In the years since Hurricane
Katrina, the good times have
started rolling again. And
you're invited to join other
AAA Members and fellow revelers
from across the country for
one of the year’s biggest parties
of all – Mardi Gras!
Mardi Gras traces its North
American roots to a sedate
French Catholic event of the
late 17th century, when explorers
landed on the banks of the
Mississippi about 60 miles
downstream from present-day
New Orleans. It’s anything
but sedate today, and your
experience of Mardi Gras in
the French Quarter just may
show how the city’s iconic
festival made laissez les
bon temps rouler (let
the good times roll), the slogan
of the Big Easy.
You’ll enjoy great seats to
three premier parades and your
hotel choices all are within
walking distance of Bourbon
Street, Jackson Square, Harrah’s
Casino, riverboat cruises and
more. Be like Bacchus on that
zany parade float and let the
good times roll!
Price includes:
• 4 nights accommodations at
the Hotel Ste. Marie*
or similar
• Full breakfast daily
• Reserved grandstand seating
for three parades: Bacchus,
Proteus-Orpheus, and Mardi
Gras Celebration Day
Limitations
and Restrictions
*Prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to availability
at time of booking, and may change
without notice. Due to the event's "festive" environment,
this tour is not recommended
for children. Single supplement
may apply. Unless stated otherwise,
airfare, taxes and government
fees are not included. Fares
may not reflect additional fuel
supplement and vary by provider.
Offers valid for new bookings
only. Member benefit is per person
and applies to first and second
traveler only. Member benefits
are available only with advertised
fare and are subject to change
without notice. Your travel arrangements
may be modified or cancelled
subject to the travel providers
policies. Black out dates and
other restrictions may apply.
We make every effort for accuracy
at time of publication, but reserve
the right to correct errors.
AAA Travel strongly recommends
the purchase of trip protection
insurance. |
Day 1 - Arrive in New Orleans
Arrive in New Orleans and transfer
to the hotel on your own. The hotel
is located in New Orleans' French
Quarter which has a reputation as
one of the world's most famous and
fascinating places to visit. The
French Quarter is home to great New
Orleans hotels, world famous restaurants,
art and antique shops, jazz and music
clubs, all situated in an architectural
history lesson. Enjoy a Champagne
Reception and welcome dinner to get
acquainted with your fellow travelers.
Accommodation: Hotel St Marie -
4 nights
Day 2 - Plantations
After breakfast at the hotel, depart
for Laura Plantation, one of the
last surviving Creole plantations.
Learn about the lives of the plantation
residents, masters, slaves, women
and children. Then, travel to Oak
Alley Plantation, one of the Mississippi
Valley's most spectacular settings.
Enjoy a Creole buffet lunch under
her beautiful oak trees. Known as
the “Grand Dame of the Great River
Road”, this antebellum home was built
by the Southern aristocracy in 1839.
Tour the “Big House” and then you
can stroll the beautiful grounds!
Day 3 - New Orleans
After breakfast, take a comprehensive
city tour of New Orleans. Beginning
with the French Quarter, travel along
the riverfront and through the Faubourg
Marigny with a stop at the Old St.
Louis Cemetery. The tour continues
through City Park to the Lakefront
area and then moves "uptown" to
the Carrollton area, the University
District, St. Charles Avenue, and
the Garden District. Visit Mardi
Gras World where you'll learn about
the history of Mardi Gras and view
the most fantastic floats ever built
for carnival. Lunch is on your own
and afternoon is free to enjoy the
French Quarter Festival. This weekend,
New Orleans is transformed into the
largest free music festival in the
south. Listen to free concerts playing
everything from gospel to jazz, from
Cajun to Zydeco. Sample foods from
popular local restaurants.
This evening, learn about Louisiana
specialties in a private cooking class
at the New Orleans School of Cooking.
Enjoy the dishes prepared during dinner
following the class.
Day 4 - New Orleans
Following breakfast, take a walking
tour of the courtyards of the French
Quarter. As you walk through locked
doors and secluded courtyards, learn
about the remarkable lives of five
generations of one New Orleans' Creole
family. From grand townhouses to
simple cottages and original slave
quarters, hear about Creoles, Free
people of Color and slaves. Lunch
is on your own. Free time to enjoy
the city and the French Quarter Festival.
Join your group this evening for
a farewell dinner at a favorite local
restaurant.
Day 5 - Depart New Orleans
After breakfast, say farewell to New
Orleans and transfer to the airport
for your flight home.
