This morning we will begin with breakfast at the hotel before we set off to explore the French Quarter of New Orleans. We will take a guided tour of the Quarter learning about the history, the music and the food and how all have influenced the way of life in this vibrant part of the city. This afternoon, we will spend some time at Mardi Gras World and explore the history of the festival as well as make our own masks! Tonight get ready for some fun at the New Orleans School of Cooking where we will take a demonstration class and have dinner together. (B, D)

After breakfast and a leisurely morning at the hotel, we will begin our journey to Mobile, Alabama. Once we arrive in Mobile, we will start our experience at the Battleship Memorial Park.  Battleship Memorial Park is a military history park and museum on the western shore of Mobile Bay in Mobile, Alabama. Its notable aircraft and museum ships include the South Dakota-class battleship USS Alabama and Gato-class submarine USS Drum. Alabama and Drum are National Historic Landmarks; the park as a whole was listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on October 28, 1977. Enjoy lunch on your own while at the memorial park. This afternoon we will visit the Mobile Carnival Museum to learn about the history of Carnival in Mobile - the oldest Carnival celebration in the US. This later afternoon we will check into the Hampton Inn & Suites in the heart of downtown Mobile. This evening will be free for you to explore and enjoy dinner on your own. (B)

Start your day off with breakfast at the hotel before we head to the National Naval Aviation Museum. After we get there and check in, we will enjoy a special display of the Navy's Blue Angels. After watching these stunning displays of aerial maneuvering, we will head into the museum and learn about the Navy's history and see some of the most impressive aircraft the world has ever seen. After lunch, we will return to the hotel for some time to freshen up before we make our way to a great local restaurant for a group dinner. (B, L, D)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel to start your day before we make our first stop on the beautiful Dauphin Island. While we are there, we will visit historic Fort Gaines -  Exhibits include the huge anchor from USS Hartford, Admiral David Farragut's flagship on which he gave his world-famous command, "Damn the torpedoes – full speed ahead!" The fort also has the original cannons used in the battle, five pre-Civil War brick buildings in the interior courtyard, operational blacksmith shop and kitchens, tunnel systems to the fortified corner bastions, and similar features. The site is considered to be one of the nation's best-preserved Civil War era masonry forts and has been nominated for listing as a National Historic Landmark. After visiting the fort, we will head to Bellingrath Gardens and Home. Beyond the beauty of the well-planned gardens, the estate has a very interesting history. This afternoon we will cap off our day with a visit to the Beauvoir - home and library of Jefferson Davis, the treasonous President of the South during the Civil War. The museum has many artifacts from this time period and is an important place to visit as we remind ourselves of this dark part of our nation's history.Later we will check into Beau Rivage Resort and Casino - the most impressive hotel and resort in the area. Tonight will be yours to explore and have some fun! (B, L)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we head out to explore one of the most important industries in the area - shrimp fishing. We will take a boat ride and watch as they dredge the gulf floor for the shrimp and learn about the process and experience of these hearty fishermen. After shrimping, we will head to lunch at Mary Mahoney's and then take a tour of the Maritime Seafood Industry Museum before we have a guided tour of the city of Biloxi. This later afternoon, we will return to the hotel to have a little time to freshen up before we head out to a local blues club and restaurant for an evening of great food and entertainment. (B, L, D)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we head back to New Orleans for one final night. Today we will visit the Destrehan Plantation on the banks of the mighty Mississippi. This is the oldest plantation in New Orleans and it has quite a history to learn about. From the initial use, to a slave revolt and then the education of freed slaves, this plantation is an important part of our early history in the area. We will also take a covered boat tour of a local swamp and learn about the native flora and fauna and how folks living in the area still use the swamp lands for their livelihoods. Tonight we will check into a hotel in downtown New Orleans before we walk to a local restaurant for our final group dinner. (B, L, D)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and have some time to explore before we head to the airport for our trip home.