Highlights of Texas and Eclipse
Highlights of Texas and Eclipse
Highlights of Texas and Eclipse
8 Days Starting and ending in Houston, TX, USA
Visiting: Houston, NASA Johnson Space Center, Austin, San Antonio, The Alamo, Hill Country State Natural Area
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TXE
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
8 - 13
Physical rating:
Low, Relaxed
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Cowboys, BBQ and live music; the Lone Star State has Americana written all over it. Combining NASA's Johnson Space Center, in Houston, with the spectacle of an annular eclipse in Texas Hill Country, this trip travels through back country USA to the honky tonks and BBQs of Austin, and Spanish-American San Antonio.
Annular Eclipse - Experience this event at a cowboy ranch in Texas Hill Country
The Alamo - Discover the history behind the watershed moment in US-Mexican relations, in San Antonio
Austin - Watch live music at a honky tonk bar, and see bats take flight on a sunset boat trip
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Join Trip In Houston
Location: Houston
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Drury Inn & Suites Houston near the Galleria
Meals Included: No Meals
Arrive in Houston. America's fourth-largest city is part cowboy boots and Texas charm, and part high-powered urban metropolis.
Due to the number of evening flights into Houston, your Leader plans to do the welcome meeting on the morning of day two, and will leave a message in reception with details on timings and everything else that you'll need for the day. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to arrive at any time. We don't provide arrival transfers on this tour, but information on how to reach the hotel will be provided in your final documentation.
Our hotel is located in uptown Houston. If your flight arrives early in the day, why not take a stroll through Memorial Park or down Buffalo Bayou, two of the green arteries running through the city. Alternatively, head to the world-class museum district - try the Holocaust Museum or the excellent Museum of Natural Sciences, if you have time.
Day 2 : Journey Through The World Of Space Exploration At Nasa's Johnson Space Center
Location: NASA Johnson Space Center
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Drury Inn & Suites Houston near the Galleria
Meals Included: Breakfast
NASA's Johnson Space Center seems like a fitting beginning to our eclipse journey, being home to the USA's long and illustrious career in space exploration. The center serves as the training base for the country's astronauts, and is also the site of the famous Apollo Mission Control.
The 'tram tour', which forms part of our entrance ticket, is a guided tour through several of the different Johnson Space Center locations - for example, the George W. S. Abbey Rocket Park, where three of the original Saturn V rockets are proudly displayed, the Astronaut Training Facility, and Apollo Mission Control Center. There are also a large number of other galleries housing memorabilia and artefacts such as spacesuits and shuttle carriers, as well as films and occasional live shows. There is a lot to see in this enormous site, so we may not get around everything.
After our morning visit, we'll drive back to the city where we have some free time.
Day 3 : Drive To Austin; Wine-Tasting At A Texas Vineyard; Sunset Bat-Watching Cruise
Location: Austin
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Drury Inn & Suites Austin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Getting on the road to Austin this morning, we drive through small Texas towns and outposts that offer a classic slice of Americana. The rest-stop of Buc'ees is one such place - this gas station's souvenirs offer the classic kitsch of an American road trip. While driving through the back roads, we also plan to stop at one of the state's many vineyards for a wine-tasting under the famous Big Texas Sky.
We'll arrive in Austin this afternoon. This arty, creative and outdoorsy city is known as the Live Music Capital of the World, and on that front it doesn't disappoint. There are more than 250 live music venues in the city, from ice houses to honky tonks, and from BBQ restaurants to coffee houses. Over the next two days our Tour Leader will see what's on so that we can get out and catch a performance - whether country, tejano, blues or more, Austin has it all.
In the early evening, we'll get an unusual take on the city, with a sunset boat trip to view the enormous colony of Mexican free-tailed bats that make their home under the Anne W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. This spot on the Colorado River is actually the largest urban bat colony in the world, and most often the bats start emerging as the sun goes down. Afterwards we'll head out for dinner and maybe find some live music.
Day 4 : Free Day In Austin; Catch Live Music At A Local Bar
Location: Austin
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Drury Inn & Suites Austin
Meals Included: Breakfast
We have the entire day free in Austin today, to spend as we choose. For music fans, there is the option to take a venue tour of the Austin City Limits at the Moody Theater - home of the longest running music series in American TV history. You could also visit the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, and stroll through Zilker Park and its Botanical Gardens or swim in Barton Springs if its hot. There is a 10-mile hiking trail around Lady Bird Lake, or keen shoppers might want to head to Allen's Boots in South Congress to purchase the classic Texan souvenir - a pair of your very own cowboy boots. With an array of museums, the State Capitol Building (free to enter) and plenty of parks, open spaces and shops to explore, Austin is a great city in which to spend a day.
Note - the Austin City Limits music festival may be on, or being set up, while we're in the city. Dates for 2023 are not yet released, but it's commonly in October. If you're particularly interested in music, you may want to keep an eye on online ticket availability. And if not, just be aware that Zilker Park may have restricted access.
Day 5 : Drive To San Antonio; Visit The Alamo And The River Walk; Transfer To A Ranch In The Hill Country
Location: San Antonio, The Alamo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mayan Dude Ranch
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We're driving into the heart of Mexican America today, visiting San Antonio and the famous Alamo. The Alamo has a complex history, that lives at the heart of Texas lore as the cradle of their fight for 'freedom', with the names of Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie being known worldwide. However, before the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, its important to remember that the Alamo was set up as a Spanish mission church, along with several others in San Antonio, as a way to forcefully convert local Indigenous people to both Catholicism and the Spanish language. In the 1800s, Mexico first sought to gain its independence from Spain, and then in turn Texians (mainly Anglo settlers, with some Mexicans) fought to establish Texas as an independent state. While a visit to the Alamo today mainly concentrates on the 'heroism' exhibited by Crockett, Bowie and the like, contrasting them with the 'villainous' Mexicans, it's worthwhile remembering that this is not the site's only history.
After the Alamo, we'll head to the beautiful River Walk that carves its way through the heart of San Antonio. Lined with eateries, bars, cafes, cobbled bridges and beautiful architecture, there's plenty to stop and look at aside from the river itself, and we'll stop somewhere along route for lunch.
In the afternoon, we plan to visit some of the other missions in San Antonio, both by vehicle and on foot. While the Alamo is the most famous, the other Spanish missions, each one dating back to the 1700s, are all worthy of a visit for their architecture and history.
Afterwards, we'll leave the city for the big open skies of Texas Hill Country, journeying into the heart of cowboy country to our dude ranch for tomorrow's eclipse.
Day 6 : Witness The Annular Eclipse With An Astronomer
Location: Hill Country State Natural Area
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mayan Dude Ranch
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An annular eclipse of the Sun will take place today, 14th October 2023. Our location for the eclipse is at our ranch, so we just need to step out of the front door when, at around 11.50am, we can expect to experience some four minutes and 45 seconds of annularity (weather permitting).
Eclipse glasses will be provided to allow you to view this natural wonder safely and we will be accompanied by an expert astronomer to provide an insight on the science behind the eclipse, and to answer any questions you may have. There will be another Explore group with us, and we'll be able to share stories about our travels so far.
According to weather records, this day in Texas Hill Country has had some level of cloud cover 61% of the time (since 2000), although we are unable to make any guarantees regarding the weather conditions and the likelihood of seeing the eclipse.
The afternoon will be spent doing ranch activities. We have horseback riding available to us, and all manner of other rootin' tootin' cowboy experiences. Every day is different on the ranch, but typically you might take a hayride or saddle ride to the cowboy breakfast cookout where southern grits and over-fresh biscuits will be on the menu. After the eclipse it might be lunch, listening to some country-western music and swimming in the outdoor pool (unheated!), walking the trails of the ranch's 300+ acres, playing table tennis or learning the art of 'roping' (using a lasso). Spend the evening with country dancing or roasting marshmallows around a fire.
Day 7 : Drive To Houston; Free Afternoon
Location: Houston
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Drury Inn & Suites Houston near the Galleria
Meals Included: Breakfast
It's a three hour drive to Houston this morning, as we leave Hill Country for the big city. We'll arrive this afternoon and have the rest of the day free to enjoy the end of our time in the Lone Star State. Head to the Museum District for a bit of culture, or to the Buffalo Bayou for hundreds of acres of green space and waterways right in the heart of the city. The city also has some great breweries and bars if that's what you fancy. You could try La Carafe - the oldest building in Houston - a cash only haunt with character.
Day 8 : Trip Ends In Houston
Location: Houston
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Houston.
There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Houston at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), which is a 30 minute drive away.
What's Included
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Accommodation
5 nights comfortable hotel, 2 nights comfortable ranch
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Meals
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Fully Guided
What's Not Included
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International Travel
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Low (Relaxed)
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As per details given in an itinerary.
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What is the maximum group size?
13
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, minimum age is 16.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
nights comfortable hotel, 2 nights comfortable ranch.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, not included.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, not included.
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.