AAA Hoosier - AAA Sojourns Vacations

Detailed Description
Itinerary

Package details include:

A city of sombreros and Stetsons, San Antonio celebrates its rich culture and the heroes of the Alamo every year during Fiesta San Antonio. The city literally lights up during this annual celebration as theme barges and illuminated musical floats sail down the San Antonio River, both day and night, in The Texas Cavalier River Parade, the largest night river parade in the world.

Join the party on a tour that highlights the diverse food traditions of central Texas, as well as its history. The 2011 Fiesta promises some exciting new events as well as dazzling parade floats and "A Night in old San Antonio," a celebration of the city's cultural diversity that re-creates the sights, sounds and tastes brought to San Antonio by its earliest settlers. Sample foods from local vendors and stop by the many entertainment stages representing 15 heritage-themed areas.

Infuse even more history and fun into the celebration by touring the Alamo. Other highlights include admission to the Buckhorn Saloon & Texas Ranger Museum, a cooking lesson in regional Mexican cuisine, and a barbecue lunch and cowboy entertainment at a working cattle ranch.

Price includes:
• 4 nights accommodations at the Historic Menger Hotel
• Daily breakfast, 2 lunches (including 1 cooking class) and 2 dinners
• Reserved seating at the Texas Cavaliers River Parade
• City sightseeing with expert local guide on private motor coach
• Admission to the Buckhorn Saloon & Texas Ranger Museum and "Night in Old San Antonio"
• Tour of Knibbe Ranch, including barbecue lunch and cowboy entertainment
• River barge tour and tour of The Alamo

Day 1 - Arrive in San Antonio
Meet your tour director and fellow travelers at a reception at the Historic Menger Hotel followed by a welcome dinner where you can get to know your fellow travelers. After dinner walk to your seating for the Texas Cavaliers River Parade. The Texas Cavaliers is an organization of business, civic and community leaders founded to preserve and promote the ideals for which the heroes of the Alamo died, and to promote horsemanship. As the most unique parade in the United States, it is one of the premier events each year during Fiesta San Antonio. Note: Due to the parade schedule plan to arrive in San Antonio with time to check in (no earlier than 3:30 p.m.), enjoy the reception at 4:30 p.m., dinner at 5:30 p.m., and be seated for the parade by 7 p.m.
Accommodation: Historic Menger Hotel - 4 nights

Day 2 - City Tour and Mariachi Festival
Join your escort and guide for a sightseeing tour of the city, including the Buckhorn Saloon & Texas Ranger Museum. Next, see San Fernando Cathedral, which dates back to 1731, and the Spanish Governor's Palace, a national historic landmark and labeled "the most beautiful building in San Antonio" by the National Geographic Society. The Palace once housed the officials of the Spanish Province of Texas. Over the entrance is the original keystone which contains the carved, double-headed eagle of the Hapsburg coat-of-arms and the inscription, in Spanish, "finished in 1749." Distinguishing features include period furnishings and a cobblestone patio with fountain and foliage. After the tour, enjoy lunch, which also includes a cooking demonstration featuring authentic regional Mexican cuisine. This evening you may enjoy the traditional trumpeting of mariachis along the River Walk during the 41st annual Fiesta Mariachi Festival.

Day 3 - Tour Knibbe Ranch and Night in Old San Antonio
After breakfast at the hotel, travel to The Knibbe Ranch for a late morning Ranch tour, a hay wagon ride to a prehistoric Indian Dig Site, and a drive through their F1 Tiger-stripes, a specialized breed of cattle. At the Knibbe Ranch you are hosted by your San Antonio guide, whose family actually owns this historical six generation, Hill Country ranch. You'll enjoy a barbecue lunch and cowboy entertainment. In the early evening meet up with your guide for the 63rd “Night in Old San Antonio”, (N.I.O.S.A.). Located in the National Historic District, more than 240 elaborately decorated food and drink booths and a dozen nonstop entertainment stages represent the diverse cultures and customs of the city in 15 heritage-themed areas. NIOSA is the largest historic preservation festival in the nation.

Day 4 - The Alamo and Free Day
This morning walk to The Alamo for a brief tour and afterwards you are free to enjoy the Riverwalk on your own. After a free afternoon, board a barge and travel to a restaurant on the River Walk for a Farewell Dinner.

Day 5 - Depart San Antonio
After breakfast, depart on your own today or extend your stay and enjoy more fiesta events.