Jazz Clubs, Bayous and Cajun Cuisine: A Classic Louisiana Road Trip

Rise and shine, it’s your first full day in ‘Nawlins’ and there’s not a moment to waste. After a delicious breakfast at the hotel this morning, you’ll be met by a friendly local guide for an insider’s discovery of the city. You’ll be guided through the beautiful streets of the French Quarter to admire enchanting architecture, soak in the local culture and learn all about the neighbourhood’s history. The French Quarter vividly illustrates the fascinating world of one of New Orleans' oldest families: the Tremés. The family established the neighbourhood as free refuge during slavery and became a haven for artists and creatives. Along the way you’ll stop at a few of your guide’s favourite cafes to sample some local delicacies (the perfect opportunity to try a local speciality: beignets). The rest of this afternoon is yours to play with. We recommend soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of some of the city’s most musical neighbourhoods, such as the Warehouse District, the Garden District and Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny.

Musical roots in New Orleans run deep and today you’ll have the opportunity to delve into the heart of its burgeoning jazz and gospel scene. This morning you can visit a local Baptist church to attend a mass accompanied by gospel songs. With the power of the instruments, the beauty of the voices and the harmony that emanates from the choir, this form of music is more than just sound, it’s a full-on immersive experience. In the afternoon, the bars start to liven up with the finest American jazz music. Head to Frenchmen Street to visit some of the city’s most iconic jazz haunts: The Spotted Cat, DBA and Blue Nile. If you still have some steam left in the tank as the evening inches on, round off your night in Bourbon Street, a historic street in the heart of the French Quarter known for its many bustling bars and clubs.

It’s time to switch things up a bit, so today you’ll be swapping the hustle and bustle of New Orleans for the peace and quiet of nearby Lockport. After one last hearty breakfast at the hotel, collect your spacious and comfortable hire car and head onto Louisiana's scenic Great River Road. The route runs along the shores of the Mississippi, passing historic plantations of rice, cotton, sugar cane and indigo. The estates are known for their extraordinary palatial residences, many of which have been converted into museums and hotels. You’ll have the opportunity to visit one of them, the Destrehan plantation, on the way to Lockport. Founded in 1787, it is the oldest plantation in the southern Mississippi Valley. You can explore the many opulent rooms of the colonial-style mansion, discover the fascinating story of the fur-trading owner and learn about the estate’s dark history of slavery, as well as its link to the historic slave revolts in 1811. Continue on to Lockport and check in for one night in a colonial property on the edge of the canal. Spend the rest of today relaxing in your new home: enjoy a stroll along the canal, read your book in the garden or enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool.

Today you’ll be venturing further into the countryside and deeper into the state’s fascinating history and culture. Your home for the next two nights is a charming bed and breakfast in the heart of Cajun Country, just a few miles from Lafayette and a two-hour drive from Lockport. Also known as Acadiana - in reference to the French population who settled here after being exiled from L’Acadie, Canada, in the 1700s - Cajun Country is a beautiful region known for its francophone roots, delicious Creole cuisine and classic Southern hospitality. Spend the rest of today enjoying your new countryside surroundings. We recommend sailing on the nearby lake, enjoying a leisurely scenic walk or simply kicking back on the veranda with a good book. If you fancy something a little more high energy, then we can arrange for you to admire the landscapes of the Houma region by seaplane.

The network of canals that wind through the enchanting landscapes of south-central Louisiana offer no shortage of scenic and cultural delights. This morning we’ve arranged for you to discover the historic site of Longfellow Evangeline in the company of a knowledgeable local guide. Located on the shores of Bayou Teche, a 125-mile-long waterway, is a beautiful site that pays homage to the diversity of people who live here. It is named after the famous poem Evangeline, which was written in 1847 by Henry Wadsworth and recounts the expulsion of the descendants of the first French settlers from Canada. Today the region is known for its historic diversity of people: Acadians and Creoles, Native Americans and Africans, Frenchmen and Spaniards, slaves and free people of colour all contributed to the historical tradition of cultural diversity in the Teche region. The site is also home to the Maison Olivier, a Creole plantation that once cultivated indigo, cotton and sugar. This afternoon you’ll have the opportunity to get on the water as we’ve arranged for you to head out for a guided boat trip in the heart of the marshes around Lafayette. You’ll have the chance to admire an array of exotic local flora and fauna, including cypress trees, birds and maybe even an alligator or two. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you please. You can continue discovering the area at your own leisure or we can arrange for you to head out for a guided tour of a historic Tabasco factory.

Your journey through magical Louisiana continues today. After a relaxing morning and delicious breakfast at the B&B, hop back into your hire car and continue on to Darrow, a small town halfway between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, less than a two-hour drive away. Settle in for one night in a beautiful plantation property on the banks of the Mississippi River and spend the rest of today resting and rejuvenating in this charming environment. Life here is lived slowly, peacefully and in rhythm with nature. You can read a novel on the spacious veranda, walk through the beautiful gardens or perch on the banks of the river and simply savour your serene surroundings.

It’s your last full day in enchanting Louisiana and there’s a lot on the agenda. Today you’ll be heading back to the capital for one final evening of wining, dining and plenty of jazz music, but before that we’ve scheduled in a visit along the way at the Laura Creole plantation, on the banks of the Mississippi, near Vacherie. The plantation dates back to 1804 and details the history of the Duparc-Locoul family that lived here before and after the Civil War. You’ll be guided around the main house, gardens and old slave quarters, learning about the daily lives of the men, women and children who lived and worked here for over four generations. From here it’s just an hour’s drive back to the capital, where you’ll hang up your hat for one final night in a former grain warehouse that has been skilfully turned into a hotel. Once you’ve settled in and freshened up, head out for an evening of musical entertainment in one of the oldest clubs in the jazz capital.