New Orleans & Cajun Country

You are about to embark on a tour to one of the world’s most fascinating destinations. New Orleans is an amazing place with its own unique culture and way of life! Sit back and relax as our first day of travel takes us south into the rolling landscapes of Iowa. A noon lunch is included in Sioux City, and tonight we’ll have a pleasant stay in Kansas City, MO. (L)

Traveling the highways and byways of Missouri takes us through dense woodlands, cozy streams, and the rugged landscape that is characteristic of the beautiful Ozark Mountains. By noon, our group arrives in Branson, MO, the “Live Music Capital of the World!” Branson has some of the most wonderful museums and attractions. You’ll enjoy an area tour that will highlight some of the most scenic views and tell you about some fascinating history beyond Branson’s “Country 76 Strip.” The Titanic sank in April of 1912. This dramatic catastrophe is still remembered today by scanning the exhibits at the Titanic Museum. After checking into the Grand Country Inn, we’ll enjoy a delicious evening meal followed by attending the Grand Country Jubilee Show. You’ll be entertained with spectacular music, comedy, great harmonies, and a whole lot of Ozark hospitality. (B) (D)

Crossing the border into Arkansas, our coach takes a diagonal route across the state. Our vistas include the beautiful Ozarks, pine forests, and the Mississippi Delta. We take a break at noon for an included lunch, then continue our journey to our accommodations in Vicksburg, Mississippi. (B) (L) (D)

We start our day with a tour of the Vicksburg National Military Park. Our guide will share historic tales that will take us back in time to the Civil War Era, helping us visualize the battle that helped the Union soldiers change the course of the Civil War. From here, we will travel south along the Mississippi River to the relaxed lifestyle of Natchez, Mississippi. Our local guide will join us at the visitor’s center, and we begin a historical experience through the city of Natchez, known for its beautiful antebellum homes. Our first home is Longwood, a jewel of Natchez. This octagonal structure started in 1860, but due to the Civil War, much of the interior was never finished. After continuing through Natchez on a city tour, we take a break at our hotel before taking in a progressive dinner with our main course at the Choctaw Hall and dessert at Sunnyside, both very beautiful antebellum homes. (B) (D)

Our coach takes us through Louisiana Bayou Country on our way to New Orleans, the “Big Easy”. A visit to the WWII museum features a 4D cinematic experience, interactive exhibits, soaring aircraft, personal stories, and more. Our accommodations for three nights are about five blocks from the French Quarter. This evening, we dine at Mulate’s, “The Original Cajun Restaurant”, while listening to lively music, where you might even give the Cajun two-step a whirl. (B) (D)

This morning, you’ll travel the “path of history” with a local guide, listening to stories about New Orleans, the French Quarter, and Bourbon Street. By mid-day, you’ll cruise the Mississippi River on the “Natchez Steamboat-Luncheon Cruise.” Feel the excitement of riding on a steamboat through one of the world’s most active ports, an experience that’s as genuine now as it was a century ago. This afternoon, we’ll take a tour of the French Quarter via a Carriage Ride. By early evening, we’ll enjoy one of the top tourist attractions of Louisiana, celebrating the cuisine of this region. Out of a blend of French, Spanish, and African cultures comes a mixture of dishes that will tickle your taste buds. We’ll learn about Cajun cooking (then dine on the result of the lesson) at the New Orleans School of Cooking. (B) (L) (D)

Today, we’ll venture beyond Bourbon Street to see the REAL Louisiana. You’ll feel as though you’re stepping back in time as we explore Louisiana’s Bayou Country, complete with vast wetlands and swamps shaded by moss-draped cypress trees. You’ll enjoy this unique opportunity to experience their rich culture that includes warm and welcoming hospitality. Our first stop is Oak Alley Plantation. This magnificent Greek Revival-Style Mansion dates back to 1837 and will remind you of scenes from the movie, “Gone with the Wind,” during the Antebellum South era, with tour guides dressed in authentic plantation style apparel and a pathway that’s lined with moss-draped oak trees. By midday, we arrive at the Greenwood Gator Farm for lunch and a tour. They present an informative and interesting tour about gator farming during their “Eggs to Wallet Tour.” Now! Get ready to encounter the true essence of the Louisiana Bayou on our NEW Airboat Adventure Tour, where you’ll be able to go deep into the bayou. You’ll meet the exotic bayou natives, alligators, birds, and more! Experience this rich and diverse ecosystem complete with lush flora and fauna along winding waterways. After a full day, you’ll return to New Orleans for a free night and meal on your own. (B) (L)

It’s time to bid farewell to New Orleans and begin our journey north by way of the Pontchartrain Bridge. We’ll make our usual stops along the way. Our roadsides are ablaze with colorful wildflowers, beautiful emerald-green pines lining the roadways, and perhaps the redbud and dogwood trees may be in full bloom. Our evening will be spent at the Drury Inn in Horn Lake, Mississippi. (B)

Our morning travels take us across the border to Memphis, TN, where Rock N’ Roll took root and grew. We arrive in Memphis for a Guided City Tour with a local guide to show us the sights and sounds that made Memphis the “Home of the Blues.” We’ll enjoy stops at Historic Levitt Shell, where Elvis gave his first paid concert, and the March of the Peabody Ducks at the luxurious Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis, a tradition not to be missed during our visit to Memphis. You’ll learn the intriguing story and custom that dates back to the 1930s. The ducks have gained celebrity status over the years and live in the Duck Palace on the hotel rooftop. Each morning, visitors can watch as the ducks march across a red carpet to the hotel fountain and lobby of the hotel. Our included lunch at the Blues City Café is located on Beale Street, famous for its live music scene, dining venues and shops that attract millions of visitors every year. After lunch, we make our way to Graceland to board a shuttle bus to the home of the king, Elvis Presley, where you will see many of the things Elvis cherished. By late afternoon, we continue to travel north to the Drury Inn in Sikeston, Missouri. (B) (L)

This morning, we travel along the beautiful countryside of Missouri until our coach rolls into the city of St. Louis, where we’ll tour the Gateway Arch. This major renovation project celebrated its grand opening on July 3, 2018. This is our nation’s tallest monument, soaring 630 feet above the Mississippi River with 886 tons of stainless steel welded into a seamless curve. This grand monument has been hailed as linking “the rich history of yesterday with the richer future of tomorrow.” Missouri is called the “Show Me State” for good reason. They have a lot to show! Traveling on the River Road, Highway 61, you’ll see the beauty of the state along the Mississippi River. This evening, we spend our last night at the Drury Inn in Coralville, Iowa. (B) (L)

The miles slip away as this last day passes quickly. We stop for an included lunch in Owatonna, and before you know it, we’re back in Kerkhoven at Rustad Tours. Your favorite souvenir will be memories of your vacation and the new friendships you have formed. (B) (L)