West of Austin and north of San Antonio is an undulating region of central Texas known as Texas Hill Country. It offers quite the dichotomy; at one moment you can find yourself in the pampering clutches of the Lake Austin Spa Resort and another kicking back in Luckenbach – a spit on the map memorialized in a song by Waylon and Willie. From guitar licks to the Salt Lick, pull in to this Hill Country institution for traditional pit barbecue.

Texas Hill Country's limestone terrain provides fertile soil for growing grapes. It is home to the state's largest wine trail, with nearly 25 wineries. Texas is, by the way, the fifth-largest wine producing state in the nation, making an estimated 2.4 million gallons a year.

Torre di Pietra is one that offers more than its share of local flavor. One of the most authentic towns in Hill Country is Fredericksburg, where its German heritage is evident in the buildings along historic Main Street. For a different perspective among the cypress treetops, one of the newest ways to chart the territory is on a zipline tour.

For more information on Texas Hill Country, go to Hill-Country-Visitor.com.

Now here's a D'Elias Deal you don't want to miss for a visit to the Lake Austin Spa Resort.
Get 30-percent off a three-night or longer package from November 23 - January 14. For details, go to LakeAustin.com.

For this and other travel news, go to TravelWithVal.com.