Travaasa Austin Experiences
You want to embark on a journey without living out of a suitcase. You want to taste real Texas flavors, learn a few new things about yourself, and dance the night away under a banner of stars. Why not stay at a resort that allows you to have all of these things? At Travaasa Austin, we get it, and that’s why we created a menu of custom, personalized and authentic experiences just for you. Situated on the edge of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, Travaasa Austin offers an extensive selection of guided activities set amidst — and inspired by — the rugged yet hospitable nature of Texas Hill Country.
Experiences are offered through all-inclusive packages as well as a la carte pricing, depending on the path you choose. See our rates and packages for details.
View Experience Schedule
ADVENTURE
Prickly Pear Challenge Course
Ever picked a prickly pear? If you have, you know the importance of each foot and hand placement as you find your way between the cactus needles. The same focus on movement is required as you navigate the space above the trees on our challenge course. Our state-of-the-art course was designed in partnership with Outward Bound Professional, and incorporates vertical climbing elements for a wide range of physical ability. Begin at the Cob Web, progress over Raider Bridge, through the Flying V, to navigate Double Trouble. The linear progression of the course culminates with a fantastic flight of over 250 feet long, soaring over the tree tops.
Equine Encounters
Develop your self-awareness through close interaction with this intelligent creature and allow our equine team to guide you on a journey of heightened personal understanding. Learn to lead and project your intentions as you are guided by our equine team. No previous horse experience needed for this experience that will teach you how to establish communication with another being through respect, sensitivity and awareness.
Horseback Riding
Riding properly requires constant physical activity by the rider and focus on developing core strength. When you ride a horse the goal is to be more than just a passenger—it's to achieve a bond with the horse. A one-hour riding lesson in the Travaasa Arena with one of our expert cowboys will focus on developing strength while connecting with your horse. These lessons are tailored to your level of skill and interest.
*Horseback Riding lessons are subject to an additional charge. Total Travaasa resort credits may be used toward this activity.
Archery
Learn the fundamentals that create the foundation of archery while boosting your mental attention and connecting your breath to physical performance. Experience techniques to develop your focus, patience, flexibility, concentration, and attention skills and understand why great archers continually develop these simple concepts to heighten all aspects of their lives.
Hill Country Hike
Even if you don’t think you’re into hiking, you’ll change your mind after you explore our rich and extensive trail system. If you take a guided tour, you’ll learn about local flora, fauna and the history and ecology of the area. Hikes are open to all and accommodate a wide range of interests and abilities. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes and bring water. We have morning, evening and moonlight hikes.
Sunrise Hike
There's something magical about starting your day with a sunrise hike. Your body is refreshed from sleep, and your mind is open to experiencing new and vital things. Feel the fresh morning air on your face and watch the sun rise over the breathtaking landscape of the Balcones Canyonlands and waterscape of Lake Travis.
Geocaching Adventure
Geocaching is an outdoor sporting activity, often described as a "game of high-tech hide & seek," in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and search out containers, called "geocaches" or "caches" anywhere in the world. And in your case, you’ll have the entire spectacular Travaasa property to explore—discovering and hiding your own caches.
CULINARY
Basic Culinary Skills
Our hands-on cooking demos will teach you skills and techniques while showcasing Travaasa house recipes. Let our gourmet culinary team delight you with ways to prepare, cook and present the cuisine you savor.
Group Cooking Demo
You know those enviable people who make entertaining look so easy, and preparing recipes so effortless? After this culinary adventure, you’ll be one of them as you whip up tempting appetizers, perfect the art of the cocktail and learn how to create a memorable meal through layering different tastes and textures.
Juicing 2.0
Most have tried juicing before. And promptly quit because of the slopping, mopping and chopping. Enter our Juicing 2.0 experience. This isn't juicing from another era. Instead, we bring you an interactive meal-making program that uses a blender and fresh, whole food as its culinary crayon box. This is a hands-on, experiential class that provides a novel way to discover the exciting possibilities of food. We use whole foods to blend, juice and mix into fresh whole juices, hot soups, ice cream, salsas, dips, spreads and desserts... all from scratch. And all delicious.
Wine Tasting
Sip. Surrender. Savor. Wine appreciation can sound daunting and complicated. Let us step in with this experience that “undaunts” and underscores all the important things you need to know and understand about enjoying wine. First of all, wine is not just about knowing what you like. There is a difference between objective quality and subjective enjoyment. So let yourself surrender to different tastes you might never get to experience again.
*Additional fee applies.
CULTURE
Texas Two-Step
The Texas Two-Step includes three steps: a quick step, a quick step, and then a slow step. The lead steps forward on his left foot, lifting his right heel for the first step, which is the first quick step. It can be danced to music with either a 2/4 or 4/4 time signature. And best of all? It doesn’t have to be done just in Texas, which means you’ve got a whole new skill to show off to friends when you go home, or a new weekend get-together idea.
Ecology Series
Travaasa Austin is situated within 210 acres of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve—a migratory landing spot for two federally endangered migratory species, the Black-capped Vireo and the Golden-cheeked Warbler. It’s also home to plants only native to this area. In this series, you’ll learn about native flora and fauna and also learn about the many healing properties of plants.
Learning Harmonica
Not just for cowhands, the harmonica allows the musically challenged to begin enjoying the benefits of music within just a few hours. You do not have to know how to read music to begin playing the harmonica. All you need is a tune in your head, because in some ways it is much like humming or whistling. In just a short time, everything clicks and it becomes as natural as whistling. You just sing your music through your harmonica without thinking about the numbered holes and whether you blow or draw.
Sketch & Draw
It’s been said that within each of us is a creative being just longing to get out. At Travaasa, we believe that. That’s why we offer you pressure-free ways to release your inner creative and focus your soul through your choice of artistic outlet. Best of all? No experience or talent is needed to create something amazing that you can bring home to remind you of your Travaasa journey.
Vision Boarding
Do you have a vision? Or a dream? This is the workshop that can help you make it happen. A vision board is a simple yet powerful visualization tool that uses the universal law of attraction to begin manifesting your dreams into reality. This is an exercise in putting energy toward what you DO want in life, not what you don’t want. Do this exercise and see what happens. You’ll be surprised by the results.
Evening Fireside Chats
At Travaasa Austin, we want to offer you a comforting and convivial way to end the evening. Around our firepit (outside) or fireside (inside) a nightly gathering as guests talk, laugh and share the day’s memories. It’s a friendly environment that allows you to get to know your fellow guests and the staff a little bit better. Whatever we do, whether it’s sharing stories, roasting marshmallows, or an impromptu music jam, every night will be a little bit different and a whole lot of fun.
FITNESS
Yoga for Mind and Body
Yoga is a wonderful technique to heal, detoxify and unify your mind and body. It can help fortify your awareness of movement, balance and intention, in addition to strengthening your body (through vinyasa yoga). No matter your age, strength or flexibility level, anyone can do yoga with the right attitude and the right teacher. And if you are new to yoga, you’ll find a physical path that harmonizes mind, body and soul. Yoga combines physical activity with breath to reduce stress, control weight, relieve lower back pain and enhance focus. Our yoga classes include various styles and routines that create a dynamic, challenging program which combines strength, spirituality and a healthy dose of sweat.
Mechanical Bull Workout
You probably didn’t see this one coming, but you are in Austin, after all. After you’ve gotten your muscles primed with pilates or our core conditioning class, graduate to our mechanical bull for a core workout that’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Riding the bull increases strength and improves flexibility because it’s continually moving—up, down, right and left—purposely keeping you off-balance. It’s a ride that forces you to use your leg muscles to grip the sides of the bull, and your core muscles to flex as you move forward and back. And lastly, form does count, so don’t forget to raise one arm up in the air to maintain your balance (bonus points if you have a cowboy hat). And you thought cowboys were just being cool waving their hats around in the air!
Outdoor Circuit
Spice up your workouts with our outdoor circuit workout that will take you through some tough intervals that make your heart rate soar. Circuit training is a refreshing exercise that provides excellent, all-around fitness, tone and strength. Best of all, you get maximum results in a minimum amount of time. By mixing up the moves and changing the intensity throughout the workout, you’ll keep your body challenged and your mind interested—and that’s half the battle when you’re trying to motivate yourself to exercise.
Foam Rollers
Not your grandmother's pink foam hair rollers, this body rolling exercise helps you release muscular tension with a rolling massage that feels great and helps increase flexibility. As you move and stabilize the roller on different planes, you'll improve balance, core muscles, stability and total body function.
Pilates
There’s nothing else like Pilates to make you feel like you’ve gained five inches in height or have the poise of a ballerina. Pilates is designed to transform the way your body looks, feels and performs, building strength without excess bulk. This basic all-level Pilates class on the mat teaches awareness, good posture and easy, graceful movement, while improving flexibility and agility.
Simplified Fitness
This workout gets rid of the weights and machines and takes you through an intense program using only your body’s resistance and the earth’s gravity. Learn tips and tricks that will allow you to work out anywhere and anytime. You’ll be surprised by the large number of exercises you will learn that will allow you to focus on any area of your body. Travelers for both business and pleasure love this "portable" workout.
Dance Fitness
This workout gets rid of the weights and machines and takes you through an intense program using only your body’s resistance and the earth’s gravity. Learn tips and tricks that will allow you to work out anywhere and anytime. You’ll be surprised by the large number of exercises you will learn that will allow you to focus on any area of your body. Travelers for both business and pleasure love this "portable" workout.
Core Conditioning
There’s nothing like core work to make you feel like you can conquer the world, one muscle group at a time. Tone your abs, lower back and glutes in this intense 30-minute class. We’ll help you improve core strength, balance and total body function using stability balls and gravity-resistant exercises.
SPA & WELLNESS
The Spa at Travaasa Austin
Our Austin Spa classes focus on mind, body and spirit with meditation offerings to help you decompress or recharge. Take something from each for a well-rounded Travaasa experience. For spa treatments, visit The Spa at Travaasa Austin. more
Breath Work
Who knew that focusing on something we do unconsciously every second of every day can do so much more for us? This class works with the breath, following its movements through the body. Restorative sequencing moves us slowly into a deep somatic experience to release us from stress and anxiety and bring about a calmer, more relaxed state (great for type-A personalities who have trouble relaxing). As we turn the lens inward, we will learn more about the asana—the breath—and ourselves.
Meditation
Meditation is a wonderful way to decompress after a stressful day—or to start your day in a calming state of mind. We offer three different points of view on meditation, and all are easy to learn and incorporate into your daily life.
