Texas

Dallas & San Angelo Leave the cowboys and oil wells of Dallas behind and head for San Angelo – the first port of call on your tour of Texas. Founded by European Americans in 1867, when the United States constructed Fort Concho to protect the frontier from hostile threats. The fort was home to cavalry, infantry, and the famous Black Cavalry, otherwise known as Buffalo Soldiers. Upon arrival, optional excursions include a visit to historic Fort Concho and Miss Hattie’s Bordello Museum. Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals paid locally

Big Bend National Park With over 1000sq miles of protected desert and mountain park land to explore, your journey from Odessa to Big Bend National Park signals the start of a truly memorable couple of days along the US side of the Mexican border. Dusty walking trails lead you past plants, lizards and fields of cacti and if you’re on the lookout for birds then you’ve come to the right place as Big Bend is home to almost 500 different species.

Big Bend National Park Enjoy the chance to take in the scenery as you float down the legendary Rio Grande and listen to your guide share the tales of old and impress upon you the natural beauty of this phenomenal area. This is such an enjoyable and relaxing way to spend your time on the Rio Grande and you’re bound to soak up as much natural and cultural information as you will sunshine. In the afternoon there may be time to venture even further into the park with the Lost Mine Trail giving you access to some exceptional panoramic views of the Chisos Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert. Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals paid locally Note: National Park regulations don’t allow your leader to guide you through Big Bend however; you will have all the information that you need before you independently hit the trail.

Silver Spur Guest Ranch Welcome to the Silver Spur Ranch where you’ll be staying for the next couple of days and enjoying a healthy dose of home-cooked hospitality. This is an authentic western experience and from evenings around the fire place to days spent in the saddle or by the pool, the Silver Spur promises to be an absolute Texas treat. If you can picture a classic western lodge with walls lined with cedar and ceilings that appear to go on forever then you’ll be pretty close to the essence of the Silver Spur. There’s an air of the Wild West and from learning how to ride to tucking into a second helping of Tex-Mex cuisine, this is your chance to savour the best of both worlds. Accommodation: Texan Ranch included | 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners included

San Antonio Next up it’s time to experience Texas on a totally different scale as you leave the ranch behind and head for the historic streets of San Antonio. You’ll quickly discover a wide range of cultural sites with the Battle of the Alamo museum often proving to be one of many popular highlights. Aside from the Texas Revolution, San Antonio is also well-known for its Riverwalk, which features bars, restaurants and plenty of tax-free shopping. Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals payable locally

Austin Laid-back best describes the capital of Texas and if you’re in the mood for some live music then there are plenty of authentic honky-tonk bars offering an enjoyable evening’s entertainment. You’re free to explore Austin at your leisure however, optional activities, such as kayaking on the lake, bathing at Barton Springs or tackling the ribs at Stubbs’ BBQ, are always highly memorable. Head for a recommended local bar, such as the Mean Eyed Cat. Austin has proclaimed itself as ‘The World’s Live Music Capital’ so you can expect to find all manner of evening entertainment available with toe-tapping country tunes always providing plenty of happy hoe-down moments. Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals payable locally Day 9: Austin & Dallas There’s just time to purchase some more tax-free bargains in Austin before departing for Dallas and a JFK tour featuring the grassy knoll and the infamous 6th floor of the School Book Depository. The assassination of JFK is obviously one of the darker moments in Dallas’ history however, it does make for a fascinating tour and as you come to your own conclusions about the fate of the then President

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