TexasTripper Travel Blog

Reader Question: Horseback Riding Vacation?

My wife and I booked a vacation a year ago to the Flying L ranch in Bandera. Is there anything like this else where? We have a 5 and 3 year old. They really enjoyed to kids activities at the Flying L. I am in charge of planning our vacation for the Memorial Day holiday this year. I would like to go somewhere different. My wife and I like to horseback ride wherever we vacation. We would like to be able to leave the kids to do kids activities. What can you recommend?

Thanks for your email! If you'd like another dude ranch, one that's very family friendly is the Mayan Dude Ranch (pronounced MAY-an), just outside of Bandera. Starting Memorial Day weekend, they offer an extensive family program and lots of horseback riding as well.

If you're on the lookout for a destination outside the Bandera area, a resort we'd recommend is the 400-acre Hyatt Lost Pines near Bastrop, just east of Austin. The resort offers Camp Hyatt, the Hyatt supervised kids program and a whole menu of horseback rides as well as other activities such as kayaking and canoeing.

Happy travels!

Labels: mailbox

posted by Paris & John @ 6:07 PM 0 comments links to this post

Reader Question: Cabin in the Hill Country?

Dear Paris and John,

My wife and I are looking for a cabin getaway in the Hill Country. I'd like a quiet place; my wife would like a cabin that's not too rustic. Any ideas?

There are a lot of cabins in the Hill Country so you've definitely got a good selection.

If you'd like the amenities of a hotel but the privacy of a cottage, we'd recommend you check out Canyon of the Eagles Lodge. This lodge is in the Canyon of the Eagles Nature park just west of Burnet; the lodge cabins are nice and comfortable but not too nice; the park is quiet and a nice getaway for walks, bird watching and star gazing. There's a restaurant on site as well as organized park activities if you like.

Settlers Crossing, Fredericksburg. This B&B is made up of cabins just east of Fredericksburg. It's still close enough to run into Fredericksburg for dinner or Luckenbach for some live music but is located out in the country.

Cotton Gin, Fredericksburg. Also B&B cabins, these are less private than Settlers Crossing (they're located in a circle and just off a very good restaurant) We toured the cabins in the fall and had dinner at the Cotton Gin; it's a very nice facility. They're south of Fredericksburg near the airport.

Homestead B&B Cabin at Becker's Vineyards, Fredericksburg. Located east of Fredericksburg, this log cabin is really quiet once the winery closes for the night; it's surrounded by lavender fields and very comfortable.

Labels: Hill Country, mailbox

posted by Paris & John @ 2:52 PM 0 comments links to this post

Reader Question: Thanksgiving '08 in the Hill Country?

I am looking for something in the Hill Country for next Thanksgiving. A hotel, lodge anything where there's a little scenery and the meal is served on Thanksgiving day. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance, Amanda

Dear Amanda,

Thanks for your email. We've got a variety of suggestions; we haven't had Thanksgiving dinner at these properties (although after this year's cooking and cleaning, that's sounding like a good idea!!) They're all very nice but very different from each other:

Escondida Resort, Medina
http://www.escondidaresort.com
This resort is owned by Bob Phillips of the television show Texas Country Reporter; it's small (just 10 rooms) and known for its surrounding beauty and its on-site spa.

Ye Kendall Inn, Boerne
http://www.yekendallinn.com
This historic inn is located in Boerne (in the Hill Country but not in the country); the inn's Limestone Grille is well-known for its fine dining. From the inn, you can walk to the many antiques shops and boutiques in downtown Boerne.

Hyatt Hill Country Resort, outside San Antonio
http://hillcountry.hyatt.com
For a large resort, this one's great; it's technically in San Antonio but is outside Loop 410 and surrounded by green space. The resort serves a big Thanksgiving dinner and has plenty of walking trails for after-feast walking.

Canyon of the Eagles Lodge & Nature Park, Burnet
http://www.canyonoftheeagles.com/
This resort is a great property for nature lovers. It's on an arm of Lake Buchanan and surrounded by wildlife. The restaurant serves a holiday meal and activities range from night sky viewing to eagle watching cruises aboard the Vanishing Texas River Cruises.

Happy travels! Paris and John

Labels: mailbox

posted by Paris & John @ 5:43 PM 0 comments links to this post

Reader Question: Winter Visit to South Padre?

Dear TexasTripper.com,

My parents are first-time Winter Texans and this year I will be visiting them in McAllen. I'd like to visit the beach while I'm there but is the winter a good time for the South Texas beaches? Thanks, Melody, St. Paul, MN

Dear Melody,

Thanks for your email! Winter days can be a little cool on South Padre Island (nothing like Minnesota winters, though!); most visitors don't swim but instead enjoy beach activities. Most days are ideal for beach walks, horseback rides and bird watching. South Padre Island is lively this time of year as many winter visitors fill the town. From South Padre it's an easy drive to Brownsville if you'd like to make your visit an international one; in Brownsville you can easily walk across the International Bridge for a few hours of shopping in Matamoros.

Happy Texas travels! Paris and John

Labels: Gulf Coast, mailbox

posted by Paris & John @ 10:09 AM 0 comments links to this post