Holiday in and around Mississippi (Advice)

[martcol]

This is loosly connected to photography - I'm off on holiday in July and am taking my camera with me! And my lenses, and flash, and....

Oh, and the "Good Woman!"

Anyway, any of you locals, some travel advice would be good:

1) Things to look out for regarding photo opportunities interesting places to visit. We will be travelling towards New Orleans for around two weeks.
2) How much for budget hotel accommodation and would it be easy to get
3) How much to hire a car
4) Highlights for a Blues fan

Thanks

Martin

[sdommin]

Holy cow, Martin. Please tell me that you're not going to Mississippi in July voluntarily! Tell me that you are forced to go because of your job, a wedding, etc. Mississippi in July is unbearably hot and humid. I lived in Biloxi for 4 years and I can remember running from air-conditioned building to air-conditioned building to avoid the humidity.

Having said that, I do love the area...

1) Things to look out for regarding photo opportunities interesting places to visit. We will be travelling towards New Orleans for around two weeks.
You didn't say where you'll be starting & ending your journey, but the French Quarter of N.O. is always a good photo op. Much to see and do there. It's a tourist hangout, but you're a tourist, so enjoy! If you need beaches, drive over to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. There are decent beaches from around Long Beach (see a map) all the way to Florida. There are casinos there, too, if you're into that kind of thing.

Here are some photos from my trip to the area last year:

http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/dixie04



2) How much for budget hotel accommodation and would it be easy to get
Hotels are plentiful all around, no problem there.

3) How much to hire a car
All major airports have many different car rental places. I'm not sure about the specifics for visitors from abroad as far as insurance, licenses, etc., so I'd check a travel agent or car rental place on the web before you go. Going rate is roughly $150/week, again, check the web.

4) Highlights for a Blues fan
The French Quarter is all you need. 'Nuff said. If you go as far north as Memphis, try Beale St.

[martcol]

Thanks Scott

Hot and humid's fine - it beats cold and humid - and, it's a forced break that coincides with the wedding! We've been planning a holiday to the area for ages now and never been able to get it together. So, the marriage involves pushing the (shrimp)boat out and having a go which will combine my three main passions in life, Her (of course), Blues and photography!

We're still planning the itinerary and looking for best deals with flights etc. We kind of wanted to end up in New Orleans and the rest is well, whatever. We can either, take what the travel company put together (accommodation $90 per night approx) or sort it when we get there. If there's plenty of accommodation around, then perhaps we can take a chance and just turn up?

Anyway, if we get a car and I've got my camera, who cares?

Regards

Martin