Off to New Orleans & fab Florida... Jaunt.ca deal of day ... Travel TV dream job

I remember the ladies. Most definitely, the ladies.

I was 11 years old the first time I visited New Orleans. I was on a family trip all around the U.S. and the Caribbean, a real crazy family excursion that took us from our home in California to Niagara Falls, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Florida, Jamaica and Louisiana. Pretty wild, eh?

Anyway, the last part of the trip was to New Orleans. I remember the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, I think, and the wrought-iron railings and courtyards and gardens. But mostly I remember walking alongside my Mom and Dad and sister and cousin, Michael, along a dark patch of Bourbon Street, or one nearby street, late at night.

One establishment had loud music and a bunch of beads hanging in the doorway. Behind the beads, I could see an attractive woman with nothing on but a g-string and some pasties on her breasts, which she was proudly showing off as she bopped about on stage.

I recall that was impressed and tried to move past the beads for a better glimpse, only to get horse-collared by Mom, who pulled me back to the sidewalk with an impressive force. And who then laughed, my Mom being one of the great people the world has ever seen and someone with a wonderful sense of humour. My Dad tells me he remembers the story being that I pulled my Mom away as I wanted to protect her. Which is cute. And maybe that's the way it was. Then again, it doesn't much matter, does it? It's a great memory.

She's been gone for some time now, I'm sad to say. But my Dad reminded me on the phone last night that New Orleans was one of my Mom's favourite cities. She loved seafood and good music and loved the same courtyards and gardens and wrought-iron railings that I remember. So I'm looking forward to going back and seeing how I feel about the place. I'm sure I'll feel a little bit closer to my Mom, too. Now, if I can just find that club I saw in 1966...

Normally I try not to blog too much on weekends, but I figure The Big Easy is worth the trouble. So if you're looking for something to read on Saturday and Sunday, check this space for some impressions and photos. Thanks.

After that, I'll be hopping around northern and central Florida for a few days; checking out Panama City Beach and the Panhandle and then seeing what's new down in Clearwater and Dunedin (see photo), home of the Blue Jays' spring training games. After that I've got a couple days in St. Augustine as part of the 2013 Florida 500th birthday celebrations. So stay tuned for lots of blogs from the Sunshine State as well as New Orleans.

TRAVEL+ESCAPE DREAM JOB - AUDITIONS OPEN

Love travel? Feel like a new job? Check out this open letter from Travel+Escape TV.

Travel+Escape is looking for Canada’s next travel star…and it could be you! Tired of a boring desk job? Had enough of the 9-5 grind? Travel+Escape is offering a job of a lifetime with the Travel+Escape My Top 10 Travel Host Search.

My Top 10 is a new original TV show exploring the ultimate Top 10 travel lists. Whether it’s the Top 10 Getaways, Top 10 Road Trips, or the Top 10 Foods You Wish You Never Ate, the list will take you an adventure of a lifetime around the globe. We’re looking for someone with a passion for travel to host My Top 10.

Interested applicants must be 21 years of age or older and can audition online at TravelandEscape.ca/MyTop10Host or by visiting the Toronto’s Ultimate Travel Show at the Direct Energy Centre on Saturday, January 26^th or Sunday January 27^th. Audition hours are 10:30am-12:30pm & 2:00-4:00pm at the Travel+Escape booth on both days. For tickets to the Ultimate Travel show please click here. 

The winner of the My Top 10 Travel Host Search will host the new original series My Top 10, as well as become a contributor to www.TravelandEscape.ca and a new travel tablet magazine. 

If you have a passion for travel and a carpe diem attitude, we want to help you check off your 'must see and do list' around the world. For full contest details or to submit your audition video and application, please visit TravelandEscape.ca/MyTop10Host. Deadline to receive applications is 11:59pm EST on March 1^st, 2013.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on for a fun, weeklong family trip to Disney World. The price is $1,071 including taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: Includes 7-Day Magic Your Way Tickets offering access to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom
• 7-night stay at your choice between Disney's All-Star Music Resort or Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Orlando with Air Canada, and round-trip hotel/airport transfers in Florida
• Accommodations in a Standard Room, featuring 1 king or 2 double beds. Max. occupancy: 4 adults or 2 adults + 2 children
• Add a Meal Plan: Quick Service Dining, offering dining at over 50 select restaurants throughout Walt Disney World Resort, is available to add-on to your package. See below for details.

• Each of the two resorts has a different theme catering to kids' tastes and personalities
• 7-day Magic your Way passes are included, good for all four Disney theme parks

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates: April 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18, 2013
• This exclusive offer is provided by Air Canada Vacations
• Pricing: (Rates are per person, plus tax)
  Single: $1317
  Double: $934
  Triple: $834
  Quad: $784
  Child (age 2-17): $554
  Tax: $137
  
  To add Quick Service Dining to your booking - just $279 for adults, $106 for children (0-9) - call our travel professionals at: 1-855-GO-JAUNT.
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking