Day 1 &2 -- New Orleans
Welcome to Louisiana and the start of a marvelous adventure. Collect your rental car and head into the city for a two-night stay. While here, discover the “lagniappe” of the French Quarter; the elegance of St. Charles Street, and the cuisine that draws chefs and food-lovers from around the world. 2 Nights New Orleans at the Grand Victorian Bed and Breakfast, designed and built in 1893 by famed New Orleans architect Thomas Sully. Lovingly brought back to its former glory and decorated with period furnishing, the Grand Victorian welcomes you to a majestic past within the comfort and convenience of a modern bed and breakfast establishment.

Day 3&4 -- Plantation Country  (254 mi/406 km)
Today, travel northwest, through Louisiana’s “Plantation Country.” Learn how these magnificent plantations, many built just before the Civil War, were truly “gone with the wind,” as their owners lost their fortunes during that conflict. Visit Houmas House, setting for the film “Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte,” starring Bette Davis, and have lunch at the famous “Cabin” Restaurant. Watch the mighty Mississippi roll by from the banks of the levee, and unwind in the gracious setting. 2 Nights Nottaway Plantation or Oak Alley Plantation. 2 Nights in Plantation Country Nottoway Plantation—At the edge of sugarcane fields, Nottoway stands overlooking the Mississippi River. This enormous mansion, completed in 1859, reflects an unusual combination. Greek revival architectural elements blend with innovations that were the fanciful desires of the original owner. Not only is the floor plan irregular, but the house contained many elements that were innovative and rare in the mid-19th century, such as indoor plumbing and hot and cold running water.All rooms and reservations include a cruet of a welcome refreshment beverage, wake-up call with hot coffee, juice, and sweet potato muffins, a full plantation breakfast and a guided tour of the Mansion. Oak Alley Plantation—Located on the Mississippi River between the historic cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Oak Alley Plantation has been called the “Grande Dame” of the Great River Road. Nowhere else in the South will you find such a spectacular setting! The 1/4 mile canopy of giant live oak trees, believed to be nearly 300 years old, forms an impressive avenue leading to the classic Greek-revival style antebellum home. The turn-of-the-century Creole cottages are located on the grounds of the plantation, not far from the antebellum mansion. They are simple and serene...no shopping centers, no clubs, no traffic, not even the meddlesome presence of the television or interruption of a telephone to disturb the peace and quiet. Many guests prefer to just stroll the grounds, or take a long walk on the levee as they watch the mighty Mississippi River roll by. Visitors tell us that their stays here are wonderful retreats where they unwind, clear their minds, and freshen up to face the chaos and activity of their everyday lives. In the morning, a full country breakfast (included in the rate) is served at the Oak Alley Restaurant from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Day 5 -- To Natchez, Mississippi (125 mi/200 km)
Travel today through Louisiana’s capital city, Baton Rouge north to Natchez, MS. You may want to stop in Baton Rouge to visit the capital building and one of the city museums. Continue north, along lovely Route #61. Stop in quaint St. Francisville, and lunch and tour the Myrtles, one of the state’s most haunted plantations. Hear about the poisoning of the plantation’s mistress and two children by the slave, Chloe. 2 Nights in Natchez. Natchez welcomes you for a two-night stay at Monmouth Plantation. Monmouth Plantation combines the elegance of the ante-bellum era with timeless hospitality. The home was built in 1818 by John Hankinson, a Yankee from Monmouth County, New Jersey. During Natchez’s hey day, leading up to the Civil War, the property was home to General John A. Quitman and his family. A distinguished war hero and later governor of Mississippi and a United States Senator, Quitman envisioned a place of permanence and peace in the midst of a changing world. Today, Quitman’s dream stands fulfilled. This gracious mansion enjoys a picturesque setting amid pebbled paths, giant magnolia trees and moss-draped oaks and transports guests to a gentler, less hurried time.

Day 6 -- Natchez Touring 
Today, you may want to visit one of the other gracious plantation homes. Natchez is world-famous for having the largest collection of antebellum homes in America. Take a ride on a Mississippi Paddlewheeler, and visit the Visitors Center… or to learn more about the Civil War, you may want to visit Vicksburg, an hour north of Natchez, with its extensive battlefield.

Day 7 -- To Cajun Country (61 mi/98 km)
Depart after breakfast for “Cajun Country,” the area settled by the Acadians following their explusion from Nova Scotia during the ethnic cleansing of “New France” by the British following the Treaty of Paris. Great food, lively music, and warm people await. Visit the Acadian Cultural Center operated by the National Park Service and Vermilionville, a living history museum. Dine at Prejean’s, Randol’s or Mulates for a taste of Cajun Cuisine. Your accommodations for the next two nights are at Cretien Point Plantation or Bois des Chenes.2 Nights in Lafayette. Cretien Point—Somewhere on the old Chretien Point Plantation, in St. Landry Parish, a treasure trove is buried. The value has been estimated to be between $200,000 and $650,000. The treasure was buried by Hippolyte Chretien II, the son of the Plantations founder. In those days the people had little trust in banks, so they found a spot on their property where they felt the money would be safe. The treasure was buried in the direction of a bayou behind the house. Chretien always said that he could look out his office window and see the burial site. The treasure consisted of his wealth as well as inheritances from his father and uncles. His wife Felicity often reproached him for not revealing the whereabouts of the treasure. “If you should die suddenly we should be destitute!” Chretien would never relent; he must have thought he would be last to die. Chretien died a few years later, of Yellow Fever. After his death his wife spent many years and dug many holes searching for the treasure. She never found the treasure but supported herself playing poker with the local land barons. Felicity was a very wise and ambitious woman! The staircase at ‘Tara’ in Gone With The Wind, was based on an original at Cretien Point Plantation. Bois des Chenes—Bois des Chenes is conveniently located near the geographical center of the City of Lafayette, Louisiana. This home (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) survived the Civil War and is an important entity to the history and culture of this city. This home has been owned by Dr. Francis Sterling Mudd of Virginia, who was a relative of Dr. Samuel Mudd of John Wilkes Booth fame, a Lt. Governor of Louisiana and two mayors of Lafayette. The present owners of The Mouton Plantation House have restored this Acadian style plantation house to its original state. Period antiques, primarily of Louisiana French origin, as well as comparable American pieces, compliment this unique architectural gem. Collections of pottery, glass, and antique weapons further enhance the interior of this house. Adjacent to the rear of the plantation house is the Carriage House. Located in the Carriage House are three rooms, each with a private bath. The Carriage House is furnished with treasured antiques of different styles and periods. Tastefully hidden color televisions (with cable) and small refrigerators are provided in each room. The upstairs room is furnished country Acadian style and can accommodate five persons. Two rooms are available downstairs, one in Louisiana Empire style with queen sized bed, and the other in Victorian style with a testered double bed. Two suites are also available in the main plantation house. Each has a sitting room and private bath and have access to the 2nd floor gallery. The Zouave Suite features a wood-burning fireplace.

Day 8 -- Cajun Country Touring  
We recommend strongly that you take advantage of Coerte Voorhees Nature Tour today, traveling into the Atchafalaya Basin to see first-hand the flora and wildlife that inhabit these wetlands. Louisiana has more than 40% of the total USA wetlands, and is a home for hundreds of species of migratory birds…. Truly an ecological treasure! Visit the home of Tobasco on Avery Island, tour the Jungle Garden there, and stop at the National Trust House, Shadows-on-Teche. Feast on more Cajun Cookin’ tonight.

Day 9 -- To New Orleans/Depart  (108 mi/173 km)
Alas, after breakfast, it’s time to return eastward to New Orleans for you homeward flight.

Rates
Rates are per person including tax (room taxes) in US Dollars.