New Orleans has a subtropical climate with very hot and humid summers and mild winters. In mid-summer temperatures of 90°F (30°C) and more are common, while in winter the temperature hovers around a comfortable 60°F (15°C), with very chilly mornings. New Orleans has a high annual rainfall, most of it falling in late summer, often as a spin-off from tropical storms. Heavy rain during the June to September Gulf Coast hurricane season has caused flooding in the city on occasion. Snow and ice are rarities in New Orleans, but there have been incidences of a 'white Christmas', with light snow.

Known for its use of Cajun pepper, tropical fruits and spices, dining out in New Orleans is an exciting sensory experience not to be missed. The melting pot cuisine known as Creole incorporates French, Spanish, Mediterranean, Caribbean and African flavours as well as the hearty and comforting tastes of the American Deep South.

Travellers will find the world-famous French Quarter gears mostly to tourists and this is where just about any and every kind of Creole restaurant can be found, serving jumbalaya, red beans and rice, gumbo and Cajun Crawfish amongst other local dishes. Those with a serious sweet tooth are in for a treat in New Orleans, where the desserts are as sticky as they come with favourites such as Pecan Pie, Pralines and Bananas Foster staples on most restaurant menus. Don't forget an order of deep-fried beignets (pronounced ben-yays) with your coffee!

New Orleans has its own special take on the sandwich, which comes in two varieties: po'boys, served on a round French loaf and packed to the rafters with beef, oysters, shrimp, gravy and all the trimmings; and muffalettas, huge Italian loaves stuffed with cold meats and olive salad.

Bourbon Street is where the best of New Orleans' eateries can be found and travellers should pay the legendary Galatoire's a visit to sample some of the city's finest fare. Not to be missed are the city's cocktails, the most famous being the notorious 'Hurricane' and visitors won't have trouble finding a bar to sample this New Orleans specialty - escaping the bustling bars might be their only problem!

When in New Orleans, the vintage electric rail vehicles or 'streetcars' are the way to go. With various lines crossing the city, most destinations are accessible by this means of transport. Various VisiTour passes allow unlimited rides on buses and streetcars, and for streetcar fare and route information visit www.norta.com. The Canal Street Ferry takes passengers across to the suburb of Algiers and is free for pedestrians, offering fine views of the city skyline. Walking, cycling, taxis and rental cars are some of the other options; many tourist areas, like the French Quarter, are most enjoyable on foot. Driving a car in New Orleans may be difficult as many roads are still inaccessible due to hurricane damage.

New Orleans has fantastic attractions for children on holiday including fun parks, aquariums and museums. Kids love to visit the Audubon Aquarium, and are also fascinated by the creatures at the Audubon Insectarium. The Louisiana Children's Museum is also a popular attraction, as are Storyland and the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. Children also love to go on boat rides up the Mississippi River, or into the Louisiana swamps.

English is the most common language but Spanish is often spoken in south-western states.

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.

New Orleans is a city of music and rhythm, most famous for jazz, Cajun and zydeco, and its nightlife portrays this with enthusiasm. Gambit, Offbeat and WhereY'at, as well as local radio stations, publicise upcoming New Orleans events and venues.

There are countless bars along Bourbon Street, and the party invariably pours out onto the sidewalks; while most places have a cover-charge, it is not always necessary to actually go inside! Some of the best clubs and bars can be found in the Quarter and the Frenchmen section of the Faubourg Marigny.

Preservation Hall is a must for jazz fans, and Maple Leaf Bar is another popular spot for live music. Molly's is said to be the best bar in the French Quarter and Napoleon House offers a fantastic Pimm's Cup cocktail. Ray's Boom Boom Room is fast becoming the trendiest club of the Frenchmen district, and the Blue Nile is the long-standing social hub of the area. The Polo Lounge at Windsor Court is very stylish, favouring Sazeracs cocktails and fancy cigars.

Shopping in New Orleans ensures a great selection of antiques, arts, vintage clothing and unique jewellery. There are various malls, markets, boutiques and specialist shops that satisfy most purchase desires.

The French Quarter is unsurpassed as a sightseeing/boutique shopping experience. It's also home to legendary New Orleans voodoo shops and some fantastic costume and mask shops, great for Mardi Gras or Halloween and popular New Orleans souvenirs. Magazine Street also has costume and mask shops, as well as stores offering elegant furnishings, hand-smocked garments and local arts. There are various jewellers in town offering unique, custom-made adornments.

New Orleans candymakers have a special touch, and sweets like pralines make popular gifts. Some of the best can be sampled at Southern Candymakers, Leah's Candy Kitchen, and Aunt Sally's Praline Shop. Don't forget to sample the best in local music; you'll find great cds of Dixieland jazz at the Louisiana Music Factory and Beckham's Bookshop.

Items such as Louis XIV chairs and African masks are available from numerous antique stores, and the art galleries of Royal Street also hold infinite treasure. And then there's Crescent City Farmer's Market, which sells exotic vegetables, beautiful flowers and fresh seafood. There are various tax refund and tax free options available to visitors.

Home of one of the world's largest street parties, New Orleans is not short on attractions and the place to start is without a doubt the world-renowned French Quarter.

Take a stroll along the legendary Bourbon Street to lap up the ambience, sights, sounds and smells of New Orleans, or for a more historical view of the city, visit the D-Day National World War II Museum. See a bit of the city's underbelly in the New Orleans Voodoo Museum, and marvel at Mardi Gras floats at Blaine Kern's workshop.

The Hurricane Katrina Tour takes visitors through the worst affected areas of the city, including Lakeview and Gentill, and is a tragic, yet fantastic way to see parts of the city and people that would otherwise be seen only by locals.

Visitors will do well to purchase the New Orleans Power Pass. The pass is available in 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive day options and starts at $31 per day. It includes admission to 30 of New Orleans' top attractions, saving the bearer up to $300 while also offering discounts and the opportunity to skip the queue at many locations, ensuring you experience all there is to see and do in New Orleans.