San Antonio

Founded in 1691 by Spanish missionaries, San Antonio has an illustrious past, playing a pivotal role in Texan history. But this former frontier settlement of the Wild West is now a vibrant city known for its diverse Mexican-American heritage, incredible dining – the city hosts the premier culinary festival in the state – and excellent shopping, from upscale boutiques to the largest Mexican market in the United States.

San Antonio is also famous for its landmark pedestrian promenade, the scenic River Walk that stretches more than 24 kilometres through the city’s downtown district. The shaded pathways connect hundreds of shops, restaurants, hotels, historic landmarks and museums, and no visit to San Antonio is complete without plenty of exploration up and down this unique riverside route. You’ll find everything from museums filled with Picassos and Western memorabilia to worthwhile culinary and shopping destinations like the Pearl. The River Walk also leads to four well-preserved Spanish missions that once provided shelter for frontier setters and still provide some of the best bird watching spots in Texas, as well as the famed Alamo from the infamous 1836 battle for Texan independence from Mexico. Designated as a World Heritage Site, the 18th-century mission is now preserved as a museum and is well worth a visit for its fascinating insight into the history of Texas.

Outside of San Antonio’s lively downtown, you’ll find even more to do with over 50 golf courses, five theme parks, one of the largest zoos in the United States and picturesque hiking and biking trails that stretch into the Texas Hill Country – a region that is quickly gaining international recognition for its wineries.