Art and Antiquities
Our first stop is Texas' first museum of modern art - the Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum. The McNay's founder, for whom the museum is named, was "a discriminating collector, an earnest student of the fine arts and a philanthropist of the first magnitude.Ó Dazzled by the McNay, we continue with a docent-guided tour of the San Antonio Museum of Art. The San Antonio Museum of Art is the only major comprehensive art museum in South Texas. Housed in the historic, turn-of-the-century Lone Star Brewery, the museum is home to the region's finest collection of Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities, Asian art, Latin American art, and American and European contemporary art. In 1998, the museum inaugurated a new wing, the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art, which is dedicated to the exhibition and study of Latin American art. The San Antonio Museum of Art strives to address the broad-based cultural concerns of its audiences through educational programming, outreach offerings and the presentation of international and cross-cultural exhibitions. In 2005, the Lenora and Walter F. Brown Asian Art Wing opened with fanfare, making the museum the largest collector of Asian art in the Southwest.
 This tour takes your guests to the town that time forgot, Gruene (pronounced "Green"), a small Texas town founded in the mid-1800's. Its architecture still reflects the vision of H. D. Gruene. Today, Gruene's surviving structures are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. We canÕt bypass the oldest dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall, where many famous music stars began their careers, including George Strait and Lyle Lovett. The hall has also been the site of numerous music videos, live recordings, album covers, national advertisements and the great John Travolta dance scene in the 1996 movie "Michael." While in Gruene, guests can visit the Grapevine, a specialty wine shop. They have one of the largest selections of Texas wines and offer complimentary tastings.
Historic San Antonio
 First, we will drive by the complex known worldwide as "The Alamo". On March 6, 1836, the death of the Alamo Defenders has come to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of Liberty. We continue to the historic King William District, the most elegant residential area in the city in the 1800Õs. We will walk a short distance to visit the only house in the District open to the public – the Steves Homestead. Centrally located in the elite old German residential section on the banks of the San Antonio River, in the King William Historic District. Next, we will drive by San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest cathedral sanctuary in the United States. We continue with a drive by the Spanish Governor's Palace, which was built to serve as the official residence for the commander of the Presidio de San Antonio, the "Commandancia," as it was known, became the seat of Spanish government in Texas. Our final destination will be Market Square. Known as El Mercado by the locals, it captures San Antonio's Mexican and Hispanic heritages. Its two blocks of shops are filled with everything from pi–atas and pottery to colorful clothing and onyx carvings to metal work, woven baskets and blankets.
Homes of the Past
 Our first stop is the historic King William District, the most elegant residential area in the city in the 1800Õs. The Victorian-era mansions and perfectly kept gardens provide a welcome backdrop for our step back in time. We will walk a short distance to visit the only house in the District open to the public – the Steves Homestead. Centrally located in the elite old German residential section on the banks of the San Antonio River, in the King William Historic District. We will enjoy a visit to the elegant Guenther House - The elegant home of the founding family of the Pioneer Flour Mills - still an active San Antonio business. Located on a bend of the San Antonio River in one of the oldest registered historic districts in Texas, King William, this stately home was built in 1860's by Carl Hilmar Guenther. It has been completely restored as a museum, restaurant (open for breakfast and lunch) and retail store. The museum, once the library, displays Guenther family photos and remembrances, as well as Pioneer Flour Mills memorabilia. Guests will tour a private residence in the King William District. In the late 1800's, the King William District was the most elegant residential area in the city. Prominent German merchants originally settled the area. It was zoned as the state's first historic district, and has once again become a fashionable neighborhood.
Mission Trail
 First, we will drive by the Alamo, the most famous spot in Texas where all 189 defenders fell on March 6, 1836, after repeated attacks by Mexican General Santa Anna's army. Stop at Mission Concepcion - the oldest unrestored Catholic Church, Concepcion was established in 1731 and more than 20 years were spent in the construction. Tour Mission San Jose - Known as the "Queen of the Missions." Established in 1720, the mission became the most beautiful, most prosperous and best fortified of all Texas missions. Our final destination will be San Juan Capistrano. First established in East Texas, the mission made its permanent home on the banks of the San Antonio River in 1731.
Price of Freedom
Our first stop on this tour will be the IMAX Theatre to watch the film "Alamo – The Price of Freedom" on a six-story movie screen. This movie gives our guests insight into the historical significance of the Alamo to all Texans. We continue to the complex known worldwide as "The Alamo". On March 6, 1836, the death of the Alamo Defenders has come to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of Liberty. Next, guests will tour the Menger Hotel, the "grand lady" of Alamo Plaza opened on the first day of February in 1859. The Menger became one of the finest hotels west of the Mississippi and was built on the site of Menger's Brewery, the first in Texas. Guests will now have time to tour the jewel of our beautiful city, the Riverwalk. Towering cypress trees, oaks and willows, bordered by gardens of flowering ornamental plants, shade the river.
Spain and San Antonio
 First, we will drive by the complex known worldwide as "The Alamo". On March 6, 1836, the death of the Alamo Defenders has come to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of Liberty. Next, we will tour Mission San José. The "Queen of the Missions" was the largest of the missions in the area. At its height, the community contained about 300 Indian neophytes sustained by extensive fields and herds of livestock. Our next stop is the Original "Heart of San Antonio," La Villita, Spanish for "little town.Ó Located on the east bank of the San Antonio River, La Villita was developed in the mid to late 19th century as a settlement from the families of the troops stationed in the Alamo. Guests will mingle with several of the local artists and have the opportunity to watch a live demonstration and creation of a piece of stained glass art. This tour also includes a stop at the Spanish Governor's Palace, a simple structure from the 1700's, now equipped with period furnishings.
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Art and Antiquities
Our first stop is Texas' first museum of modern art - the Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum. The McNay's founder, for whom the museum is named, was "a discriminating collector, an earnest student of the fine arts and a philanthropist of the first magnitude.? Dazzled by the McNay, we continue with a docent-guided tour of the San Antonio Museum of Art. The San Antonio Museum of Art is the only major comprehensive art museum in South Texas. Housed in the historic, turn-of-the-century Lone Star Brewery, the museum is home to the region's finest collection of Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities, Asian art, Latin American art, and American and European contemporary art. In 1998, the museum inaugurated a new wing, the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art, which is dedicated to the exhibition and study of Latin American art. The San Antonio Museum of Art strives to address the broad-based cultural concerns of its audiences through educational programming, outreach offerings and the presentation of international and cross-cultural exhibitions. In 2005, the Lenora and Walter F. Brown Asian Art Wing opened with fanfare, making the museum the largest collector of Asian art in the Southwest.
Gruene, Texas
This tour takes your guests to the town that time forgot, Gruene (pronounced ?Green?), a small Texas town founded in the mid-1800?s. Its architecture still reflects the vision of H. D. Gruene. Today, Gruene?s surviving structures are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. We can?t bypass the oldest dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall, where many famous music stars began their careers, including George Strait and Lyle Lovett. The hall has also been the site of numerous music videos, live recordings, album covers, national advertisements and the great John Travolta dance scene in the 1996 movie ?Michael.? While in Gruene, guests can visit the Grapevine, a specialty wine shop. They have one of the largest selections of Texas wines and offer complimentary tastings.
Historic San Antonio
First, we will drive by the complex known worldwide as "The Alamo.? On March 6, 1836, the death of the Alamo Defenders has come to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of Liberty. We continue to the historic King William District, the most elegant residential area in the city in the 1800?s. We will walk a short distance to visit the only house in the District open to the public – the Steves Homestead. Centrally located in the elite old German residential section on the banks of the San Antonio River, in the King William Historic District. Next, we will drive by San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest cathedral sanctuary in the United States. We continue with a drive by the Spanish Governor's Palace, which was built to serve as the official residence for the commander of the Presidio de San Antonio, the "Commandancia," as it was known, became the seat of Spanish government in Texas. Our final destination will be Market Square. Known as El Mercado by the locals, it captures San Antonio's Mexican and Hispanic heritages. Its two blocks of shops are filled with everything from pi?atas and pottery to colorful clothing and onyx carvings to metal work, woven baskets and blankets.
Homes of the Past
Our first stop is the historic King William District, the most elegant residential area in the city in the 1800?s. The Victorian-era mansions and perfectly kept gardens provide a welcome backdrop for our step back in time. We will walk a short distance to visit the only house in the District open to the public – the Steves Homestead. Centrally located in the elite old German residential section on the banks of the San Antonio River, in the King William Historic District. We will enjoy a visit to the elegant Guenther House - The elegant home of the founding family of the Pioneer Flour Mills - still an active San Antonio business. Located on a bend of the San Antonio River in one of the oldest registered historic districts in Texas, King William, this stately home was built in 1860?s by Carl Hilmar Guenther. It has been completely restored as a museum, restaurant (open for breakfast and lunch) and retail store. The museum, once the library, displays Guenther family photos and remembrances, as well as Pioneer Flour Mills memorabilia. Guests will tour a private residence in the King William District. In the late 1800?s, the King William District was the most elegant residential area in the city. Prominent German merchants originally settled the area. It was zoned as the state's first historic district, and has once again become a fashionable neighborhood.
Mission Trail
First, we will drive by the Alamo, the most famous spot in Texas where all 189 defenders fell on March 6, 1836, after repeated attacks by Mexican General Santa Anna's army. Stop at Mission Concepcion - the oldest unrestored Catholic Church, Concepcion was established in 1731 and more than 20 years were spent in the construction. Tour Mission San Jose - Known as the "Queen of the Missions." Established in 1720, the mission became the most beautiful, most prosperous and best fortified of all Texas missions. Our final destination will be San Juan Capistrano. First established in East Texas, the mission made its permanent home on the banks of the San Antonio River in 1731.
Price of Freedom
Our first stop on this tour will be the IMAX Theatre to watch the film ?Alamo – The Price of Freedom? on a six-story movie screen. This movie gives our guests insight into the historical significance of the Alamo to all Texans. We continue to the complex known worldwide as "The Alamo.? On March 6, 1836, the death of the Alamo Defenders has come to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of Liberty. Next, guests will tour the Menger Hotel, the "grand lady" of Alamo Plaza opened on the first day of February in 1859. The Menger became one of the finest hotels west of the Mississippi and was built on the site of Menger's Brewery, the first in Texas. Guests will now have time to tour the jewel of our beautiful city, the Riverwalk. Towering cypress trees, oaks and willows, bordered by gardens of flowering ornamental plants, shade the river.
Spain and San Antonio
First, we will drive by the complex known worldwide as "The Alamo.? On March 6, 1836, the death of the Alamo Defenders has come to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of Liberty. Next, we will tour Mission San Jos?. The ?Queen of the Missions? was the largest of the missions in the area. At its height, the community contained about 300 Indian neophytes sustained by extensive fields and herds of livestock. Our next stop is the Original "Heart of San Antonio," La Villita, Spanish for "little town.? Located on the east bank of the San Antonio River, La Villita was developed in the mid to late 19th century as a settlement from the families of the troops stationed in the Alamo. Guests will mingle with several of the local artists and have the opportunity to watch a live demonstration and creation of a piece of stained glass art. This tour also includes a stop at the Spanish Governor?s Palace, a simple structure from the 1700?s, now equipped with period furnishings.
