2024 USA-12 Night Total Solar Eclipse Tour-Houston-San Antonio-Kerville-Waxahachie-Austin-Dallas

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. Who hasn’t daydreamed about being an astronaut at least once? Thankfully, Space Center Houston makes it easy to learn about the great beyond. It’s the first Smithsonian Affiliate in the greater Houston area. The center features more than 400 space artifacts and several exhibits related to the past, present, and future of America’s human spaceflight program. It’s also home to the world’s largest collection of moon rocks and lunar samples for public view and offers guests the opportunity to go behind the scenes to see NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Later, enjoy dinner (not included) in the collection of historic Houston neighborhoods known as the Heights, an area dotted with independent shops and trendy restaurants. Overnight in Houston.

After breakfast enjoy Galleria of Houston. More than 30 million visitors each year seek the dynamic & fine shopping environment uniquely offered by The Galleria, Texas’ largest shopping center and fourth largest domain nationally. International guests and Houstonians blend seamlessly in the center while on shopping excursions or entertaining guests at one of the signature eateries. Spanning 2.4 million square feet of space, housing 400 fine stores and restaurants, two high-rise Westin hotels, and three office towers, The Galleria is Houston’s most popular retail and tourist destination, meeting every style and taste. A plethora of amenities, including a full-size ice rink for recreational and figure skating, a state-of-the-art children’s play area, two swimming pools, full-service national and international banks, multiple tax-free reimbursement locations for international guests, two tailor shops, several beauty salons, and a post office, continually serve a wide range of shopper delights. Overnight in Houston.

Checking out of our Houston hotel this morning, we travel to San Antonio. Welcome to the “American Venice.” Historic missions River Walk restaurants, Spanish architecture, and a beautiful river as the city’s centerpiece make this a truly remarkable city. 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 Westin Riverwalk Hotel San Antonia where we stay overnight. Tonight, enjoy welcome reception presentation and briefing. Overnight in San Antonio.

Your day begins with a fascinating tour of San Antonio with a local guide. History and culture abound with a visit to two UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit the Mission San José, the second mission established by Fray Antonio Margil de Jesus in 1720. Known as the “Queen of the Missions”, this is the largest of the missions and was almost fully restored to its original design in the 1930s by the WPA (Works Projects Administration). Spanish missions were not churches, but communities with the church the focus. Mission San José captures a transitional moment in history, frozen in time. Mission San Jose turns 300 years old in 2020. Throughout 2020, we commemorate Mission San Jose’s tricentennial and remember the stories of the people who walked these grounds 300 years ago. For some, this year is a somber time to remember the difficult changes that mission indigenous people underwent during the colonial period. For others, this is a time to celebrate excellent site preservation and our vibrant modern local cultures.

Then it’s on to visit one of America’s most historic sites, the Alamo, which played a critical role in the Texas Revolution. People worldwide continue to remember the Alamo as a heroic struggle against impossible odds – a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. The Battle of the Alamo during Texas’ war for independence from Mexico lasted thirteen days, from February 23, 1836-March 6, 1836. In December of 1835, a group of Texan volunteer soldiers had occupied the Alamo, a former Franciscan mission located near the present-day city of San Antonio. On February 23, a Mexican force numbering in the thousands and led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna began a siege of the fort. Though vastly outnumbered, the Alamo’s 200 defenders–commanded by James Bowie and William Travis and including the famed frontiersman Davy Crockett—held out for 13 days before the Mexican forces finally overpowered them. For Texans, the Battle of the Alamo became an enduring symbol of their heroic resistance to oppression and their struggle for independence, which they won later that year. The battle cry of “remember the Alamo” later became popular during the Mexican American War of 1846-1848. Aboard a boat and drift along the Paseo del Rio, also known as the River Walk, one of Texas’s most prized attractions. Learn more about the architecture and culture of the city on this relaxing narrated boat ride. Then, enjoy some leisure time to discover San Antonio on your own. This evening, enjoy the local flavors of Texas during dinner in the King William Historic District at a restored convent. Overnight in San Antonio.

Journey to Stonewall and enjoy a visit to the LBJ Ranch, birthplace of the 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson. You will view the grounds of the “Texas White House.” The focal piece of the LBJ Ranch is the LBJ Ranch House, the home of President Johnson and a center of political activity for more than 20 years. Leaders from around the world visited the Johnsons here, and during the Johnson Administration it became known as the Texas White House. President Johnson was the first President to create a functioning White House away from Washington. In 1972 the Johnsons donated the Texas White House to the National Park Service and the American people. After the President’s death in 1973, Mrs. Johnson continued to live at the Ranch part time until her death in 2007. Mrs. Johnson kept on display many of the gifts the Johnsons received while in public service. The Texas White House is “a house full of gifts that’s a gift to our nation.” Our visit will include the family ranch, the one-room schoolhouse and the cemetery and final resting place of LBJ and Lady Bird Johnson.

Continue to the heart of the rural Hill Country and the German settlement of Fredericksburg for a visit to the National Museum of the Pacific War, dedicated to teaching and preserving this chapter of U.S. history. Discover the human story of World War II in the Pacific in more than 55,000 square feet of exhibit space spread over three galleries located on six acres in the heart of Fredericksburg, Texas. The National Museum of the Pacific War is the only museum in the continental U.S. solely dedicated to telling the story of WWII in the Pacific. The old-time Southwest will surround you as you take time to independently explore the quaint shops. Enjoy the evening at leisure to explore San Antonio’s beautiful River Walk. Overnight in san Antonio.

This morning, it’s your choice! Visit the South Texas Heritage Center at the Witte Museum, an interactive museum dedicated to sharing the stories of San Antonio’s people and the land to shape the future of Texas through relevant and transformative experiences in nature, science and culture.

In the afternoon head out to the San Antonio Botanical Gardens with expansive rose gardens, conservatory with tropical vegetation, and the Texas Native Trail showcasing ecosystems from the diverse regions of the state. Next, browse for one-of-a-kind goods at El Mercado, the Mexican Marketplace. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your travel companions at a local restaurant. Overnight in San Antonio.

Originally called “Brownsborough” in 1844 after founding settler Joshua Brown, Kerrville was a cypress shingle manufacturing town. After some town growth, Brown asked that the name be changed to Kerrville in honor of his friend, and fallen soldier of the Texas revolution, Major James Kerr. The “s” was eventually dropped when the town became the county seat.
Kerrville is best known for its beautiful parks that line the Guadalupe River, which runs directly through the city. We reserve a special spot for the group you welcome to join us, or you are free to view the eclipse from a place of your choice. This evening we will celebrate great Eclipse there will be drinks follows by dinner. Overnight in San Antonio.

30° 02′ 43.94″ N 99° 08′ 39.41″ W
Total Eclipse Duration 4m 23.8s
Altitude: 490m (1607ft)
Start of partial eclipse 11:14:42.8
Start of total eclipse 12:32:04.3
End of total eclipse 12:36:29.1
End of partial eclipse 13:55:29.5
(Local times)

After checking out of our hotel today 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 in Austin. Alamo, (Spanish: “Cottonwood”) 18th-century Franciscan mission in San Antonio, Texas, U.S., that was the site of a historic resistance effort by a small group of determined fighters for Texan independence (1836) from Mexico. The building was originally the chapel of the Mission San Antonio de Valero, which had been founded between 1716 and 1718 by Franciscans. Before the end of the century, the mission had been abandoned and the buildings fell into partial ruin. After 1801 the chapel was occupied sporadically by Spanish troops. Apparently, it was during that period that the old chapel became popularly known as “the Alamo” because of the grove of cottonwood trees in which it stood.

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. On any given night, you can find an unusual mix of people, from the ages of 18 to 60 and beyond, enjoying a live band at the Continental Club. What makes it different from other bars and music venues in Austin is its ability to appeal to all ages and walks of life. Events held annually at the Continental Club include birthday parties in honor of Elvis, Buck Owens and Wanda Jackson. The club features live music every night of the week. Overnight in Austin.

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. Stockyards Stables gives everyone the chance to saddle up and ride into the sunset. Traverse the breathtaking landscape, from the famed Chisolm trail to the banks of the stunning Trinity River. The stables also accommodate your own horses. You can rest assured that your equine friend will not lack for amenities, as grain, hay, blanketing, and other services are offered. Giddy-up and don’t miss out on a truly serene Fort Worth experience! 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 our hotel in Waxahachie where we stay for the remainder of the tour. Overnight in 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 its main exhibit, entitled John F. Kennedy and the Memory of a Nation, provides the context for understanding what was happening in America and what issues JFK was facing when he was killed. Here you can stand in the chilling Corner Window area where Oswald allegedly fired the deadly rifle shots, now recreated from crime-scene photographs to accurately reflect the setup the assassin used. Then explore artifacts from the ensuing investigation, including a scale model of Dealey Plaza submitted to the Warren Commission and a Mannlicher-Carcano rifle identical to the one used by Oswald. Interactive touchscreens and an audio guide provide fascinating details behind all that you’re seeing and hearing. Overnight in Dallas.

Full day free of leisure. Overnight in Dallas

Departure to your home. You have to fine your own way to Dallas Airport for your final flight back to home.