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Signature City New Orleans: America's City of History, Culture and Celebration

Program Number: 1475RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/13/2012 - 5/18/2012; 9/29/2013 - 10/4/2013; 10/6/2013 - 10/11/2013; 10/13/2013 - 10/18/2013; 10/20/2013 - 10/25/2013; 10/27/2013 - 11/1/2013; 11/3/2013 - 11/8/2013; 11/10/2013 - 11/15/2013; 12/1/2013 - 12/6/2013; 12/8/2013 - 12/13/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Price starting at: $798.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Signature Cities
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

New Orleans beckons with three centuries of history and culture. Become immersed in this rich heritage as expert instructors lead you on an exploration of the city’s architectural styles, literary heroes, political figures, music and food. Learn about festivals that are both self-expression and a celebration of life, from Mardi Gras to Jazz Fest. Take field trips to Lake Pontchartrain, the French Quarter, the Garden District, the Mississippi River, Congo Square and the Treme area. Enjoy the New Orleans Museum of Art and the amazing Sculpture Garden.




Highlights

• Hear a musical performance at the Jazz National Park Museum and venture into the French Quarter to visit the Mardi Gras Museum.
• Admire historic New Orleans homes as you ride along historic St. Charles Avenue and walk into the Garden District.
• Learn the tricks of Cajun and Creole cooking at a popular culinary arts school, complete with recipes for you to take home.



Activity Particulars

Moderate walking up to eight blocks, flat terrain.



You may enjoy a comparable educational program with upgraded accommodations in the heart of the French Quarter, "Signature City New Orleans: An Unforgettable City of Mystery and Intrigue" (#2856) or take a look at our new program about the city’s saints and sinners (#18497).




New Orleans

The Crescent City is among the United States' most unique and colorful cities, owing in part to the various heritages and cultures that influenced its growth over the past 300 years, including Cajun, Creole and French, a rich blend apparent in everything from the city’s architecture and cuisine, to its dialects and corner cafés.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotel with outdoor swimming pool six blocks from the French Quarter.
Meals and Lodgings
   Holiday Inn New Orleans Downtown
  New Orleans, LA 5 nights
 Holiday Inn New Orleans Downtown
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: The first sounds of jazz were heard in the dance halls on the very blocks surrounding the hotel. Magnificent jazz murals commemorating this historic neighborhood including a 150-foot clarinet mural...New Orleans newest landmark! The hotel, in the heart of downtown, is 6 blocks from the French Quarter. True Southern hospitality will make you feel right at home while still close to all the action. There is a complimentary shuttle bus to New Orleans' most popular attractions, including the French Quarter. Multi-lingual staff.
  Contact info: 330 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70112 USA
phone: 504-581-1600
web: www.holidayinnneworleans.com
  Room amenities: Iron/Ironing Board, Coffee Maker, Hairdryer.
  Facility amenities: Outdoor Pool, High-speed Internet Access, Health/Fitness Center On-Site, ATM/Cash Machine, Concierge Services, Dry Cleaning Pickup/Laundry, Ice Machine, Newsstand, Porter/Bellman, Room Service, Safety Deposit Box available at Front Desk.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: $129 plus tax Call the hotel to make individual reservations. 504-267-5833 Mon-Fri 9-5 CT Ask for Trudy Guidroz. Do not speak to national reservations. The following dates require a 2 night minimum stay:Feb10 and 11, March 16 and 17, March 23 and 24. April 27 and 28, May 4 and 5($149 per night) May 11 and 12($149 per nt), Oct 12 and 13 ($149). Oct 26 and 27
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $129 plus tax Call the hotel to make individual reservations. 504-267-5833 Mon-Fri 9-5 CT Ask for Trudy Guidroz. Do not speak to national reservations. The following dates require a 2 night minimum stay:Feb10 and 11, March 16 and 17, March 23 and 24. April 27 and 28, May 4 and 5($149 per night) May 11 and 12($149 per nt), Oct 12 and 13 ($149). Oct 26 and 27
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Hotel check in: Sunday 3:30 pm. If you arrive earlier you can check in if your room is available.. Bellmen will store your luggage until your room is ready. Registration:3:45 pm. Orientation: 4:15-6:00pm. Dinner: 6:00 pm. You will be staying at Holiday Inn New Orleans Downtown that night.
  End of Program:
Breakfast is 7:00-8:30 am. Lecture: 8:30-11am. Take away lunch provided:11am (or you may eat with group in hotel). Hotel checkout: Noon. Bellmen will store luggage if you are leaving later. You will be staying at Holiday Inn New Orleans Downtown the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
425 Parking Spaces. Regular Daily Parking Fee: $15.00 plus tax - special negotiated daily rate for Road Scholar $7 plus tax. Covered, indoor garage attached to hotel. Garage is a self-park and lock facility. Bus and RV parking also available for a fee.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  New Orleans, LA
  Nearest highway: Interstate 10
  Nearest airport:  New Orleans, Louis Armstrong
  From End of Program
  Location: New Orleans, LA
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (Airport Code: MSY)

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Airport Shuttle
phone: 504-522-3500

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$18--subject to change
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

20 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

5 miles
   

Shuttle may stop at other hotels. Taxi is cheaper for 2 -4 persons $30 for 2 plus extra for 3rd and 4th person. Train/bus station is 7 blocks from hotel and taxis are available.
 

The New Orleans Greyhound bus station is approximately 7 blocks from the hotel.

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Distance:

 

7 blocks
   

You can make reservations with Greyhound via their website at www.greyhound.com or by phone at (800) 229-9424.
 
Driving Directions
  From east Take I-10 to Canal St. exit. Take a right on Canala and then a right on Loyola Ave. Hotel will be 2 blocks up on the left.
  From west I-10 E to Loyola Avenue exit. Go 6 blocks and the hotel will be on your right.
Elevation Note: Totallyflat terrain

Equipment Requirements: No equipment
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival, Intros, Dinner and Introductory lecture
(Sunday, May 13)
   
 Afternoon: Arrivals. Registration and Orientation at 4:00 p.m. at the hotel. Start off your New Orleans experience with an informative overview of the week to come, and a chance to meet our staff and your fellow Participants.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
 Evening: Introductory lecture on the French Quarter. Your instructor is from New Orleans and loves her city. Learn and be entertained at the same time.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn New Orleans Downtown
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Morning history lecture, field trip into city and evening lecture
(Monday, May 14)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet.
 Morning: Lecture: History of New Orleans. Begin your day with a walk back into history, from the discovery of the city to present day New Orleans. Your instructor is a native New Orleanian and knows its past and present inside and out.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Interpretive field trip to Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou St. John, City Park and its magnificent oak trees, above-ground cemeteries. Also see with your instructor the results of Hurricane Katrina.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.
 Evening: Evening: Lecture: "Creating New Orleans with Blood Sweat and Tears". Learn about many interesting personalities who were instrumental in forming the early New Orleans.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn New Orleans Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Literary lecture, Hurricane on Bayour, Free time in French Quarter, Dinner on own
(Tuesday, May 15)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet.
 Morning: Lecture:Authors from and of New Orleans. Hear about local writers past and present who sculpted the fictional and non fictional New Orleans with their pens and typewriters. Get the real scoop on their personal lives: where they gathered, what they ate, what they drank as well as their literary personas-which are often one in the same.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Imax Theater to see "Hurricane on the Bayou" a beautiful 45 min film that shows how the wetlands played into hurricane Katrina. Also enjoy using your vouchers to Cabildo and Presbytere.
 Dinner: Dinner is on your own tonight so that you might enjoy a restaurant of your own choosing. If you have a special restaurant in mind you might want to make advance reservations.
 Evening: You may wish to return to hotel after dinner or stay in French Quarter to explore some of the jazz clubs (voucher provided for Preservation Hall) or just stroll Bourbon Street. Transportation provided back to the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn New Orleans Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Architecture lecture, picnic lunch, Cabildo, musical performance in evening
(Wednesday, May 16)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet.
 Morning: Lecture: Architecture of New Orleans. An introduction to what makes New Orleans diverse. Besides the ethnic diversity of our culture, you will learn how immigrants from the West Indies to Europe brought their architectural influences to the city.
 Lunch: Picnic with local food near the Mississippi River and then attend a music presentation at the Jazz National Park Museum.
 Afternoon: At your leisure enjoy the Mardi Gras Museum at the Presbytere to get a feel for our yearly celebration with its customs and costumes that attract international visitors. Also view the Katrina Hurricane Museum in the Presbytere (voucher provided for both). Voucher also provided for Louisiana History museum in the Cabildo. On-site Architecture excursion with instructor in the Garden District to get an up close and personal view of the architectural styles and embellishments discussed in morning lecture as you walk through this exclusive section of our city. See homes of famous people from New Orleans.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant
 Evening: Musical surprise at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn New Orleans Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5:
(Thursday, May 17)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet.
 Morning: This morning view the spectacular Sculpture Garden in our beautiful City Park. Enjoy the New Orleans Museum of Art at your leisure or with a docent. Have the unique experience of learning about the Mardi Gras Indians from an "Indian"(see his incredible costumes)--a cultural pehenomenon in New Orleans. You will hear about the connections to the Black Culture in New Orleans and to the famous early faubourg of New Orleans called Treme.
 Lunch: Lunch at local eatery
 Afternoon: Use vouchers for museums or visit on your own the DDay Museum, Museum of Southern Art Free Ferry or Natchez Steamboat or attend with our group another great musical lecture/performance at the National Jazz Park or enjoy free time to do more exploring on your own. So many possibilities!
 Dinner: Learn the tricks and techniques of Cajun and Creole cooking at a popular culinary arts school. Recipes will be supplied so that you can bring some New Orleans cuisine "home" with you. Enjoy the great dinner you watch being created for you.
 Evening: Retun to hotel--tired but full of new ideas!
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn New Orleans Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Lectures on Huey Long and Mardi Gras program ends
(Friday, May 18)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet.
 Morning: Lecture: "Mardi Gras," and "Huey P. Long." Hear about the real Mardi Gras from a native. All of the myths and misconceptions that you have read and heard about will be dispelled after this lecture. The second half of the class is dedicated to Louisiana politics, with a focus on colorful former governor, Huey P. Long - the "Kingfish." You will be amazed at the antics, politics, and incidents that were orchestrated by this powerful, charismatic figure who was revered by his constituents, despised by his political enemies and even his family.
 Lunch: Your program concludes with lunch.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  New Orleans, LA ATTRACTIONS & EXCURSIONS
Aquarium of the Americas Audubon Zoo (Streetcar or boat) Cafe du Monde Free Ferry Flea Market French Market Glassworks School IMAX Theater Mardi Gras World - Free Ferry Ride Natchez Steamboat Riverwalk Marketplace St. Charles Streetcar
  HISTORIC HOMES
Beauregard-Keyes House Faulkner House Gallier House Ursuline Convent
  MUSEUMS & EXHIBITS
Louisiana State Museum (closed on Monday) Confederate Museum (929 Camp St) New Orleans Museum of Art and Sculpture Garden - cab ride or street car Musee Conti (Wax Museum) St. Louis Cathedral Voodoo Museum National D.Day Museum (945 Magazine St-open 9:00 - 5:00) Ogden Museum of Southern Art (925 Camp St.; Tues. - Sun. 9:30am - 5:30 pm Thursdays until 8:30pm. Closed on Mondays.)
  NIGHTCLUBS & MUSIC
Gazebo (daily jazz outdoors) House of Blues Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Maison Bourbon Market Café (daily jazz outdoors) Mid City Lanes Rock n Bowl - Cab ride Mulate's Palm Court Jazz Café - cab ride Pat O' Briens' Patout's Cajun Corner Preservation Hall Storyville District Tipitina's Snug Harbor - cab ride
  PERFORMING ARTS
Contemporary Arts Center Le Petit Theatre
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.


As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.



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