Before it picked up the nickname "The Big Easy," New Orleans’ tourism slogan was, “America’s Most Interesting City.” The sweaty, sultry Southern town nestled in the Mississippi River’s crescent has gone through plenty of change since then, but the city has undoubtedly lived up to the old tagline. It’s the cradle of American music, whether you’re into jazz, rock, or metal. It’s both America’s most European city and its most Caribbean city, imbued with French, Spanish, Haitian, and Cuban influence. It proudly holds to tradition, seen in its grand Creole cuisine served in century-old dining palaces and in its wild, joyous, traffic-stopping second line parades where marchers scale rooftops to dance.

As you know, both Diego and I love food, and no other city in America claims a more distinct cuisine than New Orleans. The wide mouth of the Mississippi River has served as a home to the Creole and Cajun people; Caribbeans galore; Americans of black, white, and Native persuasions; French explorers and governors; Acadians; and every influence east of the Continental Divide that gravity eventually pulls there. Together they've virtually perfected eating. "New Orleans food," Mark Twain said after one visit, "is as delicious as the less criminal forms of sin."

While honeymooning in NOLA we plan to visit Café Du Monde, the place to go for a quintessential pick-me-up in the form of a beignets and a cafe au lait. We also have planned to visit Jackson Park an iconic New Orleans locale since its construction in the mid-nineteenth century. Originally designed as a military plaza, the park is now awash with artists, musicians, and performers nearly 24/7. And what's New Orleans without a trip to the French Quarter, and the Bayou. Our week long vacation will be packed with food, dance, food, music, food, kayaking, food, cemeteries, food, art, and a midnight dessert.

We can't tell you how excited we are for this honeymoon. We've included some of the activities and experiences we'll be enjoying below. Thank you so much for considering a gift toward this once in a lifetime experience!