winter magic

2 Hill Country favorites charm on new list of coziest towns for winter getaways

All the charm of the Old West and electricity, all at once.

Taking families and loved ones on cozy winter vacations is always a good way to take advantage of the cooler weather. If Texans need any ideas, Marble Falls and Fredericksburg should be on their radar. New York Travel Guides recently named the two Hill Country towns among the coziest U.S. winter destinations for charming, magical getaways.

The list of 110 small American towns was compiled based on each town's popularity during the winter months, the weather, and the number of activities in the areas.

Marble Falls ranked No. 40, while Fredericksburg ranked No. 96. Both towns are highly adored for their complete transformations during the holidays, becoming such picturesque Christmas wonderlands that even Mr. Claus would say they rival the North Pole.

"Ice skating on a charming ice skating rink while admiring Christmas lights, enjoying beautiful mountain views, having a delicious cup of hot chocolate by a bonfire, and Christmas shopping at quaint shops, there is a lot to do during winter in America’s small towns," the report's author wrote.

Travel experts are definitely keeping their eyes on the Texas Hill Country after it was recently named one of the top 25 destinations in the world, with most organizers looking forward to the total eclipse coming up in April 2024.

This winter, Fredericksburg's market square is hosting daily lighting ceremonies to showcase tales of the town's German heritage and Christmas carols. Visitors can also stop by to take a selfie with the town's famous 26-foot tall wooden spinning Christmas tower.

Not to be outdone, Marble Falls holds its own annual Walkway of Lights every night until December 31, weather permitting, from 6-10 pm. Visitors can participate in many different holiday activities such as ice skating, catching a holiday movie at Johnson Park, and more.

"Marble Falls is the destination for Christmas festivities, from ice skating and tree lighting to market shopping and cocoa sipping," the city's website says. "So put on your favorite sweater, gather your loved ones, and join the holiday celebrations in the Hill Country."

Fredericksburg and Marble Falls were the only two Texas towns to make the list. Leavenworth, a German Bavarian town in Washington, took the highest honor as the No. 1 coziest winter town in America.

The top 10 coziest winter towns in the U.S. are:

No. 1 – Leavenworth, Washington
No. 2 – Breckenridge, Colorado
No. 3 – Stowe, Vermont
No. 4 – Vail, Colorado
No. 5 – Aspen, Colorado
No. 6 – Lake Placid, New York
No. 7 – Portsmouth, New Hampshire
No. 8 – Frankenmuth, Michigan
No. 9 – Petoskey, Michigan
No. 10 – Stillwater, Minnesota

The full report can be found on newyorktravelguides.com.

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travel in style

Luxury bus service Vonlane adds new route from The Woodlands to Austin

Photo courtesy of Vonlane

A new Vonlane route will connect travelers in The Woodlands to Austin starting in May.

Nearly one year after Vonlane connected The Woodlands and Dallas via its premium motor coach service, the bus operator is expanding its reach in the Houston suburb with a new route to Austin.

Starting on Monday, May 4, the route will run seven days a week from The Woodlands to Austin with varying morning, afternoon, and evening departure times.

Houston-area travelers will depart from The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center (1601 Lake Robbins Dr.) and will arrive at the DoubleTree by Hilton Austin - University Area (1617 N. Interstate Hwy 35).

The departure schedule for the new route is as follows:

The Woodlands to and from Austin:

7:30 am, 11:15 am, 3 pm, and 6:45 pm on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays
11:15 am and 3 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
9 am and 1 pm on Sundays

Austin to The Woodlands:

10 am on Saturdays

The Woodlands to Austin:

2 pm on Saturdays

Travelers can book the new route for an introductory one-way fare of $99 through August 31, 2026, a press release states. Vonlane's 22-seat busses all have leather seats, complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi, meals, snacks, and beverages. There are no baggage or change fees.

The Woodlands has been Vonlane's "most-requested geographic addition" in recent years, according to press materials. The first route departing from this Houston suburb launched in June 2025, landing at Dallas' DoubleTree Love Field Hotel, 3300 W. Mockingbird Ln.

In all, Vonlane operates an expansive travel network with 12 routes across 11 cities in three states. The new route to Austin, which also marks the company's 12th year in business, has brought "tremendous enthusiasm" from travelers across both cities, according to founder and CEO Alex Danza.

"The Woodlands is one of the most dynamic and fast-growing communities in Texas, and connecting its residents directly to Austin — and vice versa — opens up a world of possibilities for residents of both communities, whether they're heading there for business, live music, a weekend getaway, or all three," Danza said. "We're proud to make that connection on our 12th birthday."

Vonlane also offers service between downtown Houston and Dallas, and, in February, added more departure times for its route from the Houston Galleria to San Antonio.

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