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Louisiana – Music, Food & Southern Culture

  • New Orleans
  • Lafayette
  • Lake Charles
  • Alexandria
  • Shreveport
  • Natchez
  • Baton Rouge
14 Days / 13 Nights
All year round
13 Nights from
£2,649pp

Based on two adults, travelling from London Heathrow and departing June 2027. Alternative dates and departure airports are available upon request. Price includes all mandatory taxes and fees.

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Trip code: 54321

Experience the very best of the Bayou State on an unforgettable Louisiana self-drive holiday. Starting in vibrant New Orleans, this fascinating road trip takes you beyond the famous French Quarter to discover Louisiana’s distinctive music, food, history, culture and landscapes.

Enjoy three nights in New Orleans before collecting your included rental car and setting off into the heart of Louisiana. Travel through Lafayette, the centre of Cajun Country, where you can experience authentic Cajun food, music and culture. Continue to Lake Charles and Alexandria, discovering a quieter side of Louisiana filled with scenic waterways, historic towns and Southern hospitality.

Your journey then continues north to Shreveport, where Louisiana’s musical heritage meets the culture of the state’s northwest. From here, head south towards historic Natchez, crossing into Mississippi for two nights at the elegant Monmouth Historic Inn, surrounded by the area’s famous antebellum history and beautiful gardens.

Finish your journey in Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s vibrant capital, where you can explore historic landmarks, enjoy the city’s food and music scene and soak up the atmosphere of the mighty Mississippi River.

With scheduled return flights from the UK, 13 nights’ accommodation, car rental with full insurance and plenty of time to explore at your own pace, this Louisiana self-drive holiday offers a wonderful introduction to the state’s famous Southern hospitality, unforgettable cuisine, rich history and unique culture.

What’s Included

  • Scheduled return flights from the UK to New Orleans
  • Car rental from New Orleans with full insurance and taxes included
  • 3 nights in New Orleans
  • 2 nights in Lafayette
  • 1 night in Lake Charles
  • 2 nights in Alexandria
  • 1 night in Shreveport
  • 2 nights at Monmouth Historic Inn in Natchez, including breakfast
  • 2 nights at The Watermark Baton Rouge
  • Time to explore New Orleans, Cajun Country, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Shreveport, Natchez and Baton Rouge
  • A self-drive itinerary designed to let you discover Louisiana at your own pace

Itinerary

Depart the UK on your included scheduled flight to New Orleans. On arrival, make your own way to The Barnett Hotel, where you’ll check in for your first night in the vibrant city.

Take some time to settle in and relax after your journey. Located in the heart of downtown New Orleans, The Barnett Hotel is a stylish base for discovering the city, with its lively atmosphere and convenient location.

When you’re ready, head out and enjoy your first taste of New Orleans. You could take a leisurely stroll through the nearby French Quarter, enjoy dinner featuring classic Louisiana flavours or find a bar with live jazz and soak up the city’s famous musical atmosphere.

Alternatively, simply relax at the hotel and enjoy a drink before getting a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow, you’ll have a full day to discover the unique sights, sounds and flavours of New Orleans.

Accommodation

15 Miles / 24 Kilometres

Enjoy two full days at leisure in New Orleans, giving you plenty of time to experience the city’s unique blend of music, food, history and Southern culture.

Spend time exploring the atmospheric French Quarter, where colourful Creole buildings, lively bars and historic streets create the unmistakable character of New Orleans. Visit Jackson Square and St Louis Cathedral, browse the stalls at the French Market or wander along the Mississippi River.

Music is at the heart of the city, so make time to experience some live jazz during your stay. Head to Frenchmen Street for an evening of live music, or discover the legendary clubs and bars of Bourbon Street.

Food is another highlight. Sample local favourites such as gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys and beignets, or enjoy a relaxed meal in one of the city’s many restaurants. For a change of scenery, explore the elegant Garden District, with its beautiful historic homes and tree-lined streets.

You could also take a New Orleans riverboat cruise, join a guided city tour or explore the city’s fascinating connections with voodoo, Mardi Gras and the unique cultures that have shaped Louisiana.

With two days to explore at your own pace, there’s plenty of opportunity to discover why New Orleans is one of America’s most distinctive and unforgettable cities.

Accommodation

Unmissable Experiences

136 Miles / 219 Kilometres

After breakfast, check out of The Barnett Hotel and collect your included rental car before beginning your Louisiana road trip to Lafayette.

Leave New Orleans behind and travel west into the heart of Cajun Country. The journey takes you through Louisiana’s distinctive landscapes, from wetlands and bayous to small towns and rural communities.

On arrival in Lafayette, check in for your two-night stay and begin discovering this lively city, known as the heart of Cajun and Creole culture.

Spend your first afternoon exploring downtown Lafayette, browsing local shops and enjoying the city’s relaxed atmosphere. In the evening, experience some authentic Cajun cuisine and live music at one of the local restaurants or music venues.

With two nights in Lafayette, you’ll have plenty of time tomorrow to explore the surrounding Acadiana region and discover more of the food, music and traditions that make this part of Louisiana so special.

Accommodation

81 Miles / 130 Kilometres

After two memorable nights in Lafayette, check out and continue your Louisiana road trip west towards Lake Charles.

As you leave Cajun Country behind, enjoy the changing scenery as you travel through southwest Louisiana. On arrival in Lake Charles, check in for your one-night stay and take some time to explore this welcoming city.

Spend the afternoon discovering the Lake Charles waterfront, stroll along the scenic Cypress Lake area or explore the city’s historic streets and local shops. You could also sample more of Louisiana’s famous cuisine at one of the area’s restaurants.

Lake Charles is also a great place to experience the region’s distinctive Cajun and Creole culture, with local music, food and Southern hospitality adding to the relaxed atmosphere.

After a day exploring, enjoy a relaxed evening before continuing your journey deeper into Louisiana tomorrow.

Accommodation

99 Miles / 159 Kilometres

Leave Lake Charles behind and continue your Louisiana road trip north towards Alexandria, located in the heart of central Louisiana.

On arrival, check in for your two-night stay and settle into the relaxed pace of this welcoming city. With the Red River running through the area and plenty of parks and nature nearby, Alexandria offers a chance to experience a different side of Louisiana.

Spend your first afternoon exploring the city or head outdoors to enjoy the surrounding scenery. Alexandria Zoo, Alexandria Museum of Art and the Louisiana History Museum are all options, while the nearby Kisatchie National Forest offers opportunities for scenic drives, walking and wildlife spotting.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and soak up the friendly Southern hospitality before another day exploring the area tomorrow.

Accommodation

128 Miles / 206 Kilometres

After two nights in Alexandria, continue north through Louisiana towards Shreveport, your next stop on this fascinating road trip.

On arrival, check in for your one-night stay and take some time to explore the city. Set on the banks of the Red River, Shreveport combines Louisiana’s Southern charm with a lively arts, entertainment and food scene.

Visit the Shreveport Aquarium, stroll along the Red River waterfront or explore the city’s museums and galleries. You could also discover more of the region’s musical heritage, with Shreveport having played an important role in the development of country, blues and rock ‘n’ roll.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at one of Shreveport’s restaurants before relaxing ahead of the next stage of your Louisiana journey.

Tomorrow, you’ll head south towards historic Natchez, crossing into Mississippi for a stay surrounded by antebellum history and Southern charm.

Accommodation

183 Miles / 294 Kilometres

Leave Shreveport behind and continue east towards Natchez, crossing the Mississippi River and entering the historic state of Mississippi. This is one of the highlights of your journey, with two nights at the elegant Monmouth Historic Inn, a beautifully preserved historic estate set among peaceful gardens.

Natchez is renowned for its remarkable collection of antebellum homes and historic plantations, offering a fascinating insight into the wealth, architecture and society of the American South before the Civil War. During your stay, explore some of the area’s historic properties and learn about the people who lived and worked on these estates, including the enslaved people whose labour and lives were fundamental to the plantation economy.

Take time to explore the historic streets of Natchez, with its grand homes, mature trees and views across the mighty Mississippi River. You could visit Longwood, the unfinished octagonal mansion, or explore other historic houses that reveal different aspects of the city’s past.

Back at Monmouth Historic Inn, enjoy the tranquil surroundings and beautiful gardens. With its grand architecture and connection to Natchez’s plantation history, the inn provides a memorable setting for two nights and a chance to slow the pace of your Louisiana and Mississippi journey.

Accommodation

170 Miles / 274 Kilometres

Leave historic Natchez behind and cross back into Louisiana as you continue south towards Baton Rouge, the state’s vibrant capital.

On arrival, check in to The Watermark Baton Rouge, your base for the next two nights. Set in a beautifully restored historic building in downtown Baton Rouge, the hotel provides a stylish base for exploring the city and its riverside setting.

Spend your first afternoon getting to know Baton Rouge. Take a stroll along the Mississippi River, explore the historic downtown area or visit the Louisiana State Capitol, one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks.

During your full day, discover more of Louisiana’s fascinating history and culture. Visit USS KIDD, explore the Old State Capitol or head outside the city to one of the area’s historic plantation homes. You could also enjoy some of Baton Rouge’s excellent Cajun and Creole cuisine, with live music adding to the atmosphere in the evening.

After two nights in Baton Rouge, you’ll have experienced another very different side of Louisiana, from its rich history and distinctive architecture to its food, music and mighty Mississippi River setting.

Accommodation

68 Miles / 109 Kilometres

Enjoy a final morning in Baton Rouge before checking out of The Watermark Baton Rouge. Perhaps take a leisurely breakfast or enjoy one last stroll along the Mississippi River before beginning your drive back to New Orleans.

On arrival at New Orleans International Airport, return your included rental car and check in for your scheduled flight back to the UK.

Your Louisiana road trip has taken you far beyond New Orleans, from the Cajun and Creole culture of Lafayette to the waterways and Southern charm of Lake Charles and Alexandria, and the musical heritage of Shreveport.

You’ve discovered the fascinating history of Natchez, stayed at the elegant Monmouth Historic Inn and explored the vibrant capital of Baton Rouge. Along the way, you’ve experienced Louisiana’s famous food, music, history, culture and Southern hospitality, while enjoying the freedom to explore at your own pace.

From the energy of New Orleans to the peaceful landscapes and historic towns along the way, you’ll return home with wonderful memories of an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Deep South.

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Based on two adults, travelling from London Heathrow and departing June 2027. Alternative dates and departure airports are available upon request. Price includes all mandatory taxes and fees.