Guest Tours Monday, November 8 Option 1 - The Price of Freedom This tour begins at the IMAX Theatre with a showing of "The Alamo – The Price of Freedom," followed by a visit to the famous fort. Then it’s on to San Fernando Cathedral in the center of San Antonio, the Spanish Governor’s Palace and the border-style shopping district El Mercado (Spanish for "the market.") Afterwards, there will be time for browsing in the specialty shops to the strains of the strolling mariachi bands. Lunch is at La Margarita, where the specialty is – you guessed it! And the food is great, too. The tour ends with a visit to La Villita, a little village with nine art galleries, giftshops and artisans – glassblowers, weavers, potters and jewelers – making their crafts – an uplifting finale for a tour filled with local color and history. Option 2 – Celebrate San Antonio The concentration of missions in this historic city is a history lesson in itself, about the New World settlers who came from Europe, and this tour brings that history to life, in one of the country’s few national parks that is located in an urban setting. The first stop is Mission Concepcion, the oldest unrestored mission church in Texas. Its rooms are adorned with the rare original frescoes. Next is the largest and most completely restored of the group, Mission San Jose. One of the nation’s most beautiful examples, San Jose is known for its elaborate carvings and Rose Window, and is nicknamed "Queen of the Missions." Next stop is Mission San Juan Capistrano, the last on the tour. The trail then moves to the King William Historic District, with its tree-lined avenues and beautifully maintained homes and landscaping. At the end of King William Street is the historic Guenther House, where a delicious lunch awaits tourgoers on the Roof Garden, followed by a final stop at the picturesque Steves Homestead. Tuesday, November 9 Option 1 – Not for the Weak of "Art" This tour highlights the diverse talents of local artisans, beginning with a drive through city streetscapes boasting an array of statuary and monuments, including the latest addition, the "Torch of Friendship." Then it’s on to the celebrated San Antonio Museum of Art, home to some world-renowned collections of art. Afterwards, tourgoers visit Artisans’ Alley, an enclave of crafts organizations nestled in a grove of trees north of downtown San Antonio, where the array of works is spectacular. Lunch is also grade "AA," at the popular Apple Annie’s – followed by a stop at the McNay Art Museum, with a magnificent collection for serious art lovers as well as dabblers. And, finally, nature’s own museum of flora, the San Antonio Botanical Gardens and Lucile Halsell Conservatory. Option 2 – The Flavors of San Antonio This tour begins with a wonderful blending of old and new creations at the Ursuline Academy/Southwest School of Art & Craft, a history of the city in clay and metals and oils, past, present and future. Appreciating these treasures could take days, but before you know it, it’s time for lunch, at the spectacular Aldaco’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, where chef-owner Blanca Aldaca will prepare a feast for all the senses – a true "taste" of San Antonio. Linger over the native dishes and learn from the local expert how to prepare the perfect tortilla and the perfect margarita – school has rarely been this much fun!