Texas Ranger

Day 1: Houston - Dallas

Our tour starts at 7:30 am at the Crowne Plaza River Oaks Hotel in Houston. As this is an early start we recommend that you book a night's pre-tour accommodation at this hotel, which can be booked at the same time you book this tour. After leaving Houston, we drive for just under four hours to the twin cities of Dallas-Fort Worth. With 1.2 million people, Dallas is the third largest city in Texas. However the metropolitan area which includes Fort Worth has nearly 6.5 million, making it the largest metropolitan area in southern USA. Founded in 1841, it is a city that has thrived on the base for the surrounding oil and cotton industries. After arriving we check into our comfortable hotel and have the evening free to check out the city’s nightlife or perhaps dine out on some Tex-Mex cuisine.

Day 2: Dallas

We have a full day free to explore Dallas at leisure. You can chose from many fascinating sightseeing options. The events of 22nd November 1963 still resonate as one of the most harrowing in history and we relive President John F Kennedy’s assassination on a visit to the infamous ‘grassy knoll’. Highly recommended is a visit to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (optional) – the site of the former Texas School Box Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired the fatal shots. The Log Cabin Village in Fort Worth is also well worth a visit as it is a living history museum that depicts what life was like during the pioneering days with a series of restored log houses dating back to the mid-1800s that are fitted out with authentic period pieces. Certainly a journey back to a bygone era!

Day 3 & 4: Austin

We hit the road again today and travel for over three-and-a-half hours to Austin. Named after Stephen F. Austin, the 'Father of Texas', Austin was once the capital of an independent republic and remains the seat of today's state government. Texans actually fought and won independence from Mexico in a war from 1835 to 1836, which ended when General Sam Houston led his army to victory in the Battle of San Jacinto. During our stay here we can go out and explore the expansive University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883 and home to seven museums including the Blanton Museum of Art and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum. With its liberal lifestyle and vibrant music scene, Austin is the self-proclaimed 'Live Music Capital of the World'. Names like Janis Joplin, B. B. King, Tina Turner, Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan are all part of the Austin musical kaleidoscope. Our evening is free to check out a gig somewhere in the vicinity of 6th Street, formerly known as Pecan Street, or one of the many other areas around town.

Day 5 & 6: Western Ranch

Our next stop is a very special on as we spend a couple of days checking out life on an authentic Texan ranch. Trade in the walking shoes for a set of boots with spurs with a two-night stay ranch house-style accommodation, set amidst the stunning wide expanses of the plains. Whether you’re an experienced horse-rider or a novice, this is certainly the place to get on a horse on an included western-style horse ride and absorb the beauty of the great outdoors. As the sun go down, we get the chance to huddle around a camp fire and exchange stories like the cowboys have done all those years. We enjoy the culinary delights of classic Tex-Mex cowboy cuisine with hearty home-cooked meals and gracious southern hospitality. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Day 7: San Antonio

Home to the famous Alamo Mission and Riverwalk, San Antonio has a rich and colourful past with strong cultural links to its neighbours to the south with 63% of its population having Hispanic or Latino origins. We include a visit to the Alamo Mission which is where the Battle of the Alamo was fought in 1836. This resulted in the devastation of the Texan forces by the Mexicans, but also led to reprisals which resulted in the ultimate victory for the Texans. The Riverwalk is a subterranean complex of boutique shops, bars and restaurants that meanders for 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) through the wooded downtown area. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 8 & 9: Corpus Christi - Padre Island National Seashore

We drive down to the southern coastal city of Corpus Christi, a major port city and naval base. Time permitting there are some interesting attractions here such as the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington – an aircraft carrier that served in the Pacific during the Second World War. We make a full day trip out to Padre Island National Seashore and get a chance to enjoy the wide expanses of pristine beaches and also enjoy some birdwatching. This area is on a major route for migratory birds and over 380 species have been recorded here. This sojourn with nature is a great way to complete our journey through Texas.

Day 10: Houston

We complete our journey by travelling back to Houston. Our tour concludes upon arrival at our gateway hotel at approximately 5 pm (17:00 hrs). Optional post-tour accommodation is available at our gateway hotel - the Crowne Plaza River Oaks Hotel in Houston. Please inquire when booking your tour. If you are planning to fly out of Houston tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 9 pm (21:00 hrs).