Heart Of Texas Tour – Including WCBBQ, Houston

• Morning: Head out for a BBQ Cooking Class with a local expert pitmaster, where you will learn the secrets of Texas BBQ.
• Afternoon: Following the class, enjoy a few drinks with your fellow tour group as we roll into the welcome event.

Overnight: Courtyard Fort Worth Historic Stockyards (or similar) – Room Only

• Day at Leisure:
  • Recommendation: Spend a day exploring Fort Worth’s Cultural District. Visit the Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth for world-class art collections. Take a leisurely stroll through the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Or stay local to the hotel and discover the Fort Worth Stockyards to experience the rich cowboy culture, complete with a twice-daily live cattle drive. Savour some mouth-watering Texas BBQ at Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que or Riscky’s Barbeque in the Stockyard area. Or head to the downtown district and enjoy a meal at Reata Restaurant in Sundance Square, where you can experience the vibrant nightlife and live music.

Overnight: Courtyard Fort Worth Historic Stockyards (or similar) – Room Only

• Morning: Check out of your Fort Worth Hotel and take your coach transfer to Austin with the rest of the group.
• Lunch: En route to Austin, we will organise a lunch stop at an iconic TM Top 50 BBQ Joint.
• Evening: You have the evening to spend at leisure.
  • Recommendation: You can start by exploring South Congress Avenue (SoCo), where you can browse unique boutiques and enjoy local eateries. As the sun sets, head to Sixth Street or the Red River Cultural District to experience Austin’s renowned live music scene. Don’t miss the chance to savour some authentic Texas barbecue at Franklin Barbecue or La Barbecue. For a unique experience, visit the Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk to witness the largest urban bat colony in North America taking flight. End your evening with a stroll along the Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail, offering stunning city skyline views.

Overnight: Line Hotel Austin (or similar) – Room Only

• Ranch Day: Today, you will visit Lone Star Ranch (or a similar place), where you can experience life as a cowboy. You will enjoy activities such as armadillo racing, archery, rodeo, and more.

Overnight: Line Hotel Austin (or similar) – Room Only

• Day at Leisure:
  • Recommendation: Explore Austin with an E-Bike Tour for a fun and unique way to see the city. Dive into Texas history at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, or enjoy a scenic boat tour on Lady Bird Lake. Experience live music at The Continental Club, stroll down South Congress Avenue for eclectic shops and eateries and relax at Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool. Don’t miss the diverse food truck scene and a guided tour of the impressive Texas State Capitol. Austin offers something for everyone, from history buffs to outdoor enthusiasts and music lovers.

Overnight: Line Hotel Austin (or similar) – Room Only

• Morning: Check out of your Austin Hotel and take your coach transfer to San Antonio with the rest of the group.
• Lunch: To break up the journey, we will organise a wine tasting from the cellars of Salt Lick Winery, followed by an all-you-can-eat BBQ from the famous open fire pits!
• Evening: You have the evening to spend at leisure.
  • Recommendation: You can start by strolling along the San Antonio River Walk, where you can explore charming shops and enjoy a variety of dining options. For dinner, indulge in some authentic Tex-Mex cuisine at Mi Tierra Café y Panadería or Rosario’s Mexican Café y Cantina. Afterwards, catch a live performance at the Majestic Theatre, one of the city’s most iconic venues. End your night with a relaxing boat ride along the river, taking in the beautifully lit surroundings.

Overnight: Hilton Palacio del Rio (or similar) – Room Only

• Day at Leisure:
  • Recommendation: Discover the best things to do in San Antonio! Start with the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and explore the San Antonio Museum of Art, home to a diverse collection spanning 5,000 years. Savour the city’s famous BBQ at top spots like 2M Smokehouse and Smoke Shack. Or, for a unique experience, try Curry Boys BBQ on St Mary's Strip. A unique BBQ joint that blends the Texas style of smoking with Asian influences. Enjoy a scenic stroll along the San Antonio River Walk, lined with shops, restaurants, and bars, or visit The Alamo to immerse yourself in Texas history. Don’t miss the Pearl District, known for its trendy shops, restaurants, and the Pearl Farmers Market. San Antonio offers a rich blend of history, culture, and culinary delights for every traveller.

Overnight: Hilton Palacio del Rio (or similar) – Room Only

Morning: Check out of your San Antonio Hotel and take your coach transfer to Houston Via Lockhart with the rest of the group.

Late Morning / Early Afternoon: Stopover in Lockhart

Welcome to Lockhart, the BBQ Capital of Texas! Start your adventure with a taste of the town’s legendary BBQ at Black’s Barbecue and Kreuz Market, where you’ll savour mouth-watering brisket and ribs. Then, take a break from the BBQ trail and visit Mill Scale Metal Works, where you can see custom smokers being crafted and learn about the art of metalworking. Continue your culinary journey at Smitty’s Market and Chisholm Trail BBQ, enjoying more delicious smoked meats. Wrap up your tour with a stroll around the charming downtown area, picking up some unique souvenirs before heading on to Houston.

Evening: Arrive in Houston and spend the evening at leisure.

Overnight: AC Hotel Houston Downtown (or similar) – Room Only

• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - World BBQ Championship:

  • Your tour package includes a weekend season pass to the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, Houston. From your accommodation, you can use the Metro Line from downtown Houston to the NRG Centre in the afternoon to access the festival. Today, your tour manager will arrange a time to head over from the hotel if you wish to travel as a group, or you can travel independently. Either way, be sure to enjoy the BBQ competition, live music, carnival and the variety of events on offer.

  Overnight: AC Hotel Houston Downtown (or similar) – Room Only

• Day at Leisure:
  • Recommendation: You can start your day at Space Centre Houston, exploring interactive exhibits, taking a tram tour to the historic Mission Control Centre, and marvelling at artefacts in the Astronaut Gallery. Take some time to indulge in some authentic Texas BBQ at one of Houston’s renowned BBQ joints. In the afternoon, you could head to Buffalo Bayou Park for a scenic walk or bike ride along the bayou, and don’t miss the Waugh Drive Bat Colony at sunset. Alternatively, you can spend your day with shopping and dining at the Houston Galleria, where you can browse over 400 stores, enjoy a variety of restaurants, and try out the indoor ice-skating rink.
• Evening: Join the rest of your tour group at our BBQ Travel Club farewell event. Enjoy a farewell drink and reflect on your experiences over the past two weeks.

Overnight: AC Hotel Houston Downtown (or similar) – Room Only

• Morning: Check out of your hotel and store your luggage with the hotel reception.

• Day at Leisure:
  • Recommendation: Spend your last day enjoying any last-minute sightseeing you want to cram in. Don’t forget, as you have the weekend season pass so you could head back to Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – World BBQ Championships to get your last USA BBQ fix!
• 18:00: Transfer from Hotel to Houston Airport.
• 21:45: Flight from Houston (IAH) to London Heathrow (LHR).

• 12:45: Arrive at London Heathrow (LHR).
• End of tour arrangements.