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    Perfect Pairings

    6 perfect wine getaways in the Texas Hill Country

    Deborah Hamilton-Lynne
    Nov 17, 2016 | 9:43 am

    It's time to slow down and plan a weekend getaway where you can relax and enjoy some of Texas' finest wines. We’ve got six perfect pairings for your next getaway, all located a short distance from Dallas or Fort Worth.

    A best-kept secret for many of the wineries on our list is membership in their exclusive wine clubs, which includes complimentary tastings, notifications of limited and newly released wines, member parties and special events, and discounts on bottles and cases. Check individual winery websites for details. Now onto the pairings.

    Duchman Family Winery in Driftwood and Sage Hill Inn in Kyle
    Duchman Family Winery is known for its Italian wines, most notably its Vermentino; founders Stan and Lisa Duchman turned their love of old-world wines into an award-winning success story. Located in just south of Austin in Driftwood, it's an easy getaway, and, best of all, it's only 20 minutes away from the beautiful Sage Hill Inn, a luxury property with a pool, fire pit, spa, onsite restaurant, and terrific Hill Country views.

    Insider tip: Enjoy the Hill Country sunset from the back deck and end the day by the fire pit under the brightest stars in Texas.

    Bending Branch Winery in Comfort and Camp Comfort
    Bending Branch Winery has a beautiful tasting room and outdoor porch to enjoy a glass of Texas Tannat. Located in Comfort, it's a leisurely drive through the Hill Country, less than two hours from Austin. Nearby Camp Comfort is a rustic retreat created from a historic bowling alley built in 1860. It's the perfect place to wind down after a day of wine tasting.

    Pedernales Cellars in Stonewall and Rose Hill Manor
    Pedernales Cellars, a family-owned winery specializing in Spanish and Rhone style wines, has a striking view of the Hill Country from its outdoor deck, ideal for sampling the signature Tempranillo and Viognier wines. Just down the road is the beautiful Rose Hill Manor, a historic inn with suites and individual cottages. This is the place for a special romantic getaway — especially for proposals and anniversaries.

    Insider tip: Make reservations in advance for the three-course dinner.

    Brennan Vineyards in Comanche and the Star of Texas B&B in Brownwood
    Brennan Vineyards’ tasting room is in one of the oldest homesteads in Texas, dating back to 1876. The vineyard recently debuted its below-ground cellar renovation, where you can enjoy reserve tastings (by appointment only and very limited, so be sure to reach out in advance). The Star of Texas B&B, which specializes in peace and pampering, is about 30 minutes from Brennan Vineyards and offers private cottages and a hot breakfast delivered to your room. Enjoy a secluded country setting where you can relax in the hot tub under the stars or sit back on your porch and listen to the birds. No children or pets allowed, so relax and enjoy a weekend getaway for two.

    Fall Creek Vineyards in Driftwood and FCV Wine Country Inn
    One of the pioneers of the Texas wine industry, Fall Creek Vineyards has opened a winery and tasting room in Driftwood. It's the only vineyard on our list that also has an exclusive guest house located on the property. This is a getaway that beckons two couples, as the inn has two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a lovely living room featuring a huge stone fireplace. No children or pets allowed.

    Insider tip: Call ahead for information on private tastings and special events. Make reservations well in advance, as there is only one rental house on the property.

    Messina Hof Winery and the Villa at Messina Hof in Bryan
    The Bonarrigo family established Messina Hof in 1977 and became a pioneer in the Texas winemaking and wine tourism industry. Today, the tradition is carried on by Paul Mitchell Bonarrrigo and his wife, Karen, who continue to produce award-winning wines and are known for their hospitality.

    Messina Hof is located in Bryan, a short 10-minute drive from Texas A&M University. The villa features romantically decorated rooms named for iconic lovers and 11 suites, some with private patios and balconies. Your stay includes a tour of Messina Hof Winery, a sparkling wine breakfast, and a wine and cheese reception in the evening. Guests are also invited to dine at the onsite Vintage House Restaurant.

    Insider tip: Messina Hof also has a tasting room in Fredericksburg, and the Manor Haus B&B is located just behind it. There are four romantic retreats at this B&B, each with private entrances, living rooms, and kitchenettes.

    Pair the Sage Hill Inn with a trip to Duchman Family Winery.

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    where to travel right now

    Coastal holiday boat parades + 10 more Texas travel ideas for December

    Amber Heckler
    Dec 2, 2025 | 2:10 pm
    The Illuminated Boat Parade in Corpus Christi
    Photo courtesy of Downtown Corpus Christi
    The Illuminated Boat Parade in Corpus Christi takes the festivities to the water.

    Winter is here, Texas! That means only one thing: It's time to plan a festive holiday getaway, or finally book that must-needed staycation to unwind from the Thanksgiving break blues.

    North Texas travelers can head down to the coast for a weekend of holiday boat parades, get inspired at a Celtic holiday festival outside Austin, or keep things simple and local with an overnight stay at a Dallas Arts District hotel.

    Here are our top 11 picks for winter Texas travel events, hotel news, and more in December.

    Throughout Texas

    There's a new luxury van service connecting Austin, San Antonio, and Houston: Shutto, a new mobility shuttle startup, is now offering luxe road trips Monday through Saturday with departure times in the morning and evening. Riders can enjoy complimentary WiFi while they relax on plush leather seats during their stress-free ride in Mercedes Sprinter vans. Van routes also include a guaranteed pit stop at Texas' favorite travel center Buc-ee’s. One-way fares range from $47-$87.

    Austin

    Immersive experiences are a fun way to spend time with friends and family, and a new virtual reality (VR) experience is giving visitors a look at ancient Egypt: Horizon of Khufu will debut at VieVR (11000 Middle Fiskville Rd., Ste. A1) on December 5. During the 45-minute tour, guests will explore the Great Pyramid of Giza, "fly" over the plateau, look off the top of the pyramid in every direction, explore the corridors and burial chambers as an embalming ceremony happens, and much more. Tickets ($36 for adults and $32 for children) are available via Fever.

    Downtown Austin hotel Hyatt Regency Austin has completed a big renovation project to make over its 448 guestrooms and suites, plus its meeting rooms, public spaces, and more. The hotel has also opened three new dining concepts: Texas-inspired restaurant Ripple & Roots, a breakfast eatery called Cypress Grove, and grab-and-go food market Juniper Breeze Market. Nightly rates at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Austin begin at $213 in December.

    There's a piece of Celtic holiday cheer hidden in the rolling woods of McDade, a small town 35 miles east of Austin. The Sherwood Celtic Yuletide Festival is returning from December 12-14, transforming the grounds of the beloved Sherwood Forest Faire into a winter weekend of music, merriment, and holiday magic. Guests can expect artisan shopping, archery, live music, Highland Games like Scottish hammer swinging and shot put, and more. Tickets (including day passes, weekend passes, and camping) are available online starting at $12.50.

    Sherwood Forest Faire Yuletide Festival 2024 Participants at last year's inaugural Yuletide Festival. Photo courtesy of Sherwood Forest Faire

    Houston

    The Thompson Houston hotel is kicking off the holiday season with its "12 Days of Thompson" series from December 4-25. A few of the special activities, created for both locals and visitors, include a hot cocoa station in the hotel library (December 8), a local maker's market (December 13), a pet-friendly photo hour (December 20), and many more mini celebrations. Rates at the Thompson Houston begin at $283 per night.

    Along the Gulf Coast

    Texas coastal city Corpus Christi is hosting multiple lighted holiday boat parades during December. The first extravaganza – the Port of Corpus Christi Illuminated Boat Parade – is scheduled on Saturday, December 6 starting at 7 pm. Local boaters will compete for the title of "most festive vessel of the season" and an after party will follow. La Posada Lighted Boat Parade will take place the following weekend (Dec. 12-13) with U.S. Marines on site for a children's toy drive at Doc's Seafood & Steaks to help Santa collect new, unwrapped toys.

    San Antonio

    The future site of San Antonio's Pearl mini golf course (1100 Springs Plaza) has been temporarily turned into an outdoor ice skating rink for the holiday season until January 4, 2026. The iconic Pearl district has made its own transformation into a winter wonderland shimmering with lights and holiday music. Tickets to the ice rink at Pearl range from $20-$28 and include skate rental. Skate sessions last about an hour, and the last skate at 9:15 pm is 45 minutes long.

    At home in Dallas-Fort Worth

    The first-ever CultureMap City Rink, presented by Verizon, has made its grand debut at the Main Street Garden in downtown Dallas, and will run until January 5, 2026. Visitors can expect themed pop-ups and a full slate of programming designed for every kind of holiday reveler. From romantic Date Skate Wednesdays to Family Movie Nights and Shop + Skate Saturday Markets, there’s something new happening each week. Tickets are $18 for all ages, and include skate rentals and 75 minutes of ice time. Advance tickets, group reservations, and private rink rentals are available at cityrink.culturemap.com.

    CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025 The CultureMap City Rink will be open through January 5, 2026. Photo by Ashley Gongora

    The HALL Arts Hotel in Dallas' Arts District is offering guests a special "Holiday at the HALL" package for stays booked from December 13-31. The package includes a single-night stay with a welcome amenity, complimentary valet, a $50 dining credit for hotel restaurant Ellie's Restaurant & Lounge, and late checkout. Nightly rates with the "Holiday at the Hall" package begin at $389 in December.

    Congratulations are in order for Fort Worth and Frisco, which were the only two Texas destinations included among Good Housekeeping's "23 Unexpected City Vacations to Add to Your Travel Bucket List" in its 2026 Travel Awards. The lifestyle publication had more than 125 travel testers — including staff members, travel industry experts, and trained consumer evaluators — discover unexpected destinations with the best attractions, accessibility, lodging variety, safety, service, and overall appeal.

    The luxurious Bowie House hotel in Fort Worth will teach North Texans all the tricks for making the best tamales during a tamale-making class on Saturday, December 20 from 2-3:30 pm. Attendees will learn how to make fresh masa, master the technique for wrapping tamales, and take home their own to impress their loved ones. Tickets are $85 per person and can be purchased online via Tock.

    The Illuminated Boat Parade in Corpus Christi

    Photo courtesy of Downtown Corpus Christi

    The Illuminated Boat Parade in Corpus Christi takes the festivities to the water.

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