Beach from Arlington, VA
Number of programs attended: 30
Date attended: 02/08/13 - 02/13/13
A great service of having a hotel and reserved reviewing stand on the parade route. Suggest charge a little more and include more than one "good" N O restaurant. Lectures were good. If you like breakfast (more that a pastry and coffee/tea) do it on your own. Pre program information on parking was inadequate. Staff could do a better job of locating reasonably priced parking which was available (learned after I had parked at A/P). Staff included family members in our reserved area but we were not allowed ot have a guest.
Botton line: Good program--so-so management. Perhaps 90 participants is too many for 2 leaders.
Virginia from Oak Harbor, WA
Number of programs attended: 3
Date attended: 02/08/13 - 02/13/13
If you want to see the real Mardi Gras in New Orleans, this is the ONLY way to do it. Crowds, traffic and porta-potties beset other visitors, but not us! The staff made our experience virtually free of inconvenience and discomfort. The only criticism I can think of is that the food on offer was disappointing to the extent that we resorted to buying our own meals. My advance request for vegetarian choices went largely ignored, despite the fact that the course description offered a vegetarian option. Lunches consisted of meat sandwiches, chicken salad--no vegetarian options whatsoever. A hotel buffet that offered not ONE meatless entree--when I pointed this out to the group leader, I was told "Well, there's some lettuce over there!" Breakfast? Just a low-fiber pastry and coffee in a paper cup from a kiosk. This is not a good program for those concerned with healthy eating.
Penelope from Silver Spring, MD
Number of programs attended: 14
Date attended: 02/08/13 - 02/13/13
I always wanted to go to Mardi Gras, but was concerned about managing the crowds, standing and walking. This program is designed so that no matter what your mobility situation, you can enjoy the parades. We had seats right outside the hotel that is on the main parade route. If you go, be prepared for a fabulous time!
Julie from Ramat Gan, NA
Number of programs attended: 1
Date attended: 02/08/13 - 02/13/13
We had a fabulous time on this wonderful program. Everything was perfectly planned, organized and implemented - hotel, private viewing stands for the parades right at the hotel, interesting and informative lectures and visits, wonderful meals and restaurants and making new friends. We were even brave enough to venture out to see the "action" on infamous Bourbon Street, although that is not the "real" carnival spirit - but fun to see once for the experience. This is the kind of Road Scholar program in which we would gladly participate a second time. Thanks Barbara and Annette for such an exceptional week!
Marilyn from Downingtown, PA
Number of programs attended: 1
Date attended: 02/08/13 - 02/13/13
Had a wonderful time...could not have asked for more balanced involvement ..opportunity to see, do, savor and learn..great program co-ordinators, informative lectures, delightful fellow program participants...direct involvement with parade krewes, culinary adventure and just plain "fun"...well done..
Stephen from Hayward, CA
Number of programs attended: 35
Date attended: 02/08/13 - 02/13/13
Mardi Gras done with style … a private reserved grandstand just for the group to view 15 krewes (parades)…right in front of the hotel which makes it convenient for breaks…plus meals to sample regional cooking...lectures of the whys, hows, and the emotional meanings of Mardi Gras … NO it is not “Girls Gone Wild” as portrayed in the media...we were away from the craziness of Bourbon St yet close enough to venture down it if you dare…
In my opinion, a chance to experience Mardi Gras like very few people including residents can…Thank you Barbara (our coordinator) for a once in a lifetime experience…
James from Standish, ME
Number of programs attended: 6
Date attended: 02/08/13 - 02/13/13
Lots of fun, lots of music, good food, interesting program and they make it very easy. What else could you ask for?
James from Phoenix, AZ
Number of programs attended: 4
Date attended: 02/08/13 - 02/13/13
The New Orleans Mardi Gras program was an excellent way to participate in this fascinating cultural experience.
Winnie from Vero Beach, FL
Number of programs attended: 14
Date attended: 03/05/11 - 03/09/11
Not to be missed!! I grew up in North Louisiana and we used to cut our college classes(along with many of the Prof's) to go to Mardi Gras, but I had not been back since. It was as exciting and wonderful as I remember and a lot more safe and comfortable in our great hotel right on the route and our private sit-down stands. Even a storm one day could not dampen our enthusiasm. Southern hospitality abounded with not only our hostesses being warm and wonderful but also the locals, even down to the New Orleans Policeman who was stationed by our stands. Food was as good as I remembered from my youth - wonderful restaurants - great music. The Mardi Gras Day buffet champagne brunch was a memorable culinary event. Go!! Do not let anyone talk you out of this extraordinary experience. It was FUN,FUN,FUN.
Suzanne from Hampton, MN
Number of programs attended: 1
Date attended: 03/05/11 - 03/09/11
If you ever wanted to attend Mardi Gras but were afraid or hesitant, this IS the program for you!! Perfect hotel, right on the parade routes-did you know there is more than 1 parade a day? Private bleecher section to sit--if there is ever a moment to sit- AND bathroom facilities, in the hotel...not a buffy's biffy! Absolutely caring, fun & proud-of-their city hostesses that come up with more surprises-every day-than can possibly be imagined! Barb & Annette want YOU to be safe, feed & cared for, in true southern hospitality. There is time to explore on your own, with a caution for safety. Very knowledgeable & informative speaker's, fantastic meals...meager breakfast so you can eat the abundant lunch & supper. I was never hungry. Experience wild, crazy & best Mardi Gras in a loving & caring atmosphere...not to be missed!
Louis from Phoenix, AZ
Number of programs attended: 12
Date attended: 03/05/11 - 03/09/11
This was our sixth visit including one with Elderhostel, to New Orleans but our first Mardi Gras. It was something I always wanted to see. The hotel was great. The lunches and dinners were extraodinary. The "breakfasts", except for Mardi Gras day, were meager. The classes were very informative, as always. Our "welcome bag" was overflowing with very useful items.
Now, having seen New Orleans during Mardi Gras I can say, unhesitatingly, I prefer the city when it is in its everyday "Big Easy" mode. The crowds, the constant screaming for throws, the cordoned off streets were not to my liking. Despite this I would love to take the Roads Scholar trip to Mardi Gras in Lafayette! I bet it's not nearly as hectic.
Sara Dyar from Fort Smith, AR
Number of programs attended: 6
Date attended: 03/05/11 - 03/09/11
My husband and I have been to two other New Orleans programs and became interested in the history of Mardi Gras so we enrolled in this program. It is a wonderful blend of facts and fun! The upscale hotel was right on the parade route and we had reserved "sit down" seats. The food was fabulous, a great selection of restaurants. The speakers covered all the aspects of the carnival season, the tradition of the indians, a captain of one of the krewes, and a king and queen who came in their costumes and crowns. Too many surprises to mention. We came home thrilled with the experience and with a shopping bag full of beads we caught. If you have ever wondered about Mardi Gras...go and have a ball!