Travelsphere Texas, Cajun Country and New Orleans

• Tour of Dallas, including the 6th Floor Museum and Southfork Ranch of the hit TV series ‘Dalla’.
• Fort Worth cattle drive and private guided walking tour of the Fort Worth Stockyards
• Beaumont Ranch and traditional Chuck-Wagon lunch (foodie moment)
• City tour of Austin – known as the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’
• Visit the charming town of Fredericksburg
• Winery tour and tasting
• Tour of San Antonio including Alamo, and El Mercado
• NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston
• Vermilionville Historic Village – a living history museum
• Guided tour of the Tabasco suace factory, Avery Island
• Houmas House Plantation and gardens
• City tour of New Orleans

• Return flights from Heathrow
• 12 nights in great quality hotels plus 1 night in flight
• 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch plus a welcome drink
• Travelsphere Tour Manager and Local Guides
• Overseas transfers and other transportation
• Porterage

Day 1: UK – Fort Worth

Today you’ll arrive in the Texan city of Fort Worth and transfer to your hotel, where you’ll meet your companions in the evening for a well-earned drink.

Day 2: Fort Worth Dallas

This morning we’ll make our way to the glamorous classic American city of Dallas. Our tour of the city includes a trip to the Sixth Floor Museum, a museum dedicated to the story of John F Kennedy, and 1960s America. In the afternoon we’ll tour Southfork Ranch, a working ranch and the filming location for the long-running US soap Dallas.

Day 3: Fort Worth

Today we’ll get a taste of the Wild West at the Fort Worth Stockyards. The historic stockyards were at the centre of America’s cattle industry in the late 1800s and at one point sold a million cattle per year. Today, they bring the Wild West to life with an authentic cattle drive every day. We’ll watch the drive and chat to the drovers before taking a private walking tour of the stockyards. And don’t worry – we’ll wait while you buy those cowboy boots.

Day 4: Beaumont Ranch, Austin

No visit to cowboy country would be complete without a trip to a cattle ranch. This morning we’ll visit Beaumont Ranch to see what happens on a working ranch. You’ll get to meet the owner’s herds of Texan Longhorn cattle, as well as the horses and llamas! Get your camera ready because our lunch will be prepared on a traditional chuck wagon – the wagon used by cowboys for cooking during long cattle drives. Then it’s full steam ahead to Austin.

Day 5: Austin

Deemed ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ and famous for (of all things) its sizeable bat colony, Austin is Texas’s cool, off-beat capital. We’ll tour the city’s landmarks, including the Texas Capitol building, Texas University and the 360 bridge, and go behind the scenes at Austin City Limits (ACL Live), a long-running, iconic television show recorded in Austin that showcases new musicians. The rest of the day is yours to get to know this extraordinary city.

Day 6: Fredericksburg, San Antonio

Today we’ll visit Fredericksburg, a classic American small town and an excellent place for shopping and art. Fredericksburg was colonised by the Germans in 1846, and German influences are still present in the town’s architecture and cuisine – from schnitzels to German pretzels. Fredericksburg is right in the centre of Texas Wine Country, so in the afternoon, we’ll visit one of the 50 or so wineries in the area for a tour and tasting. Then, it’s onwards to San Antonio.

Day 7: San Antonio

Vibrant, culturally diverse San Antonio is the oldest city in Texas with five Spanish missions that are now a UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll visit some of the city’s landmarks including the Alamo, the mission at the centre of a historic battle in the Texan Revolution. We’ll stop at the colourful Market Square, home to the largest Mexican market in the United States. The afternoon is free for you to spend as you wish, so why not cruise down the Rio San Antonio or stroll along the Riverwalk?

Day 8: Houston

Today we’ll travel to Houston and the Johnson Space Center for a thrilling behind the scenes look at space exploration. See the astronauts’ training facilities and the Mission Control Center from where the Gemini and Apollo missions were led. This is also the only place in the world where visitors can not only see, but also step inside, a full-scale replica shuttle.

Day 9: Lafayette

Today, we leave the state of Texas and head into the heart of Louisiana, where the town of Lafayette welcomes you for an overnight stay. On arrival, you will visit Vermilionville Historic Village, a living history museum with restored 18th and 19th century homes, where enthusiastic, costumed docents bring to life Cajun, Creole and Native American culture of the time. This evening why not join an optional evening of Cajun cuisine and dance.

Day 10: New Orleans

We’ll take a trip through rural Louisiana to Avery Island, a quirky place that isn’t an island at all, but a vast dome of salt. Famous as the home of the Tabasco Pepper Sauce factory, the island also houses exotic plants which were introduced by the Avery family who settled there. We’ll take a factory tour to learn about the history and manufacturing process of the famous condiment. Later, on our way to New Orleans, we’ll stop for a tour of Houmas House, a classic plantation house with 38 acres of lush gardens.

Day 11: New Orleans

Birthplace of jazz and home to wonderful Cajun and Creole food, New Orleans is one of America’s most-loved destinations. Today we’ll take a tour of the city’s landmarks. You’ll then have the rest of the day to see this flamboyant city on your own.

Day 12: New Orleans

New Orleans is in ‘Bayou Country’, named after the low-lying wildlife-rich ‘bayous’ or wetlands which surround it. Join us as we cruise this watery landscape and look for one of its most famous inhabitants, the American Alligator. Or simply spend the day doing whatever you fancy, whether that’s more sightseeing or just a day of relaxing, Sazerac in hand.

Day 13: New Orleans – UK

Today you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Day 14: UK

You’ll arrive back in the UK today.

Days 1-3: Courtyard by Marriott Fort Worth Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Fort Worth is located in the Sundance Square and within close proximity of restaurants and shops of the famous Fort Worth Stockyards. Hotel facilities includes local restaurant dinner delivery, gym and outdoor heated swimming pool. Bedroom facilities include ergonomic chair and large desk, complimentary Wi-Fi, tea & coffee making facilities and private bathroom facilities.

Days 4-5: Holiday Inn Austin Town Lake

The Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake is a modern hotel situated a 5 minute drive away from Austin city centre. There is a free local shuttle service if guests wish to explore the surrounding area. Each room is furnished with flat-screen TV’s, microwave, mini-fridge and high-pressure showerheads in the bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi is also available.

Days 6-7: Hampton Inn San Antonio Downtown

The Hampton Inn San Antonio Riverwalk is situated a few blocks from the Riverwalk, the Convention Centre and the Alamo. The classic rooms include flat-screen TV’s and coffeemakers as well as free WiFi.

Day 8: Crown Plaza Houston River Oaks

Crowne Plaza River Oaks is situated on the Southwest Freeway halfway between the Galleria Mall and Downton Houston. Hotel facilities and amenities include a restaurant, bar & lounge, fitness centre, outdoor pool and a complimentary shuttle bus. Bedroom facilities include Wi-Fi, TV and private bathroom facilities.

Day 9: Doubeltree Hotel Lafayette

Our team are busy putting together a description of this accommodation for you. Please come back soon for information about the facilities available.

Days 10-12: Sheraton New Orleans Hotel

The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel is a contemporary hotel located near to the French Quarter. Hotel amenities include a bistro which serves New-Orleans inspired cuisine, a bar, fitness centre and rooftop pool.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.