New Orleans.A week in The Big Easy, Jazz, Plantations, Swamp Tour & River Cruise

November is a great time to visit. The hurricane season has well passed yet the crowds that appear in December and January have not yet arrived. The day time temperatures is in the early 20s with evening temperatures a little lower.

Join Travel Buddies as we embark on this incredible trip as we head to New Orleans the BIG EASY... Jazz Capital of the World. Take a dinner cruise on the Mississippi, dine on Cajun and Creole specialities, visit the oldest sugar cane plantation in Louisiana and taka a swamp boat tour in the bayou. All of this and more...

Day 1. Friday 22nd November
We will all meet at the airport before boarding our flight. Upon arrival in New Orleans we will take our private transfer to the hotel where we will be staying for the next 6 nights. We will be sharing twin rooms with 2 double beds and breakfast is included each morning. There is the option to have a room to yourself for a supplement of £300 this needs to be paid at the same time as the balance.

The 4* SpringHill Suites by Marriott New Orleans Downtown/Canal Street has an on-site rooftop bar with views of downtown New Orleans. There is a tea and coffee maker in the rooms and free Wifi.

This evening we will go for dinner locally. To try some dishes invented in New Orleans check out the po' boy and muffuletta sandwiches, oysters Rockefeller and oysters Bienville, pompano en papillote, and bananas Foster.

Day 2. Saturday 23rd November
After breakfast will explore the iconic sights of New Orleans and the hidden treasures that only the locals know on a guided tour. We start the tour through the French Quarter. Here we will see the mixture of French, Spanish and American cultures in everything from the street names to the architecture and cuisine. Then, its on to Bourbon street, famous for its wild nightlife Jazz music and plantation homes.

Next, we visit the historic New Orleans Cemeteries and will learn about the unique way in which they honor and bury their loved ones. This piece of New Orleans culture is unique to the city, you won’t find it anywhere else in the United States! The above ground burial is a tradition that dates back to the Spanish control of the city in the 18th century.

We then gain an insight in to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and we will learn how the city inhabitants came together to restore "New Orleans".

The last stop of the day is the Musicians village, a village totally dedicated to rehoming many of the musicians after the hurricane.

There will be a lunch stop at a local eatery along the way. (not included)

Free time in the later afternoon.

Dinner locally.

Day 3. Sunday 24th November
Today we will be picked up from the hotel to explore Louisiana’s unique history and ecology for a day tour to the oldest standing Plantation in the Mississippi Valley that is surrounded by majestic, 300 year old Oak Trees and take a Swamp boat tour in the Bayou.

We will Travel along the oak-lined River Road to the Destrehan Plantation and take a guided tour of the sugar plantation home, grounds and slave quarters while learning about life in the antebellum South and the site’s changing role during the Civil War.

Next we venture into the bayou for a narrated swamp cruise through wild wetlands that are home to turtles, otters, snakes and famous Louisiana gators.

After our tour we will be dropped back at the hotel and have a some free time before going out to dinner locally.

Day 4. Monday 25th November
Today we will enjoy a buffet lunch with live Jazz music at "The Court of Two Sisters".....more than a restaurant – it’s a legend. Enjoy luscious Creole and Cajun cuisine. Pass through the Charm Gates, make a wish in the Devil’s Wishing Well and hear the story of Emma and Bertha, the two sisters who ran a shop here once upon a time in the French Quarter.

Dishes include Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, Red Beans & Rice, Turtle Soup au Sherry, Shrimp Etouffee, Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, Corn Macque Choux. Delicious!

* Please note that tax and gratuity is not included.

Free time in the afternoon.

A night out in the "Big Easy". Few cities rival New Orleans’ nightlife thanks to its thrilling music scene. From authentic dixieland to big brass and every other jazz style in between, live music options are endless in the city that gave birth to the coolest genre in music. Hear about the origins and culture of jazz before we make our way to the 19th century neighborhood that boasts the best music and bars in town. We’ll visit a few of the favorite local clubs, enjoy a drink and discover the talents of some of the city’s best local musicians.

Day 5. Tuesday 26th November
Free Day.

A free day is just as it says, some of the group may choose to go off in smaller groups to do things of interest, some may prefer to stay at the hotel and relax or book an additional tour. Whatever you want it is up to you and you wont be left on your own.... unless you want to be. :)

Dinner locally

Day 6. Wednesday 27th November
This morning we will take a behind the scenes look at what goes in to the country's biggest free party with a visit to Mardi Gras World. The huge floats take months to build and decorate, and this is where a large part of that happens. Painters and sculptures are actually working on pieces as you walk through, and it feels like being let in on a secret. Our tour will last 90 minutes.
(Transfers are not included)

To mark the last evening of this incredible adventure we take a steamboat river cruise down the Mississippi river and enjoy a traditional dinner on board whilst listening to live Jazz music. What a way to end the week!

Day 7. Thursday 28th November
This morning after breakfast we can check out and store our luggage before visiting some last spots for sightseeing.

our transfer back to the airport will be in the late afternoon.

Day 8. Friday 29th November
Arrive UK and bid farewell to our fellow Travel Buddies.

What's Included

• 6 nights accommodation in the 4* SpringHill Suites by Marriott New Orleans Downtown/Canal Street sharing a twin room with en-suite
• Breakfast each morning
• Travel Buddies host
• Return airport transfers
• Full day tour of the "Big Easy"
• Lunch with live Jazz music at " The Court of Two Sisters" restaurant
• Evening guided tour of the Jazz Quarter
• Entry and guided tour to "Mardi Gras World"
• Full day tour to the Destrehan Plantation and swamp boat tour on the Bayou.
• Steamboat river cruise on the Mississippi river with dinner

What's not Included

• International Flights.

The flights below are the suggested flights. You are more than welcome to book different flights from wherever is most convenient for you in the UK. If you wish to join the group from a different flight you will need to arrange a transfer to the hotel.

You need to book your own flights. Below is the flight that Moira will be taking. Suggested flights are with British Airways and are as follows.

Outbound direct
22/11/2024
Depart London Heathrow T5. 13.25
Arrive New Orleans Louis Armstrong International 17.45
Flight Number BA0225

Inbound direct
28/11/2024
Depart New Orleans Louis Armstrong International 19.45
Arrive London Heathrow T5. 10.25+1
Flight Number BA0224

• Any other meals activities other than those listed above.
• Entrance fees other than stated above
• Public transport charges.
• Tips for the guides
• Please note that you will need to pay a damages deposit upon check in of $300 and this will be refunded to you approx 5 days after the end of the trip by the hotel.

COST
The price of the above tour is £1389.All payments need to be made into the Protected Trust Services account held with HSBC:
Please pay a non refundable deposit of £200 to secure your space. If we haven’t received your deposit within 3 days of RSVP, your RSVP will be changed to "not going" and your space will be released. The balance of £1189 needs to be paid by 8th September in to the following business account. (if you are having a room to yourself the balance is £1489)

Trustees of PTS Air Travel Trust
Account number: 83664597
Sort Code: 40-40-14
Reference: 2T0023188 Your First and Last Name
(Please note that we do not accept Credit Cards)
To learn more on how we protect your money, please visit [www.protectedtrustservices.com/travel/consumer-protection/

By paying a deposit you will be agreeing to our cancellation policies and that you have read and agree to the following
Travel Buddies UK Limited Terms & Conditions

Entry requirements
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements

You will need to obtain an ESTA (Electronic Visa) to enter the USA

We really look forward to having you join us for this amazing adventure.

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