One Month on Texas roads

Arrival in Houston. Those arriving early in the day will take the time to rest in the heart of one of the great green lungs of the city, such as Memorial or Hermann parks. Evening in downtown or Montrose.

Visit of Houston and its Museum District. Departure late in the morning for NASA's space centre, south of town. 

To recover from the trip, the time zone change and the urban vastness of Houston, depart from Galveston to visit its aquarium and smell the air of a not so far past where this city was the largest port in Texas.

Take the road from the south along the coast to Padre Island National Seashore. 

Choose a pleasant base in Rockport and discover the endless beaches of Mustang Island and North Padre Island.

When you have rested, you can start tackling the west. It begins with the beautiful historical town of San Antonio. As you arrive late in the day, visit the city centre with a walk along the Riverwalk.

Discovery of the pleasant district of King Williams District, and visits of the colonial missions from the famous Alamo site, and the whole Mission Trail.

First approach to the Hill Country region between San Antonio and Austin. When you go back to the capital, stop in Gruene in the oldest become in Texas and then in San Marcos for a shopping session. Recover from your emotions in Lockhart,' capital of the barbecue before going to Austin at the end of the day.

Discovery of Austin and its neighbourhoods to make on Thursday, Friday or Saturday if possible. An unforgettable evening on the streets of the city centre to attend a concert and enjoy the extravagance of the atmosphere. 

Stroll through the lively districts of the centre or in the more user-friendly places of East Austin or South of Congress.

Departure in the morning for Fredericksburg, the heart of Hill Country. Discovery of its craft and wines. By the way, you can stop in Luckenbach listening to a few countries and picking under the old oak trees.

Discovery of small towns in the region as Comfort and short hike in Enchanted Rock park.

Reach Bandera to try the life of a rancher. Discover the activities of a ranch, lasso exercises, horseback riding... Evening in a local bar with cowboys and ranchers.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the ranch before you start a horse ride!

Departure for the large west via Del Rio and Lake Amistad. Night at Marathon, entrance gate of the Big Bend National Park and a village with colourful sky.

The morning is dedicated to obtaining licenses and preparations. In the afternoon, explore the surrounding area and plan for your next day and the day after next day hike. Night at Marathon.

Depending on the path you chose, you will discover the desert, the mountains and of course the Rio Grande. Night in a camping site.

After and end of the hike, then return to Marathon for a restful evening.

Leave Big Bend National Park to the west with the ghost cities of Terlingua and Lajitas. The beautiful Highway 170 runs along the Rio Grande's meanders. Arrival late in the day in {2}Marfa{/2} to see the mysterious lights of the city.

Discovery of Marfa and its contemporary art centres. Enjoy the relaxed and unique atmosphere of the city and its surroundings.

Discovery of the beautiful Alpine towns and Fort Davis. On Saturday evening, don't miss the McDonald National Observatory Star Party. Impressive guided tour of the Milky Way.

Road to the westernmost tip of the state and discovery of El Paso.

Visit of the National Park of Guadalupe Mountains and departure for Amarillo. Crossing the Texas agricultural and oil plains.

Visit of the Cadillac Ranch and the neighbourhood along the Route 66, then evening at the Big Texan Steak Ranch.

Spending the morning at the cattle market and then hiking at the Palo Duro Canyon. Driving to Fort Worth by the beautiful route 207. Evening in Fort Worth in Downtown or in the Stockyards district.

Visit of the fabulous Arts District museums, including the Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum. Spending the evening in Downtown or in the Stockyards district, depending on the choice of the day before.

Departure for Dallas. Visit of its museums including the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Nasher Sculpture Center and the 6th Floor Museum. Spending the evening in Highland Village's chic neighbourhood to observe the success in Dallas.

Departure to Jefferson, discovery of the Bayou of Caddo Lake. Evening in the pretty town close to Louisiana.

The return trip to Houston by Big Thicket National Preserve takes one day. Departure for France scheduled the following day.