2015 Optional Tours - San Antonio, TXOur optional tour day is Tuesday, December 1, 2015. You can attend more than one and guests are welcome. Tour descriptions and pricing are below. Be sure to make sure your tour times do not overlap if you are choosing more than one to attend.

Please Note: We will not offer guest tours on Wednesday and Thursday this year since there are a variety of activities to do so close to the hotel. Be sure to look in your Welcome Folder for a local attractions list and map.

To receive the discounted tour prices, you will need to sign up for them by Friday, November 6, 2015. To register for the tours, contact your regional manager for the website link or click here if you are viewing this electronically.

the mission only tour8:00am – Noon / $52.00 per person - boxed lunch is included*

One of the country’s few National Parks within an urban setting, the San Antonio Missions tell the story of the European expansion in the New World. We begin at the most famous of the missions, The Alamo, “The Shrine of Texas Liberty” and San Antonio’s first Mission. Today, it is one of the most photographed facades in the country and the #1 tourist attraction in the state. We will tour the chapel and walk the grounds as we learn about the “Battle for Texas Independence”. You will also have some time to wander thru their wonderful gift shop.

The “Queen of the Missions”, Mission San Jose is our next stop. This site was established in 1720 and is the largest and best restored of the San Antonio’s five missions. We will tour the Indians’ quarters that were located within the walls as well as the Spanish soldiers’ quarters. San Jose’s church is one of the most beautiful in the country with its elaborate carvings on the chapel façade.

As we continue, we will view Espada Dam. This dam was built curving the wrong way and has withstood floods for more than 200 years.

Our third mission made its permanent home along the banks of the San Antonio River in 1731. Mission San Juan Capistrano established a trade network stretching east to Louisiana and south to Coahuila, Mexico.

Our guide will discuss the two remaining missions as we return to the hotel. Mission Espada, which was established in 1731 but was never completed, still stands as an outline of an intended church. Time stands still at Espada, which seems as remotely located today as the day it was built. The oldest unrestored mission church in Texas, Mission Concepcion was established in 1731 and the Twin Towers and beautiful cupola helped make it a construction project of twenty-plus years.

exploration and discovery11:30am – 4:30pm / $135.32 per person - boxed lunch is included*

Head to the rolling hill country for a little underground adventure! National Bridge Caverns, recently voted one of the top ten caves of the United States is a short half hour drive from your hotel and a world away from the everyday! Except for the lighting, walkways and handrails, you will find the North Cave much the same as the discoverers did in 1960. There is an incredible world of towering formations, majestic formations created at an average rate of only one cubic inch every one hundred years. As the constant dripping of water proves, they’re still alive and growing.

Following the hour and a half tour of the caverns, we will make our way to Gruene, Texas, a quaint hamlet where guests will uncover a different kind of treasure: boutique shops filled with a bounty of gifts, antiques, clothing and jewelry and delicious restaurants. Gruene is also home to the oldest dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall, which is always open for a refreshing drink and hosts live music seven days a week.

bourbon ‘n brew12:30pm – 3:30pm / $119.10 per person - boxed lunch is included*

As the only “brewstillery” in Texas, we offer a unique, educational tour where you can learn how we make our beer and our bourbon. Our popular Brewstillery Tour is two tours in one! You’ll learn how we make beer, you’ll learn how we make bourbon, and at the end you’ll understand the fascinating relationship between the two. This intimate, immersive experience focuses on education but ensures you have a drink in your hand while you’re learning.

This full tour includes a detailed guided tour, a souvenir pint glass, and 3 samples of our products (your choice of 3 beer samples or 2 beer samples and 1 whiskey sample). It’s educational and fun!

Ages 21 and up.

welcome to our city tour1:00pm – 5:00pm / $53.05 per person - boxed lunch is included*

We begin with a bit of shopping at the Mexican Market known as El Mercado where you will get as close to real Mexico as you can this side of the border! Don’t forget to visit the amazing bake shop that sits inside Mi Tierra. You will have some time to visit the shops that offer authentic Mexican arts and crafts-shopping before we get going again.

Then it’s a quick driving tour of downtown San Antonio where you will drive by the Spanish Governor’s Palace, a national historic landmark and considered the sole remaining example of an aristocratic early Spanish house in Texas. Next is the San Fernando Cathedral, the original church of the Canary Island settlers built in 1731 and one of the oldest churches in continuous use in the country.

Then it’s on to The King William Historic District where prosperous German merchants who made their mark in San Antonio in the late 1800’s built their grand homes. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the Guenther House located on the grounds of the Pioneer Flour Mill and explore their delightful gift shop filled

with darling surprises for guests who love to cook.

Our last, but certainly not least important stop will be The Alamo, “The Shrine of Texas Liberty” and San Antonio’s first Mission. Today, it is one of the most photographed facades in the country and the #1 tourist attraction in the state. We will tour the chapel and walk the grounds as we learn about the “Battle for Texas Independence”. You will also have some time to wander thru their wonderful gift shop.

All tours will need to be paid for at the time of registration and can not be changed.

Prices include transportation from the hotel (if applicable). The rates included are only good for pre-registered attendees. If you register after November 6th or wait until you get to San Antonio, you may have to pay full price,

spots may not be available with our group, and/or you may have to arrange your own tour and transportation.

*All boxed lunches will be available for pick up from the hotel after the morning tour and before the afternoon tours begin.

Questions? Contact Becky Cotner at (618) 263-2767 or becky.cotner@cgb.com.

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