daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #651 Share Posted February 14, 2013 The new driver taking us to the plantations was a fantastic individual! He loves New Orleans and he knew every movie that was ever made in the area! In addition, he was very knowledgeable about various statistics involving Louisiana and pretty much all the local flora, fauna or architecture! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #652 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Take the top two most popular and most visited historic attractions in Louisiana and locate them in the heart of New Orleans Plantation Country, less than an hour away from the French Quarter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #653 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Louisiana Plantation tours are very popular for those of us visiting New Orleans (pre or post-cruise). There are many Louisiana Plantations and a number of them are within easy driving distance of New Orleans. The elaborate plantation homes line the banks of the Mississippi River along the River Road. They were once the mainstays of the Southern way of life. Many of those plantations are now open to the public and offer windows into the by gone past of the Old South. If you are interested in Old South history or architecture, a visit to these magnificent plantation homes is a must! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RazorbackBelle08 Posted February 14, 2013 #654 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I went on the same itenerary last February-March and it made me fall in love with Cozumel so much that now I'm going to explore Coz all on my own for 5 nights in April for my 30th birthday. I can't wait. Makes me miss the Conquest. Thanks for the photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #655 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I went on the same itenerary last February-March and it made me fall in love with Cozumel so much that now I'm going to explore Coz all on my own for 5 nights in April for my 30th birthday. I can't wait. Makes me miss the Conquest. Thanks for the photos! You're very welcome! And Happy Birthday! I know you'll have a blast, ma belle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #656 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Since we opted for the Combo Tour, we had a choice of plantation and we decided for the Oak Alley Plantation. However, some other passengers in our van were choosing the LAURA Plantation, so our first stop was there to drop them off! Laura Plantation is west of New Orleans, about 50 miles from the French Quarter, on the west bank of the Mississippi River. (located at 2247 River Road - Vacherie, LA 70090) Laura Plantation - best know for the "Best History Tour" and its slave quarters Here, on the banks of the Mississippi River, in the middle of New Orleans Plantation Country, at one historic farm, surrounded by fields of sugar cane, we found the difference that exemplifies Creole Louisiana! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #657 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Since our friends visited LAURA Plantation earlier that day (as part of their Combo Tour split over 2 days), below are some images that they took during their own plantation tour: The admission (included on our combo tour fare) covers the following: - A guided tour based on Laura Locoul's Memories of the Old Plantation Home. - A guided tour of the newly restored Big House, its raised basement and galleries, men's and women's parlors, service rooms and common rooms. - A guided tour of the 200-year-old sugar plantation homestead with a visit into the 3 gardens: Jardin Français, the kitchen potager & BananaLand grove. - A guided tour inside one of the slave cabins, built in 1840, where the ancient west-African tales of Compair Lapin, better known in English as "Br'er Rabbit," were recorded. On the grounds are 12 buildings on the National Register, including animal barns, overseers' cottages and the 1829 Maison de Reprise. - Free parking and entrance to the Laura Plantation Store. Insider's TIPS for this plantation tour: * Photography is allowed inside and out. (Video-photography is not allowed) * Cell phones must be muted for the duration of the tour. * Laura is a smoke-free attraction. (Cigarettes, cigars and pipe smoking are not permitted on-site) * Allow at least 60-90 minutes for your visit (including time for restrooms, refreshments and the Laura Plantation Store) * This plantation tour is partly an outdoor experience so, dress for the weather with comfortable shoes. The guided tour is based upon 5,000 pages of documents related to this plantation discovered in the Archives Nationales in Paris, with the major stories coming from Laura Locoul Gore's own Memories of the Old Plantation Home. (M&E's pictures) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #658 Share Posted February 14, 2013 The guided tour starts with a visit through the Maison Principale, built in 1805, into its raised basement and galleries, and into men's and women's chambers & offices, service rooms and common rooms. Even though you will see Laura's family heirlooms and their Creole furnishings, this portion of the tour spotlights the charmed but tragic lives of the plantation's inhabitants. Visitors are introduced to age-old Creole traditions and mores and to the skilled workmanship of enslaved artisans. After touring the Maison Principale, the visit moves onto the grounds, surrounded by sugarcane fields and 12 buildings on the National Register, winding into the plantation gardens: the formal Jardin Français, the kitchen garden and Laura's new BananaLand. This part of the tour places visitors at the exact locations where stories recalling the sobering events of human slavery happened. (M&E's pictures) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #659 Share Posted February 14, 2013 The tour @ LAURA Plantation concludes in one of the 1840s slave cabins where sugarcane workers lived until 1977 and where the ancient west-African folktales of Compair Lapin were recorded. (better known as the legendary rascal Br'er Rabbit) (M&E's pictures) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #660 Share Posted February 14, 2013 The grounds of the LAURA Plantation are beautiful as huge Cyprus trees seem to frame and hug the historic buildings. (M&E's pictures) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #661 Share Posted February 14, 2013 (edited) Now back on the road (again)! We are heading to our last stop of the day: the visit of Oak Alley Plantation! Louisiana’s two different cultures come to life with tours focusing on Anglo and Creole owners, antebellum grandeur and rustic daily life. St. Joseph Plantation, a Creole Plantation, is west of New Orleans, about 50 miles from the French Quarter, on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Many tours here, we were told, are guided by family members themselves. Lovingly restored by volunteers consisting of family members and friends; this plantation is just one way we have preserved the local heritage as well as the family. Edited February 14, 2013 by daliflor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #662 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Getting closer and closer to our final destination: And then VOILA! (speachless) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #663 Share Posted February 14, 2013 The driver had to stop the van for a moment so we can take in the BEAUTY of this fenomenal place... Oak Alley is best know for its 20 gigantic Oak Trees from the river road to the house. We were mesmerized and could hardly wait to get to the parking lot around the corner! Oak Alley Plantation is west of New Orleans, about 55 miles from the French Quarter, on the west bank of the Mississippi River. (located at 3645 River Road - Vacherie, LA 70090) The beautiful Oak Alley Plantation dates back to the 1840s! We HAVE finally ARRIVED! The highlight of the trip - Louisiana's OAK ALLEY Plantation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #664 Share Posted February 14, 2013 After the driver dropped us by the entrance's gates, we had about 25 minutes or so to explore the area. (before the the formal plantation tour started) There’s so much to see and do along the Mississippi River in New Orleans Plantation Country! This area abounds in colonial history, ancient traditions, river commerce, rich cuisine, music, folklore, the vestiges of human servitude and untamed swampy wilderness. In addition to the mansion, at Oak Alley there is a restaurant, a cafe/Ice Cream Parlor, a gift shop and a bed and breakfast on the grounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #665 Share Posted February 14, 2013 After the driver dropped us by the entrance's gates, we had about 25 minutes or so to explore the area. (before the start of the formal plantation tour) There’s so much to see and do along the Mississippi River in New Orleans Plantation Country! This area abounds in colonial history, ancient traditions, river commerce, rich cuisine, music, folklore, the vestiges of human servitude and untamed swampy wilderness. In addition to the mansion, at Oak Alley there is a restaurant, a cafe/Ice Cream Parlor, a gift shop and a bed and breakfast on the grounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #666 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Time to pick-up some original, local souvenirs @ Oak Alley Plantation Store! Did I mention how delicious the Pecan Pie is here @ the Oak Alley? Mmmm, soo good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #667 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Time to taste one of the local ABITA beers (i.e. strawberry flavor)! Located on the Mississippi River, Oak Alley Plantation has been called the "Grande Dame of the Great River Road". The plantation home is situated in the most spectacular setting of any plantation in the South. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 14, 2013 Author #668 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Oak Alley Plantation and its Restaurant & Inn tastefully blend the advantages of modern day services with the charm of authentic Old South surroundings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trubadur Posted February 15, 2013 #669 Share Posted February 15, 2013 VOILA! (speachless) WOW! Look how small those people appear next to the giant trees! Like a canoe next to a cruise ship, LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 15, 2013 Author #670 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Take a long look over the land! Don't you wish you could call Oak Alley home? : - )) Heading to the "Big House" on Tuesday afternoon... beautiful weather! Located on the Mississippi River, Oak Alley Plantation has been called the "Grande Dame of the Great River Road". This sugar kettle is used as a water garden now: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 15, 2013 Author #671 Share Posted February 15, 2013 "We have baby oaks in back," the guide said. "Those are only 150 years old." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 15, 2013 Author #672 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Open every day except New Year's Day, Mardi Gras Tuesday,Christmas Day, and Thanksgiving Day. Oak Alley Plantation is one of the most picturesque historical sites in the area! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 15, 2013 Author #673 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Most tourists are familiar with plantation homes in Louisiana and other southern states that are constructed in the familiar Greek revival stylewith their signature massive Greek columns gracing the front façade or even surrounding the entire structure. The largest and most striking of these Greek revival plantations is Oak Alley in Vacherie, Louisiana. Oak Alley Plantation and one of its famous antebellum-dressed tour guides! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 20, 2013 Author #674 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Touring the Oak Alley Plantation Mansion on a Tuesday afternoon (October 2, 2012) The present mansion was built by George Swainy between 1837 and 1839 for Jacques Telesphore Roman. Roman's father-in-law, Joseph Pilie, was an architect and probably designed the house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted February 20, 2013 Author #675 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Leading from the river to the front of the plantation home is the driveway flanked by two rows of huge live oaks creating perhaps the grandest entrance of any plantation in the South. The Oak Alley Mansion has high ceilings, large windows, a symmetrical facade and interior plan, and a second-floor gallery for viewing the surroundings. Taking another peek at the beautiful oak trees! : - )) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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