Afternoon: REGISTRATION & ORIENTATION - 4:30 PM Chance to meet your fellow participants and your director for the week. Receive your packet of information and learn about the week's schedule, all the great adventures and dining venues we have planned for you. You won't want to miss this first episode of the French Quarter Festival program.

Dinner: THE ROYAL SONESTA HOTEL - 6:30 PM Don't be fooled- this restaurant is no ordinary hotel eatery. You will be treated to a fabulous meal with impeccable surroundings and service. Special musical surprise.

Evening: Listen to some Jazz after dinner--or just relax with your new Road Scholar friends.

Lodging: Royal Sonesta

Meals Included: Dinner

Breakfast: CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL

Morning: CLASS - "NEW ORLEANS CULTURE AND HISTORY-'IT'S A NEW ORLEANS THING' ". Hear about New Orleans traditions, celebrations, and its people. This entertaining class is taught by a true humorist who has participated in and lived here all her life. She oozes with "joie de vivre" that makes New Orleans locals so unique and memorable.

Lunch: You will be dining at Commanders Palace either Thursday or Friday. Commanders is one of the best in the city and previous Participants rave on about the food and service-it is a true culinary experience worthy of all the praise. Dining in New Orleans is an event and you will be doing lots of it-so pace yourself.

Afternoon: CLASS - "OUTSIDE THE FRENCH QUARTER"- OVERVIEW OF THE CITY WITH YOUR TEACHER ON BOARD MOTORCOACH. Places you will see today include: 25 mile wide Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou St. John) a waterway through the city), City Park and its magnificent oak trees, above ground cemeteries, St Charles Avenue, the "avenue of mansions" in the Garden District with its magnificent architecture and gardens. You will also get to see some of the devastation from Katrina.

Dinner: Thursday-Sunday - 3 evenings and 1 Brunch-dine at some of New Orleans finest restaurants. 2 NIGHTs YOUR DINNER WILL BE ON YOUR OWN (RESTAURANT OF YOUR CHOICE) AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE. Yes, another meal - its still early in the week-we promise not to weigh you on your exit from the program. NOTE: YOU WILL BE EATING AT Bourbon House, Palace Cafe and Muriels as well as Commanders Palace and Court of Two Sisters. All well known and respected restaurants in New Orleans. Please note that restaurants are subject to change.

Evening: Use your free time after dinner to experience the night life in the French Quarter-hear some jazz at Preservation Hall, Maison Bourbon or just people watch. Use vouchers that we provide for special music venues.

Lodging: Royal Sonesta

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Private Jazz performance, second line parade, music all over the French Quarter

Breakfast: CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL

Morning: CLASS: New Orleans Music. You won't want to miss this fantastic class. New Orleans musicians share their knowledge of New Orleans Jazz and perform just for you!

Lunch: See Day 2 for information. Another opportunity to sample the cuisine and enjoy the local food.

Afternoon: All afternoon enjoy the sounds of music. Every corner has a different style of music just waiting for you!! Dixieland Jazz, Cajun, Rock and Roll, Brass Bands, Classical. The choices are endless. Something for everyone. And your hotel is in the midst of it all--one step away. Three days of MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC--that's what the French Quarter is all about (oh New Orleans Food is everywhere too--with a chance for you to sample all types of our food.

Dinner: Dinner at one of New Orleans finest restaurants.

Evening: Use free time, after dinner to explore more of the French Quarter. Suggestions: Preservation Hall, Maison Bourbon, Pat O'Brien's, Fritzel's, Palm Court and Cafe Beignet.

Lodging: Royal Sonesta

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Private Jazz performance, music all over French Quarter, Cabildo, Presbytere vouchers

Breakfast: CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL

Morning: CLASS: One of New Orleans' top musicians and experts on Original New Orleans Jazz, along with his famous band, demonstrates as he speaks-- leaving you spellbound with his expertise.

Lunch: See DAY 2 for information. We know that you must be famished-so get ready to experience another great meal.

Afternoon: Another glorious afternoon of music! And you can puncuate it with a visit to Cafe du Monde, the Cabildo Museum, Mardi Gras Museum or private patio tours. Visit the Historic New Orleans Collection or Hermann-grima house. Attend any number of a large selection of classes about Jazz and New Orleans Music right near the hotel. Check out the website of French Quarter Festival (www.fqfi.org) for a sampling of what goes on. Vouchers included for several of above venues.

Dinner: See DAY 2 for information. By now your shoes are getting tighter-its not from the walking-its from the eating!

Evening: Free time, after dinner for more night life, music, and New Orleans culture. Either Friday or Saturday, listen to music in the charming Mystic Den at the Royal Sonesta or head back out for some New Orleans Jazz at a club.

Lodging: Royal Sonesta

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Private musical performance, Brunch with private balcony, music all day again

Morning: Another up close and personal with New Orleans Musicians--some of our best play just for you in a private performance.

Brunch: Brunch today at a famous New Orleans eatery--enjoy the French Quarter Festival scene from our own private balcony overlooking Jackson Square.

Afternoon: More great music this afternoon!! More great food or free time to use VOUCHERS TO VISIT LOUISIANA MUSEUMS, buy that last souvenir-pralines, New Orleans tee shirt, or just one more beignet, Mardi Gras beads, a mask, or a Voodoo doll.

Dinner: Dinner on your own tonight

Evening: Free time, after dinner for more night life, music, and New Orleans culture! Use up those vouchers--more beignets or Jazz at Cafe Beignet or at the lounge in Royal Sonesta.

Lodging: Royal Sonesta

Meals Included: Brunch

Note: easy walking on flat terrain

Brunch: Early BRUNCH AT THE FAMOUS COURT OF TWO SISTERS AT 9:00AM. This one is for the road - we send you off with a bang and surprises. Enjoy your last dining experience with new friends you have met as well as a realistic unclouded view of what New Orleans is really all about. Maybe you will also understand "what it means to miss New Orleans". You are now free to leave "the city with a soul"- but stay for another few days and take it in without a big festival going on.

Afternoon: Free to explore. Go to Aquarium, zoo, ride streetcar ride ferry or Natchez.

Dinner: Enjoy a food demonstration at New Orleans School of Cooking and get to indulge in the fabulous results--including pralines!

Evening: More Jazz? Fritzels or Preservation Hall. Or just take a break and relax.

Lodging: Royal Sonesta

Meals Included: Brunch, Dinner

Note: Easy walking on flat terrain

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast

Morning: Visit the New Orleans Museukm of Art and beautiful Sculpture Garden.

Lunch: Golden Feather restaurant and museum of Mardi Gras Indians--right across from Congo Square. Learn about the unique culture that still exists today and see the incredible handmade costumes that take a year to sew. take a year to ma

Afternoon: Time to use vouchers at Cabildo and Presbytere. Learn more about the state of Louisiana, Katrina and Mardi gras.

Dinner: Dine at yet another great New Orleans restaurant.

Lodging: Royal Sonesta

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Learn about the River and famous steamboats Brunch at Court of Two Sisters

Note: easy walking on flat terrain app 6 blocks

Breakfast: Breakfast aboard American Queen

Morning: "Paddlewheelers, Packets and Floating Palaces"

Lunch: Lunch at another great New Orleans restaurant.

Afternoon: Get your final souvenirs or vist the Historic New Orleans Collection.

Afternoon: Time to use vouchers for museums and last minute visits in the French Quarter

Dinner: Dinner is onboard the American Queen. We have special tables reserved for Road Scholars so you can get to know your fellow Scholars.

Evening: Every evening enjoy the fabulous bands and showboat performances onboard.

Lodging: American Queen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Leisurely stroll at plantations

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard American Queen

Morning: Enjoy a completely different version of a plantation when you visit Laura Plantation and Evergreen-with the most well preserved slave cabins on the Historic Register. Located in Saint James Parish, Oak Alley is a much-photographed plantation that comvines architectural splendor and the natural wonder of its 300-year old oak trees. Spend time strolling beneath the canopy of these trees, and learn abouth the rich history and culture of this southern estate.

Lunch: Lunch onboard the American Queen

Afternoon: "The Mississippi River and the Making of a Nation". Enjoy the relaxing beauty of the RIver as you roll along.

Dinner: Dinner onboard the American Queen

Evening: Enjoy performances every evening

Lodging: American Queen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: easy walking on flat terrain-some standing in house.

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard American Queen

Morning: This quaint town of St. Francisville located on the bluffs of the Mississippi RIver is your window to the past. With over 140 buildings on the National Register, beautiful plantation homes nestled in the rolling countryside, and bustling Main Street shops, you'll find plenty to keep you on the go in St. Francisville. "John James Audubon-the Man and his Milieu". Visit Oakley where Audubon lived and worked.

Lunch: Lunch onboard the American Queen

Afternoon: Preparing for our visit to Baton Rouge, learn about "Huey Long: Messiah to the Rednecks"-your instructor is an expert on the subject.

Dinner: Dinner onboard the American Queen

Evening: Evening show followed by buffet-late music each night in the lounge

Lodging: American Queen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Easy walking on flat terrain

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard the American Queen

Morning: The capital of Louisiana, Baton Rouge is the center of all the great things the state has to offer-visitors delight in the seamless blend of past and present experiencing authentic Louisiana at every ttun. With its semi-tropical climate, the otudoors is tempting and the attractions abound. No wonder this is one of the south's fastest growing cities. Visit the Louisiana State Capital where Huey Long was shot. Also visit the Louisiana State Museum.

Lunch: Lunch onboard the American Queen

Afternoon: Visit the Rural Life Museum and see the Louisiana State University campus.

Dinner: Dinner onboard the American Queen

Evening: Entertainment in the Grand Saloon

Lodging: American Queen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast onboard the American Queen

Morning: Depart for New Orleans Louis Armstrong Airport or Royal Sonesta Hotel--transportation included arrive at 10:30 am

Meals Included: Breakfast