NEW ORLEANS — America’s #1 Food City — is one of the world’s most fascinating places; a unique melting pot of culture, food, and music. Travel with Epicurean Exchange Culinary Travel and discover one of America’s most culturally and historically-rich destinations! We’re planning for our return to New Orleans and we’re pleased to announce we are again staying at the Hotel Mazarin, on Bienville between Royal and Bourbon — in the “heart” of the French Quarter!
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Food, Culture & History Tour
March 10 - 16, 2024
ACCOMMODATIONS:
HOTEL MAZARIN
"THE DIAMOND OF THE FRENCH QUARTER"
AUTHENTICALLY BOUTIQUE: Discover quiet elegance around the corner from Bourbon and Royal Streets. Warm smiles from long-time staff, a delightful leafy courtyard, Prohibition-era cocktails, and wrought-iron luxury – Hotel Mazarin is a French Quarter experience to be celebrated and savored.
ROOMS: Defined by relaxed luxury, the the hotel’s spacious guest rooms and suites invite you to unwind after exploring the Crescent City. Hotel Mazarin elevates the French Quarter experience with luxurious décor accented with gold leaf, black porcelain, and crystal chandeliers. Prepare to be pampered with walk-in showers and plush beds with luxe linens, welcome drinks, and WiFi. After a day of fun, Hotel Mazarin is a charming oasis to relax before you do it all again.
BARS: Whether staying for the night or just for a night cap, Hotel Mazarin invites you to take a sip of Crescent City history. Taste curated wines at the celebrated Patrick’s Bar Vin. Sample Prohibition-era elixirs and some of the best live music, at 21st Amendment at La Louisiane, a site once helmed by local mafia in the 1920s. From rare varietals to creative cocktails, captivate your palate with flavors and experiences unlike any others you’ll find in the French Quarter.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Visits to some of the best music venues in the City, including the world-renown Preservation Hall.
One extraordinary meal after another. Here a sampling from Seither’s Seafood in Harahan.
Celebrating Mardi Gras with mask-making at NOLA Craft Culture. Not just a hobby — a way of life!
Hands-on cooking classes, including making the perfect gumbo and a traditional crawfish boil.
“Giving Back Day” at the Second Harvest Food Bank; working side-by-side with local volunteers to feed those in need in 23 parishes in South Louisiana.
Private, guided neighborhood food, beverage, and cemetery tours; led by some of the best guides in the City.
DAY-BY-DAY-ITINERARY
DAY 1 - Sunday, March 10: ARRIVAL / WELCOME
Arrive at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Group transfers to Hotel Mazarin in the heart of the French Quarter. Time to settle in and rest before evening activities. Meet in the lobby for a walk to Arnaud’s. Welcome Cocktail (French 75’s), appetizers, and tour of their Mardi Gras Museum. Dinner at Bayona on Dauphine Street in the French Quarter.
DAY 2 - Monday, March 11: WESTWEGO / FRENCH QUARTER
Breakfast at hotel. Meet in the lobby to begin our morning excursion. We will begin our day with a trip out to Westwego in Jefferson Parish and the Westwego Shrimp Lot, the best “open to the public” seafood market in the greater New Orleans area. We will visit some of our friends to select fresh seafood for our cooking class later in the day and may even try some fresh oysters “just-off-the-boat.” We return to the French Quarter and gather at Langlois Culinary Crossroads for our cooking class and lunch lead by a local chef and featuring our seafood purchases turned into authentic Creole and Cajun fare! Our afternoon continues with a walking tour of St. Louis #1 cemetery followed by a food, drink, and history tour of the Crown Jewel of New Orleans — the French Quarter. Food tastings and beverages enjoyed along the way! On return to the hotel, the rest of the evening is yours to explore the nightlife of New Orleans.
DAY 3 - Tuesday, March 12: WALLACE / VACHERIE / FRENCH QUARTER
Breakfast at hotel. We begin our day heading out of the city to St. John the Baptist Parish and the Whitney and Oak Alley Plantations, Historic Districts, and Museums. We will be joined by EECT friend, Melisande Short-Colomb, who will offer a unique perspective of the site and the history it displays and preserves. Lunch will be enjoyed at a “favorite-of-the-locals” Cajun diner in Vacherie on the way back to New Orleans. Returning to the hotel for a bit of rest, we will then gather in the hotel lobby for a short walk to Preservation Hall for a music session at this legendary venue.
DAY 4 - Wednesday, March 13: ARTS-WAREHOUSE DISTRICT / BYWATER / FRENCHMEN STREET
Breakfast at hotel. We will spend the morning at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum dedicated to the discovery, understanding, and celebration of the food, drink, and culture of the world through the eyes of the South! Private cooking class experience and lunch based on our efforts. Returning to the French Quarter, we seek out the best BBQ Shrimp in New Orleans at Mr. B’s on Royal Street. After some down time at the hotel, we will gather in the lobby for our departure to Bacchanal for dinner and music in the Bywater. The balance of the evening will be spent on Frenchmen Street, known for its hip and eclectic night scene — this is where locals go for fun.
DAY 5 - Thursday, March 14: “GIVING BACK DAY” NEW ORLEANS / HARAHAN / NINTH WARD
Breakfast at hotel. Our special day to give back to the community with a visit to Second Harvest of Greater New Orleans. We will be at the disposal of our friends and staff members to create and package meals or other necessary tasks at this amazing facility; the largest charitable, anti-hunger, and disaster relief network serving the 23 parishes of South Louisiana. We learn about their important work and help serve over 1,000 people in the day we are there! After our efforts, we will head to lunch at Diners, Drive-In and Dives featured Seither’s Seafood in Harahan. Meet owners Jason and Tara Seither; see the kitchens and the crawfish sorting room and enjoy a fantastic meal! After lunch, we will drive along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain to a visit to the Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum at the heart of the Hurricane Katrina devastation. Returning the French Quarter, the evening is free on your own.
DAY 6 - Friday, March 15: GARDEN DISTRICT / LAKEVIEW DISTRICT
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast, we will begin our day with our friends at NOLA Craft Culture where the unique cultural arts of Mardi Gras are celebrated every day of the year! We will learn about the story of this unique establishment; and why crafting here is not a hobby, but a way of life! We will take part in crafting our very own Mardi Gras masks. A unique souvenir of your time in New Orleans. Some free time in the Garden District. We will return to the hotel and ready for our farewell dinner in the Lakeshore District for a traditional, family-style crawfish boil!
DAY 7 - Saturday, March 16: DEPARTURE / TRAVEL DAY
Breakfast at hotel. Morning to relax before check-out. Group transfers to the New Orleans airport.
COSTS
Airfare
Guests to purchase own airfare using miles and preferred class and upgrades. Flight and arrival times will be coordinated. Guests are free to arrive earlier or stay longer than the published itinerary, but are responsible to meet the group at stated times.
Travel Insurance
TRAVEL INSURANCE IS MANDATORY.
Epicurean Exchange Culinary Travel, in a effort to make travel with us thorough and stress-free, is partnering with Yonder Travel Insurance, a travel insurance comparison website where you can get quotes and compare travel insurance options from the nation’s top providers. Most travel insurance policies cover trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation and other travel loss/delay headaches.
Every travel insurance policy has a 24/7 emergency assistance number for medical and travel emergencies that may occur during the trip. Travel insurance brings extra peace of mind while you’re abroad!
Ground Costs Included
• Transportation available throughout the tour
• 6 nights lodgings in luxury accommodations
• Private dinners in specially-selected restaurants, beverages included (except where indicated)
• Private cooking classes with meals prepared
• Professional, local guides with knowledge of the secrets and stories of the region
• Epicurean Exchange Culinary Travel custom apron for cooking classes
Ground Costs Not Included
• Round trip airfare
• Cancellation insurance
• Personal expenses and tips
• Everything not clearly included in the section “Ground Costs Included”
Inclusive Tour Ground Cost (per person, double occupancy): $3,495 per person, $750 single supplement
Deposits: 50% to secure reservation
Balance Due: On or before December 11, 2023
Payments: Cash or checks, payable to Epicurean Exchange, accepted. Electronic invoices available for credit / debit card payments.
Cancellation Policy: We are willing to work with all our guests should situations arise that require guests to cancel plans with us. Please understand we have guidelines to ensure that both the operator and our guests are treated fairly. With that, travel insurance is MANDATORY, to reimburse you should cancellation be necessary. Epicurean Exchange reserves the right to cancel a tour due to low enrollment or other circumstances which would make the trip non-viable. Deposits and balances paid will be refunded if the trip is canceled by the operator. Travelers can cancel up to 60 days prior to departure and receive a full refund of their deposit. Understand that as a small, boutique operator, even one last-minute cancellation can be an issue for the operator and other travelers. Therefore, after deposits and tour balances are received (60 days or less prior to departure) they are non-refundable. Travelers have the option to recruit another traveler to take their place or file with their insurance carrier to recover costs of the trip.