Whoever it was that said an army travels on its stomach ought to see the legions who lay siege to New Orleans with knife and fork. Latest to lead an organized assault on the Crescent City are Jimmy Bannos, chef of Heaven on Seven, and Steve Dolinsky, host of CLTV’s “Good Eating.” They’re calling the trip a “New Orleans Culinary Tour,” but they’re looking for recruits — raw and seasoned — to join them for the April 12-16 campaign. Battle plan includes the taking of such targets as Cafe du Monde, Brigtsen’s, Galatoire’s and Emeril’s. Basic training masters oyster po’ boys at Uglesich’s, a day trip to an Opeloussas andouille-sausage maker’s, a private streetcar ride on St. Charles Avenue and a cooking demonstration. Enlistment ($1,999) through Abercrombie & Kent covers transport to and from on United Airlines and billeting in the French Quarter’s Royal Sonesta Hotel. (800-323-7308, ext. 306)
TRACK ATTACK
Some of the most memorable stage murders have been carried out, or plotted, on a train: Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express,” Alfred Hitchcock’s “Strangers on a Train.” But you needn’t watch the genre vicariously when you can join the 20th Century Railroad Club for “Murder in the Mountains.” The group leaves Chicago’s Union Station May 19 aboard Amtrak’s Capitol Limited, bound overnight for the Potomac River town of Cumberland, Md. After a night of trainspotting from your trackside room at the Holiday Inn — Cumberland’s rail yard is what’s known as a division point, and therefore very busy — you’ll board the vintage rail cars of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad for the 32-mile trip to Frostburg, dinner, drink and someone’s demise. The $285 tour price covers round-trip Coach seating on Amtrak (though a limited number of sleepers are available at additional cost), baggage handling, two nights’ hotel, and the excursion train with dinner and murder. Return is May 22. (312-829-4500)
FREE STUFF
They haven’t given up on winter yet in Sheboygan, Wis. There’s ice bowling at the Blue Line Ice Center March 24-26, and a lot of local inns and hotels are having special deals till March 31 — all listed in the Wonderful Weeks of Winter brochure. County guide covers the rest of the year. (800-457-9497)
FAMILY FARE
It’s a Mickey Mouse deal if we ever saw one: United Vacations is offering group-package pricing to Orlando for the famous family of four. Pricing for travel April 30-Aug. 26 starts at $2,074 for a family of four (two adults and two children ages 2-11) to fly round-trip Coach on United Airlines from Chicago to Orlando, spend three nights at Disney’s All-Star Resort and receive four Unlimited Magic Passes that, as the name implies, allow unlimited entrance to all Walt Disney World parks during the stay. The deal also includes hotel taxes, and the Disney “Flex Feature” that, for instance, seats participants at the breakfast table with their favorite Disney cartoon character or casts them in a photo session with Mickey. (800-328-6877)
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Tour prices generally are per person, double.
