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Provisional Itinerary. Different return dates may be possible. Please call to discuss.

Monday 13^th April
On arrival you will be transferred to The Inn on Bourbon, situated on Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter (Vieux Carre). Welcome reception on arrival.

Tuesday 14^th April
Familiarisation Walk (Included)
This morning you are invited to join a guided orientation / refresher walk around the sites of the French Quarter.

Welcome Event (Included)
Tonight it is time to enjoy your first jazz event, which will be held at the world-famous Preservation Hall with their in-house band. This is a unique and truly special venue and one of the many musical highlights of the tour.

Wednesday 15^th April
Cradle of Jazz Tour (Included)

John McCusker, a Times Picayune journalist, jazz historian and friend of the Ken Colyer Trust leads this tour, which sets the scene for the rest of your time in New Orleans.  With music as you travel, John tells the history of jazz, shows where legendary pioneers lived, plus the people and locations associated with Ken Colyer.  Exclusive to our tour.

Thursday 16^th April
Swamp Tour and lunch in Algiers (Optional)

Enjoy a swamp tour on the bayous spotting the local wildlife.  Afterwards we shall visit George Lewis’s grave before enjoying lunch at The Dry Dock Café.    Time to explore Algiers home to so many jazz greats before taking the ferry back to New Orleans.

Pool Party (Included)
Enjoy a drink around the pool with the rest of the group whilst the musicians on the tour entertain you with an ad hoc jazz session.  Great fun!

Friday 17^th April (Festival Opens)
French Quarter Festival & Parade (Included)
Second Line in the opening Parade of the French Quarter Festival, behind Andrew Hall’s Society Brass Band – our own local band for the parade.  The Festival is the largest free music event in Louisiana, a veritable cultural showcase of food, music and fun, with over 140 bands playing on 14 stages throughout the Vieux Carré.  The festival continues well into the evening.

Saturday 18^th April (Festival)
The Festival continues all day.  Don’t miss the Battle of Bands!

Sunday 19^th April (Festival Closes)
Inter-Continental Jazz Brunch (Optional)
A culinary delight and another high point of the tour. Feast on an amazing array of Southern dishes and “bubbly” plus excellent live jazz from their famous resident band.  A day to skip breakfast!

Monday 20^th April
Oak Alley and Laura Plantation (Optional)
Time to get out of town and explore the countryside.  First a visit to Oak Alley famous for its alley of 300 year old live oak trees, afterwards time for a southern lunch before taking a tour of Laura Plantation to re-live the history and working life of this Creole Plantation.   

Tuesday 21^st April
Hogan Jazz Archives at Tulane University (Included)
Visit the official repository of the History of Jazz, which contains many unique pictures, music scores and recordings.

Louisiana Music Factory (Included)
Barry Smith, owner of this famous jazz emporium throws open his store laying on a jazz band and free drinks, whilst we browse for those rare recordings.

Wednesday 22^nd April
Mandeville National Park (Optional)
This morning take a trip across Lake Pontchartrain to Mandeville. There will be time to explore the National Park with its beautiful white sandy beaches before enjoying lunch at a pavilion within the park.  Followed by the farewell party. 

Farewell Party (Included)
A very special band at a unique venue – The Dew Drop Hall in Mandeville, a popular dance hall in the roaring 20’s, where the likes of Buddy Petit and Bunk Johnson played. 

Thursday 23^rd April
French Quarter Festival group transfers from the hotel to the airport in time for the overnight flight home.

Extended New Orleans group – day at leisure.

Lafayette group – Transfer to Lafayette with Chris & Bill, stopping for lunch en route at Breaux Bridge (own expense).  Check in at America’s Best Suites, staying here for the next four nights on a bed and breakfast basis. Afternoon visit to Lake Martin Wildlife Reserve.  Dinner tonight at a local restaurant (Included).

Friday 24^th April
French Quarter Festival group arrives in the UK.

Extended New Orleans group – These days are unaccompanied to spend one or more days at The Jazz and Heritage Festival, or explore more of the local area or simply relax.

Lafayette group – Enjoy a day trip to local attractions such as The Shadows on the Teche Plantation, Bunk Johnson’s Museum or Konriko Rice Mill. 

Saturday 25^th April
Lafayette group  - Early morning visit to Fred’s Lounge in Mamou for four hours of authentic Cajun music.  Tonight enjoy dinner and dancing at a Cajun Restaurant (Included).

Sunday 26^th April
Lafayette group – Day at leisure or chance to take in the last day of the International Festival de Louisiane. 

Monday 27^th April
Lafayette group and New Orleans extended group – Transfer from your hotels to New Orleans airport for the overnight flight home.

Tuesday 28^th April
Extended groups arrive in the UK.

Included in all Tours

Not Included