What's included?

• 12 nights accommodation in Standard hotels

• Your digital roadbook (day-by-day programme)

Not included

• Your international flight and rental car.

• Optional excursions, tips, meals, beverages, and personal expenses.

Travel Documents

• Travel documents: All Belgian nationals* (children and babies included) must be in possession of an international e-passport (biometric) containing min. 2 blank pages, valid at day of entry and during the entire stay. Connections recommends to let common sense prevail and to build in some slack in terms of validity. Often unforeseen circumstances (weather factors, volcanoes, and threats all kinds) are the cause of a mandatory postponed return date. A credit card is required upon check-in at the hotels and also when renting a car.Please keep this in mind. We strongly recommend you to print out the Esta- or Eta permit and to have it on you while you travel to avoid problems.

• All passengers who travel to and /or via the U.S. must apply for an electronic travel authorization at least 72 hours prior to departure. The ESTA ($ 40) procedure must be requested via the official website link https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and paid by a personal credit card only.

• Travellers who have visited Cuba since 12 January 2021 or who wish to travel to Cuba prior to a visit to the United States are not eligible for ESTA and must apply for a US visa at a US Consulate before travelling to the US.

• Travellers with a non-Belgian nationality and / or travellers travelling on a foreign passport are invited to spontaneously report this matter to the Connections travel consultant and shall contact their respective embassy (s) or Consulate (ate) to obtain the latest updates concerning all current travel requirements and documents. They must apply for an electronic travel authorization at least 72 hours prior to departure via the official website link https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and pay by a personal credit card only.

Insurances

Have a safe and carefree trip: travel fully insured with our Protections travel insurance! Our Protections insurance policies offer various formulas in order to offer you the widest possible cover (with even a fly-on-time, natural catastrophes and epidemics) for both single journeys or for the entire year. We guarantee you the best protection at the best price.

Tailored travel

The tours in our brochures are just a few examples of travel itineraries possible. Our trips can be tailored to suit your specific needs. If you want to book a specific destination or combine it with a mini-tour then we will gladly make you a tailor-made offer. For a personalised day-by-day program please contact our destination experts.

Would you like to travel in a group; with your entire family, friends or colleagues? (min. 10 people required). Put our know-how to the test and send us your details and wishes. We will gladly turn the blueprints of your trip into a detailed quote and a lasting memory for you to cherish. Contact our Connections’ Group Service by e-mail at groups@connections.be or by telephone on +32 (0)2/550 01 65. We would love to hear from you.

Health

No mandatory vaccinations. To verify the latest updates on health requirements, please surf to https://www.itg.be.
Medical interventions and costs can soon become outrageous in the U.S.A. Reflect before leaving and subscribe a decent travel insurance. Our protections All-in Premier insurance was especially designed specifically for travel to the U.S.A. and provides ample cover for all major calamities (fly-on-time and natural disasters included)!

Time zones

The United States span 4 time zones:

• Eastern (- 6 h)

• Central (- 7 h)

• Mountain (- 8 h)

• Pacific (- 9 h)

Payments methods

A personal credit card is required upon check-in at the hotels and also when renting a car. The most convenient method of payment is by credit card but cash euros and dollars in small amount come in handy. Inform yourself timely, as from January 15, 2015 your Visa and/or MasterCard credit card (and possibly other types of credit cards) has automatically been set to "not for use in the US, for US car rental agencies and during cruises under the American flag".

You must then apply for a release of your credit card. This may be done prior to your arrival in the U.S. (in your bank branch or via the telephone number listed on the back of your credit card or by means of a special form available for PC banking) as well as after arrival in the US (through a withdrawal at an ATM. Please note, in this case there will be a transaction fee charged to your account). The same applies to the Maestro function in your bank card.

Please request a price quote for a personalized quotation.
The mentioned as from price is per person sharing based on double occupancy.

Why take a tour of Texas

A tour of Texas offers a unique blend of adventure, culture and history that you won't find anywhere else in America. The Lone Star State is vast and extremely diverse, allowing you to enjoy both bustling cities and lush nature during a single trip. In the east, you can stroll through the historic districts of Dallas and Fort Worth, while in the west, you can lose yourself in the wild and unspoilt nature of Big Bend National Park. A tour of Texas is perfect for travellers who want to discover the real America, including stays on ranches where you can experience cowboy life up close.

The best cities in Texas

Texas is home to some of the most fascinating cities in the United States, each with its own unique character. San Antonio surprises visitors with its picturesque River Walk and the historic Alamo mission, an important symbol of Texan pride. In Austin, the official capital and live music capital of the world, you can enjoy hundreds of concert venues and a vibrant arts scene. Dallas impresses with its modern skyline, rich culture and exclusive shopping centres. Fort Worth, the ‘most Texan’ city, perpetuates traditions with its historic Stockyards District, where twice a day a herd of cattle parades through the streets. Don't forget Houston, where you can visit the NASA Space Centre to learn about the American space programme.

Stay at a ranch in Texas

One of the highlights of a trip to Texas is staying at an authentic ranch. At places like Wildcatter Ranch in Graham, you'll immerse yourself in the real cowboy life. You can go horse riding in the hills of North Texas Hill Country, learn how to lasso or shoot a rifle, and in the evening, around a crackling campfire, admire a starry sky like you'll never see in Europe. Ranches often offer the perfect balance between rustic charm and comfort, with spacious rooms and delicious Texan cuisine. A two-night stay will give you enough time to discover ranch life at your own pace. It's the perfect way to see the legends of the Wild West come to life.

Nature and national parks in Texas

Texas surprises nature lovers with its varied landscapes and impressive national parks. Big Bend National Park, in the south-west, is a must-see on your trip, with its breathtaking combination of desert, mountains and the winding Rio Grande, which forms the natural border with Mexico. In northern Texas, you'll find Palo Duro Canyon, often affectionately referred to as ‘the Grand Canyon of Texas.’ This second-largest canyon in America impresses with its colourful rock formations and panoramic views. Less well known but equally impressive, Lake Amistad, near Del Rio, is a beautiful artificial lake surrounded by desert landscape where you can swim, fish or kayak.

The cost of a tour in Texas

A tour in Texas is surprisingly affordable compared to other American destinations. With prices starting at £1,659 for a 13-day tour, you really get your money's worth. This price usually includes your flights, car hire and accommodation. The great advantage of Texas is that outside of the major cities, you will often spend less than in popular coastal regions such as California or Florida. What's more, you can control your budget by choosing different levels of accommodation. From simple motels along the motorway to luxury ranches and boutique hotels in city centres, there is an option to suit every budget. Fuel prices in Texas are among the lowest in the United States, making your road trip even more affordable.

Best time to travel to Texas

The best times to visit Texas are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During these months, you will enjoy pleasant temperatures between 20°C and 28°C, ideal for city walks and nature excursions. Avoid the summer months of July and August, when temperatures regularly exceed 35°C, especially in the south and west of the state. Winter is mild in the south but can be surprisingly cold in the northern Panhandle region around Amarillo. Spring offers the added bonus of the famous Texas wildflowers, which transform the hills and plains into a sea of colourful flowers. November is ideal for culture lovers due to the many Dia de los Muertos festivities in cities such as San Antonio.