New Orleans. Part 1: What the Guidebooks Don’t Tell You.

New Orleans, a unique American port city on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River.  Well known for its rich Creole culture, famous carnivals and French and Spanish architecture.  It’s suffered a turbulent history with the American civil war, and in recent years, hurricane Katrina.  Although at times chaotic, this hasn’t swayed the attraction to this city in Louisiana also famous for its cuisine, music scene and southern hospitality…

Sounds like a lovely entry into a travel brochure if you’re thinking about your next holiday destination, doesn’t it?

This was also my impression of this city having never visited, and quite frankly, never fancied it.  However, earlier this year a very good friend of mine from London went on an extended holiday to NOLA and invited me down to join her.  So within 24 hours of having that conversation I was on a plane to holiday in America for the first time in well over a decade.