subject: A Great Holiday Is Yours In A New Orleans Hotel. [print this page] Set in the state of Louisiana in the deep south of the USA, New Orleans has a rich cultural heritage and an ambience all its own. It is the top tourist hot spot made famous by Mardi Gras and jazz and every year thousands of people throng the streets to have a great time. The natives of New Orleans can party at any time of year, and music is everywhere in this home of jazz and Cajun blues. When you stay at a New Orleans hotel in the old French Quarter of the city you can soak in the atmosphere and have a fantastic time. New Orleans conjures up images of Louisiana swamps, hot and humid weather, streetcars and southern ladies from the plantations. New Orleans is the Big Easy so take your time and enjoy this unique city.
New Orleans needs no excuse for a party and the city loves a parade. You will need to book early into a New Orleans hotel if you plan to be there for Mardi Gras but it is well worth it. The celebrations for Mardi Gras, which is the Tuesday before Lent in the Christian calendar, actually last for about a fortnight with various parades going on at this time. The culmination of Mardi Gras is on the Tuesday itself with an elaborate parade of masked revellers, torch bearers and other costumed carnival goers, who will traditionally toss coloured beads into the crowd as they pass along the streets. It seems like the whole world goes to the party at Mardi Gras in New Orleans. If you are not fortunate enough to be in New Orleans at Mardi Gras you can visit Mardi Gras world to see some of the figures and floats which parade the streets. These can be both beautiful and grotesque. You can also see the floats being made in preparation for the big day.
Food is fantastic in New Orleans. Your New Orleans hotel will have its own fine cuisine, and the food here is mainly Creole based. While in New Orleans, eat New Orleans style and enjoy! Gumbo is a traditional dish which is justifiably famous, and will be different wherever you get it. Served with rice, it has a base of okra, then whatever else the cook chooses. Seafood Gumbo is especially good as the seafood is fresh. Oysters are good here and you can have them battered and fried or raw. Try them dashed with Tabasco sauce, which was invented here and usually found on most restaurant tables as a condiment. If you fancy a sandwich, ask for a po boy, which is the dialect for poor boy. These are made from a type of loaf similar to French bread, with a meat, seafood or even oyster filling. Another deep south speciality which you must try is red beans and rice, which is filling and tasty.
