New Orleans

New Orleans — “The Big Easy” — is one of the most fascinating travel destinations in the Deep South of the United States. It is a quintessential Deep South city, located just a stone’s throw from the Mississippi River Delta and its outlet into the Gulf of Mexico.

This vibrant city is famous for its legendary French Quarter, one of the most lively districts in the U.S. and the birthplace of jazz. The quarter is home to the Cajun or Creole communities — descendants of the original French settlers in Louisiana — known for their distinctive culinary culture.

The French Quarter is also the epicenter of Mardi Gras, the most famous street festival in the United States. South of the French Quarter are the Financial District (also known as the American Quarter) and the peaceful Garden District.