New Orleans, where Jazz streams out into the moonlight, French doors open to the night breezes and sweet olive scents the air while nearby there is laughter, a cork popping, and cafe brulot aflame.
Enjoy four days and three nights in at the Bienville House situated in the heart of this little corner of the American South. Here European traditions blend with Caribbean influences, the history is as colorful as the local architecture and the food is the stuff of legend. Take a walking tour of the famed French Quarter and see it come to life as the local guide explains its secrets and helps you understand all it has to offer.
Enjoy a fun cooking demonstration, full lunch, and recipes to take along at The New Orleans Cooking School. This basics course in Louisiana cooking combines food and folklore with history, trivia, and tall tales for a memorable experience.

Speak with your travel consultant to customize this itinerary to incorporate all the sites and activities you desire. Want to explore the Mississippi by river boat? Want to explore a local Swamp or take in live Jazz all night long? Just say the word!

Includes car rental for up to 7 consecutive days

Depending on your time of arrival, you may want to set out on foot and explore this wonderful city on your own. 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. New Orleans is also world-famous for its abundance of unique architectural styles which reflects the city's historical roots and multicultural heritage. The city has seventeen historic landmark districts.

The French Quarter is one the most well-known areas in New Orleans. It boasts an amazing mix of architecture styles, electric shops and fine dining. At the center of it all is Jackson Square; musicians, artists, mimes, tarot card readers and entertainers of all kinds create an unforgettable street scene. Stroll along Bourbon Street at night with its jazz clubs, lively nightspots, and casinos.

The Bienville House (3.5*) is perfectly situated in the midst of the historic French Quarter. The 83-room boutique hotel is a truly distinctive establishment with a sense of style and grace found amidst the city’s finest antique shops on Royal Street, Bourbon Street, late-night jazz clubs, world renowned restaurants and more. Bienville House Hotel is the closest French Quarter hotel to Saks Fifth Avenue, the House of Blues, and only steps from Cafe Du Monde and Jackson Square. Amenities at this property include a restaurant, room-service, meeting/banquet facilities, safe-deposit service at the front desk and dry cleaning/laundry service. Recreational facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool. Complimentary daily newspaper is provided.

Overnight at HT1- Bienville House (3.5*) (B) (Run of House ).

Get ready for a day of discovery in the French Quarter. Let a "local expert" unravel the mysteries of one of America’s oldest and most unique living neighborhoods! 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. Learn about the Creoles on this tour through the original city, founded in 1718 by French explorer Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville. See the old Quarter come to life as your guide explains its secrets and helps you understand all it has to offer - architecture, courtyards, gardens, food, music, and art. Tour the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley, the Old Ursuline Convent, constructed by French Colonial Engineers under the auspices of the crown and completed in 1753. Included in this tour is St. Mary’s Church. Completed in 1848, it has served as a center of worship for the French, Spanish, African American, German, Irish and Italian communities.

A grand mélange presentation of Cajun and Creole cultures, on this tour you will see two Southern plantations and a Cajun bayou! 

The Westbank Plantation Tour where you’ll see both Oak Alley Plantation & Laura Plantation.  You’ll enjoy a delicious lunch (included) at Oak Alley Plantation’s Cajun restaurant.

Choose either the thrilling Airboat tour where you will drive down to a remote swamp in Cajun Country for a high-speed ride onboard a 6 passenger Airboat.  You will glide comfortably over marshes, deep into secluded bayous for approximately 2 hours.  You may even get to hold a baby alligator, feed giant catfish, or meet a nutria face to face.

Or, if you're looking for a more relaxing trip through Cajun Country, you can choose the Cajun Bayou Tour.  You'll drive out to Cajun Country; go through wild cypress swamps, over the Mississippi River on an impressive suspended bridge, and along vast sugarcane fields, as your guide tells a unique story of the odyssey of the Cajun people.

Your Cajun guide, also an alligator hunter and fur trapper, will share his knowledge of the swamp including reptile habits, healing plants and exotic birds.   After this peaceful ride, explore his picturesque swamp zoo on Bayou Boeuf.

Once the tour has concluded you have the rest of the day to explore on your own. Make sure to stop by Café Du Monde to sample their famous beignet (the state doughnut of Louisiana) and a Coffee & Chicory which is traditionally served Au Lait (mixed half and half with hot milk).

Overnight at HT1- Bienville House (3.5*) (B) (Run of House ).

Have breakfast at the hotel this morning and prepare yourself for a day of culinary fun at The New Orleans School of Cooking. This entertaining class is held in a renovated molasses warehouse built in the early 1800s in the heart of the French Quarter. Since 1980, the New Orleans School of Cooking has introduced countless visitors from around the world to the wonderful food and rich culture of Louisiana and New Orleans. Learn the basics of Louisiana Cooking in a way you'll never forget. Fun is a primary ingredient in this kitchen! The cooking classes are taught by well known local chefs; skilled in the arts and traditions of Cajun and Creole cuisine. You will be treated to a wide range of local classics such as Jambalaya, Gumbo, Corn & Crab Bisque, and Pralines. The two and a half hour class includes generous samplings of the demonstrated items as well as recipes, coffee, iced tea and beer.

After such a culinary experience, set out to see more of this amazing city on your own.

Overnight at HT1- Bienville House (3.5*) (B) (Run of House ).

After breakfast, depart at your leisure.

After packing up make your way to the rental car drop off centre and return your vehicle.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).