The key, he says, is not just being in different cultures, but being open to immersion: learning the language, adapting to an alternate way of life.

CNN: Why you should visit a new destination

At its best, Jazzfest is, like its city's culture, broad, deep and open to personalized immersion.

WSJ: Beneath a Pop Skin, Jazz's Heart Beats | New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival | By Larry Blumenfeld