Eclipse 2024 – The Best Of Texas

Itinerary

Description

Join us to witness the grandeur of a total solar eclipse in the southern state of Texas, USA which promises to be a truly special experience.

This unique tour will be accompanied by an expert astronomer and we’ll also be joined by astronomer, astrophotographer and Sky at Night TV presenter Pete Lawrence for the latter part of the tour. Of course the main event and focus of this trip is the magnificent solar eclipse and on the day of this phenomenon, with Pete’s expert advice, we are taken into the path of ‘totality’, close to the centre line of the eclipse shadow track. This will be at a location chosen to give us a good chance of clear skies. Pete will give various presentations and advice too.

During this wonderful tour we also visit NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, discover the vibrant cities of San Antonio, Austin and Dallas, visit the famous Alamo and enjoy a cattle drive and championship rodeo for an authentic taste of the ‘Lone Star State’.

Itinerary

Tuesday 2nd April: Flight to Houston
Check in for our flight to Houston, Texas. On arrival, we are met by our local representative and transfer to the Crowne Plaza Houston River Oaks Hotel, our base for the next two nights.

Meals: None

Wednesday 3rd April: Space Center Houston
After breakfast we enjoy a welcome presentation by our expert astronomer at the hotel. We then spend the day at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, one of Houston’s top attractions, which boasts many interactive displays with everything from space artefacts to a full-size rocket and space shuttle. Here we can learn about space exploration from fascinating hands-on exhibits.  

Later, enjoy dinner (not included) in the collection of historic Houston neighbourhoods known as the Heights, an area dotted with independent shops and trendy restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast

Thursday 4th April: San Antonio & River Cruise
Checking out of our Houston hotel this morning, we travel to San Antonio. On arrival there’s the chance to enjoy lunch along the San Antonio River Walk (not included). This afternoon we board our boat for a relaxing river cruise along the San Antonio River. The boat’s captain shares fascinating stories about the city’s culture, history and architecture during this 35-minute cruise.  

Later we transfer to the Hampton Inn San Antonio Downtown Riverwalk where we stay overnight. This evening we enjoy a presentation with an expert astronomer at the San Antonio Meeting Center.

Meals: Breakfast

Friday 5th April: The Alamo & Austin
After checking out of our hotel this morning we visit the Alamo, site of the famous, pivotal battle in the Texas Revolution in 1836. Next, we depart for Austin, the capital of Texas, where we stay overnight at the Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake.  

This afternoon we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Austin with a local guide. Known as the Live-Music Capital, the city has managed to retain a small-town charm and is home to unique attractions, a vibrant arts scene and beautiful outdoor spaces, from the shores of Lady Bird Lake to the city’s highest vantage point on Mount Bonnell.

In the evening there’s the option to visit the Continental Club, a retro Austin venue that opened in 1957 and is a mecca for roots, rockabilly, country and swing music.

Meals: Breakfast

Saturday 6th April: Fort Worth Stockyards, Championship Rodeo & Waxahachie
We check out of our Austin hotel and head to Fort Worth, arriving at Fort Worth Stockyards in time to watch the late afternoon cattle drive. There’s then time for dinner (not included) before gathering to attend the Stockyards Championship Rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum.

Afterwards you may choose to cap off the night at Billy Bob’s for a drink, listening to country music and dancing the Texas Two-Step, or try riding a mechanical bull! Later we transfer to the Hampton Inn & Suites in Waxahachie where we stay for the remainder of the tour.

Meals: Breakfast

Sunday 7th April: Dallas
This morning we enjoy an orientation tour of Dallas, a city that offers a unique blend of South-western warmth, cosmopolitan flair, old west charm and modern sophistication. We then visit the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. The museum, located within the former Texas School Book Depository building, chronicles the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

In the evening, we enjoy a pre-eclipse presentation with Pete Lawrence at the Waxahachie Civic Center.

Meals: Breakfast

Monday 8th April: Solar Eclipse in Ennis
Following breakfast at the hotel, we head to Ennis. Here we can enjoy the total solar eclipse for the maximum duration, scheduled to start around 12.22pm. There’s plenty of time to find your own space and set up any equipment ready to take in the wonder of the eclipse.

Later we head back to our Waxahachie hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Tuesday 9th & Wednesday 10th April: Post-eclipse presentation & overnight flight home
After breakfast we return to the Waxahachie Civic Center for a post-eclipse presentation with Pete Lawrence which also gives us a chance to share our eclipse experiences with our fellow travellers. Afterwards, we transfer to Dallas airport for our flight home, arriving back in the UK the following day.

Meals: Breakfast (Tuesday)

Please note: as the tour has been planned far in advance, the itinerary and price are subject to change.

 

Accommodation

Located in the centre of Houston, the 4-star Crowne Plaza Houston River Oaks Hotel is ideally situated to enjoy the many shops, restaurants and attractions of the city. All the air-conditioned rooms offer free Wi-Fi, cable TV, microwave and fridge. Hotel amenities include Reeds Restaurant and Bar & Lounge, an outdoor pool (seasonal) and 24-hour fitness centre.

 As the name suggests, the 3-star Hampton Inn San Antonio Downtown Riverwalk is located in downtown San Antonio. All the rooms include free Wi-Fi, cable TV, coffee maker, microwave and fridge. The hotel also offers a bar, an outdoor pool (seasonal) and a gym.

 The 3-star Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake is situated on scenic Lady Bird Lake (also known as Town Lake), overlooking downtown Austin. The hotel features a Boathouse Grill, fitness centre and an outdoor rooftop pool. The modern rooms offer free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, coffee maker, fridge and microwave. 

 The 3-star Hampton Inn & Suites Waxahachie is located a short drive from downtown Waxahachie. Hotel amenities include an indoor pool, Jacuzzi and small gym. Cable TV, microwave, fridge and coffee maker are standard in every room and free Wi-Fi is also available.

Bullets

• Flight to Houston and return from Dallas*
• Airport taxes and luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)
• Airport transfers in Texas
• 2 nights at the 4-star Crowne Plaza Houston River Oaks Hotel with breakfast
• 1 night at the 3-star Hampton Inn San Antonio Downtown Riverwalk with breakfast
• 1 night at the 3-star Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake with breakfast
• 3 nights at the 3-star Hampton Inn & Suites Waxahachie with breakfast
• Porterage at the hotels (except the Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake)
• Admission to the Space Center Houston & the Stockyards Championship Rodeo
• San Antonio River Cruise
• Visits to the Alamo & the Dallas Sixth Floor Museum
• Guided tours of Austin & Dallas
• Watch the cattle drive at Fort Worth Stockyards
• Excursion to Ennis for the eclipse (includes safety viewing glasses)
• Pre & post-eclipse presentations at the Waxahachie Civic Center with Pete Lawrence
• Tour accompanied throughout by an expert astronomer
• Part of the tour accompanied by astronomer Pete Lawrence
• Local guides on excursions

Search Bullets

• Flight to Houston and return from Dallas*
• Admission to the Space Center Houston & the Stockyards Championship Rodeo
• Excursion to Ennis for the eclipse (includes safety viewing glasses)
• Tour accompanied throughout by an expert astronomer

Helpful Information

Regrettably, Omega Breaks cannot be held responsible for the non-appearance of any named astronomers and no refunds will be given in this event. However, a suitably qualified astronomer will be provided as a replacement in such circumstances. 

*Air package holiday prices are correct at the time of publication but are subject to fluctuation and availability. The final price will depend on your chosen airport, airline and flight time. Terms and conditions apply. Errors and omissions excepted. Please visit our website for details. 

Operated by Just Go! Holidays Ltd trading as Omega Breaks, ATOL No.10889

Passport & visa information

Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. However, your passport must be a biometric ePassport with the silver camera symbol on the front. There are also a number of other rules concerning entry to the USA, which you should check before travelling.

British citizens will need to get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to enter or transit the USA as a visitor. You can apply at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

For further advice on travel and current information, please refer to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa

Hide Departures List - Template

Want to book?

If you need more information or want to book please call and we will be on hand to help.

A staged deposit scheme may be available - please ask for more details.

0330 013 0145

Images

Images

Images

Departures

Images