Day 1 : Fly to Texas

Unpack and settle in for a comfortable three-night stay. Tonight, become acquainted with your fellow travelers and prepare for our great adventure together.

Day 2 : San Antonio Missions

This morning we depart for two of San Antonio's largest and best preserved missions, San Jose and San Juan. During our visit we meet some of the area’s indigenous Americans and experience their culture and way of life through music, dance, art, and cuisine. We watch musical and dance performances, see displays of the beautiful folk artwork, and try a sample of the traditional native cuisine. A delightful lunch has been planned at the elegantly restored Guenther House located on the bend of the San Antonio River. Enjoy exploring the adjacent Museum and San Antonio River Store. Later we board a flatboat for an entertaining excursion along the Paseo del Rio canal. Gain a unique perspective of the River Walk while the captain shares fascinating stories of San Antonio’s past.

Day 3 : The Alamo

History comes to life as we view Alamo: The Price of Freedom at the IMAX® Theatre. Be transported back to 1836 as the 13-day siege of the Alamo is projected on the big screen. Afterwards, we visit the famous grounds of the Alamo to experience the incredible history of this landmark firsthand. Lunch today is included at the historic Menger Hotel. The property opened in 1859 and known for being the location where Theodore Roosevelt recruited his Rough Riders. There is free time this afternoon to enjoy all San Antonio has to offer. Look in one of the many shops in La Villita, one of San Antonio’s oldest neighborhoods, or dine in any of the delicious restaurants along the River Walk.

Day 4 : Space Center Houston

Enjoy a delicious included breakfast before departing San Antonio for Lake Charles, Louisiana. En route we stop at Space Center Houston. There are more than 400 things to see and do at the Space Center, including many exhibits, two films, four live shows, several artifact galleries, Independence Plaza, the NASA Tram Tour and more. Later, we check-in to our accommodations for one night in Lake Charles.

Day 5 : Nottoway Resort

This morning we enjoy a visit to Avery Island where we tour the only Tabasco pepper sauce production facility in the world. Afterwards, days of yesteryear are revealed during our visit to Nottoway Resort, one of the South’s largest remaining antebellum mansions. One of the few to survive the Civil War, this 64-room, three-story, palatial mansion was completed in 1859 and has been fully restored. We enjoy a delicious included lunch at Randolph Hall on the resort’s grounds and then transfer to “The Big Easy,” New Orleans.

Day 6 : New Orleans School of Cooking

An expert local guide joins us this morning for a fascinating city tour as we discover the charm of New Orleans. This afternoon voyage down the mighty Mississippi on the Steamboat Natchez river cruise, complete with live narration and music. This evening discover the basics of Louisiana cuisine at The New Orleans School of Cooking. Located in a renovated warehouse in the French Quarter, we learn from an expert in Cajun and Creole cuisine about the cooking style and folklore famous to the area and sample a variety of colorful and distinct dishes.

Day 7 : Jazz Brunch & WWII Museum

After breakfast, we arrive at the National World War II Museum. Take in the Beyond All Boundaries film 4D cinematic experience in the Victory Theatre and see the exhibits and artifacts that serve as a tribute to the tens of millions of Americans who contributed to our country’s cause during the war. Next we enjoy a special Jazz Brunch at the world-renowned Court of Two Sisters. Dine on a wide selection of sumptuous local dishes while listening to the lively sounds of a jazz trio. Tonight, join fellow travelers for a special Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner.

Day 8 : Fly Home