Texas & Louisiana

Itinerary

13-Day Itinerary

• Day 1

  Today we fly to Dallas Fort Worth. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you will be met by your Tour Director.

• Day 2 - Fort Worth

  We start the day at the famed Stockyards National Historic District. The area showcases the rich western heritage of the “City of Cowboys and Culture” with offerings such as a year-round rodeo, old-west style saloons, and a twice-daily cattle drive. Walk to the back of the Livestock Exchange Building and meet the drovers of the Fort Worth Herd, who are dressed in authentic period attire from the late 1800's.

  During this time, take pictures with the drovers and ask any questions pertaining to the Old West. The drovers will tell you about the cattle drive and why Fort Worth earned the nickname “Cowtown”.

  You may decide to visit the John Wayne Museum and Hall of Fame (entrance at own cost), dedicated to the life and legacy of the legendary Hollywood star. Featuring over 400 pieces of memorabilia, the museum pays homage to the “Duke” from his childhood through his successful acting career.

  Enjoy some free time to peruse the western shops and heritage brands at Mule Alley.

  After watching the morning cattle drive, enjoy an authentic BBQ lunch with line-dancing lessons at Billy Bob’s Texas – the world’s largest honky tonk.

  This afternoon you will be taken on a guided visit Fort Worth. Highlights include Sundance Square Plaza in downtown and the JFK Tribute, which is the site where the former President gave his last public speech, and the Water Gardens.

  This evening, you can attend the Championship Rodeo (optional excursion at extra cost).

  Meals - Breakfast, Lunch

• Day 3 - Southfork Ranch & Dallas with Highlights Tour

  Start the day with a visit of Southfork Ranch, home to the Ewing Mansion – the setting of the TV series 'Dallas'.

  Continue to Dallas, ranked as the 9th largest US city. Visit the 6th Floor Museum, which chronicles the assassination of President John F Kennedy, and enjoy a photo stop at the nearby Dealey Plaza.

  This afternoon, you will be taken on a highlights tour of Dallas before returning to Fort Worth.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 4 - Austin

  This morning, we depart to Austin, the state capital of Texas. You will be taken on a guided tour of town, starting at the Capitol front door. Take a stroll down Congress Avenue, Austin's main street, and hear about Texas and Austin's history and stories of local heroes.

  Continue with stops on lively 6th street, the Market District, and central Austin, home to the University of Texas at Austin.

  We end the day at Congress Bridge, where from March to October, 1.5 million bats emerge nightly from crevices in the underside of the bridge. It will be a moment you will not soon forget! We stay overnight in Austin.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 5 - San Antonio

  Today we leave Austin and travel to San Antonio. Arriving in the late morning, we discover the city’s historic centre. We also visit the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which is comprised of the four southernmost Spanish colonial missions: Concepción, the oldest unrestored church in the U.S; San José; San Juan; Espada. These missions, along with the Alamo, have been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

  This afternoon, enjoy a scenic cruise on the San Antonio River in the charming Riverwalk District. We stay overnight in San Antonio.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 6 - Hill Country

  Today we visit Hill Country, known for its rolling hills and clear, running rivers.

  Texas Hill Country is home to historic towns such as the German-inspired Fredericksburg and more than two dozen vineyards. Spend the day soaking up the stunning scenery, browsing charming shops, and sampling wines at a local vineyard.

  We return to San Antonio at the end of the day.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 7 - Houston with Guided Tour

  This morning, we depart San Antonio and head to Houston, the 4th largest US city.

  Upon arrival, you will be taken on a guided tour of town to see the downtown with its immense skyscrapers and the trendy Uptown/Galleria district. The area is also home to Chinatown, which boasts the second largest Indochinese population in the US (after Los Angeles). Midtown offers art galleries and, in the Museum District, there are 19 cultural institutions.

  We stay overnight in Houston.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 8 - NASA Johnson Space Center

  Today, you will visit the official NASA facilities at the Johnson Space Center, home of the astronauts and countless space artifacts. Here, it is possible to see a real spacecraft, touch a piece of moon rock, walk through the Skylab space station in Starship Gallery or see a space shuttle mockup.

  During the visit, you can join a NASA Tram Tour*, taking you behind-the-scenes at the Space Center. You will tour Rocket Park, home of the Saturn V rocket, which is the most powerful rocket ever built.

  Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. We stay overnight in Houston.

  *Please note: tram tours are subject to change and cancellation at a moment’s notice due to inclement weather and unforeseen circumstances. The tram tour visits working government facilities which are subject to availability and can temporarily close to visitors without notice.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 9 - Lafayette

  We depart Houston and head over the border into Louisiana and on to Lafayette, known as the 'heart of Cajun Country'.

  Upon arrival, we visit the Vermilionville Living History Museum. Containing many unique restored historical items within its collection, the museum preserves the cultural resources of Lafayette Parish and the surrounding region. The park is a picturesque representation of a village from a time period of 1765 to 1890. You will enjoy an up-close look at many examples of early building architecture as well as how inhabitants worked in their day-to-day life.

  This afternoon, we watch a presentation of local Cajun and creole music. This evening, enjoy an authentic Cajun dinner with live music.

  This evening, we stay overnight in Lafayette.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 10 - Oak Alley & New Orleans

  We start the day with a visit of Oak Alley, a plantation and National Historic Landmark. The site is named after the canopy of giant oak trees, which are over two hundred years old. Sample a mint julep, the plantation’s signature drink, and enjoy a boat trip on the nearby swamps, the legendary Louisiana bayous, where you might just meet a few alligators.

  We journey to New Orleans and, upon arrival, you will be taken on a walking tour of the French Quarter. Enjoy a stroll in the Vieux Carré part of town where you’ll see the French Market, Saint Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo, a remarkable Spanish building dating from the 18th century.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 11 - New Orleans

  This morning, enjoy brunch with live jazz music at the iconic Court of Two Sisters restaurant.

  Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in New Orleans.

  This evening, you can join an optional excursion and hop aboard a dinner cruise on the historic Steamboat Natchez.

• Day 12 - New Orleans

  This morning is yours to enjoy at leisure before transferring to the airport and departing for home.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 13

  Arrive in the UK.

Accommodation