Enjoy the warm sands of the Gulf coast! Experience the laid back culture, see dolphins and wildlife in their natural habitat and take in the history of San Antonio.
Day 1 Depart for Missouri
Depart today and enjoy a welcome dinner and overnight in Eureka, Missouri. (Dinner)
Day 2 Travel to Oklahoma
Continue today to the “Sooner State” of Oklahoma for an overnight in Tulsa. (Breakfast)
Day 3 Arrive in Texas
Turning south, arrive in the Lone Star state of Texas for an overnight in Austin. (Breakfast)
Day 4 Austin Touring
Before you depart the state capital of Austin this morning, visit the LBJ Library and Museum. Take a walk through six decades dedicated to the life of the country’s 36th president, Lyndon Baines Johnson. (Breakfast and dinner)
Day 5 South Padre Island
Located on the tropical tip of Texas lies South Padre Island. Beautiful
beaches, warm Gulf waters, breathtaking sunsets and year-round activities await. On the south end of the island lies Port Isabel with its Historical Museum, Treasures of the Gulf Museum and the Port Isabel Lighthouse. Constructed in 1852, the lighthouse was built to guide ships through the Brazos Santiago Pass and the barrier islands. (Breakfast)
Day 6 Free Day
Today has been left free for you to enjoy beautiful South Padre Island. Sit back, relax and “Feel the Warmth” of this enchanting island. (Breakfast)
Day 7 Birding Nature Center and Sea Turtle, Inc.
The protection of wildlife on South Padre is world famous. From Sea Turtle, Inc. dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured sea turtles to the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, whose mission it is to provide education about the birds, flora, fauna and the natural environment of South Padre Island, you will learn how important conservation is. (Breakfast and dinner)
Day 8 Free Day
Another day on South Padre to relax and unwind. Feel free to do as much or as little as possible. (Breakfast)
Day 9 Dolphin and Marine Ecology Cruise
The warm waters around South Padre are a perfect habitat for the large pods of spinner and bottlenose dolphins which call the area home. Learn from experienced guides about dolphins, from the legends and history of their relationship with man to social dynamics, feeding habits and environment during an entertaining and fun cruise. You will also discover the variety of marine life found on the bottom of the Laguna Madre as your Captain pulls in his net and turns the boat into a salt water laboratory on the Marine Ecology portion of the trip. (Breakfast and dinner)
Day 10 King Ranch and San Antonio
No trip to Texas is complete without a visit to a real working ranch. On a historical tour of King Ranch just outside Corpus Christi, you’ll learn about the settling of the Valley, the coming of the railroad and the life and times of Richard King, the salty steamboat captain who developed the world’s largest ranch. You will visit the Henrietta Museum, housing the King family’s historical collection, and enjoy a real Texas-Style Barbeque featuring beef brisket and smoked sausage prepared over a mesquite wood fire. Later, continue on to San Antonio. (Breakfast and lunch)
Day 11 San Antonio’s Riverwalk
In San Antonio today, a local guide joins you for a narrated tour of this picturesque city by the river. Visit the Mission San Jose and the Alamo, a mission and fortress where Davy Crockett fought and died defending Texas, and see the IMAX presentation, Alamo–The Price of Freedom. Tonight, enjoy a dinner in a local restaurant before taking to the water for a cruise along the famous Paseo del Rio to take in the sights and sounds of San Antonio.
(Breakfast and dinner)
Day 12 Depart for Oklahoma
Depart Texas and return to Oklahoma for an overnight stay in Oklahoma City. (Breakfast)
Day 13 Travel to Missouri
Continue home today with a farewell dinner and final overnight in Eureka, Missouri. (Breakfast and dinner)
Day 14 Arrive Home
Arrive home today with memories of South Padre Island. (Breakfast)