Itinerary

Land at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and take a private transfer to your hotel. Fort Worth offers Western culture at its most authentic, so saddle up for an immersive experience. You’ll be centrally-located within easy walking distance of all there is to see and do, so spend a relaxing evening dining in one of the many restaurants in downtown Fort Worth or head to the newly developed entertainment district, Sundance Square.

Spend the morning touring the Stockyards National Historic District in Fort Worth. Your hotel is just a half block from Fort Worth’s Main Street where the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive still takes place. You’ll find many delightful shops, bars and restaurants along the Main Street too. Come evening enjoy a truly Texan nightlife experience by heading to the famed Billy Bob’s Texas. Or, if you happen to be in Fort Worth on a weekend, attend a local rodeo to get a taste of the local cowboy culture.

Leave first thing in the morning for the 4-hour drive over to Natchitoches. The oldest city in Louisiana, it was once an important trading post for Native Americans, French and Spanish explorers and ultimately, American traders. You’ll be staying at Samuel Guy House, a wonderful bed and breakfast listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Spend the afternoon discovering this charming city renowned for its southern hospitality and history. Places of interest include the National Historic Landmark District which includes French Creole townhouses, the Minor Basilica with its stained-glass windows and the 19th century Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile, and Fort St. Jean Baptiste, a full-scale replica fort built along the city’s Cane River.

On your way to Houmas House this morning stop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s capital, for a walking tour of the city centre that includes a visit to the eye-catching Louisiana State Capitol building. You’ll learn all about the local history and architecture of this unique capital.

Afterwards, arrive at Houmas House & Gardens for a leisurely afternoon tour. Once one of the largest sugar cane plantations in the South, Houmas has majestic gardens filled with fountains and lush vegetation – perfect for strolling through – and an excellent restaurant for dinner called Carriage House. You’ll be staying the night in one of the cottages on the tranquil grounds, enjoying a relaxed country stay.

Today, follow the winding River Road along the mighty Mississippi to discover the many plantations that border this famous river. You’ll pass by Destrehan Plantation, Laura Plantation and the iconic Oak Alley Plantation. Each offers a different piece of history, and a visit to any of these will be well worth your time.

Arrive late afternoon in the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans and after getting settled into your hotel – which has a fascinating history in and of itself – head out to enjoy the French Quarter’s vibrant nightlife or book a jazz show at one of New Orleans’ most authentic jazz clubs, Fritzel’s.

New Orleans is a feast for the senses, so start the day with a French Quarter Walking Tour to discover the typical narrow streets, laced balconies and private courtyards of this iconic part of the city. Award-winning restaurants and cafés can be found across the city, but if you’re looking to pair food with music, enjoy a Jazz Brunch at the famous Court of Two Sisters restaurant. The rest of the day can be spent exploring New Orleans at your leisure, with various museums, historic sites and excellent shopping found throughout. End the day with an adventure aboard a steamboat on the Mississippi River – you’ll get live Jazz and a delicious dinner on an evening cruise.

Leave New Orleans after breakfast to the capital of French Louisiana, Lafayette. The heart of Cajun culture, the city is a fascinating mix of food, music and linguistic history. Visit the Tabasco Factory on Avery Island just south of Lafayette for a self-guided tour – or private cooking class in Cajun cuisine – then take the scenic drive through their Jungle Gardens before arriving in the city’s downtown district. You’ll be staying overnight at the charming historic plantation, Maison Mouton. Spend the evening listening to live Cajun and Zydeco music at the plantation or at one of Lafayette’s live music venues. You can also dine at a place like the Bon Temps Grill if you want to try some signature Cajun dishes.

Start your morning with a bayou or swamp tour via boat or airboat. Lafayette and the surrounding area is famous for its swamps and there’s nothing like experiencing it firsthand. Afterwards, make your way over to Lake Charles, a small city situated on the Gulf Coast between Louisiana and Texas, and an excellent jumping off point for experiencing the beautiful nature and wildlife of the region.

On your relatively short journey over, make sure to drive on the scenic Creole Nature Trail All-American Road into the breathtaking splendour of Louisiana’s renowned unspoiled wetlands, wildlife refuges and rippling marshes. You can even get out and explore along miles of footpaths and spot alligators, go bird-watching, crabbing and seashell hunting. Start at Adventure Point in Sulphur and make your way. There are three National Wildlife Refuges – Sabine, Rockefeller and Lacassine – with more than 250 species of birds, as well as a wide range of wildlife from alligators and armadillos to coyotes and river otters.

Arrive in Lake Charles in the early evening and check into your centrally-located bed and breakfast. Aunt Ruby’s is one of the last remaining Victorian-era homes in the city and you’ll be in for a cosy stay. Spend the evening at one of the many bars or restaurants in downtown Lake Charles.

Spend a relaxing morning exploring Sam Jones Houston State Park, a 1,087-acre public green space with tree-filled lagoons, abundant wildlife and a striking mix of pine and hardwood forest. Rent a kayak to paddle down the Calcasieu River to fully appreciate the serene setting.

In the afternoon, opt for a guided bicycle tour around the historic district of Lake Charles to gain insight into its history.

Leave early this morning to make the 5-hour drive back into Texas. You’ll be spending the next two nights in the historic metropolis of San Antonio, but you’ll be stopping in Houston along the way. Houston is the fourth largest city in America and home to the nation’s space programme, so take a few hours to visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science with its fascinating ecliptic exhibits or spend some time at the world-renowned NASA/Johnson Space Center. Each exhibit is self-guided so you can go at your leisure. Just don’t forget to take the tram to see Mission Control where some of space history’s most memorable events took place!

When you finally arrive in the early evening in San Antonio, spend it relaxing and shopping along the city’s famous pedestrian promenade, the River Walk. You’ll be staying just steps away at the elegant Hotel Havana. Get settled in and then head out. San Antonio hosts the state’s premier culinary festival, so you’ll also be sure to find some excellent food.

San Antonio is rich in colonial heritage having been founded in 1691 by Spanish missionaries and you’ll find the city exudes both Mexican flair and Texan charm. Start the day with a morning walking tour of historic San Antonio to see landmarks like the Spanish Governor’s Palace, the Mexican Market and the famed Alamo, where just 189 defenders protected the old mission against a whopping 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days. You’ll benefit from having the San Antonio Explorer Pass, which gives you access to two attractions of your choosing, and we highly recommend making this historical tour one of your activities.

Come afternoon, visit one or more of the four remaining World Heritage Site Spanish Missions dotted throughout the city. Each has its own unique architecture and history. Alternatively, take advantage of the other attractions offered in your Pass. You can stop by the San Antonio Museum of Art, the Witte Museum, the Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum, or take a short cruise down San Antonio’s picturesque river.

After breakfast, make your way over to Austin. The drive is around an hour and a half, and you’ll find one of the largest outlet malls in the United States enroute in San Marcos. Stop if you’d like – there are over 130 luxury and brand name stores – or continue on to Austin. Widely considered the Live Music Capital of the World with a music scene to rival both Nashville and New Orleans, the capital of Texas offers plenty to see and do. Visit the impressive Texas State Capitol, the largest capitol building in the United States, and taste some of the city’s delicious barbecue and Tex-Mex. Come evening, when Austin really comes alive, stop in one of the nearly 200 live music venues across the city. From Country to RnB and Techno to Rock, you’ll find something to listen to between 6th Street and the Warehouse District.

Leave right after breakfast for the gleaming skyscrapers of Dallas, stopping along the way in the infamous town of Waco to visit the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. A fascinating stop, you’ll learn about the history of both Texas and the Texas Rangers before driving on to your ultimate destination.

A modern metropolis in the northern part of the state, Dallas is a bustling city with a world-class arts scene. You’ll be staying at the upscale Fairmont Dallas right in the heart of the downtown Dallas Arts District. If you want to visit the city’s many museums and attractions, sign up for a CityPASS before you arrive. You’ll get general admission to the impressive Geo-Deck at the Reunion Tower – whose restaurant, Crown Block, we recommend for dinner with a view – and your choice of up to two other attractions, including the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the George W. Bush Presidential Museum and the Dallas Zoo.

Before departing Dallas, tour the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealy Plaza. It’s a must-visit at the actual site where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Then drive out to Wildcatter Ranch and Resort in Graham.

Set on 1,500 acres overlooking the Brazos River, Wildcatter is a 4-star working ranch and resort in a beautiful, secluded setting, and will provide a one-of-a-kind ranch experience over your last two days. Take part in a range of activities such as horse riding, clay shooting, cattle feeding, scenic hikes, jeep tours, archery and tomahawk throwing, most of which are led by Wildcatter’s exceptional staff, or relax in the scenic serenity to be found on your cabin porch or by the pool.