The Best of Texas

The Best of Texas. 19 days/18 nights. Start: Dallas - End: Fort Worth.

  • Day 01: Dallas - arrival - rentalcar pickup - checkin - free time
  • Day 02: Dallas
  • Day 03: Dallas - Austin (selfdrive)
  • Day 04: Austin - Houston (selfdrive)
  • Day 05: Houston - cityvisit
  • Day 06: Houston - Galveston - Houston
  • Day 07: Galveston - Corpus Christi (selfdrive)
  • Day 08: Corpus Christi - San Antonio (selfdrive)
  • Day 09: San Antonio - City Visit
  • Day 10: San Antonio - Pecos County - Fort Stockton (selfdrive)
  • Day 11: Fort Stockton - Big Bend National Park (selfdrive)
  • Day 12: Big Bend National Park - full day park visit
  • Day 13: Big Bend National Park - Odessa/Midland (selfdrive)
  • Day 14: Odessa/Midland - Amarillo (selfdrive)
  • Day 15: Amarillo - visit
  • Day 16: Amarillo - Graham (selfdrive)
  • Day 17: Graham - day free at leisure
  • Day 18: Graham - Fort Worth (selfdrive)
  • Day 19: Departure Fort Worth
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day 1

Dallas - arrival - rentalcar pickup - checkin - free time

1 Day

20 km

At arrival, pick up the rental car and drive to the hotel. 

 

day 2

Dallas

1 Day

10 km

Dallas' many neighborhoods and entertainment districts have everything you can imagine for an exciting and diverse visit. Explore the life of President John F. Kennedy at the Sixth Floor Museum. Get an in-depth look at 8 years of presidential history at the George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum. Stand amongst massive bronze longhorn sculptures at Pioneer Plaza. Meander through time at Dallas Heritage Village. Enjoy world-class architecture as you wander through the Dallas Arts District, step into the Dallas Museum of Art, or experience breathtaking 360-degree views of Dallas from 470 feet up at the Reunion Tower's GeO-Deck. Walking trough the little streets in the old city center with lots of restaurants, snacks and shops is definitely worth a visit. Other attractions to visit are: the J.F.K. Memorial Plaza, the State Fair Park, the famous Stockyards van Fort Worth, .... The choice is yours.

day 3

Dallas - Austin (selfdrive)

1 Day

350 km

Today head out for the capital city of Texas, Austin, home to the handsome State Capitol Building and the Texas State History Museum. Austin is a lively city that bills itself as the "Live Music Capital of the World", filled with more than 250 music venues and a vibrant arts scene. Enjoy an evening on Sixth Street or the Warehouse District.

day 4

Austin - Houston (selfdrive)

1 Day

330 km

Discover Houston's past in Heritage Park amid the skyscrapers of downtown. Visit the Johnson Space Center for a fascinating history of America's love affair with outher space.

day 5

Houston - cityvisit

1 Day

10 km

Spend the day exploring this unique city. Take a stroll through the historic Heights District rich with character-filled architecture, funky boutiques and delightful restaurants. If it's culture you're looking for, the pedestrian-friendly Museum District houses 19 cultural institutions in a beautiful park-like neighborhood. Make your way through the River Oaks area which contains some of the most coveted (and expensive) real estate in the city. This evening, grab a bite in one of the many award-winning restaurants, or if you're looking for a safe way to hit the nightlife scene, check out the Wave, a service that shuttles folks around the city's primary nightlife areas.

day 6

Houston - Galveston - Houston

1 Day

210 km

Discover the famous Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and Mission Control. Travel the road to the coast. Via Texas City, you reach Galveston, one of Texas most known seaside village. 32 miles of sunny sandy beaches, the historic Ashton Villa, Fort Crockett, the Sea - Arama and much more. Lodging in Galveston or Houston. 

 

day 7

Galveston - Corpus Christi (selfdrive)

1 Day

360 km

Today you follow the coast to Corpus Christi with stops at Port Aransas and Rockport. Port Aransas is the most popular city on the route. Port Aransas is a city on Mustang Island, on the Texas coast. It's known for its Gulf of Mexico beaches and fish-filled waterways. Rockport is home to long Rockport Beach, with its fishing piers and rich birdlife. The Texas Maritime Museum explores Gulf Coast history with exhibits on shipbuilding, oil drilling and pirates. Nearby, Rockport Center for the Arts has changing local art displays and a sculpture garden.

day 8

Corpus Christi - San Antonio (selfdrive)

1 Day

245 km

See the open range and farmland of early settlers on the way to San Antonio. Top places to visit on your way are Alsatian Steinbach Haus and Castroville Regional Park, or the ever-popular St. Louis Catholic Church- Castroville. After arriving in San Antonio, check-in and first discovery of its' unique blend of cultures - making it one of the most charming cities in the U.S. Your hotel for the next two nights is in the heart of San Antonio within easy reach of the major sites.

day 9

San Antonio - City Visit

1 Day

15 km

Stroll along the River Walk. This festive, almost magical place, winds through downtown at 20-feet below street level providing scenic pathways and waterways for the city's cultural and historic sites as well as picturesque link between restaurants, hotels ands shops. Or plan a visit to the Spanish Governor's Palace or one of the many Spanish missions will take you into the historical heritage of this charming city. But most of all, remember the Alamo and visit the site of the courageous battle between a handful of Texans and Santa Ana's vast army, which was instrumental in creating the Republic of Texas. The Alamo is where 189 Texas defenders held 4,000 Mexican troops at bay for thirteen days in their claim for Texas independence. Embark on Mission Trail to explore the four other Spanish colonial missions set amidst the native grasslands along the San Antonio River. All four are still active Catholic parishes, all now UNESCO World Heritage Sites. When your appetite returns, venture to El Mercado, the largest Mexican market north of the Rio Grande to find family owned cafés and colorful food booths. Indulge in authentic Tex-Mex cuisine with selections like Enchiladas Rancheras de Queso and Gorditas de Picadillo o Pollo. Recline among papel picado and the old world feel as you select pastries from panaderías served alongside fresh coffee.

day 10

San Antonio - Pecos County - Fort Stockton (selfdrive)

1 Day

540 km

The rolling hill country was the site of early settlements in mid-Texas, farmers had to battle infertile earth and Comanches to survive. The code of the West rules here as you travel through Pecos County where giants and legends, such as Pecos Bill, are made. Look for deer, jackrabbits and coyote as you journey across this seemingly uninhabitable terrain. Overnight in Fort-Stockton.

day 11

Fort Stockton - Big Bend National Park (selfdrive)

1 Day

230 km

Leaving Fort Stockton, you drive about an hour and get to Marathon for a brief stop and a walk around this small town. Continue further south and follow the scenic road until you get to the entrance of Big Bend National Park, a remarkable park to discover.

day 12

Big Bend National Park - full day park visit

1 Day

5 km

Visit Big Bend National Park today. Sometimes it's considered as "Three parks in one". Big Bend has mountain, desert and river landscapes. An hour's drive will take you from the banks of the Rio Grande to the mountain ranges. Here you will find one of the last remaining "resting places" of the States to experience unparalleled views, sounds and silences. There are as many ways to enjoy The Big Bend as people who visit it. The diversity of recreational opportunities is so great that there's something for everyone. Many visitors enjoy the comfort of the cobbled panoramic routes and others enjoy taking on the challenge of the remote unpaved roads with rugged vehicles. Any Park Ranger will tell you that neither the desert nor the mountains show their true nature to motorized vehicles. The best way to experience The Big Bend is to go out on foot and become part of the landscape. Listen to the silence of the desert, smell the create bushes, marvel at the distant mountain peaks and you will soon discover how special this place is.

day 13

Big Bend National Park - Odessa/Midland (selfdrive)

1 Day

395 km

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day 14

Odessa/Midland - Amarillo (selfdrive)

1 Day

420 km

Keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground” has new meaning after a trip to the U.T. McDonald Observatory. South of Midland but worth the journey, the observatory is one of the world’s leading astronomical research and educational centers, where visitors experience dark skies brimming with planets, stars, nebulas and galaxies. Next stop is Lubbock - where each smooth sip of Texas High Plains Wine will meet your palate. Located downtown in a historic Coca-Cola bottling plant, the legacy of Doc McPherson, the “Father of Texas Wine,” lives on at McPherson Cellars. Llano Estacado Winery, the state’s second oldest winery, is located 10 miles outside of town thanks to Lubbock’s history as a dry country. English Newsom Cellars and Pheasant Ridge Winery are worth a nod as well. And if you have more time, make a stop at the American Windmill Museum. The largest windmill museum in the world, showcases more than 170 these beautifully restored structures and a 6,000-square-foot hand-painted mural titled Legacy of the Wind.

day 15

Amarillo - visit

1 Day

100 km

Amarillo is the unofficial capital of the Panhandle Plains. A city with an interesting past, due to its location on the famous Route 66, somewhat isolated in the great plains. The area around Amarillo is relatively flat but very vast, the landscape you know from the many westerns shot in Texas. In Amarillo you will find attractions such as the Cadillac Ranch, the famous restaurant The Big Texan Ranch and Wonderland Park. And nearby, a visit to the beautiful Palo Duro Canyon park is not to be missed.

day 16

Amarillo - Graham (selfdrive)

1 Day

442 km

Leave the natural beauty of Amarillo and travel to the beautiful North Texas Hill Country. You will spend two nights at the Wildcatter Ranch for a “Hands-on Cowboy Experience”. Wildcatter Ranch takes in 1,500 acres of the most beautiful Texas country. Enjoy all the comforts of home with a special rustic Texas charm. Expect a vacation where you can spend your day horseback riding, shooting sporting clays, and canoeing or enjoying the sunset from the back porch of your guest room. Whatever you decide to do here, one thing is for sure, the Wildcatter Ranch offers an authentic Texas experience like no other.

day 17

Graham - day free at leisure

1 Day

10 km

Completely free day at the ranch to enjoy all the activities or some relaxing around the pool.

day 18

Graham - Fort Worth (selfdrive)

1 Day

150 km

Short drive today before you arrive in Fort Worth. This is the 12th-largest city in the United States, known for Texas hospitality and a dozen remarkable districts full of culture and fun. The historic western Stockyards featuring the world's only twice-daily cattle drive, Billy Bob's Texas, the world's largest honky-tonk and the new Mule Alley.
Enjoy your last evening in Texas!

day 19

Departure Fort Worth

1 Day

25 km

Return your rental car at DFW airport before your departure flight or you have the option to extend your stay and explore distinct dining, shopping and world-class museums in the "Cultural Capital of the Southwest".

Tourist class hotels (0US00037)
is available starting at 3395 EUR

Prices apply for all departures in the date range. Departure is possible every day.

Rooms 01.05.24 - 30.06.24 01.07.24 - 31.08.24 01.09.24 - 31.10.24
2X DOUBLE ROOMS + 1 RENTALCAR (K2X2D) 3225 3495 3225
DOUBLE ROOM 1 BED (K21) 3395 3666 3395
QUADRUPLE ROOM 2 BEDS (K42) 2094 2355 2094
TRIPLE ROOM 2 BEDS (K32) 2448 2674 2448
SINGLE ROOM (K11) 6748 7015 6748
per child in parents room 2 - 12 (DACHD12) 115 115 115
per childr in parents room 13 - 18 (DACHD18) 285 285 285

Included

  • Hotelaccomodation based on lodging + local sales taxes, as per itinerary and as per chosen hotel category.
  • Car rental with GPS, adapted to the number of persons in the car, one driver.  Extra drivers and/or underage drivers can be added with supplement.
    • Single: Economy except if the car is brought back to another city than the one it started from, than Compact.
    • Double/Twin: Compact
    • Triple: Intermediate
    • Quadruple and 2x double rooms: Fullsize.
  • Any other car rental category can be provided with the appropriate price adjustment.
  • Only for selfdrives booked as published: roadbook with description of day by day itinerary. (Only available in Dutch and French)
  • Local roadmap of the State or Province (Canda), or a road atlas if the trip brings you through different states.

Not Included

All services NOT mentioned such as: 

  • International passport and charges for ESTA = USA and or ETA = Canada.
  • Airline tickets, airport taxes, fuel surcharge, security fee, and more.
  • Meals at the hotels except if confirmed differently at time of confirmation.
  • Resort fees, Urban fees, Facility fees and other fees charged by some hotels and to be paid locally.
  • Eventual cost for a (new) Belgian - European drivers licence, if the current one does not state "Drivers Licence" in English.
  • Warrant/Security Deposit/Guarantee cost for rental cars, motorhomes, motorbikes, hotels and more.
  • Fuel for the vehicles and parking costs. 
  • Charges for tollroads en toll bridges
  • Insurances (cancellation insurance, travel and assistance insurance, luggage insurance, etc).
  • Admissions to the national parks, to attractions, extra excursions, etc.
  • All personal expenses (Food & Drinks), souvenirs and more. 

Good To Know

FLIGHTS:

Wings ‘n Wheels is offering a large choice of European and American carriers which operates daily flights to and from the USA and Canada, starting from Brussels and as well as from the main airports in neighboring countries.

International and eventual domestic flights are not included. Airlines work with flexible prices and availability does change quickly. Use the contact form below and send it to your travel agent (enter your postal code or city name or the name of your travel agency) and indicate accurately your travel dates (departure and return) together with the surname (family name), first name and date of birth of each traveler and Wings ‘n Wheels will search for the best deals, considering itinerary and pricing.

A-LA-CARTE   -  TAILOR MADE:

All self-drive itineraries can be amended and tailormade “ à la carte” to your wishes.

CARRENTAL - DRIVERS LICENCE:

It is mandatory to present a NATIONAL driving licence with on the front side "Driving Licence". An international drivers licence is a translation only and not a valid document to rent a vehicle.