new orleans LIVING-IT-UP IN NEW ORLEANS BY HOWARD CARR PRESERVATION HALL
Soak up the sound of traditionaljazz at this legendary venue.
preservationhall.com
FRENCH QUARTER
Explore Bourbon Street, Jackson Square and narrow side streets with pretty courtyards and intricate iron galleries.
neworleanscvb.com
FRENCH MARKET
CIT Y PROFILE 21
F
amous for its colourful Mardi Gras, New Orleans is like no other city in the US. It has a strong Caribbean, French and Spanish heritage, which shines through in the Creole and Cajun
infl uences in food, music and other culture. Throw in a sultry, subtropical climate and the result is a thoroughly laid-back vibe that makes New Orleans a lively party town at any time of year. From the jazz clubs of the renowned French Quarter to the boho bars of the Fabourg Marigny district, pretty much anything goes. It’s small wonder that the city is dubbed the ‘Big Easy’. New Orleans is great for a city break or as a base for
exploring other parts of Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta. One of the major cities of the Deep South, it can also be included in southern music trails taking in other centres such as Nashville and Memphis.
What’s hot
One of New Orleans’ premier malls is due to re-open this summer as the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk. It will feature more than 70 discount stores, including top names such as Neiman Marcus, Coach and Guess. The city may be famous for its streetcars but
bikes and double-decker buses are the newer ways to get around. Free Wheelin’ Bike Tours feature a range of guided itineraries focussing on local history, while City Sightseeing New Orleans offers hop-on, hop-off bus tours.
Dates for the diary
The main gateway city to the region, Atlanta is the obvious launching point for an exploration of the south: Jackson-Hartsfi eld is the country’s second-busiest airport, with fl ights to 150 US destinations and 80. For example, it’s just a three-hour drive to the Civil Rights attractions in Birmingham, Alabama, and fi ve hours to the colonial charm of Savannah and Georgia’s
Cool hotels
A wide choice of accommodation ranges from luxury hotels to quirky b&bs in historical properties. Landmark hotels in the French Quarter include the legendary Monteleone, with its famous revolving Carousel Bar, and the Royal Sonesta, which includes one of the city’s top jazz clubs. Helping to lead a burgeoning array of trendy boutique properties are the Hotel Le Marais, with a courtyard saltwater pool in the heart of the French Quarter, and the Hotel Modern in the hip Warehouse/Arts District.
VIRGIN HOLIDAYS OFFERS FIVE NIGHTS AT THE ST JAMES HOTEL, A SHORT WALK FROM
THE FRENCH QUARTER, FROM £975PP IN MAY. HEATHROW FLIGHTS WITH DELTA ARE INCLUDED. ACCOMMODATION IS ON A ROOM-ONLY BASIS. 0844 557 3973 –
vhols4agents.co.uk
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Sample beignets, gumbo, po-boys and other New Orleans delicacies.
frenchmarket.org
GARDEN DISTRICT
Ride the St Charles Avenue streetcar and admire antebellum mansions and gardens.
neworleanscvb.com
CEMETERY TOURS LAFAYETTE CEMETERY
Grand family tombs lend an air of southern gothic to New Orleans’ famous “Cities of the Dead”.
saveourcemeteries.org
The details
TIME ZONE: GMT -6 CURENCY: US$ - £1=US$1.62 VISAS: British passports holders must register with ESTA before departure SEE:
neworleanscvb.com GETTING THERE:
aa.com;
batraveltrade.com;
delta.com;
united.com;
vsflyinghub.com
SAMPLE DEAL
HIGHLIGHTS
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