Texas Part Two

San Antonio is probably most famous as the location of The Alamo. Founded as the first mission in San Antonio in 1718, the Alamo became famous due to the event that occurred in 1836. For over 13 days, close to 200 Texas defenders held the Alamo from approximately 2500 of General Santa Anna’s troops from Mexico. The most famous of the defenders, James Bowie, David Crockett and William B. Travis died fighting overwhelming odds for freedom. "Remember the Alamo” became a rallying cry for Texans fighting for Independence during the Texas revolution. Nowadays, visitors can explore the historical site and stroll amongst the gardens of this amazing piece of Texas history. The San Antonio River Walk is a fabulous way to explore the city. At 15 miles long, you can either explore on foot along the rivers walking path or jump onboard a barge for a serene, guided cruise through the cities different neighbourhoods. The river walk is surrounded by historical locations such as The King William Historic District, a multitude of shops, bars and restaurants, with a visit to the local food hall at Pearl being a must.?

Houston is home to NASA’s Space Centre and has been synonymous with America’s space programme for many years, it was in fact the first word spoken on the moon. The city is very chic and full of Southwestern charm. Take a stroll through the historic district or spend a day exploring the numerous museums, such as the 1940 Air Terminal museum. For a great day a family adventure, head on out to Geronimo Adventure Park for an exhilarating day zip lining, axe throwing, rock climbing, etc. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to the Houston food scene, with around 10,000 restaurants covering the cuisines of more than 70 countries and American regions. Try Casa Nomad for some delicious Tex-Mex, Dave’s Hot Chicken for some classic southern food or Burns Original BBQ for mouth watering brisket & ribs.?

Texas also has over 350 miles of coastline, which offers visitors fabulous sandy beaches, fishing adventures and delightful coastal towns. Galveston is only 50 miles from Houston, but has more than enough to make it a destination in its own right - miles of sandy beaches, historical sites, wonderful shops to found on Galveston’s Historic Strand, lots of onshore and offshore activities including Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn Waterpark. Corpus Christi is the largest beach town in Texas, with beautiful sandy beaches, endless sunny days and lots of outdoor activities such as surfing, fishing and windsurfing. You can also spend a fascinating few hours touring the U.S.S. Lexington. If you fancy a getaway from the crowds, then why not try the beautiful town of Freeport with its stunning sandy beach or a visit to Rockport will offer something for the whole family.

Everything about Texas is big, from the size, to the places, to the hats and to the welcome you receive from Texans. I met a group of Texans on a Regent Seven Seas Cruise and they were amongst the friendliest, nicest people I have ever met. They told me that places such as Austin & San Antonio now have some of the best craft beer and restaurant scenes in the USA, so if you would like to experience true Texas, pop and see us at TF Travel Ltd, we will ensure you have a holiday to remember.