Monday - October 17, 2011 San Antonio Showcase - 9:30 am to 1:30 PM Mission San Jose today. Established in 1720 and the largest and best restored of the missions, San Jose is the showpiece of the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. Located within the outer protective walls, we which still grinds, give evidence to a thriving and bustling community. The elaborate carvings on the church façade are among the most The Japanese Tea Gardens, in Brackenridge Park, features beautiful floral displays, a waterfall and a safe habitat for new Koi and aquatic plants. It is an extraordinary example of the ruse of an old rock quarry which dates back to 1899 and remnants can still be seen in the gardens architecture. The site is designated as a Texas Civil Engineering Landmark, a Registered Texas Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The next stop on our tour is the Southwest School of Art and Craft, now on the National Register of Historic Places. These beautiful limestone buildings are located in the heart of downtown San Antonio. The convent was established in 1851, when seven Catholic nuns arrived in San Antonio to start San l for girls. Among the highlights of the historic site are the elegant architecture of the two-story buildings which are constructed of local limestone, the beautiful chapel with some of the original stained glass windows made in France, and the surrounding gardens and courtyards. Our next stop that bridges the past with the future is referred to as the which is undergoing a transformation from historic brewery to an iconic culinary and cultural gathering place where you can eat, live, learn, work and play on the Museum Reach of the San Antonio River. You might want to stop at the Culinary Institute for a fresh pastry or a fresh handmade taco from he many unique shops and Aveda Institute onsite. Per Person Cost : $42.00 (Based on minimum of 22 guests) 4
Monday October 17, 2011 The Haunted Past - 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm Activity Level walking - med Explore the paranormal side of San Antonio as guests take a fun and leisurely stroll through the downtown streets of our historic city! Guests will hear the tales of our haunted past and if they are lucky, such as the Menger hotel where guests will hear about their 43 separate apparitions or sightings. They can purchase a cold one if they are not yet chilled to the bone. A popular Menger ghost is Capt. Richard King, owner of the massive King Ranch in South Texas, who spent his final months at the hotel. When he died at the Menger in 1885, his funeral was held in the hotel's parlor. He has often been seen entering his room through the wall where his door was located before the hotel was remodeled and shutters in his room unexplainably open and close. One of the best-known ghost of the Menger is a chambermaid named Sallie White whose husband shot her in 1876. The hotel paid for her burial, and she is still seen walking the corridors carrying clean towels. Chilled to the bone yet? If not, we have scheduled a quick stop for ice cream to cool things down a bit! Per Person Costs: $32.00 (Based on a minimum of 22 guests) 5
Tuesday October 18, 2011 Texas Grown! - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm L Texas Hill Country as we head towards one of the fastest growing regions in the country for wine production and ranked second only to Napa Valley. The first stop on your journey today is the Texas Hill Country town of Fredericksburg, named in 1846 after Prince Frederick of Prussia. Nestled in the Perdenales, affords a glimpse into the German Chapter of Texas history. With this you will be enlivened by unique accommodations, varied culinary delights and shopping that threatens credit card meltdown. Guests have free time to enjoy shopping or eating in the many and varied stores, or visit the Admiral Nimitz State Historical Park featuring the Pacific War Museum. From hand-made jewelry, preserves, home- made salsa, clothing and Texas themed items, to hand crafted dulcimers, there is something for everyone in Old Fritztown. Our next stop is one of the most well known of the Texas labels, Becker Vineyards & Lavender Fields. The Vineyard was established in 1992 by Richard and Bunny Becker and was planted on a site of native Mustang grapes much prized for winemaking by German neighbors and their ancestors. Enjoy the history and sharing of stories while sipping on great wines in your own souvenir wine glass.. Also planted on site is a three acre lavender field reminiscent of the wine country of Provence, France. Guests will depart Becker Vineyards for San Antonio by way of a lovely scenic drive through the heart of the Texas Hill Country! On our trip back to San Antonio, we will stop in Luckenbach. This tiny a trading post in 1849 making it one of the oldest settlements in Gillespie County. A nice little place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and step back in time to relax. Round trip transportation, certified tour guide, bottled water and any and all applicable entry fees, taxes and service charges, sampling fee and souvenir wine glass. *Must be 21 with valid ID to sample wines. Per Person Costs: $74.00 (Based on a minimum of 22 guests) 6
Tuesday October 18, 2011 Up & Down San Antonio - departs at 9:30 am and returns at 2:00 pm Activity Level walking low Our first stop will be a tour of The Guenther House. Founder of the Pioneer Flour Mill, Carl Guenther, raised his large family in this old limestone house with stairs leading to multiple levels. Shopping in the River House Gift Shop will fill shopping bags with everything from Mill products with accompanying recipes, to coat hooks and cooking utensils. Next we head 750 feet in the sky to the historic Tower of the America which has a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside! Tower of the Americas at Hemispheric Park was designed by San Antonio architect At the time it reigned as the tallest observation tower in the United States until 1996 when the Las Vegas Stratosphere Tower achieved that status. The tower still remains a San Antonio favorite with its breathtaking 360 degree view of San Antonio and the surrounding areas. After descending we land at the historical shops of La Villita known for their quaint shops and being San Antonio's first neighborhood. It was originally a settlement of primitive huts for the Spanish soldiers stationed at the Mission San Antonio Valero (the Alamo). After a flood in 1819, brick, stone and adobe houses replaced the earlier structures. In 1836, La Villita was the site of General Santa Ana's cannon line in the Battle of the Alamo and a map from early that year showed the village to be of considerable size. Late in the 19th century European immigrants from Germany and France moved into the area. These pioneers became San Antonio's business leaders, bankers, educators, and craftsmen. The cultural mix that occurred at this time is best illustrated by the variety of architectural styles reflected in La Villita's buildings. The architecture portrays the evolution of buildings from palisado to Victorian Houses. Our final destination will be Market Square. Known as El Mercado by the locals, it captures San Antonio's Mexican and Hispanic heritages and your bound to see a strolling Mariachi group playing for guests. Its two blocks of shops are and pottery to colorful clothing and onyx carvings to metal work, woven baskets and blankets. Certified tour guide, air-conditioned motor coach, bottled water, FFE Texas staff and any and all Per Person Costs: $49.00 (Based on a minimum of 22 guests) 7
Wednesday October 19, 2011 Reflections of the Past 9:30 am to 1:30 pm We begin today with a tour of the McNay Art Museum. Mrs. McNay, herself an artist, left her residence and collection for all to enjoy. A major portion of her wealth, as an endowment, operates the museum today. The collection includes notable examples of Gaugan, Cezanne, Van Gogh, and Picasso. Also included in the McNay bequest is a rich group of American Water Colors by Homer, Hassam and De Muth. Examples by Toulouse-Lautrec, Goya, Mary Cassatt and Daumier are also on display in this gem of San Antonio architects, consisted of 24 rooms with some displaying her own stencils on the ceiling. Next, we will take a tour of the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. Founded in 1980, it encompasses 33 acres in the center of the city of San Antonio. Guests will visit the formal beds, comprised of four large rectangular display areas that are changed seasonally to display a variety of fun colors and textures, and The Native Texas Trail. This unique aspect of the San Antonio Botanical Garden consists of plant ill Country, East Texas Piney Woods, and South Texas. These three distinctive and diverse ecological regions of Texas vary in soil, plant life, topography, and weather. The authentic botanical setting is enhanced by several early Texas houses, which have been reconstructed on the site to help illustrate and interpret the regional theme. Next is the beloved San Fernando Cathedral which was founded in 1731 and has the added distinction of being the oldest standing church building in Texas, and for all of its more than 275 years, has been serving the people of the Archdiocese and San Antonio. Our last stop, will be a cool ride along the historical and famous San Antonio River. Your tour captain will give you fun and historic information So sit back and enjoy! Per Person Cost: $74.00 (Based on minimum of 22 guests) 8