travel
more) is washed down with a refreshing sparkling wine, and
accompanied by more live music.
visitors to the restaurant; amid the crowd I spy revolutionary
Emiliano Zapata Salazar, artist Frida Kahlo and former US
president Bill Clinton. Given the quality of the enchiladas,
mariscos, tacos and chalupas, I’m not surprised this delightful
cafe has become a San Antonio institution.
Having refuelled, we’re ready to once again take the reins and
enjoy a ride through the city - only this time our trusty stallions
are powered by petrol.
That evening, more culinary delights are in store as we enjoy
a ‘dine-around’ at the Pearl Brewery, a thoroughly modern
urban village of work spaces, residential spots, retail shops and
restaurants. Next destination: Austin. As we pull into the town, I
hear a myriad of musical genres blaring from the many bars; it’s
no wonder this is known as the “live musical city of the world”.
We enter the Continental Club on S Congress Avenue, where a
four-piece combo of guitarists and singers perform atmospheric
country pop songs.
Along with music, food is also a serious business in Austin.
We head to Lambert’s Downtown Barbecue on W 2nd Street,
where an extremely large serving of meat (ribs, steaks and
Paseo del Rio (The River Walk) in San Antonia, Texas.
We head to the Circuit of the Americas, where we watch
Ferraris being hurled around the track at average speeds of 190
miles per hour. The thrills and testosterone flood around us as well as the incessant yet welcome rain. These cars may be
fast and flash but they’re not my preferred mode of transport.
I’d much rather saddle up with Mr Pepsi any day of the week.
I wonder what he’s up to now - plodding along in his quiet,
confident nonchalant way.
Despite my ineptitude with a bow and arrow, I leave Texas
feeling confident that I’m a cowgirl convert.
So long Mr Pepsi.
Diners in cowboy hats enjoy a night out at a restaurant in Bandera.
Travel facts
•
•
British Airways flies direct from London to Austin with their
new Dreamliner aircraft from £518pp (inc taxes). As part of the
transatlantic agreement between British Airways and American
Airlines, all routes can be booked at www.aa.com
•
Bandera, Texas.
Denise Bailey was a guest of the Texas Tourist Board
(www.traveltex.com)
All-inclusive rates at the Mayan Dude Ranch in Bandera
(www.mayanranch.com) cost from 160 US dollars per person, per
day. Rooms at the Drury Plaza Hotel (www.druryhotels.com) in San
Antonio are priced from 109-214 US dollars. Rooms at the Marriott
Courtyard and Residence Inn (www.marriott.co.uk) in Austin start at
209 US dollars.
www.lifebeginsmagazine.com
Life Begins 11