Afternoon: Visit our website for more of our programs:www.noeh.org. ABOUT OUR ITINERARY: There will be special surprises and A UNIQUE WAY OF EXPERIENCING THE CUISINE OF NEW ORLEANS. We utilize the "DINE AROUND" concept. It enables all participants to have the best dining experience possible by dining in small groups of 12 (tables of 4 or 6) with different participants at different meals. Our goal with this format is to also encourage interaction between participants in an enjoyable setting. 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 City of Mystery and Intrigue.

Dinner: Dinner IN 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.

Evening: Music abounds right inside our hotel at Irwin Mayfields Jazz club. Enjoy or get a good night sleep for a busy day tomorrow!

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: Lunch each day will be New Orleans special! One day will be at the famous Commanders Palace-previous winner of the James Beard award!

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 areas of New Orleans devastated by the hurricane.

Dinner: Monday through Thursday- 3 evenings-dine at some of New Orleans finest restaurants offering 4-5 course meals. ONE NIGHT YOUR DINNER WILL BE ON YOUR OWN (RESTAURANT OF YOUR CHOICE) AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE. Yes, another meal - it's still early in the week-we promise not to weigh you on your exit from the program. NOTE: NIGHT YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN COULD VARY FROM PERSON TO PERSON. YOU WILL BE EATING AT Bourbon House, Palace Cafe and Muriels. (These restaurants are subject to change but comparable restaurants of high quality are always used.)

Evening: Use your free time after dinner to experience the night life in the French Quarter-hear some jazz at Preservation Hall or Fritzels (vouchers provided).

Lodging: Royal Sonesta

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AT HOTEL

Morning: CLASS-"Louisiana Politics-The Art of the Improbable" This is a FASCINATING class. Don't miss this one -we promise that when you return home you will amaze your friends and family when you recount some of the happenings. Your instructor is one of the teachers who has been with the program since its inception in 1993. A regular New Orleans encyclopedia you will no doubt enjoy his perspectives and real New Orleans pedigree. He is a native, born and raised, who vows never to leave and can't imagine living anywhere else.

Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant

Afternoon: Class: New Orleans archictecture followed by a walk in the beautiful Garden District with your instructor. See the various types of iron works, architecture and historic homes--all with a wonderfully informed teacher who also builds miniatures for New Orleans construction.

Dinner: Dinner at one of our premier restaurants.

Evening: Free time, after dinner for more night life, music, and New Orleans culture. Remember to use your vouchers for Fritzels and Preservation Hall--more New Orleans music.

Lodging: Royal Sonesta

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sculpture Garden, New Orleans Museum of Art, Mardi Gras Indians and performance, Katrina museum and Mardi Gras Museum

Breakfast: CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL

Morning: Visit the beautiful Sculpture Garden and New Orleans Museum of Art in our beautiful City Park.

Morning: You will be amazed at our next lecture and performance. A genuine Mardi Gras Indian explains the mysterious cultural group at his Golden Feather restaurant where you will enjoy African food and marvel at magnificent Mardi Gras Indian costumes and artwork.

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

Afternoon: Use your vouchers to visit the Louisiana history museum in the Cabildo or the Katrina museum as well as the Mardi Gras museum inside the Presbytere. Or visit on your own the World War II Museum, Museum of Southern Art, or the Contemporary Arts Museum. On your own ride the Natchez Paddlewheeler on the Mississippi.

Dinner: Tonight dinner will be on your own. By now your shoes are getting tighter-it's not from the walking-it's from the eating!

Evening: Free time, after dinner for more night life, music, and New Orleans culture. Music in our beautiful hotel Mystic Den or everywhere you turn. Use your voucher for Cafe au Lait and Beignets at world famous Cafe du Monde.

Lodging: Royal Sonesta

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL

Morning: CLASS-"LITERARY LANDMARKS". THIS CLASS EXPLORES WRITERS WHO LIVED IN AND WROTE ABOUT THE FRENCH QUARTER. Among the notables are Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, John Kennedy Toole, and 3 women writers. Your lecturer is a local treasure. She is the managing editor of the Tennessee Williams Journal, a literature and creative writing teacher and has taught post graduate courses for teachers. Her love of literature combined with the love of her city makes her a natural choice to teach this class. Her sharing is sure to inspire you to add to your "must read" list. And don't be surprised if you don't get a faint whiff of jasmine as you turn the pages.

Lunch: Enjoy the New Orleans School of Cooking today--Learn how to cook "Creole" and enjoy the creation for your lunch. Pralines will complete your meal--best in town.

Afternoon: Explore the Cabildo and Prebytere in Jackson Square. History in one, Mardi Gras in the other. Vouchers are given so you may go at your own pace.

Afternoon: Free time for some last minute shopping or use your vouchers at the museums. On your own visit the Aquarium or Imax theatre. Peruse antiques on Royal Street or visit Pat O'Brians unique patio--you might even want to have a Hurricane.

Dinner: Enjoy your last Dinner at another special New Orleans eatery.

Evening: Make your last visit for New Orleans Jazz and learn "What it Means to miss New Orleans"

Lodging: Royal Sonesta

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Brunch: Early BRUNCH AT THE FAMOUS COURT OF TWO SISTERS AT 9:00AM. Imagine being entertained by New Orleans Jazz while you eat a sumptuous buffet full of New Orleans delights. 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. You are now free to leave "the city with a soul"- but come back anytime. You can be back to hotel by 10:30 am. Check out is noon. If you are staying over you may use any unused vouchers over the weekend.

Meals Included: Brunch