2024 Total Solar Eclipse in Texas, w/ Astronomer Bob Berman

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Special Interest Tours

Apr 4 - 10, 2024

Group size: 15 - 40

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About this trip

Travel through Texas to chase the 2024 Solar Eclipse with Astronomer Bob Berman. We chose Texas because it is one of the driest and most statistically likely locations within the US for clear skies on eclipse day. And while we're there, we'll bring you to see some of the best of what the Lone Star state has to offer, including a VIP tour of the Johnson Space Center.

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What’s included

6 Nights Hotel

1 night in JW Marriott Houston (4/4), 2 nights Hyatt San Antonio (4/5 & 4/6), 2 nights Ruby Hotel Bar & Grill, Round Rock (4/7 & 4/8), 1 Night Hilton Austin Airport
12 Meals

Daily Breakfast and either lunch or dinner on full tour days, dinner on 4/4 and breakfast on 4/10
Ground Transportation

Ground transportation April 4-10 (there are no group activities on April 10))
Private Eclipse Location

We have booked out the Vineyard at Florence for our group
Bob Berman Lecture
Sky Party w/ Bob Berman
Lunch with an Astronaut

at the Johnson Space Center
VIP Tour

at the Johnson Space Center
River Boat Tour

in San Antonio
Group tour at the Alamo
Lake Austin Boat Charter

Farewell Dinner
Gratuities

Special Interest Tours will provide gratuities for the driver(s) and any group meals. However, gratuities for breakfasts or housekeeping will be at the guest's sole discretion.
Airport Transfers

Transfers between the Houston Airports and the hotel on 4/4. We are staying at an airport hotel on 4/9 guests can depart at their leisure on 4/10
Airfare

Guests are responsible for arranging travel to and from the tour.
Additional Meals

Any meals not mentioned in the "Included" section will be the guest's responsibility.
Additional Alcohol

Guests will be responsible to pay for any alcoholic beverages ordered at meals.
Travel Insurance

Guests will have the option of purchasing a travel protection plan and will be provided with a quote.

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What's Not Included

Airfare

Guests are responsible for arranging travel to and from the tour.
Additional Meals

Any meals not mentioned in the "Included" section will be the guest's responsibility.
Additional Alcohol

Guests will be responsible to pay for any alcoholic beverages ordered at meals.
Travel Insurance

Guests will have the option of purchasing a travel protection plan and will be provided with a quote.

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Itinerary

Day 1 - April 4th Arrive in Houston

Travel to Houston Tx and arrive at the George Bush International Airport. Your guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to our hotel in downtown Houston. This evening we will gather for a welcome dinner at the hotel, followed by an solar eclipse lecture by Bob Berman.

Day 2 - April 5 Explore the Johnson Space Center

Depart early for a VIP tour at the Johnson Space Center, to get an insider’s look before they open for the day.

After the tour we will have breakfast with an astronaut. during which guests will have the opportunity to get a glimpse into the space program from an astronaut’s perspective, while enjoying a delicious breakfast catered by Wolfgang Puck. After the presentation guests can join in a Q&A session with the veteran space explorer.

Following breakfast guests will have hours to explore JSC at their leisure.

In the mid-afternoon we will depart for San Antonio, where we will settle in for a 2-night stay.

Day 3 - April 6 Explore San Antonio

Our hotel is located in the heart of the action, right on the scenic River Walk and around the corner from the Alamo.

As a group we will experience it all, with a group tour at the Alamo and a leisurely boat ride through the River Walk.

The evening will be yours to dine at your leisure in this lively Texan city.

Day 4 - April 7th Wine Tour and Star Party

Enjoy a late morning in San Antonio. Upon checkout we will begin our drive into the Texan countryside to Florence, where we will settle into the Vineyard at Florence for a 2-night stay.

After settling in, guests will have the option of joining a wine tour and tasting. Dinner tonight will be also be paired with wines from the vineyard.

After dinner guests will gather in the darkest part of the property for a star party with Bob.

Day 5 - April 8th Eclipse Day at the Vineyard

The day is yours to get ready for the eclipse.

At our location at the vineyard, the partial eclipse will start at 12:18 CDT (local time), and totality will begin at 1:35:54. The sun will be 67 degrees high, ( it misses the zenith by only 23 degrees), and the sun’s azimuth will be 183 degrees (almost due south). The duration of totality will be 4 Minutes exactly! (Or, to be ultra-precise, 1/5th of a second less than that!)

All meals are included on the property today so guests can relax and enjoy the day with leisure and ease.

Day 6 - April 9th Lake Austin Boat Excursion

After leisurely morning at the vineyard, we will depart for Lake Austin.

On the way we’ll stop in historic Georgetown for guests to shop, snack and stretch their legs in this quaint city.

Next we will head into the heart of Austin, for some free time to shop and snack in the popular South Congress neighborhood.

We’ll wrap up the trip with a sunset dinner boat excursion around Lake Austin, before returning guests to our airport hotel for flights home.

Day 7 - April 10th Off to the next Adventure

Breakfast and airport shuttles will be provided by the hotel, so you can depart at your leisure. Please let us know if you have interest in extending your stay in Austin, and we can help you book a downtown Austin hotel.