San Antonio, Austin & The Hill Country

Quick Tips:

Tasting and buying your wines at the wineries will save you - per bottle over buying in the many wine shops in the towns, although you get to taste several wineries’ products at once in many of the shops. Visit late March or later to really get the enjoyment of the spring - flowers and new foliage on the trees which were just beginning to show when we left mid-March. Visit dude ranches April or later when they are busier and offer a fuller array of activities, etc.

Best Way To Get Around:

The hotel was undergoing some renovations during our stays, which did not interfere with our enjoyment of the hotel. The hotel has a pool, fitness room, restaurant and bar, and gift shop.

The trolley stops right outside the hotel and the Riverwalk is steps away from the front door as well. The rate charged ($80) was $5 less than quoted at reservation time. It’s a great deal so close to the main Riverwalk area. The staff was really helpful with dining suggestions, directions, etc.

There are three meals a day of family-style home cooking, which we enjoyed. We took two horseback rides a day. There were campfires with marshmallows and country music and other activities in the evenings. There was also a pool and other activities such as hiking, horseshoes, etc. The staff was very friendly. You can be as active or lazy as you want. The ranch is a 10-minute drive from Bandera, "the Cowboy Capital of the World". Everything but taxes and gratuity are included in daily rate of $100 per person (for a double room). The place is not licensed, but BYOB allowed and they'll supply wine glasses. No pets.

The spring rolls were a bit salty but otherwise very good. The Moo Shu Pork was some of the best we have ever had. The pancakes are large and they served too bowls of Hoisin sauce. You have to almost beg for it in many restaurants. The shrimp special for the evening was also very tasty, large fresh shrimp in a slightly spiced sauce.

The restaurant also serves Sushi and from the Japanese patrons there it must be good as well. They also operate a Vietnamese restaurant right next door. One surprise for an Asian restaurant is the huge wine selection. A wine lovers delight dozens to choose from in a wide range of prices.

The daily special was a large brisket plate with refried beans, coleslaw and potatoes. The serving of meat was huge, very tender and tasty. Breakfast is served all day and my wife was served a huge one. With beverages everything was under $15.

Gives you a taste and feel of the real down home smalltown Texas. If you are visiting the Mission Espada or the Promised Land dairy then this place is close by in Floresville.

The daily special was a Cobb Salad and beverage for $6.99. It was so big it would have fed two people. It was all I could do to finish it. It sure was tasty. My wife really enjoyed an large sandwich on homemade multi-grain bread.

A small casual little place to grab a quick lunch or mid-day treat. They have pastries and othe goodies available also. A great value spot for families or the budget conscious.

We enjoyed both the brisket and ribs washed down with a cold beer. The side dishes were the usual slaw, potato salad, beans. The slaw was quite good. This isn't fine dining and the decor is more like prison cafeteria but it was the best BBQ we had this trip to Texas. Recommended by a local.

I would recommend trying to catch the first couple of tours of the day as they are often smaller and you will get a more personal narration. Our guide said some groups are over 50 people so those at the rear will have trouble hearing the commentary. The tour was 1 1/4 hours and remember you walk down a couple of hundred feet underground but you also have to walk back up so be prepared. Our photos taken in the cavern turned out quite well even with the low lighting and the camera flash.

My wife was amazed at the suction power of a little calf when she was bottle-feeding him and tried to take the bottle back. Off came the top. The tour was informative for my 'city girl' wife who wasn't aware of how the milk was processed and bottled and also the differences in milk from an all Jersey cattle herd versus most other breeds.

They have a restaurant, gift shop and miniature golf course on sight. There is a charge for the food and milk bottles for feeding the animals. We were not asked to pay anything for our tour.

Over 400 vendors selling a variety of goods too big to list. Excellent quality arts and crafts. Many unique items. A great way to spend a day; take a break when your feet get tired covering the 16 acre site and listen to the live entertainment. Visit the other shops in the village once the market starts to wind down. We were very impressed with the variety and quality of the goods offered.

We joined a local couple at their table and enjoyed a great evening listening to some good country music, doing a little dancing, and just enjoying the great atmosphere of one of the best true Texas dance halls. A crowd from 21 to real oldsters was having a good ol’ time. Many people come alone or are in singles groups. Several regular old timers were having a great time dancing up a storm with ladies of all ages. This is not a "meat market", but just a great place for people to mix and mingle and have a fun evening.

We ate in the restaurant and the food was good and home-cooked, special but good value for the money. It was a fun place to visit.