The annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (also known as Jazz Fest) is a 10-day celebration of the city and state's music tradition, second in importance if only to the famed Mardi Gras. Bands and performers from all across the country gather in New Orleans to play music essential to the making of Louisiana art scene, from Cajun music to blues, Afro-Caribbean, zydeco, and, of course, jazz.

Mardi Gras isn't just a single day — Fat Tuesday, the last day before Lent — but a nearly entire month of festivities. It all starts on Twelfth Night, January 6, when the city becomes obsessed with eating, costuming, bead-tossing and parading, which all increase in intensity as Ash Wednesday nears. All weekends leading up to Fat Tuesday see parades roll all over town. Bands, marching groups, boats, and costumed riders toss beads and other accessories to the crowds. The celebration is also child-friendly: the Uptown parade route and suburban parades are entirely family oriented.

Here you will find the oldest vine in the world. At 400 years old Stara Trta is symbolic of Maribor’s wine culture and is the city’s top attraction. The house is now home to an information centre where you can take a walk through the history of Stara Trta and taste a variety of noble wines from local producers.