Get ready for a colourful celebration: it’s time for Mardi Gras down South! Southwest Louisiana knows how to party, and this is the perfect excuse to experience the carnival atmosphere of one of the largest festivals on earth. You’ll tour smaller towns to learn the traditions of Mardi Gras, and finish in New Orleans for a knock-out party on Fat Tuesday. This 9-day adventure covers the highlights of Louisiana food, culture and hospitality with a focus on the Mardi Gras festival, so become part of a krewe, join in the traditional bead throw, dress in yellow, green and purple and experience how fun Mardi Gras can be in the US of A.Highlights
Mardi Gras season is a celebration for everyone, and this tour is a perfect opportunity to experience the festival at its cultural heart.
Before celebrating on Fat Tuesday in New Orleans, learn about the traditions behind the celebration: the krewes, king cake, throwing of the beads and more.
By day, drive through the Creole Nature trails sighting marsh wildlife, and by night, dance on a parade float in Lake Charles.
Experience the heart of Cajun country in Lafayette, with good food, swamp adventures and warm Southern hospitality.
Even though Mardi Gras is the focus, you won’t miss out on other Louisiana hotspots! Eat down-home cuisine, experience traditional jazz and blues, and discover where the world-famous Tabasco sauce is made.
- You will visit the following places:
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Houston
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States of America and the largest city in the state of Texas. As of the 2009 U.S. Census estimate, the city had a population of 2.3 million within an area of 579 square miles (1,500 km2). Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area—the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. with a population of approximately 5.9 million. The city’s relatively compact Downtown includes the Theater District, home to the renowned Houston Grand Opera, and the Historic District, which pairs 19th-century architecture with trendy restaurants.
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New Orleans
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area, (New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner) has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population of 1,360,436 as of 2000. The city/parish alone has a population of 343,829 as of 2010. The city is named after Philippe d' Orléans, Duke of Orléans, Regent of France, and is well known for its distinct French Creole architecture, as well as its cross cultural and multilingual heritage. New Orleans is also famous for its cuisine, music (particularly as the birthplace of jazz), and its annual celebrations and festivals, most notably Mardi Gras. The city is often referred to as the "most unique" city in America.