5 Relaxing Things to do in the Texas Hill Country
Just outside of Austin, Texas, the fastest growing metropolitan area in the country, you'll find the rolling landscape of the Texas hill country. The hill country encompasses several small towns including Kyle, Gruene, Wimberley, Driftwood and Fredericksburg. The rolling landscape creates a perfect climate for the growing of wine grapes. You'll not only find wineries in the area, but olive groves, natural rock formations and natural springs. It's not surprising that several high end spa resorts have sprung up in the area, capturing the beauty of nature's wonders in the area.
Here are five relaxing things to do in the Texas hill country.
1. Stay at a luxury resort.
Capitalizing on nature's beauty goes hand and hand with luxurious surroundings. There are several spa resorts which contrast the natural rocky terrain with plush lodging. Just 45 minutes south of Austin, in Kyle, Texas is The Sage Hill Inn Above Onion Creek.
I would describe the resort as "rustic luxury." A winding road takes guests through the natural scrubby landscape and past the chef's extensive herb gardens.
The resort has a friendly staff which welcomes guests with a tour of the property. The accommodations include several buildings and luxury cabins. Our stay took us to the main building with individually named suites. The main building includes the restaurant where breakfast and dinners are served, and were included in our package.
The kitchen has an "open door" policy where guests may come in and speak to the chef's staff at any time. Cookies and homemade granola bars are available all day, every day as well as coffee and specialty teas.
Across from the dining room is the library. This spacious room has the homey feel of a comfortable living room with a fireplace, stereo system, television, and can serve as a private dining room. The suites in this building are upstairs with views from porches on the front and the back complete with rocking chairs. A rocking chair and a glass of wine are a great way to watch the sunset.
The suites have fireplaces and a mix of comfortable modern and rustic furniture. The beds are dressed with high thread count duvets and sheets to send you off to sleep in the evening. If you're thirsty, a refrigerator is stocked in every suite with sparkling water and local Dublin soda.
2. Watch a sunset
The combination of rolling hills and scrubby landscape provides for amazing sunsets. During our stay at the Sage Hill Inn in January, we spent each afternoon waiting for the amazing sunsets at the beautiful timed fire pit with cast iron logs, as we snuggled in the provided blankets.
Another great gathering spot for watching a sunset is on the grounds of the Driftwood Vineyard.
3. Enjoy great wines
More and more travelers are learning a big "secret." The Texas Hill Country is a great place for wine tasting! The Texas Wine Trail's website is the place to start when planning your trip. From Austin to New Braunfels, you'll find a variety of Texas wineries with surprisingly great wines. Our trip took us to the Driftwood Estate Winery, a great place to catch the sunset, and Wimberley Valley Winery which has a variety of wines from different vineyards.
If you'd like to have a worry free trip, there are several companies which do wine tours in limousine buses for large groups or small.
4. Go on a hike.
The natural rock formations, creek beds, and terrain make for very peaceful trails for hiking. The Texas hill country has an abundance of limestone which creates stunning creek beds with crystal bubbling brooks. Sunrise hikes are a great way to start your day, taking in the quiet sounds of nature. At dusk, deer venture out to graze in meadows near the many trails available. A popular spot for hiking is Jacob's Well, with free tours on Saturdays at 10:30 am led by Master Naturalists.
5. Pamper yourself
At the Sage Hill Inn as well as other local resorts, spa treatments are always on the menu. We chose a 2-hour combination facial and massage with a healthy lunch and mimosas included in our package. The spa technicians were knowledgeable and customized the treatments to our own personal needs. Aromatherapy was one of the essential elements of our pampering and all of the spa products were available for purchase.
Links:
http://texaswinetrail.com
http://www.wimberleyvalleywine.com
https://www.driftwoodvineyards.com
http://www.sagehill.com
http://visitwimberley.com
http://www.co.hays.tx.us/jwna.aspx
Subscribe to my blog here at destinationsdiva.blogspot.com.
Check out Mary deSilva's Amazon Kindle ebooks here.
Find out how you can join me to fight brain cancer at KellyKickingCancer.org.
Here are five relaxing things to do in the Texas hill country.
1. Stay at a luxury resort.
Capitalizing on nature's beauty goes hand and hand with luxurious surroundings. There are several spa resorts which contrast the natural rocky terrain with plush lodging. Just 45 minutes south of Austin, in Kyle, Texas is The Sage Hill Inn Above Onion Creek.
I would describe the resort as "rustic luxury." A winding road takes guests through the natural scrubby landscape and past the chef's extensive herb gardens.
The resort has a friendly staff which welcomes guests with a tour of the property. The accommodations include several buildings and luxury cabins. Our stay took us to the main building with individually named suites. The main building includes the restaurant where breakfast and dinners are served, and were included in our package.
The kitchen has an "open door" policy where guests may come in and speak to the chef's staff at any time. Cookies and homemade granola bars are available all day, every day as well as coffee and specialty teas.
Across from the dining room is the library. This spacious room has the homey feel of a comfortable living room with a fireplace, stereo system, television, and can serve as a private dining room. The suites in this building are upstairs with views from porches on the front and the back complete with rocking chairs. A rocking chair and a glass of wine are a great way to watch the sunset.
 |
| Warming up at the fire pit |
The suites have fireplaces and a mix of comfortable modern and rustic furniture. The beds are dressed with high thread count duvets and sheets to send you off to sleep in the evening. If you're thirsty, a refrigerator is stocked in every suite with sparkling water and local Dublin soda.
2. Watch a sunset
The combination of rolling hills and scrubby landscape provides for amazing sunsets. During our stay at the Sage Hill Inn in January, we spent each afternoon waiting for the amazing sunsets at the beautiful timed fire pit with cast iron logs, as we snuggled in the provided blankets.
 |
| Sunset at Sage Hill Inn |
 |
| The grounds at Driftwood Estate Winery |
More and more travelers are learning a big "secret." The Texas Hill Country is a great place for wine tasting! The Texas Wine Trail's website is the place to start when planning your trip. From Austin to New Braunfels, you'll find a variety of Texas wineries with surprisingly great wines. Our trip took us to the Driftwood Estate Winery, a great place to catch the sunset, and Wimberley Valley Winery which has a variety of wines from different vineyards.
 |
 |
| Wimberley Valley Winery |
 |
| In room Wine and Cheese |
 |
| Starting our stay with a toast and Texas wine |
The natural rock formations, creek beds, and terrain make for very peaceful trails for hiking. The Texas hill country has an abundance of limestone which creates stunning creek beds with crystal bubbling brooks. Sunrise hikes are a great way to start your day, taking in the quiet sounds of nature. At dusk, deer venture out to graze in meadows near the many trails available. A popular spot for hiking is Jacob's Well, with free tours on Saturdays at 10:30 am led by Master Naturalists.
5. Pamper yourself
At the Sage Hill Inn as well as other local resorts, spa treatments are always on the menu. We chose a 2-hour combination facial and massage with a healthy lunch and mimosas included in our package. The spa technicians were knowledgeable and customized the treatments to our own personal needs. Aromatherapy was one of the essential elements of our pampering and all of the spa products were available for purchase.
Links:
http://texaswinetrail.com
http://www.wimberleyvalleywine.com
https://www.driftwoodvineyards.com
http://www.sagehill.com
http://visitwimberley.com
http://www.co.hays.tx.us/jwna.aspx
Subscribe to my blog here at destinationsdiva.blogspot.com.
Check out Mary deSilva's Amazon Kindle ebooks here.
Find out how you can join me to fight brain cancer at KellyKickingCancer.org.
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