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PORT ARANSAS, TEXAS

Exploring the Gulf Coast: Whooping Cranes, Marine Life, King Ranch

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 TX

Interest

 Birding

Price Range

 $700 - $1000

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Road Scholar
Program #7353RJ

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5 Days | 4 Nights
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate
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Love to learn in a small-group setting? This collection of programs has at most 10-24 participants.
See our Small Group programs.
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EasyFor people looking to exercise their minds more than their bodies. There’s minimal walking and not too many stairs.
ModerateThese programs get you on your feet and include activities such as walking up to a mile in a day through a city and standing in a museum for a few hours.
ActiveFor people who enjoy walking as much as two miles a day, perhaps to explore historic neighborhoods or a nature trail.
Moderately ChallengingFor hardy explorers who enjoy a good physical challenge, spending most of their days on the go.
ChallengingGet ready to keep up with our highest-energy group. These demanding — and rewarding — programs are for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

Program Details > Daily Schedule

Equipment Requirements
Binoculars, preferably 8x42 or 10x50

Itinerary for Dec 3 — Dec 7, 2012

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Type: Hotel

 Description: Located approximately 2 1/2 blocks from Gulf beach and close to shops and restaurants.

Contact info:
400 E. Ave. G
Port Aransas, TX 78373 USA
phone: 361-749-3010
web: http://bestwesterntexas.com/hotels/best-western-ocean-villa/

Room amenities: Standard, well-appointed rooms with 2 queen beds. Guest Room Amenities: •Cable satellite television •In-room movies HBO •Free local calls under 30 minutes •Free long distance access •Data ports •Wake-up calls •AM/FM alarm clock •Hairdryer •Iron, ironing board •Coffee/tea maker •Refrigerator •Microwave •Desk/work area •Electronic key card locks •Cribs available •Rollaway beds available •Air-conditioning •Free wireless internet access available in public areas, and all guest rooms •Complimentary newspaper available at front desk

Facility amenities: Hotel Amenities: •Outdoor pool •Game room •Safe deposit box •Ice/vending machines •Public areas accessible by physically challenged •Braille coded exit ways •Access ramps •Free parking •Meeting facilities •Fax services •Photocopy services •High-speed Internet access •Exterior corridor •Higher rates may apply for holidays/special events •Free wireless internet available in public areas; Free in-room wireless internet access; Free wireless internet access available in public areas and all guest rooms; All guest rooms are hard wired and offer free wireless internet access; All guest rooms are hard wired for internet access Breakfast. •Continental breakfast • choice of breads • cereal • fruit • eggs • yogurt • juice • and hot items.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: Call hotel directly for price
Reservations for additional nights must be made directly with the hotel. We cannot make these reservations for you.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day One: Monday, December 03 - Arrival 
Arrive To: Check in hotel by 3 pm

Afternoon: 4:30 pm. Welcome reception, orientation and introductions. Meet in the hotel dining room.

Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant.

Evening: Discussion of scheduled sites and excursions. Target birds of the week and binocular use.

Lodging: Best Western Ocean Villa

Meals Included: Dinner
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Type: Hotel

 Description: Located approximately 2 1/2 blocks from Gulf beach and close to shops and restaurants.

Contact info:
400 E. Ave. G
Port Aransas, TX 78373 USA
phone: 361-749-3010
web: http://bestwesterntexas.com/hotels/best-western-ocean-villa/

Room amenities: Standard, well-appointed rooms with 2 queen beds. Guest Room Amenities: •Cable satellite television •In-room movies HBO •Free local calls under 30 minutes •Free long distance access •Data ports •Wake-up calls •AM/FM alarm clock •Hairdryer •Iron, ironing board •Coffee/tea maker •Refrigerator •Microwave •Desk/work area •Electronic key card locks •Cribs available •Rollaway beds available •Air-conditioning •Free wireless internet access available in public areas, and all guest rooms •Complimentary newspaper available at front desk

Facility amenities: Hotel Amenities: •Outdoor pool •Game room •Safe deposit box •Ice/vending machines •Public areas accessible by physically challenged •Braille coded exit ways •Access ramps •Free parking •Meeting facilities •Fax services •Photocopy services •High-speed Internet access •Exterior corridor •Higher rates may apply for holidays/special events •Free wireless internet available in public areas; Free in-room wireless internet access; Free wireless internet access available in public areas and all guest rooms; All guest rooms are hard wired and offer free wireless internet access; All guest rooms are hard wired for internet access Breakfast. •Continental breakfast • choice of breads • cereal • fruit • eggs • yogurt • juice • and hot items.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: Call hotel directly for price
Reservations for additional nights must be made directly with the hotel. We cannot make these reservations for you.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Two: Tuesday, December 04 -  
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel

Morning: Early departure for Fulton Harbor and a fully narrated tour along the shores of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge aboard the 'Skimmer'. As well as a wide variety of other birds, we will have opportunities to view members of the only natural, wild, migrating flock of Whooping Cranes left in the world. This is a wonderful photo opportunity.

Lunch: Picnic lunch at Rockport Beach Pavilion.

Afternoon: Birding tour of the Rockport area along with a stop at the new Bay Education Center. The Center focuses on the local environment and features hands on exhibits along with the breathtaking "Science on the Sphere" exhibit.

Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant.

Evening: DVD introduction to the King Ranch Legacy. Discuss target birds for the King Ranch.

Lodging: Best Western Ocean Villa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Hotel

 Description: Located approximately 2 1/2 blocks from Gulf beach and close to shops and restaurants.

Contact info:
400 E. Ave. G
Port Aransas, TX 78373 USA
phone: 361-749-3010
web: http://bestwesterntexas.com/hotels/best-western-ocean-villa/

Room amenities: Standard, well-appointed rooms with 2 queen beds. Guest Room Amenities: •Cable satellite television •In-room movies HBO •Free local calls under 30 minutes •Free long distance access •Data ports •Wake-up calls •AM/FM alarm clock •Hairdryer •Iron, ironing board •Coffee/tea maker •Refrigerator •Microwave •Desk/work area •Electronic key card locks •Cribs available •Rollaway beds available •Air-conditioning •Free wireless internet access available in public areas, and all guest rooms •Complimentary newspaper available at front desk

Facility amenities: Hotel Amenities: •Outdoor pool •Game room •Safe deposit box •Ice/vending machines •Public areas accessible by physically challenged •Braille coded exit ways •Access ramps •Free parking •Meeting facilities •Fax services •Photocopy services •High-speed Internet access •Exterior corridor •Higher rates may apply for holidays/special events •Free wireless internet available in public areas; Free in-room wireless internet access; Free wireless internet access available in public areas and all guest rooms; All guest rooms are hard wired and offer free wireless internet access; All guest rooms are hard wired for internet access Breakfast. •Continental breakfast • choice of breads • cereal • fruit • eggs • yogurt • juice • and hot items.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: Call hotel directly for price
Reservations for additional nights must be made directly with the hotel. We cannot make these reservations for you.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Three: Wednesday, December 05 -  
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel

Morning: Early departure for Santa Gertrudis Division of the King Ranch, in Kingsville, Texas for a Birding and Wildlife field trip led by King Ranch ornithologist. The historic King Ranch is home to a wide variety of birds and wildlife. Green jays, Golden-fronted Woodpeckers, Kiskadees, plus Santa Gertrudis cattle and javelinas are among the many critters seen on the ranch.

Lunch: Picnic lunch at the ranch.

Afternoon: Travel back to Port Aransas and stop at selected birding site, then on to Port Aransas for a guided tour of the history of Port Aransas.

Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant.

Evening: Brief discussion of target birds. Lecture by Mariculture research scientist.

Lodging: Best Western Ocean Villa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Hotel

 Description: Located approximately 2 1/2 blocks from Gulf beach and close to shops and restaurants.

Contact info:
400 E. Ave. G
Port Aransas, TX 78373 USA
phone: 361-749-3010
web: http://bestwesterntexas.com/hotels/best-western-ocean-villa/

Room amenities: Standard, well-appointed rooms with 2 queen beds. Guest Room Amenities: •Cable satellite television •In-room movies HBO •Free local calls under 30 minutes •Free long distance access •Data ports •Wake-up calls •AM/FM alarm clock •Hairdryer •Iron, ironing board •Coffee/tea maker •Refrigerator •Microwave •Desk/work area •Electronic key card locks •Cribs available •Rollaway beds available •Air-conditioning •Free wireless internet access available in public areas, and all guest rooms •Complimentary newspaper available at front desk

Facility amenities: Hotel Amenities: •Outdoor pool •Game room •Safe deposit box •Ice/vending machines •Public areas accessible by physically challenged •Braille coded exit ways •Access ramps •Free parking •Meeting facilities •Fax services •Photocopy services •High-speed Internet access •Exterior corridor •Higher rates may apply for holidays/special events •Free wireless internet available in public areas; Free in-room wireless internet access; Free wireless internet access available in public areas and all guest rooms; All guest rooms are hard wired and offer free wireless internet access; All guest rooms are hard wired for internet access Breakfast. •Continental breakfast • choice of breads • cereal • fruit • eggs • yogurt • juice • and hot items.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: Call hotel directly for price
Reservations for additional nights must be made directly with the hotel. We cannot make these reservations for you.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Four: Thursday, December 06 - Research cruise on the R/V Katy 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel

Morning: Marine activities plus a tour of the Marine Science Institute Animal Rehabilitation Keep.

Lunch: Lunch at the university campus cafeteria.

Afternoon: Research cruise aboard the research vessel R/V Katy in Redfish Bay. Learn marine sampling techniques and gain hands-on experience with marine organisms. Use our onboard wet lab to view microscopic plankton samples. See Bottlenose Dolphins up close and personal. Cruise led by UT staff scientists.

Dinner: Special Farewell Dinner.

Evening: Wrap-up, evaluations and passports.

Lodging: Best Western Ocean Villa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day Five: Friday, December 07 - Early morning last chance birding. 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel

Morning: Early morning birding on the beach.

Lunch: A boxed lunch will be available to take with you at 10 am.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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Important information about your itinerary:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date.
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Our Value Promise To You

You won't find a better value.

Included
at no additional cost on this date ...
•4 nights of accommodations
•12 meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
•4 Expert-led lectures
•5 Field trips
•2 Hands-on experiences
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4.8
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