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Do you ever catch yourself dreaming of the rolling pastures of Central Texas, catching the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair?
These five luxurious ranch houses will make you want to invest the millions they cost to be surrounded by Texas' beautiful Hill Country flora. Each one of these countryside villas is within an hour of Austin and on the market.
17301 Flintrock Road | 28 acres | $6,500,000
(Realtor.com)
This six-bedroom, eight-and-a-half-bathroom cabin-like estate has views and wood paneling for days. The 11,000 square foot "Colorado style Mountain Lodge" blends in seamlessly with the surrounding Lakeway nature and lies outside of Austin city limits, for utmost privacy. Wraparound decks and porches let you take in the view of the luscious Hill Country from above the treetops and the outdoor firepit lets you take it in from inside the trunks. This gated space is massive and waiting for a new owner to bring it back to life.
11949 Escarpment Blvd. | 20.5 acres | $4,900,000
(Realtor.com)
Down by Circle C Ranch, a sprawling four-bedroom, five-bathroom estate gives you the privacy and perks of the countryside without removing you from the city. With a 20.59 acre lot and a 4,529 square foot home, you won't be confined to the cooped-up real estate in the city, but since it's only a 15-minute drive to Lady Bird Lake, you'll never be too far away. Rustic stone finishes and exposed wood accents give the house that familiar Texas feeling, while the white cabinetry and enormous windows keep it modern, plus it gives the option to overlook your pool and firepit. Just a few steps away from the main house are a guest house, greenhouse, fruit orchard, raised garden and barn. Play your cards right and you might never have to leave.
300 Thomassen Ranch Road | 45.5 acres | $4,500,000
(Longhorn Realty)
This secluded Dripping Springs ranch house has everything Central Texas has to offer, from proximity to the Hill Country wine trail to the shroud of greenery that keeps this property so elusive. Each of the five bedrooms has a bathroom to match on the 5052 square foot property. The outdoor pool and corresponding jacuzzi are comfortably situated near a covered veranda and kitchen, ideal for entertaining guests, plus over 2,500 square feet of outdoor living space, for those who just can't get enough of Texas nature. Trees are spotted all over the property and a fenced-in pasture nearby will support livestock or horses, if you so choose. If that isn't enough, the barn onsite can be used as a workshop and the property comes with its own basketball court.
488 Shovel Mountain Road | 172.5 acres | $4,400,000
(Longhorn Realty)
This home is built for the true rancher, so don't move in without your farm animal friends in tow. Light-colored walls juxtaposed with dark cabinetry, exposed wood beams and tasteful wood paneled accents characterize this home, which sits on 3,727 square feet of gated property. The open floor plan supports four bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms plus an outdoor covered kitchen with space to keep guests. The real beauty of this house is the capacity to keep animals, with a massive 11,000 square foot livestock show barn, because your animals deserve only the best, complete with grooming stations, pens, feed storage and a vet room. With three ponds and two wells on the property, the proliferation of land leaves so many opportunities to farm, ranch, graze and grow.
Sanctuary Cellars 14145 Bear Creek Pass | 5.5 acres | $3,695,000
(Realtor.com)
This modern ranch house is the perfect place to start your hobby farm without deviating from a life of luxury. You don't have to leave your Austin lifestyle behind since the house sits only 20 minutes away from downtown but 5,300 square feet, six bedrooms and five bathrooms allow you to claim some space. Clean lines, white walls and simple fixtures give this home a timeless look, and the wildflowers surrounding the property keep it looking vibrant. A Napa-style pool overlooks a Spanish Tempranillo vineyard and equestrian barn to either raise horses or turn into an entertainer's dream venue.
Who said country living couldn't be glamorous?
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Popular
(Gulfstream)
Elon Musk has placed an order for a new, top-of-the-line private jet: a Gulfstream G700, Austonia has learned. Delivery is expected in early 2023.
Billed as offering “the most spacious cabin in history,” the aircraft seats 19 and soars above the rest of us at up to 51,000 feet. Base price: $78 million.
The Gulfstream G700 was awarded the 2022 International Yacht & Aviation Award for excellence in cabin design this year. (Gulfstream)
According to the Gulfstream website, the G700 can fly up to 7,500 nautical miles without refueling, enough range to fly nonstop from Austin to Hong Kong. Powered by two Rolls-Royce engines, it has its own Wi-Fi system, 20 oval windows measuring 28” x 21”, and two lavatories.
The sweet new ride will replace his current top-of-line private jet: a 2015 Gulfstream G650, the aircraft that has been made somewhat famous by the automated @elonjet Twitter account, which tracks and reports his personal aircraft’s movements using public data.
Landed in Austin, Texas, US. Apx. flt. time 44 Mins. pic.twitter.com/jZ7HI0i4iV
— ElonJet (@ElonJet) June 24, 2022
Musk has repeatedly championed “free speech” as a guiding ethic in his planned purchase of Twitter. Last December, Musk offered the teenager who built the @elonjet tracker $50,000 to shut it down, citing security concerns. It’s still up.
According to the @elonjet account, Musk’s jet last traveled to Austin, where it’s been since June 23. The associated data says that his flight to Austin burned $2,573 worth of aviation fuel and discharged 4 tons of carbon dioxide.
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(Valencia Hotel Group)
Live music and beer? Say no more. With a location in Austin, and others throughout Texas, the court hotels by the Valencia Hotel Group have a new offering for weekend stays: Live Music & Longnecks.
Enjoy live music all weekend long and check out the hotels’ state-of-the-art amenities between sets. Make a splash in the pool, enjoy outdoor fire pits, or challenge your friends in a yard game while enjoying a weekend full of live music! Did we mention the package includes deluxe accommodations and a bucket of beer? Oh, and if you needed more convincing, this pet-friendly hotel means the whole family can join in on the fun.
The hotels
Explore any of the Court Hotels by Valencia Hotel Group for a memorable escape. Each property offers a unique experience remnant of yesteryear but with all of the modern amenities that make for a fun and comfortable stay. With acres of landscaped courtyards, relax and unwind in an outdoor environment perfect for doing everything or absolutely nothing at all. With locations in Austin, College Station, Irving, and Lubbock your urban retreat has never been so close.
The music
Locals and travelers alike are invited to enjoy the deep roots of Texas music all summer long with a robust lineup of live performances. From the banks of the San Antonio Riverwalk to Irving’s manicured streets, Valencia’s hotels are a place to gather and reconnect, offering uniquely Texan settings for the weekly performances.
“We’re proud of the community we’ve fostered among Texas musicians and the many rising stars who perform at our properties,” says Amy Trench, corporate director of brand marketing & PR for Valencia Hotel Group.
In Austin, you can catch good ol’ fashioned Texas country by Drew Moreland and Clayton Gardner, bluegrass by Reagan Quinn, and much, much more.
With unique programming at each of Valencia’s properties, there’s something for everyone to enjoy all summer long.
The perks
If you’re a Valencia Hotel Group Rewards member, the perks are plentiful. Enjoy up to 10% off the Best Available Rate, and for a limited time, members can save up to 15% off a stay of 2 nights or more, for select stays in 2022.
But that’s really just the beginning. At select locations, you can enjoy discounts on weeknight stays, a complimentary third night, or curated packages for a romantic getaway or a night of watching the Verde at Q2 Stadium. You’ll also find special rates for AAA and AARP Members, educators, and front-line heroes including military, law enforcement, fire, and rescue workers.