Enjoy New Orleans and the famous French Quarter, walk amidst the fragrant blossoms of Bellingrath Gardens and experience Cajun Country, where there's music in the air, tempting cuisine on the table and old-time southern hospitality. Your sojourn includes one night in Natchez at a historic Inn!

1. Arrive New Orleans
Tour departs: New Orleans International Airport at 3:00 PM. Here in the "Heart of Dixie" your adventure through the deep south begins. Tour New Orleans this afternoon to see St. Louis Cathedral, Pirates Alley and the Louisiana Superdome. Join us this evening for a welcome dinner at Brennan's, one of New Orleans' most famous restaurants. Meals D

2. Cooking School / Shrimp Boat
Spend the morning at your leisure. Watch as the vieux carre – or the French Quarter, as it is better known – comes to life. Explore the narrow alleyways and browse through many intriguing stores, or perhaps just watch the Mississippi River flow slowly by from your hotel. New Orleans cuisine is exciting and flavorful; learn the secrets of preparation during a cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Travel to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and embark on a shrimp boat cruise along the Mississippi Sound – watch as the captain sets his trawl and brings in the catch. Enjoy the grand resort and casino at Beau Rivage, your home for the next two nights. Meals BLD

3. Bellingrath Gardens
Bellingrath Gardens and Home encompass over 900 semitropical acres including 65 acres of landscaped gardens. Every season brings new visual delights, including over 2,000 rose bushes that bloom from April to December. You will also visit the home of Mr. & Mrs. Walter Bellingrath, built in 1935; see their exquisite porcelain, china and furnishings. Travel to Mobile, Alabama, for lunch and a tour of the city before returning to Biloxi. Enjoy a swim in the gulf-side pool at the Beau Rivage, or visit the hotel's casino. Meals BL

4. Historic Natchez
Travel through Mississippi's "Piney Woods" via Hattiesburg and on to Natchez; your accommodation is one of Natchez' historic inns. These gracious mansions, constructed prior to the Civil War, were home to some of the South's most influential families. Experience outstanding hospitality and refinement in these lovely residences. The choice of inn is yours to make at the time of booking, pending availability; see the descriptions below. Natchez is a vivid reminder of genteel life in the "Old South," a charming town with over 500 homes built prior to the Civil War. A member of the local garden club will take you on a guided visit to the historic treasures of Natchez. Meals BLD

5. Baton Rouge / Plantation
Journey to Baton Rouge, situated along the shores of the mighty Mississippi River. One of the largest ports in the U.S., and the state capital of Louisiana, its colorful history has seen the city fly the Confederate flag, as well as the flags of France, England, Spain, and the United States! Both cultural and natural influences created the city's unique heritage; it is well-known for magnolias and antebellum homes. Visit a plantation and meet with the owners; we invite you to join us for an evening of local Louisiana cuisine at one of the area's most famous plantations. Meals BLD

6. Swamp Tour / New Orleans
A tour of a Louisiana swamp is like taking a journey back in time to the days of explorers, traders and trappers, as well as a study of the intricate wetland ecosystems. Watch for turtles, alligators and water-fowl before you travel to the beautiful city of New Orleans; dinner is at your leisure. Meals B

7. New Orleans / River Cruise
Enjoy a morning at leisure or you can join us for a walking tour of the French Quarter. This afternoon you will have a different view from the sternwheeler steamboat Natchez aboard a Mississippi River cruise. Along the river banks, some 250 years ago, "slow and easy" was a way of life; today New Orleans is one of the world's busiest ports. Visit the historic D-Day Museum or tour the Mardi Gras Museum, seeing lavish costumes and Mardi Gras memorabilia. Join us for a farewell dinner at Arnaud's. Meals BD

8. Journey Home
Tour ends: New Orleans. Fly home anytime; airport transfer not included. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in. Meals B

Choose Your Historic Inn
Night 4

Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez is well-known for the beautiful antebellum homes that line her avenues. As a Tauck Exclusive, you'll stay at a plantation or mansion that has been turned into a private bed and breakfast; guestrooms are located in historic buildings on their multi-acre grounds. Please advise preference, if any, at time of booking; reservations are subject to availability.

The Briars, c. 1814
Quintessential Southern Planter mansion, site of the marriage of Jefferson Davis and Varina Howell. Nineteen acres of beautiful gardens with river views and swimming pool; in the National Register of Historic Places. (8 rooms)

Monmouth Plantation, c. 1818
A beautiful mansion once the home
of General John A. Quitman, an early governor of Mississippi. It is a national historic landmark, situated on 26 acres of manicured gardens with period furnishings. (8 rooms)

Dunleith, c. 1856
Dunleith, built in 1856, is a bold example of Greek Revival architecture, located on forty acres of landscaped gardens and wooded bayous at the edge of the historic district. Surrounded by 26 Tuscan columns, Dunleith is the last fully colonnaded house standing in the state of Mississippi. (8 rooms)