubs, and restaurants. In the brick buildings with their walled-in courtyards and ornate cast-iron balconies, Spanish, French, Creole, and American influences integrate seamlessly along cobblestone streets, while a collection of stoops and porches create an atmosphere that beckons you to some serious people-watching.
Please Note: IDENTIFICATION
For Travel within the USA – For Travel completed by September 30, 2020, all airlines will ask for identification when you check in. It is recommended that you carry a passport if you have one. A driver’s license (with a photo ID) is also acceptable for domestic flights. Effective for travel October 1, 2020 forward, the REAL ID Act standards for identification while traveling will be in effect. This means a standard issued driver’s license used as a form of identification will no longer be accepted for domestic air travel within the United States. Instead, a Real ID compliant form of identification must be presented both at the time of booking air travel with Collette and upon checking in at the airport to board any flight. Any fees associated with changing a reservation resulting from a non-compliant identification will be the responsibility of the guest.
For more information on Real ID, please visit the Department of Homeland Security website: www.dhs.gov/real-id