Itinerary

Land at San Antonio International Airport and take your private transfer to your hotel. Your trip includes the San Antonio CityPass, which provides prepaid admission to four attractions over nine consecutive days.

Settle into your hotel and spend the evening strolling the pedestrian-friendly River Walk. This network of walkways along the San Antonio River is lined with restaurants, bars, and shops – the perfect introduction to San Antonio’s blend of Mexican and Spanish flair topped with Texan charm.

Today is yours to explore San Antonio. The city is home to the legendary Alamo, where just 189 defenders protected the old mission against 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days, as well as four other UNESCO World Heritage Spanish Missions. Your CityPass provides access to a range of attractions including the San Antonio Zoo, Tower of the Americas, San Antonio Botanical Garden, Witte Museum, San Antonio Museum of Art, and the Go Rio San Antonio River Cruise.

Perhaps visit Historic Market Square, the largest Mexican market outside of Mexico. It’s particularly lively at weekends with food stalls selling Tex-Mex classics like cheese-laden nachos. Tap your toes to mariachi music, and chat to artisan vendors that fill the colourful plaza.

Venture beyond the tourist hotspots to discover San Antonio’s eclectic  neighbourhoods. The Pearl District is a must. This former brewery complex is now full of boutique shops, weekend farmers’ markets, excellent restaurants, a jazz club and artisan coffee shops, giving the area a local vibe.

In the evening, don’t miss the Saga light show at San Fernando Cathedral. This free spectacular projection mapping display illuminates the cathedral’s façade with 300 years of San Antonio history. The 24-minute show runs Tuesday through Sunday evenings – but arrive early to secure a good spot.

Why not head out of town to explore the Natural Bridge Caverns – around 30 minutes from downtown. Take a tour of two impressive caverns that have the state’s largest underground limestone formations. And, if you’re feeling adventurous, there’s a 60ft rope course, as well as treasure panning.

Return to San Antonio for a final afternoon exploring any attractions you’ve missed, perhaps browsing the Southtown Arts District or catching a performance at the beautiful Majestic Theatre on Houston Street. This evening, make the most of San Antonio’s food scene.

Pick up your hire car from downtown San Antonio this morning and head north-west into the Texas Hill Country. The drive to Bandera takes about an hour, winding through rolling hills and oak forests.

Stop in the charming German-settled town of Boerne (pronounced ‘Bernie’), about 35 minutes from San Antonio. Stroll the tree-lined Main Street, stopping for coffee or browsing trendy boutiques. Nature fans might enjoy the Cibolo Nature Center, a peaceful oasis with walking trails along Cibolo Creek, while wine enthusiasts can spend some time at the Sister Creek Vineyards sipping Hill Country wines in a relaxed setting.

Continue to Mayan Dude Ranch, arriving in the late afternoon. The Hicks family, who have owned and operated this 348-acre dude ranch since 1951, will welcome you warmly. After settling into your lodge room or private cabin, you’ll be introduced to the ranch schedule and fellow guests.

This evening kicks off with a cowboy cookout dinner served family-style – expect hearty portions of ranch favourites. Afterwards, join in Western Bingo or enjoy live country music, setting the tone for your ranch adventure. The peacocks that freely roam the property might just serenade you as the sun sets over the Hill Country.

Your time at the ranch follows a relaxed rhythm of ranch activities and free time. A typical day might start with a hearty cowboy breakfast – think Southern grits, fluffy biscuits, sausage, and strong coffee. Mornings usually feature guided horseback trail rides through the Hill Country, where ranch wranglers match you with a suitable horse and lead you through cedar-clad hills and meadows along the Medina River.

Afternoons are yours to enjoy as you wish. You might cool off with a swim in the pool or, in warmer months, grab an inner tube and float lazily down the river – one of the ranch’s most popular pastimes. The river’s clear, cool waters are perfect for a refreshing dip after a morning in the saddle.

Evening entertainment varies but could include dance lessons where you’ll learn the Texas two-step, or a full-blown hoedown at the pavilion with live music.

Ranch days offer different activities throughout your stay. You might experience a hayride to a scenic spot for an outdoor cowboy breakfast, with fresh biscuits and gravy, served while surrounded by Hill Country’s incredible landscapes.

Activities typically include archery, roping lessons from experienced ranch hands, hiking to see dinosaur tracks preserved in the limestone or nature walks through the 348-acre property where you might spot white-tailed deer and armadillos. Choose as much or as little as you like.

Evening entertainment varies nightly and could feature a Mexican Fiesta with mariachi band and authentic Tex-Mex dinner, campfire sing-alongs, or other themed events celebrating the region’s rich heritage.

Make the most of your final full day at the ranch. Join morning trail rides, spend time fishing by the river, or simply relax on your cabin porch. Ranch activities might include marshmallow roasts by the creek, artefact hunting, or other seasonal offerings. You’re free to participate in as many or as few activities as you wish – the beauty of ranch life is setting your own pace.

After a final ranch breakfast, bid farewell to the Hicks family and the horses that carried you through the Hill Country. Check out at noon and drive back to San Antonio. The drive takes about an hour, giving you plenty of time to drop off your hire car at San Antonio International Airport for your onward journey. If your flight departs later in the day, consider one last stop at the San Antonio Botanical Garden or the Briscoe Western Art Museum, both of which make fitting bookends to your Texas adventure.