Gourmet & Outdoor Louisiana

Arrival at New Orleans. Inhabited by the creole aristocracy descended from Spanish and French settlers, New Orleans embraces a bend in the Mississippi River. At the center of it all is the French Quarter, decadent but still alive, with narrow bustling streets and hidden courtyards. Stop for a few days to soak up the atmosphere, taste the beignets & café au lait at Café du Monde, discover Bourbon Street at night, excessive, raucous, infamous, with music pouring out of every window; board the St Charles streetcar to reach the seductive Garden District and stroll among elegant homes and majestic trees. Exploring the surrounding area, with an airboat tour in a nearby swamp or a visit to a historic plantation, completes the vision of a nostalgic and fascinating South.

The day is enriched by a plunge into the culinary specialities of New Orleans, which boasts one of the richest and most varied cuisines in the United States. You can begin the day with coffee and beignets au lait at the iconic Café du Monde, or with a buffet brunch at the Court of Two Sisters, a historic establishment in the French Quarter,. You can then go on to a Cajun cookery class, to take the flavours of Louisiana home with you, and finish with dinner to the sound of jazz at Arnaud's, one of the oldest and most elegant restaurants in the state.

The surroundings of New Orleans offer a wide range of opportunities for outdoor activities, from the classic boat or airboat tours of the swamps and bayous, discovering the native fauna and flora, to entertaining ziplines over the marshes, and kayak tours of the nearby swamps. Finally, even staying in the city, you can enjoy a pleasant guided bicycle tour, tempted by the mild climate, the compact central neighbourhoods and the beautiful Mississippi riverfront.

Departure for Manchac. In general, Cajun Country is the semitropical region that stretches from Houma, through Lafayette, all the way to Texas, amidst swamps and cypress trees dripping with lichen, rich with legends of pirates and voodoo rituals. It is worth discovering by visiting the sleepy villages in the bayous, the still waters teeming with alligators, herons, crustaceans, frogs, turtles, and giant catfish. Stop at Darrow. Manchac, a short distance from New Orleans, is known for its landscape of marshes and cypresses, rich in alligators and water birds, and for its fascinating history, linked to local legends such as that of the voodoo witch Julia Brown. Overnight in Darrow. In the town of Darrow stands Houmas House, a majestic late-18th-century residence surrounded by fountains and lush gardens, today a museum. Here you can sample refined dishes made with local produce in the plantation's fine Carriage House restaurant, as well as stay overnight.

Visit of Oak Alley Plantation. The atmosphere of Gone with the Wind comes alive at Oak Alley Plantation, the most famous and perhaps the most beautiful among the numerous plantations in the area. Its splendid avenue of majestic centuries-old Virginia oaks and the Greek Revival style mansion with a remarkable colonnade of 28 enormous Doric columns are renowned. It was built in 1837 in Vacherie, about 1 hour away from New Orleans. In Vacherie, you can find the fascinating and moving Laura Plantation. Not as grand and theatrical as other mansions, Laura is rich in authentic atmosphere, stemming from the wealth of historical documents - stories of slaves, photographs, private diaries - and, without costumed guides, it creates a vivid picture of daily life on the multicultural plantations in Louisiana. Continue to Houma. In Houma, you can take beautiful boat rides in the surrounding marshy areas, the famous bayous where you can encounter alligators, which are called "crocrodries" here.

Departure to Lafayette. You pass through Morgan City, the world capital of shrimp. A stop at Avery Island is interesting, where you can visit the famous Tabasco factory and the Jungle Garden, which houses rare birds and semi-tropical flora. Arrival at Lafayette. Lafayette is famous for its music and festivals, but also for its excellent and numerous restaurants specializing in Cajun and Creole cuisine. The city is located in the center of a very scenic and historic area and is a great base for exploring the attractions of the region, such as Acadian Village, Acadiana Park, Avery Island, and St. Martinville.

Departure for Lake Charles. Lake Charles is a perfect blend of Cajun culture and Texan lifestyle, making it one of the best cities in Louisiana, especially at night. In the picturesque town, you can admire the Victorian buildings located in the historic Charpentier district and enjoy many outdoor activities, such as fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and jet skiing.

Departure for Atchafalaya. The Atchafalaya Basin represents the largest river swamp in the United States, containing nearly one million acres of hardwoods, marshes, bays, and swamps. It is possible to take a flat-bottomed boat tour or a fast and fun airboat tour to explore the area with explanations from local rangers. Continue to Baton Rouge. Sleepy capital of Louisiana and one of the most important ports in America, Baton Rouge is an industrial and university city, once with a vibrant music scene, now more subdued and low-key. The view of the Mississippi from the new Capitol is beautiful.

Departure for il Northshore del Lake Pontchartrain. The northern coast of Lake Pontchartrain is fascinating, connected to New Orleans by a scenic road that crosses the lake from north to south in 40 minutes. Here, delightful villages are nestled on the lake shores, where you can admire beautiful pastel-colored houses in large gardens and visit wooden shacks where the best jazz in the area is played. Worth seeing are the historic homes in Madisonville and Mandeville, visiting swamps and bayous near Slidell, and cycling along the Tammany Trace from Covington to Slidell. Return to New Orleans.

End of the tour.