A few months ago, I wandered to New Orleans. It was my partner’s birthday and his dream was to do a road trip from The Big Easy to Biloxi, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama. This area of the Gulf of Mexico is nicknamed one of the American Rivieras for its lovely coastline. The 150 mile journey was a quick drive with plenty of sites to see and places to eat along the way.

New Orleans has bounced back since Hurricane Katrina – at least in the tourist areas – and the wildlife along the Mississippi and Alabama coast is returning after the terrible oil spill in 2010. Apart from the French Quarter (specifically Bourbon Street), nothing was crowded and the locals were excited and very helpful at offering travel tips. I stayed at the W Hotel in New Orleans, which left a lot to be desired (though the location is prime) and at the Sheraton in Biloxi (modern and on the beach).