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March 3-10 (Thursday-Thursday)
Mardi Gras in New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
(Maximum 38 Passengers)
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Travel with Gunther Tours to New Orleans, Louisiana to Mardi Gras 2011.
The Mardi Gras carnival holiday is New Orleans multi-day celebration that ends
on Fat Tuesday and featuring great music, parades, floats, Mardi Gras Indians,
and delicious food. So, join us and be part of the excitement and festivities
while you enjoy mingling with the exuberant crowds of people decked out in
purple, green, and gold, and adorned with long strings of colorful beads thrown
from passing floats. Mardi Gras is New Orleans biggest party, and now you have
the opportunity to experience it for yourself thanks to Gunther Tours . . .
Don’t miss this very special “Big Easy” get-away!
Day 1:
Welcome Aboard! Today travel in comfort aboard
our deluxe motor coach as we head south toward New Orleans, Louisiana.
“The Big Easy” is the birth place of jazz, delta blues, Cajun
music, home of creole cooking, antebellum mansions, Civil War battlefields,
pirates and bayous and Mardi Gras. We overnight in Athens, Tennessee.
A dinner stop will be made en route to Athens. (D)
Day 2:
After a full breakfast we depart for
New Orleans, Louisiana. Our accommodations for the next five nights
are at the Holiday Inn Express. The hotel is located one block from
Bourbon Street, Mardi Gras parade routes and the French Quarter, and near world
famous restaurants. A dinner stop will be made en route to New Orleans.
(B, D)
Day 3:
After a deluxe continental breakfast we
depart for Mardi Gras World. First we are given a brief introduction by
our guide, and a spirited video presentation about the history of Mardi Gras and
the company. Next enjoy a walk among towering figures of fantasy, and marvel at
the skill and technology that animate these mega-floats. Here you will see
colorful Mardi Gras props, view classic carnival floats and you will have the
opportunity to dress up in authentic, ornate carnival costumes. After dinner
on your own we take our reserved grandstand seating for the
Endymion Parade. First parading in 1967, the Endymion Parade quickly
emerged as one of Carnival’s ‘Super-Krewes’ in 1974 with the inclusion of more
floats and celebrity guests! (B)
Day 4:
After a deluxe continental breakfast we
depart for The National D-Day Museum. Dedicated in 2000 as The National
D-Day Museum, and designated by Congress as the country’s official World War II
Museum, this remarkable attraction illuminates the American experience during
the WWII era with moving personal stories, historic artifacts and powerful
interactive displays. From the Normandy invasion to the sands of Pacific
Islands and the Home Front, the Museum brings to life the teamwork, optimism,
courage and sacrifice of the men and women who won the war and changed the
world. The Museum is an incomparable experience for all generations and not to
be missed on any visit to New Orleans! After dinner on your own
we take our reserved grandstand seating for the Bacchus Parade.
The Krewe of Bacchus Parade crown national celebrities as their King, Queen and
Royal Court each year, and is considered one of the most spectacular Krewes in
Carnival history! (B)
Day 5:
After a deluxe continental breakfast we
meet our tour guide, and depart for a walking tour
through New Orleans French Quarter. Explore the streets of the
Vieux Carre where documented history and legend are combined for
fascinating stories that flow from the banks of the Mississippi River to
the serene courtyards of the French Quarter. Discover everything from New
Orleans outrageous colonial history and Creole culture, to piracy and
architectural masterpieces. Next we board the Steamboat Natchez, an
authentic paddlewheel riverboat, for a 2-hour lunch cruise on the Mississippi
River. After dinner on your own we take our reserved
grandstand seating for the Orpheus Parade. First parading in
1993, the Orpheus Parade is one of the most eagerly anticipated Mardi Gras
parade of the season! (B, L)
Day 6:
After a deluxe continental breakfast we
take our reserved grandstand seating for the last two parades of
Mardi Gras, the Parade of Zulu and the Rex Parade. Of all the
throws to rain down from the many floats in the parades during carnival, Krewe
of Zulu is well known for its interesting history and “golden nugget” (coconut)
parade throws. The Krewe of Rex parade is the origin of many traditions of
Mardi Gras, including its colors of purple, green and gold, as well as the
collectible doubloon coins. The annual Rex parade is the centerpiece attraction
of traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras. Dinner is on your own at
one of the many restaurants that is within walking distance of the hotel.
(B)
Day 7:
After a deluxe continental breakfast we
say goodbye to New Orleans as we depart for our overnight stay in
Athens, Tennessee. A dinner stop will be made en route to Athens.
(B, D)
Day 8:
After a full breakfast we depart for home
taking with us cherished memories of the sights and sounds of New Orleans, and
the world famous celebration which is Mardi Gras! (B)
Note: Due to Mardi Gras events, traffic
conditions and parade schedules may restrict the excess to and use of our motor
coach during our visit. Subsequently, there will be occasions where we may have
to use alternative local transportation! Please wear comfortable walking
shoes!
Included:
?
Basic amenities
?
7 nights hotel accommodations
?
7 breakfasts
?
1 lunch
?
3 dinners
?
Mardi Gras World
?
The National D-Day Museum
?
Guided Walking Tour of the French
Quarter
?
Steamboat Natchez Mississippi River
Cruise
?
Parades Grandstand Seating,
including:
- Endymion Parade
- Bacchus Parade
- Orpheus Parade
- Zulu Parade
- Rex Parade
?
Attractions and admissions per
itinerary
Price:
$1,249.00 Double/PP $1,059.00 Triple/PP
$969.00 Quad/PP $1,839.00
Single
Deposit: $125.00/PP
Balance Due: January 18, 2011
Depart Return
Carney 6:00 AM
8:45 PM
Gunther 6:45 AM
8:00 PM |
