SPOUSE TOUR - Missions and King William Tour
Monday, May 5, 8:30am - 1:30pm
$60 per person
Bienvenidos to the Alamo City! Like no place else, San Antonio combines the best of Texas, the Southwest, and Mexico to create a city that is filled with fun, festivals, and history.
You will begin with a river barge cruise on the San Antonio River guided by a knowledgeable captain who will explain the history, architecture, and lore of this very charming metropolis. The culture and character of the river will carry you through the excitement and beauty of this unexpected treat in the heart of the city.
Now it’s on to the grandest mission in terms of size and architectural detail: Mission San José. Termed the “Queen of the Missions”, this elegant structure echoes with reminders of an earlier time, when Texas was a frontier and the mission was a haven in an unsettled land. One of the country’s finest examples of Spanish mission architecture, San José is blessed with a lovely sculpted entrance and the unique Rosa’s Window. You will view a 20-minute film about the history of the region, its Spanish “settlers”, and the Native American inhabitants of the time. Your guide will walk with you as you explore the mission, adding information and answering questions.
Our next spouse tour stop will be a visit to the Guenther House for brunch and a chance to indulge in some of the outstanding pastries prepared with flour from the Pioneer Flour Mill right next door. These delicacies will be enjoyed in the Garden Room of the house built in 1860 by Carl Hilmar Guenther, founder of Pioneer Flour. After a morning of experiencing the Spanish and Mexican cultural influences of San Antonio, the group will take a walking tour of the King William District. Prominent German merchant immigrants that arrived in Texas via the Gulf of Mexico established this 19th century neighborhood. The guide will lead you to one of the finest architectural treasures of the city, Steves Homestead, where you will have a glimpse back in time to see the gentility of the era.
Our final tour stop will be the Alamo. At this point you may disembark, tour the Alamo at your leisure and return to the hotel on your own or you may stay on the bus for the return trip to the Marriott Rivercenter. One of five missions established by the Spanish, the Alamo played a pivotal role in Texas history. The shrine displays many exhibits from the battle, and you are sure to enjoy exploring the mission’s beautifully landscaped grounds. Docents in and around the Alamo provide a wonderful historic account of the battle that sparked the flame of Independence in the hearts of all “Texicans” in the early days of the Texas Revolution. And for that perfect Alamo souvenir, the museum has a very nice gift shop.
Parts of this tour involve some walking, so dress casually comfortable and wear your walking shoes. The walking is not strenuous or extensive, so this tour can be enjoyed by virtually anyone. Space on this tour is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Price: $60 per person
