Gems of the Southeast - USA

DAY WISE ITINERARY

DAY 01: Starting Point: New Orleans, Louisiana

As soon as you land at New Orleans' Louis Armstrong International Airport, you'll realize that this city is unlike any other in the USA. It's a kaleidoscope of food, music, architecture and celebrations that honor its distinct mélange of ethnic heritages, from Cajun and African American to Creole, European and Caribbean. Evidence of this melting pot surrounds you as you stroll from street to street and neighborhood to neighborhood: in the Gothic and Victorian-style buildings; in the wedding parties that fill Jackson Square; or in the quirky parades that meander slowly through the French Quarter. It can be tasted in unique dishes like the turtle soup at The Court of Two Sisters, or in the gumbo, beignets and jambalaya served at every corner restaurant. It can be heard in the sounds that spill from a hundred jazz clubs, blues joints and zydeco festivals. Before you head out of town, immerse yourself in New Orleans nature at spots like the Audubon Nature Institute or on a paddlewheel steamboat tour on the Mississippi River.

DAY 02: History and Heritage in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Louisiana's capital city trends Cajun/Creole-cosmopolitan at its center, but is surrounded by sprawling historic plantations that offer a glimpse into the 18th century, and bayous filled with wildlife. Start in downtown Baton Rouge, where you'll find plenty to keep you occupied, from the Shaw Center for the Arts, to the 400-plus restaurants, food trucks and farmers markets. Tour both the old and new capitol buildings: the Old Capitol features a museum inside a Gothic stunner overlooking the Mississippi River, while the new Capitol wows with a sky-high view of the city and gorgeous gardens.

DAY 03: Admiring Architecture in St. Francisville, Louisiana

Architecture enthusiasts and nature lovers can both find something to admire in St. Francisville, home to plantations, a historic district and numerous outdoor pursuits. Start at the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum for an overview of the history of the parish, then try a walking tour of the churches, private homes, Georgian Revival courthouse, restaurants and shops downtown. Note the Gothic stylings of Grace Episcopal Church and the traditional cottage structure of many of the district's houses.

DAY 04: Revisit the 18th Century in Alexandria and Pineville, Louisiana

The two sides of early Louisiana society are evident in Alexandria and Pineville: the splendor of wealthy plantation dwellers, and the Spartan circumstances of poor Creole farmers. Kent House, a beautiful French colonial-style plantation that dates back to 1796, offers a glimpse of the French, Spanish and American cultures that influenced Louisiana. On the other side of town you can visit Epps House, an 1852 Creole cottage that was built in part by Solomon Northup, a kidnapped free man whose story was told in the 2013 film "12 Years a Slave."

DAY 05: Natchitoches, Louisiana: Distinctively, Definitively Historic

As you enter Natchitoches (pronounced "nack-a-tish"), it might not seem extraordinary, but it is in fact Louisiana's oldest settlement, dating back to 1714. Tour the extensive National Historic District by horse-drawn carriage, and make stops at the general store and cemetery. Other early sites include plantation houses and Fort St. Jean Baptiste, which tells of Natchitoches' beginnings.

DAY 06: Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana: Ripe for Sightseeing

Follow the Red River right into the restaurants, cruises and entertainment that are hallmarks of Shreveport and Bossier. Most of the action is centered on the water, where riverboat casinos offer Las Vegas-style entertainment, nightclubs, bars and live music. On land you can shop til you drop at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets, or dine and drink at one of the many craft brew pubs and eateries specializing in Shreveport-style stuffed shrimp.

DAY 07: Historic Border Town of Texarkana, Arkansas

The quirky border town of Texarkana, Arkansas blends seamlessly with its twin, Texarkana, Texas, and is imbued with the flavors, sounds and history of both states. Ragtime music has roots here: Acclaimed composer Scott Joplin was a Texarkana native and there's a mural on the Texas side of downtown that celebrates him. Just a few blocks away is a remnant of the city's colorful past, the Ace of Clubs House. This 1885 Italianate Victorian home built in the shape of a club was, according to legend, financed by a winning poker hand.

DAY 08: Hope, Arkansas: A Presidential Destination

Hope was nothing more than a nondescript southern town until Bill Clinton became the governor of Arkansas, then the 42nd president of the United States. Hope, his birthplace, instantly earned its place on the map. You can tour the house where he was born and view supporting exhibits in the adjacent visitor center. If you want to learn more about the former President, you'll need to take a detour to the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas.

DAY 09: Digging for Diamonds in Murfreesboro, Arkansas

Arkansas is alternately referred to as The Natural State and The Diamond State because of attractions like Crater of Diamonds State Park, Murfreesboro's main claim to fame. It's the only place in the U.S. where you can dig for – and keep – any diamonds you find. For less than $10 (plus a bit extra to rent digging tools), you can go into the search area, and potentially come out a few hours later with something worth much more than the price of admission.

DAY 10: Natural Wonders in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Despite its name, the hot springs are not the only attraction in this central Arkansas town, which is an all-around great place for a relaxing getaway filled with food, fun and history. An ideal itinerary starts in the Central Avenue historic district, where it's easy to park and walk to places like the Gangster Museum of America. Make an appointment at any of the bathhouses along Central Avenue, which are fed by waters bubbling up from the natural springs deep in the earth below. In the middle of it all sits the Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center, repurposed from the gorgeous, and thoroughly preserved, Fordyce Bathhouse.

DAY 11: Pine Bluff, Arkansas: End With History on the Bayou

The final stop on your journey is a place that evokes the era of cotton plantations, steam railroads and the Civil War. In the heart of downtown Pine Bluff, murals illustrate the town's past, 19th century homes line the streets, and a Confederate monument sits near the town courthouse. The Arkansas Railroad Museum offers a peek at Steam Locomotive 819, built onsite in 1942 when the museum was a machine shop. For a deeper immersion in nature, rent a kayak and enjoy the easy trail at Cane Creek State Park for a last bit of tranquility before heading home from Little Rock or Memphis International Airport.