4 nights at Mississippi's finest hotel/casino February 9-13, 2001

Enjoy the sounds of Mardi Gras as you peruse the "Mardi Gras in Mississippi" tour package.

Your Mardi Gras package offers: 4 nights at a deluxe hotel/casino; Mardi Gras Coronation Ball; Mardi Gras parades; gamling and tours. The following information is from the 2000 Group Tour. Itinerary DAY 1 - SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2000 Depart from Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport at 5:50pm. Please report one hour early. We will arive at Gulfport at 7:19pm. Transfers to the hotel will be provided. We will be staying in Mississippi's finest resort, the Beau Rivage. Enjoy dinner on your own. Beau Rivage has twelve distinctive restaurants to select from. DAY 2 - MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2000 Begin the morning with a historical tour of Biloxi on an open-air train that departs from the Biloxi lighthouse. Then enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure touring the twelve different casinos along the Gulf coast. DAY 3 - "FAT TUESDAY" MARCH 7, 2000 Enjoy three exciting Mardi Gras Parades. The Beau Rivage is the only casino on the parade route. "Throw Me Something Mister!" DAY 4 - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2000 Our return flight to Dallas, Ft. Worth is scheduled for 3:40pm. We will depart from the hotel at 2:15pm. We will arrive at DFW at 5:20pm. Policies To secure reservations, full payment is due at the time of booking. Cancellation - a $50 service charge will be assessed for cancellations. Cancellations are accepted for any reason up until Friday, March 3, 2000, two days before the day of departure. If a client cancels after this date, or the client is a "no show," the full package price will be forfeited. Unused features cannot be refunded. All prices include tax. Prices are subject to change without notice. Associates Universal Travel, Voyages of Discovery, and Diana Arldt-Roberts' responsibility and liability does not extend to personal injury, property damage or acts of negligence or omission related to any vendor providing services on the offered package plan. Please note that this is a holiday season; therefore, there will be a limited supply, and the rates are not guaranteed until the time of booking. History of Mardi Gras Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday." It is the last day before Lent begins. It has been celebrated in America since Bienville, a French-Canadian explorer, landed in 1699. In 1857, Mardi Gras had become a time of grand private balls with general rowdiness in the streets. A group of young men met secretly to plan a fantasy parade of decorated carriages for the city. Nowadays, many prepare for Mardi Gras all year long, designing elaborate costumes and floats. Mardi Gras is an incredible time. It really must be experienced, being something so different to each person who joins in the fun. Jean Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville (1680-1768), French-Canadian explorer and colonial administrator, founder of both Biloxi, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama. Bienville was born in what is now Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In 1699 he and his brother, Pierre Le Moyne, Sier d'Iberville, founded a settlement called Old Biloxi in the French colony of Louisiana. In 1702, he moved the colonial government from Old Biloxi to Fort Louis, on the Mobile River. Flooding of the river in 1711 caused Bienville to relocate the settlement to the present-day site of Mobile, Alabama. In 1718, he established a settlement at New Orleans, which became Louisianna's capital in 1722. Mardi Gras Colors Mardi Gras colors are purple, green and gold. Selected in 1872, the official colors of Mardi Gras purple, gold, and green. While they were probably chosen simply because they looked good together, a meaning to each in 1892 parade entitled symbolism of colors. Purple represents justice, green stands for faith, and gold signifies power. Be sure to pack some clothes that are Mardi Gras colors!! Gold is the most popular color beads. They bring you good luck. White beads are for kisses. The Tradition of Mardi Gras King Cakes The Mardi Gras season officially begins on the Twelfth Night of Christmas, January 6th, also known to Christians as Epiphany which marks the coming of the wise men who brought gifts to the Christ Child. It is also called Little Christmas on the Twelfth Night because it is celebrated twelve nights after Christmas. This day has come to be known as King's Day. Since the 300's, the holy day has honored the meeting of the Three Wise Men with the infant Jesus. King Cakes have become part of the celebration to symbolize the finding of baby Jesus. This very popular custom is still celebrated today in the making of the King's Cake representing the three kings who brought gifts. In the early King Cakes, a bean, pea, or coin was hidden inside the cake. The bean, pea and the coin have now been replaced by a small plastic baby to symbolize the Christ Child. Traditionally, King Cakes are oval-shaped to show unity of all Christians and to portray the circular route used by the kings to get to the Christ Child. The circular route was taken to confuse King Herod who was trying to follow the wise men so he could kill the Christ Child. King Cakes are made of a cinnamon filled dough in the shape of a hollow circle. The cake is topped with a delicious glazed topping and then sprinkled with colored sugar by using the carnival colors of green, yellow, and purple. Some bakers also decorate the cakes in red to symbolize the life of Jesus. As a King Cake is cut, each person awaits anxiously for his piece to locate the small baby. The person who finds the baby is obligated to bring a King Cake to the next seasonal celebration. In prior times, the person who got the hidden piece was declared King for the day or was said to have good luck in the coming year. Many carnival clubs still choose the king or queen of their carnival by this tradition. King Cake season ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent begins. Future dates: February 27, 2001 February 21, 2012 February 12, 2002 February 12, 2013 March 4, 2003 March 4, 2014 February 24, 2004 February 17, 2015 February 8, 2005 February 9, 2016 February 28, 2006 February 26, 2017 February 20, 2007 February 13, 2018 February 5, 2008 March 5, 2019 February 24, 2009 February 25, 2020 February 16, 2010 February 16, 2021 March 8, 2011 March 1, 2022 MARDI GRAS ATTRACTIONS Mardi Gras Coronation Ball See King d'Iberville and Queen Ixolib crowned to reign over Mardi Gras 2000. Maids, dukes, and past royalty will be presented. DRESS - nice jeans, slack suit or dress would be appropriate. You will find some folks in the stands dressed to the "nines" because of the call out tradition. That is when one of the dukes chooses to "call out" someone from the stands to dance with him on the ballroom floor. That person usually knows in advance and will be dressed accordingly. Mardi Gras Parades: March 7, 2000 GULF COAST CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION DAY PARADE Biloxi 11am at Main Street, roll south to US 90, north on Lameuse, west on Martin Luther King Blvd., south on Reynoir, west on US90, north on Porter, east on Howard and end at Caillavet. During this parade, King d'Iberville is given the keys to the City of Biloxi, toasts Queen Ixolib and his royal subjects and then leads the parade. For details: (228) 432-8806. KREWE OF NEPTUNE PARADE Biloxi beginning at 3pm at Main Street, roll south to US 90, north on Lameuse, west on Martin Luther King Blvd., south on Reynoir, west on US 90, north on Porter, east on Howard and end at Caillavet. For details: (228) 436-4381. GULF COAST CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION NIGHT PARADE Parade begins at 5:30pm in Biloxi at Main Street, rolls south to US 90, north on Lameuse, west on Martin Luther King Blvd., south on Reynoir, west on US 90, north on Porter, east on Howard and end at Caillavet. For details: (228) 432-8806. Biloxi, Mississippi With 26 miles of sugar-white sand, a deep blue sky dotted with powdery clouds and miles of rolling, aqua marine ocean, one can see why the Mississippi Gulf Coast is the Playground of the South. Museums, galleries, theaters, music and history ... a whole world of fun is waiting for you. The Gulf Coast is booming with timeless adventures for the arts and history lover - all in an area that is 300 years old. You can feel the history while walking the beautiful grounds of Jefferson Davis' Beauvoir and other historic homes. Glimpses of history and art can be found at museums and galleries featuring sculptures, paintings and pottery by renowned Gulf Coast artists such as George Ohr and Walter Anderson. The famous Ship Island is just a short ferry ride away, where you'll find even more adventure at the old Fort Massachusetts. Take a picnic, bask in the sun, watch the busy shore birds and listen to sounds of splashing Gulf waters as the tide rolls in. When you return from tanning and having adventures in the past ... take time to explore Mississippi's first children's museum, the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, or relax at a marvelous theater performance ... from children's theater to Broadway musicals, there are theatres all along the Gulf Coast that have first-rate productions year-round. Having this much fun takes energy. You can refuel with some of the finest seafood you'll ever encounter in choice restaurants across the Coast. Then you can work the meal off by shopping for antiques, playing a round of golf, or catching beads at a Mardi Gras parade. Beau Rivage Resort/Casino Come to a place where genuine Southern hospitality and charm go hand in hand with meticulous service. Beau Rivage, in Biloxi, Mississippi, offers 1,780 elegantly appointed guest rooms, including 66 luxurious suites overlooking the Mississippi Gulf Coast or the bay. The entrance is canopied by stately oak trees. Rooms and suites feature marble baths and are decorated with custom furnishings and beautifully designed fabrics that complement the open, airy feeling of the Coast. Beau Rivage provides complete recreation and entertainment facilities. One-hundred-foot yachts can easily slip into the resort's deluxe marina. Nearby championship golf and sport fishing offer guests the best in local sports. A full-service salon and spa overlooking the beautifully landscaped pool area offers amenities found only in the finest resorts. For unrivaled evening enjoyment, there's the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil in a 1,500-seat showroom, soft jazz vocals in an intimate lounge, the best of local talent in the micro brewery, plus exciting, round-the-clock casino fun. Twelve distinctive restaurants offer a variety of dining experiences, from a cafe nestled in the atrium gardens to a lavish buffet featuring made-to-order cooking stations. Guests can linger over dinner in an Italian trattoria with its center-island open kitchen or savor the tastes of steak and seafood in a dining room surrounded by tropical fish and coral reef aquariums. For the arcade, it is requested that children under 16 be chaperoned because there is no supervision. Beau Rivage opened in March 1999. Restaurants CORALINA Surrounded by aquariums filled with thousands of tropical fish, sharks, and coral reefs, this elegant seafood restaurant offers the perfect setting to savor indigenous and exotic seafood with a classic French interpretation. LA CUCINA ITALIANA An Italian-themed restaurant takes exhibition cooking to a new level with an open kitchen in the middle of the dining room. Along with traditional Italian dishes, fresh-baked favorites from the open pizza and bread ovens are served warm and delicious. TAKE MAKU Flamboyant preparation of Japanese specialties at the Tepan tables makes an evening at Take Maku delicious fun. Sushi chefs behind a traditional sushi bar fashion fresh fish, rice and vegetables into delightful taste treats. NOODLES Noodles not only features authentic Chinese cuisine, such as egg and rice noodles, roasted duck, roasted pork and steamed fish, but also "American" Chinese favorites like fried shrimp, and fried rice. CAFE JARDIN Nestled in the atrium among the magnolias and colorful flower displays, the Cafe Jardin features casual fare with a wide variety of entrees, sandwiches and salads. Open 24 hours a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner COAST BREWING COMPANY It's the perfect place to take in some live entertainment or watch major sporting events on big screen TV's while enjoying oversized hamburgers, gourmet pizza, salads and appetizers, along with the Coast Brewing Company's special beers and ales. MEMPHIS Q For heartier fare, you can feast on generous helpings of barbecued ribs, chicken and fish in a Memphis-style barbecue restaurant directly adjacent to the Coast Brewing Company. THE ROASTED BEAN Freshly roasted and ground coffee beans go into the making of some unique coffee, espresso and cappuccino blends at The Roasted Bean located in the shopping promenade. A variety of pastries, sandwiches and salads are also available. THE BUFFET A unique all-you-can-eat buffet features made-to-order cooking stations that can satisfy the biggest appetites. Watch as Chinese favorites are prepared at a series of woks. Try the Mongolian grill or fresh pasta or something hot and tasty from the rotisserie. SCOOPS An old-fashioned Ice Cream Parlor where guests can sit and enjoy freshly made ice cream, yogurt and Italian ices as they delight in the antics of mimes, jugglers and musicians in and around the promenade. THE PELICAN PERCH The elevated Pelican Perch overlooks the pool and the Gulf. Table service is available for grilled items, sandwiches and salads. An adjoining bar serves exotic Polynesian and Caribbean drinks, as well as traditional libations. SPUNTINO DELI For a quick bite, a Delicatessen located in the casino at the entrance to the Marina presents a variety of freshly made, overstuffed deli sandwiches, along with other scrumptious "fast" items. Casinos BOOMTOWN CASINO A western theme casino located on Back Bay Biloxi. With a total of 133,000 square feet, Boomtown offers a Bonanza of fun. Everyone can join the fun at Boomtown's 10,000 square foot Family Entertainment Center which includes a 24-hour arcade and 90 redemption games for little partners. CASINO MAGIC BAY ST. LOUIS Offers non-stop excitement 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Featuring 1,100 slot machines and 60 tables full of all of the most popular games such as roulette, craps, blackjack, Pai-Gow poker, mini baccarat, Caribbean stud poker, Casino War, and Let It Ride. COPA CASINO Copa Casino is a 503 foot long luxury cruise liner converted to a Rio-themed casino. Now permanently docked in the port of Gulfport, the Copa Casino has nine decks, two of which make up the 27,000 square feet of gaming space. GRAND CASINO BILOXI Gaming at Grand Casino Biloxi includes: 2,000 reel and video slot machines; Progressive Jackpot & Super Grand Bonus Slots;, 90 table games - blackjack, roulette, craps, mini baccarat, Caribbean stud poker; Spacious poker room; High stakes Grand Salon. CASINO MAGIC BILOXI Offers non-stop excitement 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Featuring 1,100 slot machines and 60 tables full of all of the most popular games such as roulette, craps, blackjack, Pai-Gow poker, mini baccarat, Caribbean stud poker, Casino War, and Let It Ride. GRAND CASINO GULFPORT Located along the sunny Gulf of Mexico, this beachside resort is filled with the energy and excitement of Mardi Gras 24 hours a day. Progressive Jackpot & Super Grand Bonus Slots! Celebrate Mardi Gras all year long. IMPERIAL PALACE BILOXI Let the good times begin! The Imperial Palace, Biloxi stands as the tallest building in the state of Mississippi, with 32 stories (The tallest building in Mississippi - ties with Beau Rivage also at 32 stories, built in March 1999.) ISLE OF CAPRI CASINO BILOXI Offers non-stop action and the excitement of the resort's Caribbean-themed casino. More than 1,000 slot machines and 40 table games provide the Gulf Coast's hottest casino thrills and the chance to really hit it big. First-rate 370-room Crowne Plaza Resort hotel. THE PRESIDENT CASINO This is the place to party on the Mississippi Coast! It offers over 1000 state-of-the-art slot and video poker machines and table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, Pai Gau, Caribbean stud poker, Wheel of Fortune, and a Poker Parlor. Other Attractions Self-guided walking tour of historic downtown Biloxi You'll find museums, art galleries, unique gift and specialty shops, historical sites, stately homes and charming architecture. For the real history buff, visit Beauvior, the last home of Jefferson Davis, the only president of the Confederacy. Here you'll see life in 1880's, marvel at the civil war antiques and memorabilia, and enjoy a quiet moment in the gardens or the cemetery of Civil War veterans. 26 miles of white-sand beach. Stroll 26 miles of sparkling beaches, then paint the town in all the colors of the rainbow. Charter a fishing excursion. Try your luck on the open seas on one of many deep sea fishing charters where Spanish mackerel, snapper, grouper and lemon fish are yours for the taking. Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum Once the seafood capital of the world, Biloxi celebrates its history at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. Full-day, half-day, and 2½ hour cruises are available on two of their White Winged historic scooners. J.L. Scott Marine Education Center & Aquarium. Locted on Beach Boulevard at Biloxi Bay, the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center & Aquarium offers interactive displays and 49 aquariums that bring the sea and its creatures close enough to almost touch. Ole Biloxi Tour Train Departs from Biloxi lighthouse on an open air train and see 30 points of interest such as the Historic District and the Weather Witch. The tour lasts about 1 ½ hours. Lighthouse Tour the Lighthouse for a 30-minute tour, but it is exhausting - 56 spiral staircase with 8 straightaway steps. 151 years old. Cirque Du Soleil -> Alegria The internationally remowned performanarts troupe, has brought Alegria home to Beau Rivage. Alegria has dazzled more than 3 million spectators in Europe, North America, Japan, and Hong Kong with awe-inspiring acrobatics, flamboyant costumes and stunning choreography set to an award-winning in a 1,500 seat showroom. Performances are held every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 8pm; Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and 10:30pm. Guarantee that the tickets will be picked up before 4:00pm. Cancellations on the day of the performance must be communicated to our reservation center at 1-800-360-7111 or the show ticket office. If you fail to cancel the seats, the ticket office may charge the value of the tickets to your hotel room account. Golf, The Oaks Developed and managed by Landmark National, price of $70. To make reservations, please contact Voyages of Discovery: voyages@vvm.com PO Box 4141, Temple, TX 76505-4141 Office: (254) 760-9145 or (800) 635-6651 / Fax: (254) 778-8962 Home | Group Tours | Disney Travel | Specials | Honeymoon Registry | Treasure Chest | Texas Traditions | America the Beautiful | Land of Enchantment © Copyright 2000 by Voyages of Discovey. All rights reserved. Web Site Designed by: