Itinerary
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5 NIGHT BIG EASY EXTRAVAGANZA
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7 – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2021
DAY 1, SUNDAY NOVEMBER 7
ARRIVE NEW ORLEANS
Guests of Madrona Vineyards will be met upon arrival at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) and transferred to the Hotel Monteleone in the heart of the city’s famed French Quarter. Tonight enjoy welcome cocktails and dinner with Paul & Maggie Bush. (D)
DAY 2, MONDAY NOVEMBER 8
FRENCH QUARTER / ACME OYSTER HOUSE / COMMANDER’S PALACE
After breakfast join a guided walking tour through the French Quarter — one of America’s most historic and interesting urban centers. Here Spanish, French, African and Anglo-America cultures have merged into a 300 year old potpourri of fascinating restaurants, shops and businesses. View Jackson Square, the Cabildo, Presbytere Museum, St. Louis Cathedral and the French Market. Hear how Jazz, Voodoo, Mardi Gras and Bourbon Street became synonymous with the Crescent City. At midday dine at the renowned Acme Oyster House for splendid seafood luncheon. Tonight enjoy “haute Creole” cuisine paired with the wines of Madrona Vineyards at the Commander’s Palace. Situated in the heart of the Garden District, this extraordinary establishment is consistently rated one of the Top Ten Restaurants in the United States. (B,L,D)
DAY 3, TUESDAY NOVEMBER 9
NEW ORLEANS – DAY AT LEISURE
Explore New Orleans today at your leisure. Your Expanding Horizons tour escort can arrange
special guided tours. At 6pm, join Paul Bush for a winetasting of his latest vintages. Dinner is at leisure tonight. (B)
DAY 4, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 10
BAYOU AND CAJUN COUNTRY BY AIRBOAT
Enter another world today, into the bayou swamps synonymous with Louisiana. This is Cajun country. The residents are mostly descendants of Acadians from Nova Scotia who emigrated from Canada to French-owned Louisiana in 1765. Enjoy an authentic airboat tour to experience the unique flora and fauna of the bayou. Finish with a traditional crawfish and seafood boil luncheon accompanied with Cajun music.Return to the Hotel Monteleone by 4pm. Tonight is at leisure in New Orleans. (B,L)
DAY 5, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 11
HOUMA HOUSE PLANTATION / DINNER PARADE
This morning depart the hotel to visit Houma House — a magnificent antebellum mansion that was a sugarcane plantation throughout the 1800’s. The house displays many rare artifacts and period artwork from its 250 year history. Hear the history of the house and plantation life. Before lunch there is time to explore the 38 acres of sculpted gardens and surrounds. Tonight bid farewell to NOLA in grand style! Leave the Hotel Monteleone creating our own jazz parade en route to dinner at historic Arnaud’s Restaurant, founded in 1918. (B,L,D)
DAY 6, FRIDAY NOVEMBER 12
ADIEU NEW ORLEANS!
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport (code MSY) for onward flights. (B)
Included:
- 5 nights at the historic Hotel Monteleone
- Airport transfers from/to Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport (MSY)
- 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 special dinners
- French Quarter walking tour
- Acme Oyster House luncheon
- Wine tasting with Paul Bush
- Madrona Vineyards Paired Dinner at Commander’s Palace Restaurant
- Bayou Airboat tour and Cajun boil luncheon
- Houma House Plantation tour and luncheon
- Private Group Jazz Parade to Arnaud’s
- Farewell dinner at Arnaud’s Restaurant
NOTE: Tour components may be rearranged or scheduled on other days, subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
Disabilities and Wheelchairs
Persons with a walking disability or an injury, or who require a wheelchair/scooter or other mobility devices, must have another dedicated person traveling with them to assist/push, etc. Expanding Horizons staff and other guests are not available to assist persons with limited mobility. On customized tour programs, the Expanding Horizons tour manager is authorized to remove or ask to leave from the tour, any traveler incapable of, unwilling to, or impeding the overall movement and progress of the tour group.