OUR DESTINATIONS
Let us help you find your perfect holiday by phoning us on
We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
Alternatively, check out some of our holiday offers below.
- Destinations
- North America
- United States of America
- Louisiana
Louisiana
Lively Louisiana is slowly picking up the pieces after the
devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina on 30 August 2005 and is
showing a determination to shake off the sackcloth and ashes and
carry on as before. Visitors from around the world are once again
flocking to New Orleans, not only to view the disaster areas and
hear the stories, but to experience the city's traditional
toe-tapping Dixieland jazz music, to dine on Cajun cuisine and
enjoy the laid-back lifestyle where a carnival atmosphere prevails
day and night.
Louisiana is hedonistic and historic, musical and memorable; the
American state that feels European has a distinctive scenic beauty
and a cultural uniqueness that makes it more than attractive as a
holiday destination. It is the cultural variety in particular that
gives Louisiana its special appeal, and this is the result of the
legacy of the original Native Americans; the French, Spanish and
Creole inhabitants of the major city of New Orleans; the Cajuns of
South Louisiana; the African slaves and free blacks; the European
plantation owners; and settlers of virtually every nationality that
have made the State their home.
Louisiana's past is just as colourful and varied as its people.
It has been governed under 10 different flags since 1541 when
Hernando de Soto claimed the region for Spain. At the outbreak of
the Civil War Louisiana even became an independent republic for six
weeks, before joining the Confederacy. Louisiana was actually sold
to the United States by Napoleon in 1803, the purchase being
negotiated by President Thomas Jefferson. The reason for all this
chopping and changing was because of the region's importance for
trade and security in the American mid-west; the mighty Mississippi
River flows through Louisiana and access to the mouth is controlled
by the city of New Orleans.
Further along the Mississippi visitors marvel at the stately
plantation houses of Louisiana's rich landowners of old, and enjoy
tasting the sights and sounds of the Mississippi valley, which is
one of the most scenic areas in the United States. Just like the
renowned Creole dish known as 'gumbo', the State of Louisiana
contains a bit of everything.
Information & Facts
Climate
Louisiana's climate usually remains constant, with semi-tropical
conditions throughout the year. Those parts of the state that are
in close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico tend to be very humid with
lots of rainfall, and little difference between summer and winter
conditions. New Orleans, for example, is hot and humid for the
majority of the year, with well over 180 days of sunshine annually.
Some snowfall can occur in the state in winter, but very rarely.
Louisiana is prone to hurricanes (June is the start of hurricane
season), with the most severe being the recent Hurricanes Rita and
Katrina in 2005.
Language
English is the most common language but Spanish is often
spoken in south-western states.
Money
The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into
100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are
widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely
accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid
hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.
Time
GMT -6 (GMT -5 from March to November).