Grand Melange Of Southern Culture With Bayou Boat Tour

The Grand Melange Of Southern Culture Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

Tour, touch, and taste a piece of the ol' south as you visit the famous River Road plantations.

We loved this woman. She qualifies as a true entrepreneur. She arrived in the states at the age of 21 and could not speak English. Her first job was teaching French at Colby College in Maine, where the students, in return, taught her English. She went back home, but returned and settled in New Orleans, married, and started a family. Of the many jobs she enjoyed over the years, her time with a large tour operator, in particular, felt "right" to her. Taking all she learned, she created her own excursions and she delivers them in a "small" way, that is, groups no larger than 14. We give her an A+.

This marvelous city is an embarrassment of riches with its thriving cultural scene and an abundance of activities. Our wonderful tour operator seized the moment and developed a tour to satisfy all of your senses.

Our tour begins in the direction of the swamps as we travel to a location deep in Cajun country. All the while, you'll hear the history of the Cajun people. Your mode of transportation changes to a comfortable covered boat as you move slowly through the remote bogs. You have nothing to worry about, though, as your guide for this portion of the tour is an alligator hunter! As he escorts you through the swamp, he'll impart his knowledge about the habits of the reptiles, medicinal plants, and exotic birds. Your ride on this skiff will last about 1 1/2 hours and, after you transfer back to your personal van, you'll continue on to one of Louisiana's most famous plantations.

Your journey through the beautiful wilds will be accompanied by the stories, folktales, and history of the Creole and Cajun people. Before you know it, you'll be disembarking in front of the most famous plantation house in Louisiana. Authentically costumed guides will take you on a tour of this fabulous home, which has been left as is by the last owners, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Stewart. They established a private, nonprofit foundation to run the estate and its 25 acres before their deaths. It is furnished just as it was during their lifetime, with an elegant mix of antiques and more modern pieces.

It is here that you will dine, as you fantasize about days gone by. A taste of New Orleans culture will be set before you as you sample chicken gumbo, red beans n' rice or jambalaya, and assorted local side dishes with a finale of bread pudding. You might want to stroll out back to the levee afterward to work off some of your lunch. If you do, you'll discover the reason for the name of this plantation. Steamboat passengers dubbed it Oak Alley as they walked through the quarter-mile avenue of 300 year-old live oak trees. This is Mother Nature at her finest.

Before returning to the cruise ship pier or your hotel, we'll make one last stop--at a plantation known as Laura. At this Creole plantation, you'll be able to visit the historic slave quarters, which are surrounded by sugarcane fields. Laura's story is a tragic one and the guides here will relate it to you throughout your tour.

- There is a minimum of 6 passengers needed in order for this tour to operate.
- Please be aware there is no room for luggage unless you have booked a private tour.
- Limited mobility passengers are welcome on this tour, but should be accompanied by one assistant, as there is no lift. The driver will also assist. Wheelchairs must be collapsible.

Days offered: 7 days a week

Departures:

• 08:30 AM, duration: 8.5 hours