Cotulla Camp Resort

Kick off your trip by getting to grips with local history at Brush Country Museum (five minutes’ drive), then mosey to Martinez Park (10 minutes) so the kids can skip around the skate park, football field and playground. Up for some hunting, biking and wildlife watching? Texas’ big ol’ Chaparral Wildlife Management Area (half an hour) has 15,200 acres’ worth of brushland for expeditions, while fishing fans should head to Lake Casa Blanca (an hour and 15 minutes) to angle for largemouth bass weighing up to 8 pounds. If the kids are keen on animals, take them to San Antonio for the zoo (an hour and 25 minutes) or let budding young scientists learn all about their favourite subject at the Imaginarium of South Texas (an hour). Not far from here is the Six Flags Fiesta Texas Theme Park (an hour and a half), and once your adrenaline’s sky-high from the rides, seek out a natural thrill while watching the Frio bat flight (an hour and 40 minutes). This phenomenon, where bats fly out of caves during dusk en masse and at top speed, is genuinely awe-inspiring.