Travel South: Texas, Louisiana and Florida

Dallas, "The Big D". Its wealth is not based on oil, but on trade, especially of livestock, and finance. The city's image, overshadowed by the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, has recovered thanks to the construction of the international airport and the worldwide success of the TV series Dallas. Today, it is a city of sparkling skyscrapers in the flat prairie of Texas and offers barbecue and steaks, country music, rodeos in nearby Fort Worth, and cowboy clothing, but also avant-garde art in its Art District.

San Antonio, founded in 1691 by Spanish missionaries, is now a large city, devoid of a skyscraper skyline and old west appearance. It is a peaceful and relaxed city, pleasant to explore on foot, starting with the famous River Walk, a walkway that spans almost 25 km. Other places to visit include the King William Historic District, Southtown, Monte Vista, and the nearby Blue Star Contemporary Arts Center.

Houston is the fourth largest city in the USA in terms of size, with a very Texan atmosphere. Must-see attractions include the Museum District and Hermann Park, the Montrose neighborhood, the Galleria District in Uptown with the enormous Houston Galleria, a shopping center from the 1970s, as well as the official NASA space research center. Houston also has a vibrant music scene.

Inhabited by the creole aristocracy descended from Spanish and French settlers, New Orleans embraces a bend in the Mississippi River. At the center of it all is the French Quarter, decadent but still alive, with narrow bustling streets and hidden courtyards. Stop for a few days to soak up the atmosphere, taste the beignets & café au lait at Café du Monde, discover Bourbon Street at night, excessive, raucous, infamous, with music pouring out of every window; board the St Charles streetcar to reach the seductive Garden District and stroll among elegant homes and majestic trees. Exploring the surrounding area, with an airboat tour in a nearby swamp or a visit to a historic plantation, completes the vision of a nostalgic and fascinating South.

Pensacola is located in Florida, but only 30 minutes from the Alabama border. It directly faces the Gulf of Mexico and is famous for the US Navy base, as well as its magnificent white beaches and emerald-colored waters.

Panama City is known for the numerous marine activities it can offer, including snorkeling at Shell Island and diving among the wrecks and beautiful coral reefs of St Andrews State Park. From Panama City Beach, heading west, the Florida Scenic Highway 30a begins, a stretch of the so-called Emerald Coast that spans about 25/30 km and features a succession of white sand dunes, emerald waters, untouched nature, and well-maintained and chic beach communities.

Orlando is a city of fun. It owes its fame to DisneyWorld and its theme parks (EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom), SeaWorld and Universal Studios with its fantastic Wizarding World of Harry Potter and countless other exciting attractions.