Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
New Orleans - Lockport - Breaux Bridge - Darrow
100% customisable for you
Your getaway to the beautiful American South begins today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and relax in the airport lounge ready for your ten-hour flight to New Orleans. A private driver will be waiting for you on arrival to whisk you off to your first hotel: a beautiful guesthouse in the heart of Faubourg Marigny, just a few minutes away from the iconic French Quarter.
The rest of today is yours to spend settling into your new American surroundings. We recommend turning to our destination-specific Dossier, which is full of our top picks for local cafes, bars and restaurants.
Rise and shine, it’s your first full day in ‘Nawlins’ and there’s not a moment to waste. After breakfast at your hotel, meet up with a knowledgeable local guide for an insider’s discovery of the city, starting with a stroll through the French Quarter to admire its enchanting architecture and soak in the local culture. Learn about the fascinating history of one of New Orleans' oldest families, the Tremes, who established the adjacent Treme neighbourhood as a refuge during the slavery era.
Feeling peckish along the way? Stop at a few of your guide’s favourite cafes to sample some local delicacies (the perfect opportunity to try a local foodie favourite: 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.
New Orleans’ musical roots run deep, and today, you’ll have the opportunity to delve into the city’s jazz and gospel scene. Begin with a morning visit to a local Baptist church to attend a service soundtracked by a gospel choir.
In the afternoon, the bars start to liven up as jazz bands take to the stage. 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 come evening, round off your night in the historic Bourbon Street, located in the heart of the French Quarter and known for its lively bars and clubs.
It’s time to switch things up a bit today as you trade busy New Orleans for the peaceful city of Lockport. Collect your hire car and head along Louisiana's scenic Great River Road, a route that runs alongside the Mississippi and passes grand estates complete with extraordinary palatial residences. You’ll have the opportunity to visit one of them: the Destrehan plantation. Founded in 1787, it’s the oldest plantation in the southern Mississippi Valley. Explore the many opulent rooms of the colonial-style mansion, and learn about the fur-trading owner and the estate’s dark history of slavery, as well as its link to the historic slave revolts in 1811.
Continue to Lockport and check in for one night in a canal-side colonial property. Spend the rest of today strolling beside the water, reading your book in the garden or enjoying a refreshing dip in the pool.
Today, you’ll venture 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. This region is 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 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.
This morning, accompanied by a local guide, pay a visit to Longfellow Evangeline State Historic Site. This cultural landmark, set on 157 acres of land, pays homage to the diversity of people whose cultures have shaped the area: Acadians and Creoles, Native Americans and Africans, Frenchmen and Spaniards. 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 continue exploring, this time on the water with a guided boat trip in the marshes around Lafayette. 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. Discover the area at your own leisure, or enjoy a guided tour of a historic Tabasco factory.
Your journey through lovely Louisiana continues today. After a relaxing morning and delicious breakfast at your B&B, hop back into your hire car for a two-hour drive to Darrow, a small town halfway between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Settle in for one night in a beautiful plantation property on the banks of the Mississippi River and spend the afternoon relaxing by the water.
It’s your last full day in Louisiana, and there’s a lot on the agenda. First things first, we’ve scheduled a visit to the Laura Creole plantation on the banks of the Mississippi. The plantation dates back to 1804 and details the history of the Duparc-Locoul family who lived here before and after the Civil War. Explore 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 New Orleans, where you’ll check in for one final night in a former grain-warehouse-turned-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.
Sadly, the time has come to bid farewell to the American South and begin the journey home. Head back to the airport to catch your nine-hour flight back to the UK. Most direct flights depart in the afternoon or evening, meaning you’ll spend the night on board and arrive tomorrow morning.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
