Cajun & Creole Country

DAY 1: WELCOME TO THE BIG EASY!

Welcome to New Orleans! Get acquainted with your fellow travelers and meet your Tour Director at tonight’s welcome dinner. D

DAY 2: HOUMAS HOUSE, GREAT RIVER ROAD MUSEUM, SWAMP TOUR

Travel into Cajun Country for a guided tour of Houmas House Estate, a beautifully restored mansion along the Mississippi River that reflects the wealth and grandeur of a nineteenth-century sugarcane plantation. After lunch at Dixie’s Café, enjoy a relaxing cruise through Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin Swamp, where you may spot alligators, osprey, and other wildlife along the waterways. Later, visit Cypress Cove to meet Yvette Landry and Jourdan Thibodeaux for an engaging introduction to Louisiana French music and culture. Listen to Cajun and Creole music, hear local stories, learn traditional dances, and even try your hand at Cajun percussion instruments or the accordion. B, L, D

DAY 3: FARM TOUR, HISTORIC VILLAGE, BEIGNETS

Visit a working rice and crawfish farm to learn how local farmers grow and harvest both crops in the same fields using double-cropping techniques. Then travel to Vermilionville Historic Village, where you’ll enjoy lunch and watch a demonstration on making traditional Louisiana beignets, complete with a chance to sample this sweet local favorite. Later, stroll through the historic village to learn about the Native American, Acadian, and Creole cultures of the Attakapas region and the natural resources that shaped life in southern Louisiana. B, L, D

DAY 4: AVERY ISLAND, HOT SAUCE, COOKING DEMO, ALLIGATORS

Today, visit the world-famous TABASCO® Pepper Sauce Factory on Avery Island to see how the iconic sauce is made. Then enjoy a special four-course Southern meal prepared with TABASCO® flavors alongside one of the company’s executive chefs. After lunch, explore Avery Island Jungle Gardens and Bird Sanctuary, home to exotic plants and native wildlife. Later, tour a working alligator farm where you may even have the opportunity to hold a baby alligator. B, L, D

DAY 5: SHRIMP, BASKET WEAVING, AUTHENTIC SEAFOOD BOIL

Learn about the hardworking fishing families of southern Louisiana as you watch the process of drying and seasoning shrimp, often called Cajun popcorn. You’ll also enjoy the chance to sample this flavorful local specialty. Later, visit the Bayou Terrebonne Water Life Museum to meet master palmetto basket weaver Janie Luster of the United Houma Nation. As she demonstrates her craft, you’ll learn more about the tribe’s culture, history, and traditions. Tonight, gather with locals for an authentic Cajun seafood boil, with non-seafood options also available. B, L, D

DAY 6: NEW ORLEANS, WWII MUSEUM, FRENCH QUARTER

Return to New Orleans for a visit to the National WWII Museum, where exhibits, letters, films, and artifacts share the stories of American men and women during World War II. Enjoy lunch and a musical performance at the museum before setting out on a guided tour of New Orleans. Explore the famous French Quarter, view the elegant homes of the Garden District, and see some of the city’s distinctive cemeteries filled with ornate sculptures and decorative artwork. Tonight, enjoy free time near the French Quarter to explore and dine on your own. B, L

DAY 7: MARDI GRAS, FAREWELL

Before returning home, enjoy a behind-the-scenes visit to Mardi Gras World, where you’ll see how the spectacular floats for New Orleans’ famous Mardi Gras celebrations come to life. Then say goodbye to new friends as you head home with wonderful memories of Cajun and Creole Country. B

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Night 1: New Orleans Marriott, French Quarter, New Orleans, LA
Nights 2-3: Drury Inn and Suites, Lafayette, LA
Nights 4-5: Comfort Inn and Suites, Houma, LA
Night 6: New Orleans Marriott, French Quarter, New Orleans, LA

Departure Cities:

• St. Louis
• Kansas City

Depart: March 15, 2027
Return: March 21, 2027

Price per Person:

• DB $3,199
• SG $3,779

Price per person includes roundtrip airfare from STL, MCI. Please call for other gateway cities.

Mobility Note

This tour requires moderate mobility, with walking through historic homes, gardens, museums, and outdoor attractions. Guests should be comfortable walking approximately 1–2 miles throughout the day, sometimes on uneven surfaces, gravel pathways, or historic flooring. Houmas House features expansive gardens, while Vermilionville Historic Village includes outdoor pathways connecting its historic buildings. The swamp excursion requires boarding and exiting a boat, which may involve steps and navigating a potentially uneven or moving surface. Comfortable walking shoes with good traction are essential. Guests must be able to board and exit the motorcoach independently. Walkers and wheelchairs cannot be accommodated on this tour.

Packing Tips

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing and comfortable walking shoes for exploring Louisiana's gardens, historic villages, and outdoor attractions. A light rain jacket or compact umbrella is recommended, as passing showers are common in southern Louisiana. Bring insect repellent for outdoor activities, particularly near swamps and waterways, as well as sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for sun protection.

Notes on Highlights

The Atchafalaya Basin is the largest river swamp in the United States, encompassing nearly one million acres of wetlands, bayous, and bottomland hardwood forests. This extraordinary ecosystem provides habitat for more than 300 species of birds, along with alligators, turtles, and an abundance of fish. The basin also plays a critical role in Louisiana's flood management, helping carry excess water from the Mississippi River system toward the Gulf.

Cajun and Creole cultures share deep Louisiana roots but have distinct histories. Cajun culture is closely associated with the French-speaking Acadians who settled in Louisiana after being expelled from Canada during the 18th century. Creole culture developed from a diverse mixture of French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and Indigenous influences. These traditions can be heard in the region's music and tasted in its cooking, where dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya, and étouffée reflect generations of cultural exchange.

Louisiana's rice and crawfish farming practices offer a fascinating example of agricultural ingenuity. Many farmers grow rice during the warmer months and then flood the same fields to raise crawfish, creating a productive cycle in which leftover rice plants provide food and habitat for the crawfish. The relationship between the two crops has helped make southern Louisiana one of the country's leading crawfish-producing regions.

Avery Island is not actually an island surrounded by water. Instead, it is a natural salt dome rising above the surrounding coastal marshes. Its unusual geology has played an important role in the area's history, and the mineral-rich environment helped establish the island as the home of TABASCO® sauce. The peppers used in TABASCO® sauce are mashed with salt and aged in oak barrels for up to three years, allowing the flavors to develop before vinegar is added.

Louisiana French music is an important part of the state's living cultural heritage. Traditional Cajun music often features the accordion and fiddle, while zydeco, a related but distinct tradition rooted in Black Creole communities, incorporates instruments such as the rubboard, or frottoir. Guests may recognize the lively two-step and waltz rhythms that have made these musical traditions popular at dance halls and festivals throughout Acadiana.

Southern Louisiana's coastal communities have long relied on fishing, shrimping, and other maritime industries. The region is also home to the United Houma Nation, whose cultural traditions include the intricate art of palmetto basket weaving. These baskets are created using the leaves of native palmetto plants, with techniques and designs passed down through generations. Learning directly from local artisans provides a meaningful connection to traditions that remain part of Louisiana's cultural identity today.

When dining in Louisiana, keep an eye out for regional specialties beyond the famous gumbo and jambalaya. Boudin, a seasoned sausage traditionally made with pork and rice, is a favorite in Cajun Country. Cracklins, crispy pieces of seasoned pork, are another popular local snack. For something sweet, try pralines, made with sugar, cream, and pecans, or a slice of traditional king cake when available.

The New Orleans Marriott is conveniently situated on Canal Street, the historic boundary between the French Quarter and the Central Business District. Guests enjoying free time may wish to explore nearby Royal Street, known for its art galleries, antique shops, and beautiful architecture. The French Quarter is also home to numerous jazz clubs and intimate music venues, offering opportunities to experience the city's celebrated musical heritage.

Other General Information
Tour Communications: You will receive three key communications leading up to your tour:

• Get Ready: Your email confirmation and initial tour information, sent after you register.
• Get Set: An email with additional tour details, sent approximately two months before departure.
• Go: Your final trip documents, mailed via USPS approximately three to four weeks before departure. This packet will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags, and final departure information.

Travel Protection: Travel Protection is optional but highly recommended and may be purchased until the day before departure. Sunrise Tours offers plans through battleface. Additional information will be included with your Get Ready email and can also be found HERE.

Inclusions: Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes:

• A professional Sunrise Tour Director
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Local step-on guides, including gratuities
• International tour guide gratuities when specified for the individual tour
• Deluxe motorcoach transportation with an onboard restroom
• Admission to activities and events as indicated
• Airfare from designated airports
• Transportation to and from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*
• Luggage handling at hotels when available

Gratuities: We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver is $6 to $10 per person, per day of the tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers also appreciate gratuities for excellent service, with a suggested amount of $5 per person. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or distribute gratuity envelopes.

Refreshments: We are happy to provide refreshments on most motorcoach travel days. We also recommend bringing a refillable water bottle to help you stay hydrated throughout your tour.

Pickup Points: If fewer than four travelers request a particular pickup point, we may ask those guests to select another available pickup location. Travelers are also welcome to join a tour from a city that is not listed as a departure point. Please contact our friendly reservations team to discuss available arrangements. For departure cities not listed, airfare is typically $100 more than the published fare for domestic tours and $200 more for international tours.

TSA PreCheck and Airline Rewards Numbers: TSA PreCheck, Known Traveler Numbers, and airline rewards numbers must be provided to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure. Numbers received after this deadline may not be applied to your reservation.

Airline Seating: Preferred seating may not be available with group airfare. In some cases, seats are not assigned until travelers arrive at the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy-class seat but does not include advance seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available for an additional cost.

Motorcoach Capacity and Seating: To provide one of the most comfortable motorcoach experiences in the industry, Sunrise Tours generally limits motorcoaches to 80% capacity. This allows for a maximum of 44 passengers on a motorcoach designed to accommodate 55. Sunrise Tours reserves the right to amend this practice. Your Tour Director will rotate motorcoach seating each day of the tour. Payment of a single-occupancy fare does not guarantee two motorcoach seats, and you may be seated beside another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.

Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.