Louisiana
New Orleans at a Slower Pace for Women
Program No. 25116RJ
Discover New Orleans at a slower pace as you explore the city’s historic districts with other women, learn about Cajun cooking and visit the famed National World War II Museum.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals (
5B, 4L, 4D
)
5 expert-led lectures
3 expert-led field trips
3 performances
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Easy walking inside hotel; at your discretion if you’d like to go out.
Afternoon:
Registration: At 4:00 PM, after you have your room assignment, please check in with your group leader to let them know you've arrived. If your arrival is delayed, please contact your group leader. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Women Only Road Scholar program. On this special departure, participants can build connections, enjoy camaraderie, and take on new challenges through shared female perspectives and experiences. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. As a special bonus, you will have vouchers to use at a popular jazz club, as well as the Louisiana State Museum.
Dinner:
At the hotel, our plentiful dinner buffet includes coffee, tea, water; other beverages are available for purchase at the bar.
Evening:
We’ll be joined by a guest speaker for an introduction to the French Quarter. We’ll learn about history, culture, traditions, celebrations, and people.
Day
2
New Orleans History, City Field Trip, Jazz Performance
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Walking a few blocks in park and cemetery. Those who prefer may remain on motorcoach at these stops.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, the breakfast buffet includes many choices.
Morning:
We’ll begin with a lecture on the history of New Orleans, a virtual walk from the founding of the city in 1718 to the present day. Our instructor is a native New Orleanian who knows its past and present inside and out.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we’ll order from a select menu.
Afternoon:
We’ll take a field trip via motorcoach with expert commentary for an overview of the city. We’ll make stops at highlights such as Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou St. John, City Park with its magnificent oak trees and Sculpture Garden, and one of the famed and mysterious above-ground cemeteries where the departed — from pirates to voodoo queens — are interred.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we’ll order from a select menu.
Evening:
Following dinner, we will return to the hotel to listen to a jazz performance.
Day
3
New Orleans Authors, Cooking Class
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Walking in museums.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
This morning, we will have a presentation on New Orleans' authors, past and present, who have written about the fictional and non-fictional city. We’ll get the scoop on their personal lives, where they gathered, what they ate and drank, as well as their literary personas — which were often one and the same!
Lunch:
Lunch is provided at the hotel.
Afternoon:
The remainder of the afternoon is for your personal independent exploration. You’ll have vouchers to explore the Cabildo and Presbytère flanking St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. All were constructed during the Spanish period (1795-1799). The Cabildo was the center of government. The Presbytère, built on the site of what had been the residence of Capuchin monks, was used for commercial purposes. Both are now key components of the Louisiana State Museum. The Cabildo displays artifacts of American history as well as rarities such as Napoleon’s death mask. The Presbytère’s interactive exhibit on Mardi Gras traces our annual celebration from its origins to the present day with an exquisite collection of artifacts and memorabilia. Another exhibit expresses Louisiana’s saga of resilience in the face of disasters.
Dinner:
At the world renowned New Orleans School of Cooking, an expert local chef will teach us how to cook Creole and Cajun, and explain the difference. We’ll see the preparation of a traditional dish, then have it for dinner. Recipes will be supplied so that you can take some New Orleans cuisine “home” with you.
Evening:
At leisure. If you’re a music aficionado, there are lots of options. We have provided a voucher for Fritzel’s European Jazz Club, or you can go on your own to any of the other great choices. You might like to take a stroll along Bourbon Street to see some of the colorful locals and occasionally even more exotic tourists. Or feel free to just relax at the hotel. The French Quarter has something to offer for almost every interest and taste.
Day
4
Architecture Lecture, Garden District Walking Tour, Jazz
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Walking 6 blocks through Garden District; broken sidewalks in some places due to tree roots. Those who prefer may remain on motorcoach.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
We’ll have an introduction to the architecture and diversity of New Orleans. Architecture is an expression of culture. We’ll learn how different nationalities and ethnicities — such as immigrants from Europe and the West Indies — influenced local architecture and contributed to the “gumbo” of our society. Next, we’ll set out on a walking field trip in the aptly named Garden District, one of the loveliest neighborhoods in the country. It was laid out in 1832 for incoming, well-to-do Americans who were not interested in mingling with native New Orleanians. The feeling was mutual! Grand houses were built on large lots that encouraged the development of beautiful gardens.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we’ll order from a select menu.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will have a lecture/ performance at the hotel by a jazz clarinetist who performs traditional jazz. The rest of this afternoon is left open for free time. Feel free to explore the Cabildo and Presbytère if you didn't have time to do it the prior day, or visit many of the other sites that New Orleans has to offer.
Dinner:
Dinner is on your own this evening. We have left this meal free so you can try a restaurant of your choice. Your Group Leader can offer recommendations, if needed..
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
World War II Museum
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Walking at your own pace through World War II Museum; benches available. Walking in the French Quarter according to personal preference.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
Formerly known as the D-Day Museum, the National World War II Museum was founded by eminent historian Dr. Stephen Ambrose, author “Band of Brothers” and other best-sellers. A self directed exploration takes us through three buildings that house exhibits highlighting the role of participants from world leaders to the everyday men and women whose contributions helped to win the war, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Many items in the vast collection — such as uniforms, weaponry, vehicles, medals, diaries, letters, artwork, photographs, and other mementos — are on display while thousands of records and archives are available to scholars for ongoing research. See the film “Beyond All Boundaries” narrated by Tom Hanks. Through first person accounts and amazing special effects, we’ll take a journey through the war that changed the world.
Lunch:
Lunch is offered at a restaurant located in the WW II Museum.
Afternoon:
You may return to the hotel to freshen up or remain in the French Quarter for more exploration on your own.
Dinner:
Dinner is provided at a local restaurant.
Evening:
Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is free. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
All About Mardi Gras, Program Concludes
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
For our closing session, we’ll have a presentation on the “real” Mardi Gras by a native New Orleanian who will dispel the myths and misconceptions you’ve read and heard about. We expect to finish by 10:30 a.m. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys back home!
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