Sail in the wake of the New Orleans, the first steamboat on America's rivers, and her epic 1811-12 voyage from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. The Louisiane makes this 14-day journey with considerable more style and luxury, but the appeal of the towns and scenery along the way are just as timeless. Groove to the blues and tap your toes to jazz with an overnight stay in Memphis, sample Cincinnati's famous chili, discover horse country in Louisville, uncover the Civil War in Vicksburg, and stroll among the antebellum homes of downtown Natchez.
Highlights
Explore majestic Cincinnati, known as the "Queen City of the West"
Learn about a boxing legend at the Muhammad Ali Center in Lousiville
Tour the Stax Museum of Soul Music and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum
Get lost among over 500 gallant antebellum buildings in Natchez
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Pittsburgh and check in to your deluxe hotel, which is adjacent to the city’s attractions. Enjoy the sweeping city vistas from up high on Mount Washington, then mingle with other high flyers at the riotous National Aviary. Become transported by the kaleidoscopic stained glass at Heinz Memorial Chapel, mere minutes away from esteemed Carnegie Mellon University.
Your fare includes breakfast this morning at your hotel as well as a transfer to the Louisiane and all porterage. Settle into your stateroom or suite, head to The Veranda for a light snack, and then bid Pittsburgh farewell as the Louisiane departs and you immerse yourself in the joys of life on the river. Bon voyage!
Recall George Washington's musing that he knew "no other country where I should rather fix my habitation" when you visit idyllic Marietta, the site of Ohio's first settlement as memorialized at the history-rich Campus Martius Museum.
The pleasures of the Louisiane become apparent as you start your day with a made-to-order beignet and café au lait in The Veranda. Read a book, talk to the Illuminator, the onboard historian, and then enjoy made-to-order crêpes.
Be part of enduring tradition as you arrive by river to the town Longfellow dubbed "Queen City of the West", and indulge in sophisticated sightseeing at the art deco Union Terminal, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and much more.
Discover captivating Louisville, named after King Louis XVI of France, as you sip a mint julep and stroll the waterfront. Be sure to head to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, Churchill Downs, or learn about a boxing legend at the Muhammad Ali Center.
Imagine this sleepy village flattened in 1811 by North America's strongest recorded earthquake, and later further shaken up by 1862's Battle of Island Number Ten. Artifacts are on view at the quaint Historical Museum and the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site.
Take in the sounds of Memphis, where a stroll on soulful Beale Street, a tour of Graceland, or a visit to the Stax Museum of Soul Music and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum has you feeling the beat.
Hear the distant echoes of Ulysses S. Grant's call to arms as he lay a 47-day siege to the city, now immortalized at the essential Vicksburg National Military Park, which houses the ironclad USS Cairo, victim of the first torpedo.
Get lost among over 500 gallant antebellum buildings in this magnificent town, one of America's most historically significant national treasures. Chat up the friendly locals in the thriving entertainment district Natchez-Under-the-Hill, which Mark Twain once described as having a "desperate reputation, morally."
Another leisurely day aboard the Louisiane provides ample time to stroll on her open decks and admire the passing river traffic, pamper yourself at the Currents Spa with a luxurious treatment, and sip an expertly-made cocktail in the Great River Lounge.
Day 14: New Orleans, Louisiana | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Bid adieu to the Louisiane and explore New Orleans. Amble along the festive streets of the "Big Easy", where the scent of Creole dishes and the strains of jazz mingle within stately French Quarter homes, and hop on a streetcar to further uncover this most European of American cities.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$6,699
Notes
All fares, including land and hotel, are capacity controlled, subject to change at anytime without notice, and do not guarantee availability.
- A Single Supplement of 50% is available only for the Deluxe, French Balcony, Promenade, and Veranda Staterooms.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.