(by Gina Di Meo) (ANSA) - FREDERICKSBURG, 17 JUL - Far from the stereotypes of ranch and cowboy there is another Texas, that of the Hill Country, in the central and south-western part of the state, made up of vineyards and peach orchards and of natural beauty. In this panorama you come across a gem called Fredericksburg, a town of just over 10 thousand inhabitants between Austin and San Antonio, also known as the homeland of 'Texas German', a dialect spoken by the first generation of German settlers who refused to learn English when they arrived in the US. Fredericksburg was founded 175 years, in 1846 and bears the name of Prince Frederick I of Prussia.
But the city is not only like a small German outpost in the heart of Texas it is also a land of vineyards and peach orchards. Although today it is mainly known for its wine, Fredericksburg was known for its peaches before it was known for its vineyards.
It can boast at least thirty varieties and during the peach season, from May to August, it becomes quite popular to arm yourself with a basket and go and pick them yourself. Peach picking is one of the activities that Jenschke Orchards offers where visitors can choose to get lost among over three thousand peach trees and around 30 varieties.
A typical day of peach picking isn't complete without a 'peach cobbler' and Vogel Orchards is a must-see as well as a tasty peach ice cream from Burg's Corner. A real culinary adventure a dinner experience at Das Peach Haus, a creature of the Fischer & Wieser family business, where the table is based on the philosophy of the farm to table and the foods are accompanied by jams and sauces produced by the same company.
From peaches to wine, the leap is short with the Texas Hill Country home to over 100 wineries and vineyards. Fredericksburg is the heart of the Texas Wine Country, with about fifty of them, among the best known, Mr Vineyards, Podernales Cellars, Narrow Path Winery and Vineyards.
Fredericksburg also has a rich artistic and landscape heritage. Among the museums the National Museum of the Pacific War, dedicated to all those who fought in the Pacific War (1941-45) and recognized among the 50 best museums in the United States. Just outside the city is a must to climb Enchanted Rock, a huge boulder of pink granite located in the Llano Uplift region and the second largest granite monadnock in the United States after Stone Mountain in Georgia.
Finally Fredericksburg is a gem also for the originality of the structures dedicated to accommodation and overnight stays. Barons CreekSide reproduced a Swiss mountain village and the rooms are cottages that bear the name of a place in Switzerland.
Odonata Escape, a bed and breakfast made from transport and shipping containers. A sort of revisited glamping in which containers have been transformed into many suites with everyone with every kind of comfort. https://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com (ANSA).