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Civil War History, Cotton Plantations & Antebellum Mansions, Cajun Country, The French Quarter 

Day 1 – Home to Independence, MO

Today we begin our journey to exciting Cajun Country and the Deep South. Enjoy the hotel’s Manager’s Reception this evening.

Included Meals: Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn 

Day 2 – Independence to Little Rock, AR

Take a scenic drive with sweeping vistas of the lovely Ozark Mountain country. We’ll stop for a light lunch in Branson before our afternoon journey to Little Rock, Arkansas.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Conference Center 

Day 3 – Little Rock to Natchez

Travel deep into the south to Vicksburg, steeped in ambiguous history. Tour the Vicksburg National Military Park, one of the best preserved Civil War Battlefields in America. It’s here that one of the Civil War’s most devastating battles took place. Tour the historic monuments, miles of reconstructed trenches, the restored Union gunboat USS Cairo, and see the Vicksburg National Cemetery. Make our way to historic Natchez, with magnificent mansions from the booming days of the cotton industry. Experience true southern hospitality this evening at dinner at a lovely restaurant. This evening the history of the South will come to life at the Historic Tableaux Pageant performance.

Included Meal: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Natchez Grand 

Day 4 – Natchez

A local guide joins us for the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage Tour of Homes as we tour three of their beautiful antebellum mansions, which are more plentiful here than anywhere else in the United States. The homes we will tour are hand-selected by the garden clubs. Upon arrival at each home, our host or hostess will greet us in period clothing. Many of these historic homes are personally owned and lived in still today. We will be emersed in history when we enter these homes, complete with original furnishings, and listen to great stories about those who called these antebellums “home.” Be sure to take in the beautiful lawns around you. One truly cannot get a better look at personally owned, historic antebellum than here in Natchez. This afternoon we travel out to Frogmore Cotton Plantation to experience the history of the cotton and plantation life then and now. The remainder of the evening is yours at leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 5 – Natchez to Lafayette

Today we motor deep into the heart of Cajun Country to an area first settled by French Acadian farmers. Our step-on guide then joins us. At the historic Vermillionville Village we’ll experience the colorful lifestyle of French settlers who moved here to escape the British encroachment on Acadians. A scrumptious Cajun lunch is served, followed by workshops on Cajun/Creole music and their rural Cajun Mardi Gras. This evening R&J Tours has arranged for dance instructors to accompany us to Randol’s, a cajun dance hall, for a delicious dinner and dancing. Enjoy live entertainment, good friends, and great conversation.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 6 – Lafayette to New Orleans

Travel the Old Spanish Trail, with mossy trees, swamps, and the misty, moody basin of the Atchafalaya River. Visit the beautiful Houmas House Plantation and Gardens on Louisiana’s historic river road. Experience the original French provincial house, the mansion and carriageway to the grand home, described as “The Sugar Palace.” Enjoy a delicious lunch and some time to walk through the beautiful gardens. Later, we will make our way to New Orleans. Your hotel is close by the French Quarter giving you opportunity to truly experience this exciting area.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn 

Day 7 – New Orleans

Today we begin with our guide circling the sights of the French Quarter, including St. Louis Cathedral and its adjoining Cabildo, Bourbon Street Jazz District, French Market Place, Garden District, and the bustling harbor front. This afternoon we’ll step on board the Steamboat Natchez for a lovely two hour cruise from the heart of the French Quarter back in time to when life was as slow and graceful as the current on the Mississippi. Along the way we’ll enjoy a delicious creole lunch onboard the Natchez as we cruise along the river. The remainder of your day is at your leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Day 8 – New Orleans

Experience a jazz brunch served at the famous Court of Two Sisters, where the food is great and the entertainment is grand. This afternoon we will take our swamp tour down the river and bayou area. Your captain is a native of the swamps and fully narrates your tour. Later in the day, you may have the option, at your own cost, to visit the WWII Museum or take a relaxing carriage ride through the French Quarter. Stop in at historic Cafe Du Monde for the famous Cafe Au Lait coffees and French beignets. Later stroll along Bourbon Street as the wonderful sounds of jazz and Dixieland music, and the delightful aroma of Creole and Cajun cooking fill the air.

Included Meals: Brunch, Manager’s Reception 

Day 9 – New Orleans to Biloxi

This morning we make our way along the sparkling Gulf Coast of Biloxi, a resort city famous for its shrimp and fishing fleets. As we make our way into Biloxi, we’ll begin our tour of the Jefferson Davis Presidential Library. Following lunch on our own, we are off for an unforgettable shrimping demonstration. We will cruise along the scenic coastline and learn first hand the art of shrimping. Drive past picturesque harbors and the Biloxi Lighthouse. Tonight, stay at the Beau Rivage, perfectly placed on Biloxi’s sparkling beachfront.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: The Beau Rivage Resort 

Day 10 – Biloxi to Memphis

Arrive in Memphis and visit famous Beale Street View with its beautifully restored mansions and breathtaking views of the mighty Mississippi River. Imagine the music of Beale Street, Historic Entertainment District, with its enticing “Red, Hot, and Blue” rhythms. A delightful dinner featuring southern delicacies at King’s Palace is planned. After our enjoyable evening, we’ll check into the Comfort Inn in downtown Memphis.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Comfort Inn Downtown Memphis or similar 

Day 11 – Memphis to St. Louis

This morning after breakfast we’ll tour Graceland, the beautiful estate of the “King of Rock-n-Roll,” Elvis Presley. We’ll then make our way to St. Louis for the evening.

Hotel: Drury Inn 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception

Day 12 – St. Louis to Coralville, IA

This morning following breakfast, we’ll discover St. Louis with our terrific local guide, bringing St. Louis to life. You’ll learn and discover so much more than you ever imagined about St. Louis! Motor up through Missouri and into Iowa to Coralville, a suburb of Iowa City, where we will check into our hotel.

Included Meals: Light Breakfast 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 13 – Coralville to Home

After breakfast we make our final stretch home.

Included Meals: Breakfast