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Hosted By: Gib Brown
Retired NBC5 Meteorologist
WPTZ TV
View Biography
Experience cultural splendor and cuisine in two of America’s most colorful cities. Arrive in San Antonio and enjoy staying near the renowned River Walk, where charming eateries and shops dot the pathways. Visit the city’s well-preserved missions, witness cultural performances, hear about the Alamo’s famous siege, and float the Paseo del Rio canal on a flatboat excursion. On our way to New Orleans, we make stops at Space Center Houston, the TABASCO® factory, and Nottoway Resort. Our journey concludes with three days in New Orleans that are spent learning expert cooking tips, cruising the Mississippi on the Steamboat Natchez, enjoying a jazz brunch, and touring the National World War II Museum.
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April 11th, 2024 - April 17th, 2024
Occupancy
Price Per Person
Double
$3899
Single
$4699
Final Payment Date: 02/11/2024
Day 1 : Fly to Texas
Unpack and settle in for a comfortable two-night stay. Tonight, become acquainted with your fellow travelers and prepare for our great adventure together.
Day 2 : The Alamo and 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. Enjoy a delightful lunch at the elegantly restored Guenther House, located on the bend of the San Antonio River. After lunch, 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 unfolds on the big screen. After the film, we visit the famous grounds of the Alamo to experience the incredible history of this landmark firsthand. Our day concludes with an entertaining excursion aboard a flatboat on 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 : Space Center Houston
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before departing San Antonio for Lake Charles, Louisiana. En route, we stop at Space Center Houston. Take advantage of more than 400 things to see and do here, 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 in Lake Charles.
Day 4 : Nottoway Resort
We begin our day with a visit to Avery Island to tour the only TABASCO® pepper sauce production facility in the world. Afterwards, feel the spirit of yesteryear during our stop at Nottoway Resort, the South’s largest remaining antebellum mansion. 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 an included lunch at Randolph Hall on the resort’s grounds, then travel to “The Big Easy,” New Orleans, with accommodations in the historic French Quarter.
Day 5 : 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, complete with live narration and music. This evening, discover 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, then sample a variety of colorful and distinct dishes.
Day 6 : 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 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. Spend an afternoon at leisure, and tonight, join fellow travelers for a special Farewell Dinner.
Day 7 : Fly Home
Today we fly home with incredible memories of our San Antonio and New Orleans getaway.
WPTZ TV Pickup Locations:
Burlington, VT - Burlington International Airport
Gib is an award-winning teacher and Meteorologist who has recently retired from NBC5 after more than 37 years.
During his long career he also taught high school science and has served as an adjunct professor of Meteorology at Clinton Community College and Plattsburgh SUNY. Gib is an honorary chair for the regional science fair held annually in Plattsburgh. He is also an AMS Emeritus member and is on the board of the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory.
During the winter season, Gib also works part-time as an Ambassador for Olympic Regional Development Authority at Whiteface Mountain. Gib is an avid skier, hiker, and most of all loves to travel. He enjoys spending time with his five grandkids, Katharine, Kaden, Addison, Jack and Ryan.
He has previously hosted numerous Holiday Vacations tours. Join Gib, Marilyn and NBC5 viewers on this exciting vacation.
Interested in more travel opportunities? Click here or visit www.holidayvacations.com and enter keyword WPTZ.
Tour days tend to be shorter in length, at a relaxed pace, and include lots of unscheduled time for leisure. Expect standing and walking for extended periods of time on flat surfaces, mostly low altitudes, and consistent temperatures.
Tour days usually move at a leisurely pace. Some days’ scheduled activities last longer than others. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on occasionally uneven terrain. You may experience changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a consistent pace, and may include long travel days. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on uneven surfaces. Some destinations may have changes in altitude and/or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a brisk pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on uneven surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a vigorous pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on rough surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.