Texas Lone Star Tour
Jan. 23-Feb. 9 ~ 18 Days ~ $2049 Dbl; $2020 Tpl; $2009 Qd; $2769 Sgl

PRICE INCLUDES
Motorcoach Transportation ~ Hotel Accommodations ~ Fully Escorted ~ Baggage Handling ~ Kansas City, MO ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ Cowboy Hall of Fame ~ Oklahoma City National Monument ~ Oil Wells Picture Stop ~ Dallas / Fort Worth, TX (2 nights) ~ Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District ~ Homestead Winery & Tasting Room ~ 2 Breakfasts ~ Guided City Tour: JFK Memorial, Sixth Floor Museum of the Texas Book & Depository Building ~ West End Historic District ~ Southfork Ranch & House (from Dallas show) ~ Austin, TX ~ Fredericksburg, TX ~ Nimitz Museum ~ San Antonio, TX (3 nights) ~ 3 Breakfasts ~ Paseo del Rio (the Riverwalk) ~ Guided City Tour: Mission San Jose, El Mercado, Governors Palace, Fort San Houston ~ IMAX Alamo - the Price of Freedom ~ Alamo ~ Institute of Texas Cultures ~ Buckhorn Saloon & Museum ~ SAS Shoe Factory ~ Lunch - Tower of the Americas ~ Rio Grande Valley ~ McAllen, TX (5 nights) ~ 5 Breakfasts ~ Texas King Ranch ~ Corpus Christi, TX ~ Houston, TX ~ Space Center Houston ~ Galveston, TX ~ Guided City Tour ~ Hot Springs, AR ~ Branson, MO ~ Show - t.b.a. ~ Stone Hill Winery ~ Des Moines, IA ~ Dinner - Iowa Machine Shed

Wed., Jan. 23: See the best of Texas as we saddle up and ride out to take part in the diversity, rich history and elegance of the area. Our first nights stay will be in Kansas City, MO.

Thurs., Jan. 24: This morning we head south to Oklahoma City, OK. Upon arrival in Oklahoma City a stop will be made at the Cowboy Hall of Fame, which represents seventeen western states and preserves accurately and authentically the rich heritage of the American West. We will also see the Oklahoma City National Memorial which includes the Gates of Time, Field of Empty Chairs, the Survivor Tree, Reflecting Pool, Rescuers Orchard, and Childrens Area. All of this is in memory of those whose lives changed forever on the morning of April 19, 1995. Later in the day well show you a unique form of architecture as we make a picture stop at the oil wells of Oklahomas state capital.

Fri., Jan. 25: We depart Oklahoma for the Dallas / Fort Worth, TX, area, where will stay for the next 2 nights. This afternoon we will spend time at the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, where Forth Worth earned its nickname of Cowtown. You will find restaurants, specialty shops, a museum, and much more in this area. Later we visit the Homestead Winery and Tasting Room in Grapevine, TX. Then go on to our hotel for an evening on your own.

Sat., Jan. 26: After an included breakfast at our hotel, we meet our local guide for a sightseeing tour of Dallas. During the tour we will see the JFK Memorial and tour the Sixth Floor Museum of the Texas Book & Depository Building which examines the life, times, and death of President JFK - our 35th President. After the tour we will go to the West End Historic District area of Dallas for lunch (on own). Everyone remembers the TV show "Dallas" with J.R. Ewing and the Southfork Ranch. Well tour Southfork Ranch and house this afternoon, seeing memorabilia from the series and much more at this beautiful location.

Sun., Jan. 27: Breakfast is included this morning. From Dallas we continue south to Austin, TX, the Capitol of Texas. We will see the capitol building with all the oil wells around it. From Austin we will go to the German town of Fredericksburg, TX, to visit the Nimitz Museum. At the Museum we view World War II Memorabilia, plus have time to shop and explore this quaint village. Then on to San Antonio, TX, for a 3-night stay. Our lodging is on the famous Paseo del Rio, the Riverwalk. This evening is free to explore the area or relax at the hotel.

Mon., Jan. 28: Three Breakfasts are included while in San Antonio. This morning a local guide will join us for a city tour of San Antonio, its missions and place in history, as well as historic sights and more. We will visit Mission San Jose, plus browse and shop at El Mercado - a Mexican marketplace, plus see the Governors Palace, Fort San Houston, and more. Then we go to the IMAX Theatre at Rivercenter to view "Alamo - the Price of Freedom." After the film, we will tour the "Alamo" to understand more of the fall of the Alamo when 189 defenders fell to the Mexican Army on March 6, 1936. It was established as the cities first mission in 1718. A visit to the Institute of Texas Cultures will show how the many varied culture and ethnic groups played a part in the developing Texas. This afternoon or evening you may want to board one of the flatboats to leisurely cruise along the Riverwalk with its many shops, restaurants, beautiful terraces, and much more.

Tues., Jan. 29: There is much to see and do in San Antonio. To start off today we will go to the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum and the SAS Shoe Factory. Lunch is included at the top of the Tower of the Americas, high above San Antonio, and located at the Hemisphere Plaza. The evening is free to enjoy the Riverwalk area and all that this area has to offer.

Wed., Jan. 30: Leaving San Antonio well travel through the Rio Grande Valley, to McAllen, TX. Enjoy five nights here. You will have a free day to relax and enjoy the sun, visit other "snowbirds" in the area, shop, golf, etc. Breakfast is included each morning while here.

Thurs.-Sun, Jan. 31-Feb. 3: Enjoy these next four days in McAllen. During our stay you may wish to take a side trip to South Padre Island with a stop at the Iwo Jima Memorial, or you may wish to cross the McAllen International Bridge to visit Progresso, Mexico for shopping. Your tour director will have options available for you to do each day.

Mon., Feb. 4: We begin our day with an unparalleled ranch experience as we tour the Texas King Ranch in Kingsville, TX. The Texas King Ranch is a National Historic Landmark and is recognized as the birthplace of the American ranching industry. We continue on to our destination of Corpus Christi, TX, located on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre Intercoastal Waterway. You have the option (on own) of taking in the Texas State Aquarium or the U.S.S. Lexington, a World War II Aircraft carrier docked in Corpus Christi Bay.

Tues., Feb. 5: From Corpus Christi well travel to Houston, TX, to visit the Space Center Houston which is NASAs official Visitors Center with live shows, interactive exhibits, IMAX theatre, and more. We then travel on to Galveston, TX, one of the oldest cities in Texas, is an island in the Gulf of Mexico. A local guide will join us as we tour Galveston with its Victorian history and pirate past, all in this resort town. Tonight is at your leisure.

Wed., Feb. 6: Today we will go to Beaumont, TX, then north to Hot Springs, AR. Hot Springs is known for its clean and clear, tasteless water. You may wish to take a dip in the Hot Springs while here.

Thurs., Feb. 7: Branson, MO, is our destination today. Their music shows continue and well enjoy an included show this evening (show t.b.a.), stop at Stone Hill Winery, and more in this music town.

Fri., Feb. 8: Continuing north today we arrive in Des Moines, IA, our home for the evening. We will enjoy an included meal at the Iowa Machine Shed as we visit with our friends about all that weve done these last couple weeks.

Sat., Feb. 9: We will make our necessary meal stops on our way home today after a great tour to Texas - the Lone Star State. Thank you for traveling with Utopia Tours.

*Utopia Tours reserves the right to make changes in dates, prices, inclusions, routing, without notice.

~$35 off per person if deposit is paid by 12/1/07.
~DEPOSIT: $100 PER PERSON is required 5 days after reservations are made to hold reservation.
~FINAL PAYMENT DUE: December 14, 2007
~Make checks payable to Utopia Tours. VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER accepted.
~FINAL INFORMATION: Will be sent approximately 10 days prior including hotel list, baggage tags, time/place of departure.
~Optional trip cancellation/interruption insurance is available. Call for payment deadlines and coverage details.
~PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF locations follow the route of the tour to maintain a flowing schedule. On tours 6 days or longer, shuttling may be available from various locations, with minimum number of passengers. Some shuttles may require an overnight stay. Fees may apply for shuttle service /hotel accommodations.
 

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: Receive a 100% refund when canceling, for any reason, up to final payment due date. After final payment due date (listed on individual brochure) and up to 7 business days prior to departure receive 75%, less non-recoverable fees; this is for medical reasons only, need note from doctor. (Travel companions are also covered) Tour cost is non-refundable 7 business days prior to departure. There are no refunds on the air or cruise portion of the tour after 61 days prior to departure. No refund to no shows and for non-covered cancellations. If client cancels reservation, any refund processed by credit card will be less a 3% processing fee. Call us for information on Optional Insurance with Travelex. The purchase of optional trip cancellation or interruption insurance is highly recommended. Optional insurance can be purchased up to 72 hours prior to departure. Certain deadlines apply for waiving pre-existing medical exclusion. Optional Insurance premium is non-refundable. See Coverage Policy Sheet for more details.