A Taste of Texas and the Two-Step Tour

Start your Texas adventure this evening at your A Taste of Texas and the Two-step welcome reception. You'll have a chance to meet and mingle with your Tour Manager and fellow travellers as you learn more about your eight day exploration of Texas culture, cuisine and dance halls at a nearby saloon in Fort Worth's Stockyards National Historic District.

Head out this morning to explore Fort Worth's sister city - Dallas. 

You'll start your Dallas experience with an orientation tour of this cosmopolitan but distinctly southern city. Visit the Sixth-Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza to learn more about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy before travelling along the route of the Presidential Motorcade where his life was so tragically cut short.

You'll return to Fort Worth in time for the late afternoon cattle drive, where you can witness the Fort Worth Herd make their way through the Stockyards Historic National District. Then it’s on to the Stockyards Championship Rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum. This thrilling two hour rodeo show includes team roping, barrel racing and break away roping - offering visitors an authentic family friendly Western Cowboys experience. 

The western fun doesn't need to end here, after the rodeo you can choose to cap the night off at iconic Billy Bob's Texas. This lively Fort Worth Honky-tonk is popular with visitors and locals. Enjoy the live music, try the Texas-two step or test your rodeo credentials on the mechanical bull. 

Continue your Western Cowboy experience today as you leave Fort Worth behind and head to Beaumont Ranch in the picturesque rolling hills of Grandview Texas. This working cattle ranch located on the historic Chisolm Trail is home to a herd of Texas longhorns, horses and more unusually a few llamas. 

You have a choice of experiences on offer at Beaumont Ranch, take a one hour trail ride on the back of one of the beautiful Beaumont Ranch horses through the scenic North Texas hills, learn the art of roping cattle from one of the experienced ranch hands or try your hand at shoot sporting clays.

After a morning full of ranch activities it’s on to Texas' vibrant capital Austin - known as the Live Music Capital of the World. Experience the lively restaurants and bars for yourself this evening or tickle your taste buds at one of the fantastic local smokehouses. 

Start your day with an orientation tour of downtown Austin taking in sites such as the University of Texas, the Capital Building and 360 Bridge. Next up is a visit to ACL Live at Moody Theatre - home to the longest running music series in American television history. 

You'll stop for lunch at one of Austin's famous Food Truck parks. Started in the early 1990s this foodies favourite has blossomed into a citywide movement with top chefs whipping up world class cuisine in the back of refurbished Airstreams and concession trailers. 

Your tour continues into the picturesque Hill Country this afternoon before heading to the vibrant SoCo neighbourhood. Brimming with boutiques, music venues, galleries and eateries which overflow with homespun character and artistic freedom. 

This evening head to the Continental Club - no visit to Austin is complete without stopping in at this mecca for roots, rockabilly, country and swing music. 

Enjoy the scenery as you journey through the heart of the Texas Hills Country today on your way to the charming town of Fredericksburg.

At first glance you may feel like you have stepped back in time or into an old Western movie, however as you explore the historic shop fronts of the main street you'll discover a range of trendy stores, high-class restaurants, galleries and antique stores. However if you haven't quite let go of the cowboy feeling yet - you can still find somewhere to buy designer cowboy boots and an authentic Stetson. 

The spectacular rolling hills that surround the town offer more than just a pretty view, this area is home to approximately 45 wineries. As you follow along Fredericksburg Wine Road you'll stop in to taste some of the region's delicious vintages - you can even bring a couple home with you.

Arriving into San Antonio in the late afternoon you will have a little free time before enjoying an early evening narrated riverboat cruise.

San Antonio enjoys a rich history, in fact the city is celebrating its Tri-centennial this year.

Discover 300 years of history and explore the diverse cultural heritage of this vibrant city originally established by Spanish settlers in May 1718. Step back in history at The Missions of San Antonio UNESCO World Heritage site - consisting of five Spanish missions including Mission San Antonio de Valero more commonly known as The Alamo - site of the infamous siege of 1836 where 189 gave their lives in the battle for Texas liberty.

In 2017 San Antonio was also designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, experience some of the unique and innovative culinary creations for yourself as you explore the city at your own leisure this afternoon.

You will have plenty of time to explore more of the famous Riverwalk and surrounding areas for yourself before you re-join your fellow travellers to drive out to Gruene National Historic District to experience "bona fide Texas".

At the heart of this former ghost town you will find Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas. This authentic dance hall with its old wooden floors which creak and give a little when you dance, and the flaps which are lifted on the side of the building to create instant natural light and air conditioning is the real deal and a local institution.

Tap your toes to the live music and join in with a two-step or two as you enjoy the atmosphere in this unique venue.

Leave the Tex-Mex flavours of San Antonio behind as you journey down to metropolitan Houston this morning.

On arrival you will visit Space Center Houston, the gateway to NASA's Johnson Space Center where you will experience an exclusive behind the scenes tour of this fascinating facility.

This afternoon you will head to the historic Houston Heights neighbourhood. Located northeast of Downtown this residential area was established in the late 1800s. Although the Heights residents once flocked to the neighbourhood to escape the big city, the area's rich character-filled architecture, mom and pop style restaurants and shops now attracts a diverse audience and is popular among hipsters and young couples.

The area offers an eclectic mix of ice houses, pubs and eateries - enjoy an included final dinner at a local restaurant, surrounded by century-old bungalows and unique architectural accents as you samples some of the area's best local Southern comfort food dishes.

This morning you will be transferred to George Bush International Airport for you flight home. 

Alternatively why not extend your time in Houston to explore more of this contemporary city or continue your exploration of the USA's Southern states and continue on the coach to join our A Southern Story small group tour.