November 28, 2011
Christmas New Orleans Style
Our exploration of all the holiday activities taking place in Festiva vacation destinations continues today with a visit to to the Frenchmen Orleans and the Big Easy. Located in New Orleans’ trendy Marigny neighborhood, guests at the Frenchmen Orleans will be staying in the heart of all the seasonal activities offered up during the month-long celebration known as Christmas New Orleans Style.
During December the magical mystique that draws visitors to the city is spiced up a notch with an additional kick of Cajun holiday cheer. Courtyards, iron-clad balconies and mossy oaks are all adorned with festive lights as the sound of holiday music echoes through the historic streets of the French Quarter, Arts District, Garden District and downtown.
Recognized as a culinary melting pot and foodie destination, New Orleans and her chefs seem to exceed expectations during the citywide Reveillon Dinners. An old French holiday dining tradition, the Reveillon Dinners feature renowned chefs at 42
restaurants showcasing traditional French and Creole techniques while preparing four- and five-course pre fix meals that include dishes like Absinthe Oyster Soup, Fig Glazed Duck Breast and Eggnog Crème Brulee. With prices starting at $38 and averaging around $50 per person, Christmas New Orleans Style is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some of the city’s legendary restaurants like Commander’s Palace and Galatoire’s at only a portion of the price. For a full listing of all the participating restaurants and menus be sure to visit here.
A melting pot of musical styles including jazz, rhythm & blues, gospel and Cajun, the musicians of the city offer up a wide variety of live seasonal music during the celebration. Step inside one of the country’s most recognizable churches throughout the month for the Cathedral Concerts. Taking place at 6 p.m. in the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, the concert series features a wide range of musical styles and artists all performing for free. Only a few minutes’ walk fromJackson Squareis the historic Hotel Monteleone which also hosts a free concert series. The decadent Victorian style lobby is the stage for choirs from area schools performing classic and modern holiday favorites.
Of course, one of the main highlights during Christmas New Orleans Style is the Celebration in the Oaks at the New Orleans City Park. Running nightly Nov. 25 through Jan. 2, 2012 (closed Dec. 24 & 31), Celebration in the Oaks consists of multiple light displays including a 20 minute state of the art musical laser show that illuminates the Botanical Gardens. A variety of amusement park rides will keep the children happy while adult preview parties featuring live bands and alcohol will be available for the older crowd. For a unique experience strap on some skates and take a spin on the new synthetic ice rink. Used by professional skaters and athletes to train in warm weather, the synthetic ice rink feels like the real thing and is sure to be a hit with the entire family.
Combining the best of both food and music, the 4th Annual Treme Creole Gumbo
Festival provides visitors to the area a more localized experience. Known for spawning some of the best jazz musicians and brass bands in the world, the streets of the Treme neighborhood will fill again on Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Feast on a large selection of homemade Cajun delights prepared by the residents of the neighborhood while jamming to the beats of the legendary Treme Brass Band, Rebirth Brass Band and many more.
August 11, 2011
Eating in the Marigny
In our most recent edition of Journeys we explored Adolfo’s Restaurant, an Italian Creole style eatery just steps from the front door of Festiva Hospitality Group’s Frenchmen Orleans. What’s exciting about the Frenchmen Orleans is Adolfo’s Restaurant is just one of the many great establishments within walking distance of the resort, making this destination a food lover’s paradise. Grab your fork, spoon and appetite and let’s take a look at some of the other mouth watering meals just outside the front door of the Frenchmen Orleans.
Cake Cafe: Sitting at the corner of Chartres Street and Spain Street, the Cake Cafe is a five minute walk from the Frenchmen Orleans, making this neighborhood hot spot the perfect stop for breakfast. A simple yet charming atmosphere is accompanied by some of the most decadent pastries and cupcakes imaginable, filled with everything from champagne to rum. More than just pastries, the cafe also offers a large selection of omelets and sandwiches, all made with the freshest local ingredients available. Menu standouts include the the crab, spinach and brie stuffed omelet, shrimp and grits, and any of the many dishes that include the Boudin sausage which is made daily on site. (Open 7 days a week, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
Praline Connection: The Praline Connection is a New Orleans staple with various locations throughout the city. Luckily the original is on Frenchmen Street just a
few doors up from the Frenchmen Orleans. While the Praline Connection originally garnished fame for their sweet caramel and pecan concoctions, it’s the southern soul food that brings patrons back time after time. The menu reads like a southern dinner bible: fried chicken, meatloaf, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and of course peach cobbler. In addition to southern classics they also serve up some of the best Cajun and Creole dishes around such as etouffee, gumbo, jambalaya and a personal favorite the traditional shrimp po-boy. (Open Mon-Sat 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.)
Mona’s Cafe: You can’t eat Cajun or Creole every night – well maybe that is debatable – however for those of you looking to change the flavor palate up a little 
there is Mona’s Cafe, a short stroll across the street and two doors down from the Frenchmen Orleans. Consistently listed in multiple local publications as a “best of” in the Mediterranean category, Mona’s serves up some of the most mouth-watering hummus, falafel, lamb and chicken I have ever eaten. The aroma of turmeric, paprika, cumin and cardamom permeate from the kitchen as specials like beef shawarma, lamb kabab and stuffed grape leaves come pouring out. Be aware though, Mona’s cafe does not sell alcoholic beverages, however if you’re in need of a cold beer you’re more than welcome to cross the street, grab one, and bring it back in to enjoy. (Open Mon-Thurs 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fri-Sat 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sun noon-9 p.m.)
August 1, 2011
Satchmo SummerFest 2011
The city of New Orleans is known as the birthplace of jazz, and beloved native son Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong is the most notable forefather of the jazz movement that started it all. In honor of the man who helped birth jazz, the city will host the 11th Annual Satchmo SummerFest from Aug. 4 – 7 at the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint. The four day festival will feature an extensive array of musical artists, food, speakers and special events.
Started as a one-time salute to Armstrong to commemorate his 100th birthday in 2001, Satchmo SummerFest now averages 26,000 guests a year. The event features four stages of live music in the French Quarter and seminars by leading Armstrong historians at Maison in the Marigny. New Orleans has plenty of local jazz legends that will be paying tribute to Armstrong including Shamarr Allen, the Rebirth Brass Band, the Soul Rebels and most notably Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers. Also performing will be international jazz star Yoshio Toyama, who formed a jazz band called the Dixie Saints after falling in love with Armstrong’s music.
Best of all, for the first time ever all of the performances will be held under 40-by-80-foot tents providing protection from the early August heat. Other new additions to the 2011 Satchmo SummerFest include extended hours for more music (noon-8 p.m.), and an impressive new menu provided by some of the best local restaurants including Lasyone’s, The Three Muses, The Bombay Club and Royal House.
In addition to an endless selection of live music the free community event will feature a variety of
alternative activities. Saturday and Sunday the NOLA Jitterbugs will be giving free jazz and swing dance lessons at the Cornet Chop Suey Stage in between sets while just down the road at Maison, located in the Marigny, an array of speakers will present seminars that include discussions, music and movies all relating to the importance of Armstrong and his influence on the revolution of jazz. The weekend festivities will conclude with a traditional “Trumpet Tribute” and second line parade down the musically rich Frenchmen Street.
For a Satchmo SummerFest schedule of events visit www.fqfi.org and for additional information on lodging in the area be sure to check out Festiva Hospitality Group’s Frenchmen Orleans, located within walking distance to all of the activities of Satchmo SummerFest.
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May 10, 2011
New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
Foodies and wine connoisseurs grab your fork and corkscrew for one of the best food and wine festivals in the country, the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience. The five-day event is being held May 24-28 and is listed as the fourth best Wine and Food destination in the world by the TripAdvisor Annual Traveler’s Choice Destination Awards as well as a perennial Top Ten Wine and Food Festival by Wine Enthusiast. A collection of celebrated chefs, culinary professionals and wine experts from over 175 wineries and 75 restaurants will gather for a week of classes, demonstrations and fine dining with all the proceeds befitting local non-profit organizations.
The event kicks off on Tuesday, May 24, with the Ella Brennan Award Dinner & 
Live Auction. This year’s recipient, Louisiana’s own Chef Paul Prudhomme, will speak at the event while guests feast on a world-class meal that spotlights the region’s many indigenous ingredients. On Wednesday a selection of Vintners will partner with multiple restaurants around the city such as Brennan’s, Galatoire’s and Broussards as they prepare specially crafted meals around some of the world’s best wines.
On Thursday from 2-5 p.m. wine lovers will want to be at the Theatre in Harrah’s Casino for the Vinola Tasting event. Forty wineries will pour their 
most revered and highly rated wines, each with a minimum retail value of $75, while eight of New Orleans’ best restaurants deliver an unforgettable feast steeped in Cajun flavor. The party continues from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with the Royal Street Stroll and Krewe of Cork. The galleries and shops of Royal Street open their doors late into the evening as live music and the Krewe of Cork parade down the street in celebration.
On Friday and Saturday the festival comes full circle with an array of seminars followed by the main event, the Grand Tastings. Festival goers can chose form a number of fun and informational seminars focused on learning the intricate flavors and characteristics of craft beer, champagne and of course wine, each lead by a renowned expert.
After the seminars wind down on Friday and Saturday the Grand Tastings take center stage at the New Orleans Convention Center. Friday, COCHON 555, a traveling competition that promotes sustainable farming, will pit five local 
chefs against each other as they prepare five porcine masterpieces to pair with five specially selected wines. At the Saturday Grand Tasting local chefs will face off in the 4th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off. Seafood lovers will be smitten as the best seafood from the Gulf of Mexico is prepared with Louisiana flare, with the winning chef earning the honor of “King or Queen of Louisiana Seafood” and a spot in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off.
Tickets to many events during the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience are limited so be sure to plan ahead and reserve tickets. For a full schedule of events, locations, ticket prices and menu listings visit www.nowfe.com. Also be sure to check out Festiva Hospitality Group’s accommodations at the conveniently located Frenchmen 519 in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood.
April 26, 2011
42nd Annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Celebrating its 42nd anniversary in 2011, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is a 7-day cultural feast of unforgettable music, delicious Louisiana cuisine and artisan crafts. Also known as “Jazz Fest,” this year’s festival will be held from April 29 – May 1 and May 5 – 8 at its traditional home, the Fair Grounds Race Course.
This year’s impressive lineup of musicians includes local and national
recording artists from a wide spectrum of musical backgrounds including jazz, blues, zydeco, R&B, rock, Latin, folk, and much more. Some of the headliners that will grace the 12 stages at Jazz Fest include Jimmy Buffet, John Mellencamp, Bon Jovi, Robert Plant, Tom Jones and Willie Nelson. Of course local favorites like Dr. John, Trombone Shorty, Allen Toussaint and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band along with many others will represent the sounds of Louisiana and the Bayou.
Of course there is much more to the heritage of New Orleans than just music. The festival also celebrates the art and culture of the people who have come to define the region with four cultural exhibits and three craft areas. The Contemporary Crafts area, Congo Square, and the Louisiana Marketplace all pay homage to the distinct paintings, sculpture and jewelry of the African American, Cajun and Native American people of Louisiana.
Four cultural villages, the Grandstand Exhibit, Haitian Pavilion,
Louisiana Folklore Village and the Native American Village will all feature a variety of special events including seminars, dances, traditional food samplings and much more. In honor of one of the most influential cultures in Louisiana, this year’s Jazz Fest is hosting a Haitian celebration which is billed as the largest Haitian cultural event in the U.S. since the devastating earthquake a year ago. The event will include appearances by music artists such as Wyclef Jean, Boukman Eksperyans and Tabou Combo.
No Louisiana festival would be complete without an endless supply of Cajun and Creole classics like etouffe, gumbo, jambalaya and crawfish. Three expansive food courts will offer up an endless supply of local specialties being dished out by the best New Orleans has offer.
For a full list of the food vendors, cultural activities and musical artists performing at this year’s Jazz Fest visit online at www.nojazzfest.com. For accommodations be sure to check out the Frenchmen Orleans situated in the heart of the lively Faubourg Marigny neighborhood.
March 10, 2011
28th Annual French Quarter Festival
Every spring for four days the city of New Orleans celebrates the vibrant music and food that make the Big Easy one-of-a-kind with the French Quarter Festival. This year’s festival, the 28th installment, will run from Thursday, April 7 through Sunday, April 10 and will feature a variety of musicians and chefs as they bring the streets of the Vieux Carre alive.
Starting off this year’s French Quarter Festival is the newly added TGIF “Thank Goodness it’s Festival” Kickoff Party which is to be held Wednesday, April 6 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the House of Blues. Tickets for the event are $55 with the proceeds going to support the free four-day main event. Local blues legend Little Freddie King along with Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. from the royal family of Zydeco will be providing the music as the NOLA Jitterbugs swing dancing throughout the venue. Patrons at the kickoff party will also enjoy an endless supply of local Abita beer, house drinks and plenty of Cajun food.
Due to the success of the festival this year’s event will comprise of four full days for the first 
time. Eighteen outdoor stages at various locations in the French Quarter will be showcasing multiple genres of music including gospel, jazz, funk, classical, Cajun, Zydeco, brass bands and much more. With the exception of a few European bands who specialize in jazz, all of the nearly 800 musicians that comprise the 120 bands performing are located in New Orleans or the surrounding Bayou region, making the musical experience truly unique and one-of-a-kind.
The community festival also features the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch” which is located in the heart of the Quarter 
at Jackson Square. Operated by nearly 60 local chefs and restaurants, the food court alone is worth attending the festival as the smell of Creole favorites like jambalaya, gumbo and etouffee permeate the air. Families attending the event can head west of Jackson Square to the Audubon Aquarium Riverfront Plaza where the Children’s Headquarters will be stationed. Interactive activities such as face painting, hands-on cooking demonstrations and karate lessons will keep the little ones content while parents learn about “healthy kids” programs.
For a unique and authentic New Orleans experience be sure to check out the 28th Annual French Quarter Festival. A complete listing of music schedules, menus and events can be found at www.fqfi.org. For lodging be sure to check out Festiva Hospitality Group’s Frenchmen Orleans, a short walk to the festival and all of the stages.
February 28, 2011
Festiva Resorts complaints resolved by new web presence
The latest Festiva Adventure Club complaints resolution effort (www.festivacomplaints.com) has helped to open new lines of communication between the company and its guests. The site is set up to handle issues at a corporate level, as well as individual Festiva resorts complaints.
Festiva Hospitality Group and Festiva Adventure Club recently launched a new web presence, Festiva Complaints Resolution Center, aimed at resolving online Festiva Resorts complaints and providing information to owners and guests trying to resolve their various Festiva complaints. Festiva has experienced an immediate positive reaction from its resort guests who have used the new service
“Since the launch of the Festiva Resorts Complaints Resolution site we have seen an overall decrease of complaints submitted to third-party websites as our customers are finding that when they contact us directly, their issues are resolved much faster and more effectively than when they submit their complaints to a third-party site that offers no resolution,” says Sara Little, Festiva’s Director of Corporate Communications.
One of the most significant accomplishments of the new site is the facilitated direction of complaints to the proper departments within the company for quicker resolution and away from false “Festiva scam” websites which were set up in the past to masquerade as the company’s complaints department.
Little explains, “We realized several years ago that in order to keep up with the fast-paced and ever-changing world of the internet, and specifically social media, we need to actively participate in the online conversations that are already taking place within our industry. We have since taken several steps to utilize various forms of technology to improve customer service and communication with our owners and guests, and festivacomplaints.com is the latest tool we are using to reach out to our web-savvy customers.”
Festiva Hospitality Group and Festiva Adventure Club’s family of resorts include a wide range of properties across the U.S. and Caribbean, including a fleet of luxury yachts. Festiva resorts include such premium properties as the Church Street Inn, the Atrium Resort, and Ellington at Wachesaw Plantation East.
Visit Festiva Complaints Resolution Center at http://www.festivacomplaints.com.
February 3, 2011
A Month of Mardi Gras in New Orleans
French for “Fat Tuesday,” Mardi Gras is the day before Lenten season, the last chance to indulge and celebrate everything delicious and opulent in life before restraining for 40 days. As we all know no other city is more synonymous with Mardi Gras than the Big Easy, New Orleans, LA. Embracing the tradition for centuries the city celebrates for an entire month leading up to Mardi Gras, providing ample opportunities to partake in the parades, balls and parties while avoiding the hassle of the main events’ large crowds.
Neighboring New Orleans to the West and straddling two sides of the Mississippi is Jefferson Parish, home to the popular Family Gras. Being held
on the neutral grounds of Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie from Feb. 25 – 27, the three-day festival will feature more than 20 bands, 14 food and beverage vendors and Jester’s Kids Tent for the children. Attendees will also be able to enjoy seven traditional Mardi Gras parades as a variety of krewes route their march of celebration past the festival grounds. As always costumes are encouraged with Fright Night on Friday, Carnival Saturday with purple, green and gold, and Sports Sunday, where you’re encouraged to wear your favorite team colors.
To learn more on the history and lure of Mardi Gras be sure to check out the Mardi Gras Museum and Blaine 
Kern’s Mardi Gras World. Located about 15 minutes from downtown in Kenner the Mardi Gras Museum proudly displays over 150 years of Carnival history from costumes and masks to historic photos and floats. Just a short walk down the banks of the Mississippi from the French Quarter is the number one float maker in the world, Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World. Since 1947 Blaine Kern’s artists have created the majority of the floats used during Mardi Gras and have designed the themes for each unique parade. Guests can tour the fantasy-filled warehouse and walk amongst endless rows of floats from the past and present. No trip to New Orleans is considered complete without a trip to the birthplace of the parades, Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World.
Once you’ve seen the magic and splendor of the floats there is only one thing left to do to complete the
pre-Mardi Gras experience. With 46 parades taking place prior to Mardi Gras there is ample opportunity to experience these unique events. A variety of social clubs known as krewes adorn themselves with elaborate costumes before jumping aboard extravagant floats and heading down predetermined routes. As the parade proceeds the jubilant sound of the band echoes through the streets while krewe members pepper the crown with beads, doubloons and more.
With an entire month of activities in celebration of Mardi Gras, Carnival season offers plenty to keep the mind and body stimulated all the way up until Fat Tuesday. For more information on Mardi Gras and a full listing of the parades and routes visit the official Mardi Gras website at www.mardigrasneworleans.com. For accommodations be sure to check out Festiva Hospitality Group’s Frenchmen Orleans. Offering spacious condominiums in the hip Faubourg Marigny district, the Frenchmen Orleans is conveniently located to all of the Mardi Gras festivities.
November 18, 2010
Christmas New Orleans Style
During the month of December the magical mystique that draws visitors to the city of New Orleans is spiced up a notch with a little additional kick of holiday cheer. Courtyards, iron-clad balconies and mossy oaks are all adorned with festive lights as the sound of holiday music echoes through the historic streets of the French Quarter, Arts District, Garden District and downtown. Escape the mundane and quench your seasonal appetite by celebrating Christmas New Orleans Style.
Recognized as a culinary melting pot and foodie destination, New Orleans and her chefs’ seem to exceed expectations during the citywide Reveillon Feast. Renowned chefs at 34 restaurants showcase traditional French and Creole techniques while preparing 4 and 5 course meals featuring masterpieces like Absinthe Oyster Soup, Fig Glazed Duck Breast and Eggnog Crème Brulee. Heighten your New Orleans culinary experience at the free cooking demonstrations being held daily at 1 p.m. in the French Quarter at Le Petit Theatre. Learn the secrets of the local cuisine and sample savory dishes as guest chefs perform their culinary magic.
Cooking up a feast for the ears, local musicians pound out their own blend of musical 
ingredients throughout the month long celebration. A melting pot of musical styles including jazz, rhythm & blues, gospel and Cajun can be heard at varies locations throughout the city. Step inside one of the country’s most recognizable churches for the Cathedral Concerts. Taking place in the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, the concert series features a wide range of musical styles and artist all performing for free. Only a few minutes’ walk from Jackson square, Hotel Monteleone will also be hosting a free concert series open to the public. The decadent Victorian style lobby is the stage for choirs from area schools performing classic and modern holiday favorites.
The 3rd Annual Treme Creole Gumbo Festival combines the best of both the music and food worlds and offers visitors to the area a more localized experience. The Treme neighborhood is legendary for the brass bands and musicians spawned from the jazz that permeates the air. The 
streets will be filled again on Dec. 11-12 from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. with local musicians and a large selection of regional gumbo as the residents of Treme celebrate the holidays.
One of the main highlights during Christmas New Orleans Style is the Celebration in the Oaks at the New Orleans City Park. Running Nov. 26 through Jan. 2, 2011, the Celebration in the Oaks consist of multiple lights displays including a 20 minute state of the art musical laser show that illuminates the Botanical Gardens nightly. A variety of amusement park rides will keep the children happy while adult preview parties featuring live bands and alcohol will be available for the older crowd.
Come experience Christmas New Orleans Style this December and be enchanted by the twist the city adds to the holiday experience. For accommodations be sure to check out the fully equipped condominiums at Festiva Hospitality Group’s Frenchmen Orleans.
