Great Road Trips From Donna Vissing - San Antonio TX

By Donna Vissing
Travel Editor

San Antonio, Texas hosts some of our country’s most inspirational landmarks. The historic Alamo is one landmark everyone is stirred to visit. As you walk through the mission ruins, you can almost feel the eerie will of survival that Commander William B. Travis must have held, as he encouraged his army to protect and fight for The Alamo. One of the most famous heroes of The Alamo is David “Davey” Crockett, from Tennessee. The museum exhibit includes a few of Crockett’s personal items, including his gun. It is a sobering yet thought-provoking experience to visit The Alamo, and reinforces why “Remember the Alamo” battle-cry will remain eminent for years to come.

The Alamo, founded in 1718, was the first mission located on the San Antonio River. To protect its legacy and those of numerous others, The San Antonio Missions National Historic Park was established. The Park proudly hosts walking tours sharing their role in Texas history to visitors’ year-around. Mission San Jose, frequently visited and well-known as the “Queen of the Missions”, lives up to its reputation due to the complex size. The mission became the community for the population, meeting all their needs. They were the economic generators of their generation.

Mission San Jose is the most fully restored of all the San Antonio missions. The Park boasts the largest collection of Catholic missions in North America. All the mission churches are still active today, with two churches holding Franciscan services. For more information on The Alamo and The San Antonio Missions National Historic Park, you can visit their websites at www.thealamo.org and www.nps.gov/saan

Within the heart of San Antonio winds the infamous Riverwalk. Scenic, unique, romantic, and fun to experience, the Riverwalk has become one of the most sought out experiences when visiting. It’s a combination of sampling the San Antonio River while being surrounded by European-style café settings, shops and nightlife. With a selection of hotels, restaurants and activities to select from, visit www.riosanantonio.com to book your river cruise reservation, check out accommodation options and plan your visit.

San Antonio can fit anyone’s interest because of the variety. If you would like vacation to be total relaxation, sitting on the topmost site of San Antonio and surrounded by beautiful golf courses is The Westin La Cantera Resort. Tucked onto the Hill Country of Texas, The Westin La Cantera Resort provides everything you need to make your travel experience complete.

Awarded the Four-Diamond Award by AAA for three years straight, The Westin La Cantera Resort will tantalize the most experienced traveler. Featuring 508 guest rooms and suites, including the elite Casita Village, the Resort offers accommodations to fit every need. Their spa selection offers over 25 options for luxurious relaxation and total pampering. Whether you are looking forward to having your muscles kneaded under a Swedish Massage or experience something new like reflexology, the choice is yours.

Landscaped around The Resort and flowing down the countryside are situated six outdoor pools, including three whirlpools and waterslides. For those seeking activity, there are tennis courts outdoors and a newly renovated 7,600 square-foot fitness center indoors. Listed by Conde’ Nast on the “Gold List: Top Golf Resorts Around the World”, golfing legend Arnold Palmer designed the Palmer Course at La Cantera. The course provides golfers with a par-71 to test their skills; however with tee placements the course is set-up to be enjoyed by both the high and low handicapper.

“It is a very entertaining place to play golf, and can be very challenging”, shares Arnold Palmer. Both Holes 9 and 18 are designed with water challenges, but the fairways are wide enough to cover most golfers’ needs. With a rock wall at Hole 10, it requires good shot making; but the challenge design is a beautiful example of taking what nature has provided and working it into the culture of the course. If your game needs fine-tuning, or you would like to learn, golf lessons are provided at The Academy at La Cantera. There are also driving ranges and putting greens to practice the fundamentals.

The Westin La Cantera Resort offers a variety of dining options within the resort. For casual, family dining the Brannon’s Café is ideal. Looking for the perfect sunset panoramic view topped off with Southwest cuisine inspired by the infamous Mark Miller; then Francesca’s At Sunset is your place. The Resort hosts two lounges for nightlife relaxation: Steinheimer’s Lounge and Tio’s Lobby Lounge. Before or after your golf game, you can dine at the La Cantera Grille, located in the La Cantera Clubhouse. And if you are relaxing in the sun, poolside you can eat at The Gantry.

The exquisite resort peers over the city with the theme park, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, dropping down the hillside directly in front and within walking distance. Also within walking distance are The Shops at La Cantera, an up-scale shopping event including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Dillard’s and others. A garden-like setting with shaded arcades and water features will come together to create a unique shopping experience.

For more information or to book your reservations at The Westin La Cantera Resort you can visit them online at www.westin.com/lacantera or call (210) 558-6500.

One-day trips into Fredericksburg are an adventure to not be overlooked. There are cottage-style shopping, museums, antiques shopping, outdoor activities, historic sites, art galleries, herb farms and over 80 wineries scattered around the Hill Country to visit. If you choose to spend the night, there are a variety of Bed & Breakfast Inns to book your stay. For more information you can visit the Visitor Information Center’s website at www.fredericksburg-texas.com or call toll-free at 1-888-997-3600.

SEE ALSO: Other Great Road Trips