Travel South: the Best of Louisiana

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.

Near Vacherie, not far from New Orleans, you can find two of the most interesting plantations in the area: Oak Alley Plantation, the most famous and perhaps the most beautiful among the numerous plantations in the area, renowned for its splendid avenue of majestic centuries-old Virginia oaks and the Greek Revival-style mansion; and the fascinating and moving Laura Plantation, rich in authentic atmosphere thanks to numerous historical documents and the absence of costumed guides, which create a vivid picture of daily life on the multicultural plantations in Louisiana.

Lafayette is famous for its music and festivals, but also for its excellent and numerous restaurants specializing in Cajun and Creole cuisine. The city is located in the center of a very scenic and historic area and is a great base for exploring the attractions of the region, such as Acadian Village, Acadiana Park, Avery Island, and St. Martinville.

St Francisville is the typical Southern small town. During the antebellum years it was home to plantation millionaires, and you can still see their homes.