‘I visited a Texas dancehall and this is the one traditional you must stick to’

We've all heard about the famous Southern hospitality, and after landing in Austin , it's clear that this Texan city has nailed its manners. From friendly faces on the streets to helpful suggestions from shop assistants, there's a genuine warmth that emanates from the Lone Star State – and it's not just because of the climate. Austin, known as Texas' eclectic hub, offers a wealth of sights and activities.

But we also found a slice of authentic Southern culture beyond the state capital, from line dancing venues to traditional Texas barbecues. READ MORE: ‘I conquered my fears on this tiny Caribbean island with the world’s best beach' READ MORE: Lesser-known Moroccan city ‘more charming’ than Marrakech with unusual local delicacy We made our way to Dripping Springs, an hour's drive west of Austin, to stay at The Dripping Springs Social , one of Vrbo's 2025 Holiday Homes Of The Year . Nestled amongst expansive countryside and ranches, it certainly lived up to expectations.



The goal when travelling abroad is always to feel at home, and 'comfortable' doesn't quite cover it here. This lavish nine-bedroom rental property boasts chic interiors, snug furnishings and a contemporary design that's ideal for gatherings and groups of friends, reports the Mirror . Plus, it's not lacking in facilities – there's a large barn complete with its own bar, poker table, shuffleboard table and home cinema.

Upon arrival, we took full advantage of the outdoor hot tub, shaking off our jet lag with a glass of crisp Texan wine while taking in the stunning hillside view. The property also boasts a heated pool, fire pit and barbecue. Although the house can accommodate up to 20 guests, we were visited by some unexpected guests each morning - deer from the nearby hills.

Our line dancing teacher advised us at Mercer Dancehall, a traditional Texan venue where locals strut their stuff: "If someone asks you to dance, you must say yes for one dance; it's tradition." And they weren't kidding! Several regulars in cowboy hats invited us onto the dance floor for a two-step (resulting in a few squashed toes). If you want a real taste of Texas, visiting one of Austin's dance halls is essential.

We also explored the city centre on an e-bike tour, which can be booked through Expedia . There are plenty of photo ops along the route, including a stop at Austin's impressive Barton Springs Municipal Pool, a public outdoor swimming pool filled by natural springs. The bike tour takes you through the South Congress neighbourhood, and we suggest spending more time there if shopping is on your agenda.

Don't forget to drop into a local bar for some live music. We indulged in traditional Tex-Mex cuisine at the popular South Congress spot, Güero's Taco Bar. We made the most of their extensive menu, which included hand-shaken margaritas, tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas and nachos – the perfect treat after a day of shopping for cowboy boots.

Venturing out of Austin to Driftwood, we stopped by the all-you-can-eat dining hotspot, The Salt Lick BBQ. With mountains of meat cooked on open-stone grills, it's not a place for vegetarians, but if you're up for trying some serious barbecue staples, they offer unlimited plates of beef brisket, sausage and pork ribs. It's a true Man v.

Food-style location that you won't want to miss. On some days, we didn't even need to leave our cosy Vrbo holiday home to get a taste of Texas. One evening, the at-home catering company Lone Star Chefs came over and whipped up a feast in our kitchen.

They served us mouth-watering local steak, vibrant salads and a classic Southern dessert, peach cobbler. The chefs returned a second time to prepare us a brunch that featured a mimosa bar and an array of sweet and savoury breakfast favourites. We even had line dancing instructors come over to give us a private lesson in the barn, so we could practice before hitting the dance halls.

Learning about the history of the dances while twirling around the room was a great way to warm up before trying it out in public. A 90-minute drive from Austin, Fredericksburg is a charming town that feels like it's straight out of a Hallmark movie. With its German heritage, boutique shops, cowboy hat retailers and lovely restaurants offering al fresco dining, it's definitely worth the trip.

Dripping Springs, on the other hand, is a true testament to Texas Hill Country, boasting dramatic landscapes, rolling fields, and a plethora of vineyards, breweries, and distilleries. The Dripping Springs Social is available to book via Vrbo from £88 per person per night, based on 20 people staying. For more holiday home rentals – including other luxury properties – check out Wander .

And if you're looking for UK getaways, we highly recommend Sykes Cottages ..