Day 11: White Castle - The Great River Road Plantation Parade

Enjoy another "major" Plantation Breakfast and proceed on a tour of the palatial mansion. Spared from destruction during the Civil War, Nottoway has been restored and furnished in period. Its all-white ballroom, lacy plaster friezes and 14-foot high curved glass windows are a monument to the wealth of the sugar planter who built it not long before the outbreak of the war. Its 200 windows command spectacular views of the river, lawns and old live oaks.

Next, proceed on down #18 to see the impressive avenue of oaks at Oak Alley Plantation, near Vacherie. The Greek Revival mansion was named for the two rows of live oaks, planted in the early 1700s, that form a 400m alley from the Mississippi River to the house.

Across the river, at Burnside, you will see other fine mansions, none more beautiful than the Greek Revival Houmas House Plantation. Rebuilt in 1840, it is furnished with early 19th century antiques, and especially interesting are a graceful three story spiral staircase and a collection of armories. Before exploring more plantations or taking off on your final driving phase to New Orleans, you might wish to have lunch at The Cabin Restaurant in Burnside, at a collection of restored 100-year-old slave cabins. Here you have the choice of "Po-boys" filled with meat or seafood, delicious chicken and andouille gumbo; the perfect finale to a river road tour.

There are more plantations to explore in the Burnside area, but it is our guess that, by this time, you have seen all the plantations and manors fit for one trip. Return to your own palatial manor, the Nottoway Plantation, for a relaxing afternoon. Consider having your final dinner "at home"; you will not be disappointed. The grand menu selection includes several Cajun specialties, including the popular Crawfish Etouffée.