CONFERENCE ON SUGAR PROCESSING RESEARCH

 

GUEST INFORMATION

 

IBERVILLE SUITES/RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL, NEW ORLEANS

 

 

SPRI will not have a guest program for this year’s conference but have informed the Concierge at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel to assist in making any arrangements of city tours for your accompany guests.  SPRI wishes to welcome all accompany guests to the city of New Orleans and hope you will enjoy your stay in this very historic and exciting city.

 

You may get city maps at the Concierge desk and make reservations on the suggestions below.

 

 

Old River Road Plantation Adventure

 

Enjoy a narrated antebellum adventure with a professional historian as your historian as your journey through scenic cypress swamp and wetlands to a magical place where time has stood still. “Memoirs of a Creole” – Oak Alley and Laura Plantations. Tours depart from Canal Street at 8:00 am & 12:30 pm daily.  $70.00 per person, Reservations required

 

Laura Plantation

 

The Majesty of the Felicianas graced the upper and lower Mississippi River towards the city known at one time as the “Queen of the South.” Among the many families in New Orleans during the golden age of sugarcane one stood out.  Not unlike their neighbors on the river during their day, Laura Plantation was a working sugar plantation.  The family stayed from June until September, and then returned to New Orleans for the winter social season.  Built in 1805, Laura is named after one of her mistresses, Laura Locoul, who lived from 1861 to 1963 until her death at 102 years old.  The Laura Plantation may be the only plantation known to have been run by women for 200 years! After the tour, you are invited to look around and visit the rare collection of twelve buildings that are on the National Register.   The plantation has made a significantly recovery despite a devastating fire on August 9, 2004.  The complete renovations have restored the grounds to continue to offer visitors to Louisiana of the disappearing Creole world of the past.

 

Oak Alley Plantation – Luncheon

 

The “Grande Dame of the Great River Road,” the Oak Alley Plantation is known as the only location in the south that you will find such a spectacular setting.  The quarter-mile canopy of giant live oak trees, believed to be nearly 300 years old, forma an impressive avenue leading to the classic Greek-revival style antebellum home.  Enjoy the tastes of Louisiana cooking. 

 

 

                                                                                   

New Orleans Cooking & Shopping

 

Located in the heart of the French Quarter, the New Orleans School of Cooking offers guests a unique entertaining class as you learn the secrets of the famous New Orleans cooking. The Creole/Cajun experts teach New Orleans specialties such as Gumbo, Jambalaya and Pralines in its beautifully renovated kitchen of the old New Orleans 1830’s molasses warehouse. Lunch is served for the group. The General Store with Louisiana spices is also located within the school so items can be purchased after class.  Enjoy a memorable cooking experience at the New Orleans Cooking School.

 

 

Cookin’ Cajun Cooking School – includes Lunch

 

Located in the Creole Delicacies Gourmet Shop in Riverwalk Festival Market overlooking the Mississippi River the Cookin’ Cajun Cooking School is a fun time and a great meal.  Join in the fun for cooking and tasting the secrets of New Orleans Cajun Cooking.  Learn Crescent City favorites such as Shrimp Remoulade, Chicken Andouille Gumbo and Praline Parfait.  Once the instructor chef has taken you through step-by-step preparation of a classic Creole/Cajun menu, a full meal is served so be sure to bring your appetite.  Stock up on your favorite spices, make gift basket at the Cookin’ Shop.

 

 

Riverwalk and Canal Place Centre/ shopping 

 

Riverwalk Marketplace is the premier festival marketplace in New Orleans, filled with over 100 stores and dinning/entertainment under one roof with a unique Cajun flavor and Creole flair.  The Center is constructed on the site of the 1984 World’s Fair along the Mississippi River, within walking distance of the French Quarter, Canal Place Shopping Centre and Aquarium of the Americas.  Experience the view of the world’s busiest port with New Orleans as port of call for many cruise ships, freighters and riverboats. 

 

Experience a world of wonderful shopping opportunities at the Shops at Canal Place, located at the foot of Canal Street near Riverwalk and the Aquarium of the Americas. Canal Place is home to many exclusive stores, featuring upscale clothing and home items.  Anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, the center is also home to Pottery Barn, Gucci, BCBG, Brooks Brothers, Williams Sonoma, Banana Republic and a host of others.

 

 

VIP CITY TOURS

 

Comprehensive Tour of Historic New Orleans visiting The French Quarter, a Historic Cemetery, The Garden District, St. Charles Ave, Lake Ponchartrain, Hurricane Katrina Areas, Ninth Ward (Including Brad Pitt’s Global Green & Habitat for Humanity Areas.  Tours depart from the Canal Street at 8:45 am, 12:45 pm. And 3:45 pm. $45.00 per person, Reservations required.

 

 

Cajun Encounters Swamp Tours

 

Experienced guides take you through a two hour journey through Louisiana’s last untouched wetlands.  The Honey Island Swamp in home to alligators, raccoons, owls, wild boars, egrets, herons, nutrias, snakes, bald eagles, turtles and black bears.  Tours depart from Canal Street at 8:30 am, 11:00 am, 1:45 pm and 4:00 pm.  $49.00 per person, Reservations required

 

Magic Walking Tours

 

Historically Accurate Walking Tours conducted by local professors, historians and journalist.  Choose from one or more of the following tours: Garden District/Lafayette Cemetery, Ghost-Haunts-VooDoo, St. Louis Cemetery #1, Historic French Quarter.  Tours departs from various locations.  $20.00 per person, 2 hour tour, Reservations recommended. 

 

The Cabildo - Nestled in the once main square of the city of New Orleans the Cabildo, which is one of the most historically significant buildings in America, was famous for the site of the Louisiana Purchase transfer in 1803, the largest land deal of its time.  Built in 1795 to 1799 it carries the history of New Orleans labeled the “Queen of the South.” The building survived by two great fires and still captures the best of Louisiana historical art through its continuing evolution social change and cultural influences of such a ethnic diverse city.

 

The 1850 House - A tour of the 1850 House will end the city walking tour of the home of Madame Micaëla Pontalba, daughter of Don Andrés Almonaster y Roxes.  He agreed to pay for construction of the building that we know now as the Cabildo. It replaced an earlier structure that had been destroyed by the great fire of 1788. Almonester had already commissioned Gilberto Guillemard to design the new cathedral and presbytere, and the Cabildo chose the same man to plan the new government building.  Madame Micaëla Pontalba continued her father’s improvements around Jackson Square by building the long rows of red-brick apartments flanking the upper and lower portions of the square.  Other contributions were a hospital to serve the victims of leprosy in New Orleans during the time.

 

Shopping – French Market – Café Du Monde

 

The New Orleans’ French Market has existed in the French Quarter site since 1791 and has remained true to its authentic mission for more than 200 years.  It is America’s oldest public market and to this day plays an important role in the local economy.  Walk up and down the five blocks of specialty retail shops and community flea market.  End the shopping day with coffee and beignets.