IF you know an Oasis- loving Toon fan who backed 33-1 shot Nick Rockett to win the Grand National, I’ll admit they’re having a good year.
No. Better than that. They’re having an incredible year.
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But we can top that.
How about we send YOU AND A PAL on a DREAM ROAD TRIP TO TEXAS worth £7k.
We’re talking the real Texas here.
Cowboy country.
Dance halls and live music.
Rodeos and rideouts.
Brisket and beers.
All that good stuff.
Think Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone. Without the chaos.
To celebrate the Jeep Wrangler being crowned The Sun’s Road Trip Car of the Year, we’ve pardner’ed with Travel Texas to give away this once-in-a-lifetime trip for two.
The unforgettable seven-day experience in Texas Hill Country includes:
- Direct flights from London Heathrow to Austin
- Jeep Wrangler hire car
- Premium accommodation
- One night’s stay at a working ranch
- Rodeo show
- Cowboy breakfast
- Live music at Luckenbach
- Wine tour
- Supercar experience at Longhorn Raceway
- After-dark glow-up kayaking
- Personalised cowboy hat
I know. We’re spoiling you. This isn’t Tex-Mex. This is Tex-MAX.
All you need is a bit of spending money to buy a pair of cowboy boots.
To enter our free draw, go to thesun.co.uk/texas and register your details.
That’s it.
Entries close at midnight on September 18. Winner chosen at random. T&Cs apply.
Texas is known as the Lone Star state.
No, mate. I’ve just got back and it’s five stars all the way.
Be lucky.
Here’s a day-by-day rundown of what your unforgettable week will look like.
DAY 1
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Pick up your Jeep Wrangler hire car and head to Camp Lucy to relax and recharge after the ten-hour flight.
Camp Lucy is a stunning 248-acre retreat in Dripping Springs with beautifully-designed lodges, a five-star spa and old wooden chapels shipped from Vietnam.
Try archery and hatchet throwing. Hike around the vineyards. Dine at Tillie’s.
Owners Kim and Whit Hanks know how to look after people. They also run The Old Bell here in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, a 12th-century hotel, serving their own Camp Lucy Malbec and rose wines.
DAY 2
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Make your way to the university town of San Marcos and go tubing (English translation: Sit on inflatable rings) on the warm, gently-flowing San Marcos River.
It’s a lot of fun. You’ll definitely want to go back later for the glow-up kayak tour. Make sure to refuel at the legendary Black’s BBQ restaurant, serving slow-smoked brisket, ribs and more
There’s a H U G and E shopping outlet nearby where you’ll find Cavender’s – basically H&M for cowboy gear.
Stay at the charming Crystal River Inn and have beers at the open-air Zelicks bar next door. Ask the locals about chicken s**t bingo and the swimming pig. That’s all I’m saying.
DAY 3
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Lamborghini or Ferrari? Pick your favourite. Your pal has to settle for the other. Poor thing.
The supercar driving experience at Longhorn Racing Academy will have you lapping like Lando in no time at all.
Back in the Jeep and stop at Boerne for lunch. It’s a lovely little town with a smart one-mile strip of shops. The other Rodeo Drive?
The food and drinks at Cibolo Creek brewpub are off the charts.
If you have time, visit the Cave Without A Name. Honest. The locals say it’s “too pretty to have a name”.
Next stop, Bandera.
It’s like arriving in the middle of a country and western movie set. It really is.
Stay at Rancho Cortez where Larry and his daughter Katie (a pro barrel racer) will have you riding horses and feeding cattle in no time at all.
After that, you’re going out out. First to watch a rodeo at Mansfield Park Rodeo. Instagram gold. Then to master the Texas two-step (left, left, right . . . left, left, right) at the 11th Street Cowboy bar.
Make sure to have a beer at the famous honky-tonk Silver Dollar saloon with sawdust on the floor.
The biggest names in country music have played in Bandera. Search “Bandera Playlist” on Spotify for the next leg of the road trip.
DAY 4
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Early start. But you won’t want to miss the Cowboy Breakfast just down the road at the Mayan Dude Ranch. You can either ride a horse to the campfire or jump on a wagon.
When my Emily climbed on a horse unaided, a ranch hand quipped: “Looks like I’m going to marry her. That’s the cowboy code.”
Cool experience. Tasty breakfast. Eggs, sausage, bacon, chorizo, hot sauce and coffee. All accompanied by cowboys singing cowboy songs.
Head into Bandera to bag some gifts from the “Cowboy capital of the world” and then get on the road to Fredericksburg.
“Freddy” is a charming, vibrant town known for its strong German heritage . . . and peaches.
That means good food and drink at places like the trendy Hill & Vine kitchen. Pop into the Felt Boutique on Main Street to customise a cowboy hat.
Stay at the Trueheart Hotel, a lovely little hideaway in the middle of town, with its immaculate cottages with king-size beds and private porches.
DAY 5
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Lazy start to the day with a breakfast basket delivered to your door.
Then it’s time to explore Texas wine country. Yep, wine country. So no driving today. Texas is actually America’s fifth largest wine producer. But not much leaves the Lone Star state. They sup it themselves.
Becker Vineyard is pretty . . . and pretty tasty. Live music? You didn’t need to ask.
Slate Theory Winery is ultra-modern, like a Lamborghini dealership. The wine labels, designed by the owner’s son Cody, could be modern art. The underground cellar is like a Bond set.
Altstadt Brewery has strong Oktoberfest vibes with long wooden tables and steins of beer aplenty. It was a really, really good day . . . I think.
Back in Freddy, head to the Velvet Lounge for some late-night karaoke.
DAY 6
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The day is yours. Relax? Retail therapy? Explore? All three?
Just make sure you’re ready to put on your cowboy gear and head to the legendary Luckenbach Dance Hall. This place is so famous there’s a song named after it.
Jerry Jeff Walker recorded the “gold” album Viva Terlingua here. Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic (the Texas Woodstock) was held here in 1995. Luke Combs (Beautiful Crazy) has played here.
It’s a bucket-list venue for every country rocker.
Luckenbach has live music 365 days a year. Sunday to Thursday is free. Grab a cold beer, kick back, and two-step under the string lights. The perfect way to end your Texas adventure.
DAY 7
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Set the Jeep’s satnav to Austin airport and fly home with your head – and iPhone – full of unforgettable memories.
- Note. The activities featured here are courtesy of Travel Texas. You don’t have to do them all. It’s your holiday. But there is no cash alternative.
