San Antonio, Texas
My most up-to-date mini vacay was to San Antonio, Texas which is situated in South Central Texas with a inhabitants of 1.5 million folks. San Antonio is 150 miles from the Mexican border and to say the Tex Mex affect is powerful would merely be an understatement (smile). Why San Antonio? Effectively, as a result of my fraternal twin nephews, Marcus and Marshall who can be 40 this yr, have been residing there for properly over a decade and up till this level, I had but to go to them. Their sister and my niece, Dimitrica, who can be 46 this yr and resides in North Carolina along with her husband and son, organized to fulfill me so we might share a resort room. This was to be a brief journey however one the place we deliberate on numerous household enjoyable, bonding and catching up on misplaced time.
La Fogata
Our very first meal after we arrived was at a restaurant referred to as La Fogata. Dan Fenyn, my gross sales supervisor Jocelyn’s husband, extremely beneficial it. Dan was not incorrect, not solely was the meals we ordered delish however the atmosphere spoke to a extremely genuine and true Mexican expertise.
Cover by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk
That is the resort I booked for our 4 day, 3 night time keep. I purposely selected this resort as a result of it’s throughout the road from the Riverwalk plus it’s proper in downtown San Antonio the place all of the eating places, retailers and outside exercise have been situated. Plus we would have liked a spot that we might simply stroll to and from. It’s wonderful what you are able to do in a 4-day weekend (Friday – Monday) journey once you journey from one other coast and are given an additional hour to work with (smile).
Modes of transportation
We seen there have been might completely different modes of transportation for these individuals who weren’t driving. Scooter leases, Electrical bike leases, even Segway leases lined the downtown streets. I couldn’t assist however discover the very massive, very loud pick-up vans flying up and down the downtown streets including to the site visitors congestion.
And I used to be blown away by the carriage rides populating downtown streets – so many without delay and all embellished in several seasonal themes and colours! It appeared like in every single place we turned we might encounter a household or a pair or a bunch of associates on a horse drawn carriage journey! At nighttime it was tremendous cool to see as a result of the carriage was now brightly lit with completely different coloured lights and music performed all through. I checked out what it price to take a journey on the horse drawn carriage: $75 {dollars} for 1 individual and $35 {dollars} for every individual thereafter for a 20 minute journey. $100 {dollars} for 1 individual and $50 {dollars} for every individual thereafter for a 30 minute journey. And one little one rides free with every paying grownup.
The Alamo
Aptly described as an “18th century Spanish mission preserved as a museum.” We couldn’t go away San Antonio with out at the least visiting The Alamo. It was simply as I anticipated…
The Cover resort eating places
One more reason me and Dimitrica loved staying on the Cover was since you didn’t have to go away the resort for good breakfast meals. We ate hearty breakfasts each morning at Domingo Restaurante and for nighttime mocktails, the rooftop deck at Otro was the place to hang around and calm down after a fun-filled busy day.
The Riverwalk
We found the San Antonio Riverwalk on our second day. It had turn into a supply of dialog to me by so many individuals the very second I discussed I used to be visiting household in San Antonio. The Riverwalk is rather like it sounds. It’s a miles-long pedestrian walkway with a river working via it. It’s really underground so you need to get to it by taking steps down from the road. The river is surrounded by eating places, cafes, bistros, retailers, retail outfitters, boutique inns and the like. Each time we walked down the steps to the Riverwalk, (for brief cuts or to discover a new store) we might see lots of individuals searching round, purchasing, consuming and/or sight seeing.
Go Rio
Whereas strolling across the Riverwalk, we stored seeing river boat cruises stuffed with vacationers passing us by. We have been advised by the resort workers that if we resolve to take a river cruise we must always to catch one at night time because it’s cooler in temperature, the boat is properly lit and embellished and music is performed all through the promenade. We lastly took them up on it on Day 3 of 4 – the 35 minuted guided tour was so enjoyable and festive and the price was a small $14.00 per individual!
La Cantera Resort and Spa
We bought a Resort Day Cross for $65 (Marshall’s sensible concept) to the La Cantera Resort and Spa. This luxurious resort and spa is thought for its non-public villas, advantageous eating, wellness spas, championship golf and movie star sightings. By buying a Resort Day Cross we have been in a position to have entry to the pool facet of issues. So on day 3 we spent half the day poolside the place we loved the infiniti pool, scrumptious lunch and laying out on lounge chairs. We additionally took benefit of the recent tub the place we met a loud and raucous center aged man who was fairly correct at guessing our character traits (smile). On the lazy river pool we performed pool video games with floaties after which rode down what have been kiddie slides only for Ha Ha’s.
Pandora’s Bookstore & Espresso Bar/Pure Aloha Bathtub & Magnificence
Marshall (our unofficial tour information) advised us about an African-American owned bookstore-cafe downtown which collaborated on house with a pure plant primarily based magnificence, beauty and private care store. We have been so impressed after we stepped into this cute store which had a pleasant assortment of products and an actual optimistic vibe. I loved assembly the house owners (who’ve now turn into good associates) of each of those retailers as they complement one another in the easiest way. You should definitely test them out if you happen to go to San Antonio as you’ll not be disillusioned.
Bohanan’s
Bohanan’s (one other Marshall decide) was a spot Dimitrica and I had walked by throughout our every day leisure walks all through downtown. The storefront really didn’t do it any justice as after we entered the jazz supper membership and restaurant, we have been pleasantly shocked by piano bar and the funky vibe. I ordered a mocktail garnished with jalapeño peppers and Marshall and Dee every had a specialty expresso martini drink.
Marcus’s household house
My nephew Marcus, his spouse Asuka and children reside in a home within the suburbs of San Antonio. His spouse was gracious sufficient to supply up a standard japanese meal produced from scratch. We had the very best time at their home that day. It rained for a spell so we stayed inside and ate handmade Sushi and Sashimi and Tofu Salad with sesame seed dressing and a deliciously ready thinly reduce beef ribs and hen. I ate 2 plates after which understood why Marcus mentioned he doesn’t eat out at eating places anymore (smile). We additionally performed video games with the children within the recreation room which featured recreation chairs for Road Fighters, a basketball internet and extra.
Historic Market Sq.
Sarcastically the night Dimitrica and I made a decision to stroll to this assortment of eating places and retailers in an indoor house, principally the entire retailers have been closed. Not too shocking although as a result of it was a Sunday night time and it was about 10pm…Nevertheless the a lot talked about Mi Tierra Cafe and Bakery was nonetheless open which happy Dimitrica, who was in the hunt for the genuine Mexican Sizzling Chocolate and a candy deal with to go together with it. The energetic decor featured reside Mexican music, mariachi dancers, a enjoyable environment, costumed workers and instagram-worthy photograph backdrops! Oh and Dimitrica mentioned the recent chocolate was delish!
Centro San Antonio
One of the fascinating issues I found throughout my fast journey to San Antonio is that there are a bunch of uniformed ambassadors referred to as Centro San Antonio who’re primarily based downtown and work to maintain it clear, secure and welcoming for the retailers in addition to Metropolis guests. Whether or not you might be in search of instructions to someplace or want help or data, they’re skilled to assist. Because it seems, there are a variety of homeless folks on this massive Metropolis who reside downtown so one other crucial a part of Centro’s mission is to supply them a secure place to reside, meals to eat, clothes to put on, a drug free program if wanted and a secure house the place they really feel welcome. Sixto or “Six,” as he’s referred to on the road, was a welcoming supply of knowledge to me and my niece whereas we walked round downtown.
Information station
I work in native gross sales at an ABC affiliated information station in New Haven CT referred to as WTNH Information 8 so every time I journey I at all times look to see what the morning information appears and appears like. Here’s a snapshot of what I noticed in in San Antonio:
And eventually, in case you are in search of an inexpensive place to reside and work, my nephews inform me that San Antonio suits the invoice. Housing is cheaper, jobs can be found, ethnic meals is plentiful, there’s heaps to see and do and the residents are pleasant. I’m so glad I lastly made the journey.
