Once again, AAPA has arranged for tours with a local company that highlight the special attractions San Antonio and its surrounding areas have to offer. Tours include a journey along the Spanish Mission trail, a visit of all the exciting downtown San Antonio sites (including a Riverboat tour), a trip to historic Fredericksburg and the LBJ Ranch, a tour of Texas Wine Country, an excursion to picturesque Texas Hill Country to visit Gruene and the Natural Bridge Cavers, and a not-for-the-faint-of-heart visit to the Spirits of San Antonio.
These tours, for AAPA registrants and their guests, will provide an additional opportunity to relax and network while taking in some of the local culture.
Full and half-day tours will depart from and return to the Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center. Read on for a full description of each tour. To register, click here.
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Time: 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Cost: $32.00 Per Person
Saturday, May 24
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The San Antonio River is the site of San Antonio's beginnings and the reason for its' founding. It was given its name by a Franciscan Missionary who passed through this area in 1691. The river played a very important part in San Antonio's history, and the River Walk, is the most visited site not only in San Antonio, but all of Texas. Many special events take place on the river and restaurants and shops draw visitors to our lush and relaxing banks.
From the hotel, guests will be escorted to the shops of La Villita. Located in the rustic, limestone plaza, these historically significant buildings have been moved to re-create a small village. These buildings are now home to a variety of specialty shops, galleries, jewelers and even a candle maker. Our tour guide will share the significance of the buildings in our telling our rich story.
Next we will enjoy the opportunity to experience the river on a privately Chartered River Cruiser. Our barge captain will provide a historical and entertaining commentary as we pass through the pages of San Antonio history. We will enjoy a stop at San Fernando Cathedral, which has always been at the center of San Antonio. It is a special place that occupies a unique position in this city and for the many visitors who come by the thousands every year. From its founding on March 9, 1731 by a group of 15 families who came from the Canary Islands at the invitation of King Phillip V of Spain, the church has grown to over 5,000 weekly participants at Mass.
A wonderful blending of the old and new in San Antonio is very evident as we travel by the Ursuline Academy/Southwest School of Art and Craft, and our new and exciting Central Library. One of the only remaining evidences of our French heritage can be seen in the French gothic style of the Ursuline Academy established in 1851 by French Ursuline nuns. It has now become a center for art and craft and is truly a gem in our city. Right across the street is the unique and strikingly modern Central Library. Referred to as the "Red Enchilada", this innovative and functional facility was designed by Ricardo Legorreta of Mexico. You'll see a colorful building with cascading water ways, playful spheres rolling down an incline to nowhere and a contrast of planes and angles.
We will disembark at the Paseo del Rio, an architecturally interesting walkway which connects the river to the Alamo, it's true heart. Our tour guide will point out the Alamo Cenataph, a marvelous sculpture by Pompeo Copini as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by the Alamo heroes, the Shrine of Texas, the Alamo and the lobby of the historic Menger Hotel as we make our way back to the hotel.
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Time: 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Cost: $46.00 Per Person
Sunday, May 25
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One of the country's few National Parks within an urban setting, the missions tell the early story of San Antonio and European expansion in the New World. We will begin with the most well-known of the Missions, Mission San Antonio de Valero, or the Alamo. Established in 1718, the Alamo played a pivotal role in Texas history. The shrine displays exhibits from the battle and guests will enjoy exploring the beautifully landscape grounds.
Next we will explore the largest and most restored of the Missions, Mission San Jose. Known as the "Queen of the Missions", Mission San Jose was established in 1720. San Jose is the showpiece of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. We will tour the Indians' quarters that were located within the walls as well as the Spanish soldiers' quarters. We will see the granary that was the storage area for the mission, and the remains of an old mill. San Jose's church is one of the most beautiful in the country with its elaborate carvings on the chapel facade. The famous "Rose Window", an intricately carved window, said to be dedicated to its creator's lost love, also contributes to its charm.
At our last stop, we will tour Mission Concepcion, the oldest unrestored mission church in Texas, established in 1731. Twin towers and a beautiful cupola helped make it a construction project of twenty-plus years. Rare original frescoes decorate the church's side rooms. Our tour guide will tell the stories of the two remaining missions, originally christened San Jose de Los Nazonia while in East Texas, the reestablished Mission San Juan Capistrano made its permanent home along the banks of the San Antonio River in 1731. By mid-century, San Juan, with its rich farm and pasturelands, was a regional supplier of agricultural produce. With its surplus, San Juan established a trade network stretching east to Louisiana and south to Coahuila, Mexico. This thriving economy helped the mission to survive epidemics and Indian attacks in its final year.
And last, Mission Espada, which was established in 1731, but never completed. The outline of an intended church is still visible. Time seems to stand still at Espada, which seems as remotely located today as the day it was built. Espada's water system is as interesting as the mission itself.
As an everlasting memory of the beautiful mission, every guest will receive a complimentary book of the Spanish Mission Trail for them to take home and enjoy.
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Time: 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Cost: $69.00 Per Person
Monday, May 26
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Taking a trip to Fredericksburg is like stepping into Old World Germany. Its wide historic Main Street is lined with more than 100 specialty shops offering everything from fine antiques and apparel to unique gifts and home interiors. A walking map will be provided to help you navigate the array of interesting shops and fine restaurants for "lunch on your own". For the non-shoppers, there are two important museums. Pioneer Museum Complex, built in 1849, tells of the history of the settlement of Fredericksburg. The Admiral Chester Nimitz Museum of the Pacific War also makes this a fascinating visit. Admiral Nimitz, the last of the U.S. five star admirals was a native son of Fredericksburg. There are many audio-visual exhibits, as well as hands-on-displays.
Following the Fredericksburg excursion, we will tour the Lyndon Baines Johnson Ranch via tram. The tour includes a drive by the one-room Junction School first attended by Johnson in 1912, a tour of his reconstructed birthplace and the nearby Johnson Family Cemetery where Johnson is buried. Guests will enjoy a look at the LBJ Ranch itself with its cattle and ranching operations.
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Time: 7:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.
Cost: $60.00 Per Person
Monday, May 26
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For the courageous and adventuresome guest, this tour is a must! If you don't start out believing in ghosts, this tour may make a believer out of you!
Ms. Docia Schultz Williams, better known as the "ghost lady", is a renowned ghost expert and will be your Professional Tour Guide for this adventure. Docia is also a professional writer and lecturer, having co-authored the book, "Spirits of San Antonio and South Texas", and authored five books: "Ghosts Along the Texas Coast", "Phantoms of the Plains", "When Darkness Falls", "Best Tales of Texas Ghosts" and "Exploring San Antonio with Children". She has been featured on over 16 radio and television stations, including the National SCI-FI Channel Series "Mysteries, Magic and Miracles", "Sightings" on FOX TV National News, and "Beyond Bizarre" on the Discovery Channel.
The tour begins at the historic Menger Hotel on Alamo Plaza. Opened in 1859, the hotel is the oldest continuously operated hotel west of the Mississippi River. Our tour guide will regale the group with stories of the many resident spirits at the hotel. The ornate lobby filled with elegant antiques provides a fabulous backdrop to this portion of the tour!
A stop at the beautiful pillared turn of the century (circa 1909) Bullis House Inn will center on the antics of a multitude of ghosts, including laughing children, an elderly man in a long black cloak and an Apache Indian Brave. Once the home of General John Lapham Bullis, the officer responsible for the capture of Geronimo, the Inn has received the "Best Bed and Breakfast in San Antonio" award multiple times from the San Antonio Hotel and Lodgings Association.
A brief stop in front of the lovely Wolfson Manor, a Victorian mansion built in 1888 by merchant Saul Wolfson, will be made. The spirit of the late Mrs. Emilia Wolfson used to inhabit the house and her story is an interesting tale! And as the evening winds down, we will drive by the City Jail, the Navarro House and the Spanish Governor's Palace as stories are shared of what may be lurking inside!!
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Time: 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Cost: $75.00 Per Person
Tuesday, May 27
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We depart downtown San Antonio for a scenic tour of Texas Hill Country Wineries. Many immigrants to this part of Texas came from Germany bringing winemaking skills and there are wonderful pockets throughout the hill country where these traditions continue.
Texas Hills Vineyards is located in the gentle hills of the picturesque Pedernales River Valley in the Texas Hill Country near Johnson City. A perfect location for growing quality grapes, the intense Texas sun by day and the cooler hill country nights gives their grapes an intense and quality flavor, ideal for wines. This modern winery specializes in Italian Style wines, growing Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio and Moscato along with other more traditional grapes such as Chardonnay, Merlot and Chenin Blanc. They are the only producer of Pinot Grigio in Texas. Their spacious cellar is built above ground and made with two feet thick walls of sandstone and they use both oak barrels and steel fermentation tanks. Owner Gary Gilstrap is proud to take you through his winery and share in his enthusiasm and passion of his wines.
Our second stop is Grape Creek Vineyards located in Pedernales Valley, it is the oldest winery in the Pedernales River Valley. Located on spring fed South Grape Creek, the gently rolling hills are planted with 16 acres of vinifera grapes, and an orchard contains peaches and other fruits. Specializing in handcrafted wines made from French, Italian and German grapes. Many of the wines are fermented and/or aged in French and American Oak barrels in their underground cellar.
We will then spend a little time in the quaint town of Fredericksburg, with a little time for lunch and shopping on your own. Fredericksburg is a quaint community settled by a small group of German settlers in 1846, approximately 1.5 hours from San Antonio. Well noted for its historical preservation, it also boasts of a beautiful historic district. Many of the structures in this charming town retain traditional German styles in its native limestone buildings and century old gingerbread houses. Shopping begins in a wonderful collection of 100 charming specialty stores, including antique shops and gift boutiques where shoppers can find handcrafted items by Hill Country artisans, toys, fine apparel, and antiques. Many of these stores date back to the mid 19th Century. Without a doubt, shopping in Fredericksburg is truly a delightful adventure!
The third winery on our tour is Becker Vineyards. This vineyard was planted in 1992 on the site of an ancient stand of native mustang grapes much prized by the Hill Country's German ancestors. The new winery replaces an original 19th century German stone barn and stands beside the circa 1880 log cabin, water well, and milk house recreating the appearance of the original farmstead. There are 36 acres of French vinifera grapes planted in the vineyard, and this winery hosts the largest underground wine cellar in Texas.
Tidbit: Not all Texas wines are what they seem! If the label reads "Texas Wine" then the grapes were grown in Texas, not necessarily on that estate. If the label states "American Wine", then the grapes are brought in from other states!
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Time: 8:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Cost: $66.00 Per Person
Wednesday, May 28
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Over 30 million years ago what we know now as the picturesque Texas Hill Country was a volcanic bed of activity and violent earthquakes forming today's rich farmland to the east and rugged ranch land to the west. Our tour today will showcase the awesome power of nature.
We begin with the Natural Bridge Caverns, named for the 60 foot natural limestone arch that spans the entrance. This cave is by far one of the most spectacular in the area. Trails through the Caverns cover more than a mile and the temperature is 70 degrees year round. On the tour you will be amazed by the natural formations. The sound of constantly dripping water is a reminder the cave is still alive and growing. Following the tour, each guest will have the opportunity to pan for gold!
Our last stop is Gruene, Texas, a turn-of-the-century cotton farming community, located on the banks of the Guadalupe River. This quaint little town is an assortment of restaurants, antique stores, specialty shops, and even their own wine tasting venue. To top things off, don't forget to visit the proclaimed oldest dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall. Guests will have time to investigate the many and varied treasures which can be found. Your guide will have a complimentary coupon that is good for an old fashioned ice cream cone or treat at the authentic General Store located on the main street.
Please Note: This tour is not recommended for those who are claustrophobic or unsteady on their feet. It is recommended that guests wear shoes that provide good traction on wet and steep surfaces.
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