Compare French Quarter Music Festival by Road Scholar vs Utah's National Parks from Las Vegas by Tours of Distinction

Day 1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
New Orleans, Louisiana D Hotel Monteleone
Activity note: Hotel check-in 4:00 p.m. Rooms may be available earlier; if not, check in after Orientation.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 3:30 p.m. Check the message board for the location to register with the Road Scholar program staff, which is also where the Orientation session will take place. You’ll receive a welcome packet with your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and other important information. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation: 4:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. In addition to the presentations and performances included in this program, you will have opportunities to attend the French Quarter Music Festival performances of your choice each afternoon. We will provide maps and information so you can pick and choose what you like. For detailed information, visit the festival website at http://fqfi.org/frenchquarter/schedule/stage You will receive menus in advance to select what you want for dinners out at some of the city’s best restaurants. On site, we will divide into smaller groups to dine around. Two lunches and two dinners will be on your own to enjoy the cuisine of your choice. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. As a special bonus, we will provide vouchers to use at two popular jazz clubs and the Louisiana State Museum. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: Hotel banquet room, 6:30 p.m. We’ll have a plated and served dinner with coffee, tea, water beverage choices included; other beverages available for purchase. We’ll also enjoy a special musical surprise as we dine.

Evening: Enjoy Jazz after dinner and continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars. Then settle in and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Day 2
RS Exclusive Performance, City Field Trip, Free Time
New Orleans, Louisiana B,L,D Hotel Monteleone
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking 6 blocks in Garden District; broken sidewalks in some places due to tree roots. Those who prefer may stay on the motorcoach.

Breakfast: In the hotel, choose what you like from the extensive breakfast buffet.

Morning: We’ll be joined by New Orleans musicians who will give a presentation on New Orleans Jazz and perform just for us! We’ll then take a field trip via motorcoach with expert on-board commentary for an overview of the city. We’ll make stops at highlights such as Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou St. John, City Park with its magnificent oak trees and Sculpture Garden and one of the famed and mysterious above-ground cemeteries where the departed — from pirates to voodoo queens — are interred.

Lunch: New Orleans local restaurant-- Today we will enjoy delicious New Orleans cuisine at one of the city's top restaurants and order from a select menu.

Afternoon: Free Time. Use your provided maps and information on French Quarter Music Festival performances to pick and choose what you like. There are more than 400 performances on 23 stages throughout the French Quarter over four days. And our hotel is in the midst of it all!

Dinner: Those who did not have lunch today will enjoy delicious New Orleans cuisine at one of the city's top restaurants and order from a select menu. The group that did have lunch today will have dinner on their own tonight. We’ll switch tomorrow night.

Evening: At leisure. Experience nightlife in the French Quarter. you’re a music aficionado and there are lots of options. We’ll provide vouchers (drink included) for Fritzel’s European Jazz Club and for Maison Bourbon Jazz Club. The Quarter has something to offer for almost every interest and taste.

Day 3
Private Jazz Performance, Parade, French Quarter Music
New Orleans, Louisiana B Hotel Monteleone
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking 6 blocks in Garden District; broken sidewalks in some places due to tree roots. Those who prefer may stay on the motorcoach.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll enjoy another Road Scholar exclusive presentation and performance by local musicians.

Lunch: Remember, the group that ate out on their own yesterday will dine at a special local restaurant and the other group will have lunch independently.

Afternoon: Free Time. The French Quarter Music Festival, the largest free music festival in the South, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization launched in 1984. More than 2,000 community volunteers now help to make it a success. The outstanding musicians present every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, Zydeco, classical, cabaret, and international.

Dinner: Those who did not have lunch at our special restaurant today will enjoy delicious New Orleans cuisine at one of the city's top restaurants and order from a select menu. The group that did have lunch at our special restaurant today will have dinner on their own tonight.

Evening: At leisure. If you haven’t used them already, you have vouchers for Maison Bourbon and Fritzel’s. Other suggestions: Pat O'Brien's, Palm Court, and Cafe Beignet. Music in the hotel lounge each night.

Day 4
Private Jazz Performance, French Quarter Music, Free Time
New Orleans, Louisiana B,D Hotel Monteleone
Activity note: Walking according to personal preference during free time.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: One of New Orleans' top musicians and experts on Original New Orleans Jazz will give us a presentation and along with his famous band, demonstrate as he speaks — leaving us snapping our fingers and tapping our toes.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: Free Time. Another glorious afternoon of musical possibilities. You can also attend classes about Jazz and New Orleans music. And we’ve provided vouchers for the Cabildo and Presbytère, two components of the Louisiana State Museum. You might also like to visit the Historic New Orleans Collection, the Hermann-Grima House, sip café au lait at the Café du Monde, or any of the multitude of choices to experience New Orleans history and culture. The choices are yours!

Dinner: We’ll dine out in our small groups to enjoy the meals we previously selected.

Evening: At leisure. After dinner, you can enjoy more night life, music, and New Orleans culture on your own. Either Friday and Saturday, listen to music in the charming Carousel Lounge in the Monteleone or head back out for some New Orleans Jazz at a club.

Day 5
Private Jazz Performance, French Quarter Music, Free Time
New Orleans, Louisiana B,L Hotel Monteleone
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Another up close and personal encounter with New Orleans musicians. Some of our best play just for us in a private performance.

Lunch: We’ll divide into small groups for lunch at a famous New Orleans eatery. Enjoy the French Quarter Festival scene from our own private balcony overlooking Jackson Square.

Afternoon: Free Time. Is your heart pumping, are your toes tapping, your fingers snapping? Enjoy the music you like most this afternoon.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy more night life, music, and New Orleans culture!

Day 6
French Quarter Brunch, Program Concludes
New Orleans, Louisiana BR
Activity note: Walking 4 blocks from hotel to brunch and back. Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon.

Brunch: We’ll walk from the hotel to arrive at 9:00 a.m. for an experience you’ll remember. At the celebrated Court of Two Sisters, we’ll settle in for a true New Orleans delight, the Jazz brunch. The elaborate buffet offers tasty hot and cold New Orleans favorites from eggs any style to Creole jambalaya, grits and grillades, gumbo, classic desserts, and much more; coffee, tea, water included, other beverages available for purchase. Tap your toes to the music of the restaurant’s resident Jazz trio. Enjoy this final dining and musical experience with a broader and deeper understanding and appreciation of our city, the one and only New Orleans. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Day 1 - Arrive Las Vegas, NV

Today, transfer to the airport for your flight to Las Vegas. Upon our arrival, we transfer to our hotel on the Las Vegas strip. This evening, there is a Tours of Distinction exclusive welcome reception with the remainder of the evening free to explore the vibrant nightlife that is Vegas.

Day 2 - Grand Canyon Village, AZ

After breakfast, we depart Las Vegas and travel past Lake Mead and Hoover Dam as we enter Arizona. We stop in Kingman to tour the Route 66 Museum, which highlights the glory days of cross country automobile travel. We travel Route 66 heading east through northern Arizona. This afternoon, we will see “One of the Wonders of the World,” Grand Canyon National Park. This 1.2 million acre national park hosts a vast variety of wildlife and scenic wonders. We will learn about the geology and history of the canyon while taking in its breathtaking beauty at all the best view points along the South Rim, including Grand Canyon Village. After, we check into our hotel just outside of the park. Dinner is included this evening.

Day 3 - Lake Powell, UT

Breakfast is included this morning before we make one more pass along the south rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. We include a stop at Desert View before exiting the park. Then, enter the Navajo Nation with a rest stop at Cameron Trading Post with time to explore the amazing gift shop.  Next travel past the Vermillion Cliffs as you make your way to Page for an included lunch.  Then take a spectacular tour through Antelope Canyon.  The mysterious and haunting beauty of Antelope Canyon awaits the adventurous traveler who seeks to discover one of the most spectacular attractions of the Lake Powell area.  A tour to this awe-inspiring sculpture set in stone is a must for amateur and professional photographers alike.  An optional short hike to Horseshoe Bend for a stunning view of the Colorado River is available.  Arrive Lake Powell Resort with the evening free to explore and have dinner on your own.

Day 4 - Monument Valley

The morning starts with breakfast and a scenic cruise on Lake Powell. The contrast of the red rock walls and emerald blue waters are a stunning sight as we glide through the canyons. After, there is time for lunch, on own. This afternoon, we depart Lake Powell and travel to famed Monument Valley, a sacred place to the Navajo. We will be immersed in the rich cultural heritage of the ‘Dineh’ people. Their arts, music and livelihood are all closely tied to the dramatic desert landscape that is their home. After checking in to our hotel, we meet our Navajo guide and board a 4-wheel drive vehicle for a scenic tour of Monument Valley; location for scores of famous western films, television programs and commercials. As we travel through the valley and visit famous locations, such as John Ford Point, Artist Point and The Totem Pole, we will also learn more of the Navajo traditions and way of life. This evening, we experience Navajo culture, food and entertainment at a Navajo Cookout. After a wonderful day, we settle into our hotel.

Day 5 - Arches National Park

After breakfast, we depart Monument Valley and head north, arriving at Dead Horse Point State Park for a picnic lunch and one of the most spectacular scenes in the southwest. We have the chance to see the expanse of Canyonlands National Park stretching to the south and the mighty Colorado River 2,000 feet below. From here, we are off to nearby Arches National Park for sightseeing. The 18,000 square-foot visitor center (with over 2,000 named arches within its 73,000-acre boundary) will introduce us to the unique geologic forces that created the highest concentration of natural arches in the world. We visit all of the park’s highlights including: Park Avenue, Balance Rock, The Windows and Delicate Arch. In the late afternoon, we embark on a fabulous experience, as we take a Jet Boat Ride on the mighty Colorado River through spectacular red rock canyons. As the sun dips in the west, the canyon colors come to life while we learn about the river’s ecosystem, geology and history. After the thrilling ride, we enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner served on the banks of the Colorado River. We later arrive at the beautiful Red Cliffs Adventure Lodge which is located on the bank of the mighty Colorado, and check in for a two night stay. This area has been the site of numerous classic western movies including Rio Grande with John Wayne.

Day 6 - Canyonlands National Park

Our day starts after breakfast by meeting our professional driver guide and board 4x4 vehicles for a Jeep Tour of Canyonlands National Park. The Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park is the focus of this outstanding tour. Set 2,000 feet above the canyon floor, we descend from the top of the mesa via the famous Shafer Trail. Using switchbacks, the tour will take us from atop the mesa to the meandering river corridor below. Throughout the tour, our guide will provide information on the Park and the scenery. What an exciting morning in Canyonlands! Enjoy free time in Moab to have lunch on own, and to do some shopping and exploring. This afternoon, we return to Red Cliffs where we have the rest of the day free to relax and soak in the scenery. There is time to visit the Utah Movie Museum and the Castle Creek Winery, both included, at your leisure. Dinner, this evening, will be served outside with the quintessential western scenery of Castle Valley in full view.

Day 7 - Bryce Canyon National Park

From breakfast, we depart Moab for Capitol Reef National Park. We pass through the town of Green River and the San Rafael Swell. We will see ancient petroglyphs, beautiful rock formations, deep canyons and pioneer history followed by a wonderful picnic lunch under towering cottonwood trees. We will drive scenic Highway 12, designated as an ‘All American Road,’ through Grand Staircase ~ Escalante National Monument, before arriving at Bryce Canyon National Park for sightseeing. Later, we check into our hotel for the evening. This evening is free to enjoy dinner, on own.

Day 8 - Zion National Park - Depart Las Vegas

We depart after breakfast on a short drive to see Utah’s oldest and most famous national park, Zion National Park. The Paiutes believed mischievous spirits lived among the 2,000-foot high towers and would not enter the canyon alone or remain there after dark. There will be time for lunch on own before crossing the desert returning to the glitz and glam of Las Vegas. After an amazing trip through some of our nation’s greatest natural treasures, we enjoy a farewell dinner before being transferred to the airport for your flight home.