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THURSDAY. JULY 12. 2007 PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS PAGE 7B
OUT AND ABOUT
San Antonio: Something for everyone
By Karon Warren
Planning your vacation, but
not sure where to go? Why not
head southwest to San Antonio?
This Southern Texas town
offers a variety of experiences
for every traveler, whether
looking for a fun-filled family
vacation, escaping with the
girls for a weekend or planning
a romantic getaway.
When planning a family
vacation, it's crucial to plan
excursions that encompass
every member’s interests, and
San Antonio meets this need
with ease.
History buffs will love the
San Antonio Mission Trail,
comprised of five missions
including the well-known
Alamo, which educates visitors
San Antonio
info box
San Antonio Convention &
Visitors Bureau
800-ALAMO-07
www.sanantoniovisit.com
San Antonio Missions
National Historical Park
210-932-1001
www.nps.gov/saan
River Walk
210-227-4262
www.tliesanantonioriverwalk. c
om
Rio San Antonio Cruises
800-417-4139
www.riosanantonio.com
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
800-697-4258
www.sixflags.com
SeaWorld San Antonio
800-700-7786
www.seaworld.com
Market Square
210-207-8600
www.marketsquaresa.com
The Shops at La Cantera
210-582-6255
www.theshopsatlacantera.com
The Westin La Cantera Resort
800- WES TIN-1
www. westinlacantera. com
on the evolution of these
unwalled communities and the
spread of Christianity through
out the Indian tribes.
Four of the missions are part
of the San Antonio Missions
National Historical Park, and
there is a visitor center at
Mission San Jose, The visitor
center features a theater show
ing a 20-minute movie on early
life at the mission, a museum
and a bookstore. Admission is
free.
Those interested in more
modern innovations will adore
San Antonio’s River Walk,
which surrounds the San
Antonio River with restaurants,
shopping, hotels and more.
This is the place to kick back
and soak in the city’s downtown
atmosphere. Of course, a cruise
down the river must be included
in any visit! Available through
Rio San Antonio Cruises, tours
cover two and a half miles of
the River Walk and last between
35 and 40 minutes. They offer a
unique perspective on the River
Walk along with a wonderful
way to unwind.
Although kids of all ages can
enjoy these activities, they cer
tainly will go home happy if
their trip includes a visit to Six
Flags Fiesta Texas and
SeaWorld San Antonio.
At Six Flags Fiesta Texas,
get your thrills and chills on
such rides as Poltergeist and
Scream, or take a break from
the action and catch one of the
park’s award-winning shows.
Park admission also includes a
visit to White Water Bay, a
water park with more than 10
rides plus Splashwater Springs,
a designated area for little water
enthusiasts.
For more water-based fun,
head to SeaWorld San Antonio.
Billed as “the world’s largest
marine life adventure park and
family entertainment show-
place,” this theme park offers
more than 25 shows, exciting
rides, animal attractions and
educational experiences. And
don't miss every SeaWorld
standard, Shamu, the killer
whale. Just remember: If you
want a front-row seat at
Shamu's show, expect to get
wet!
While the above activities
offer plenty of fun for a girls’
getaway, you know when the
girls get together the itinerary
will include shopping. In San
Antonio, you’ll find something
to suit every style and budget.
To find that perfect vacation
souvenir, head downtown to
Market Square, which includes
32 shops at El Mercado, the
city’s authentic Mexican mar
ket, and 80 specialty shops in
Farmers Market Plaza. Wares
range from the usual novelty
knickknacks such as hand-
painted picture frames to
unique, handcrafted jewelry.
Market Square also is a great
place to sample traditional
Mexican cuisine. In fact, don’t
miss a visit to Mi Tierra Cafe &
Bakery, where you can try tradi
tional Mexican pastries.
For those who just can’t live
without their traditional “mall'’
shopping, The Shops at La
Cantera (located about 20 min
utes from downtown) offer a
variety of upscale merchants
artfully arranged in a relaxed
outdoor setting. Anchored by
Dillard's, Macy's, Neiman
Marcus and Nordstrom, other
tenants include Apple, Brighton
Collectibles, Gap, Lacoste,
Pottery Barn, Sephora, and
Tiffany & Co. The mall also
boasts an eclectic food selec
tion, such as Bravo Cucina
Italiana, PF. Chang’s China
Bistro and Marble Slab
Creamery.
Of course, no girls’ getaway
is complete without a day at the
spa, and the Castle Rock Health
SeaWorld San Antonio
offers more than 25 shows,
exciting rides, animal
attractions and educational
experiences. And don’t miss
every SeaWorld standard:
Shamu, the killer whale.
Club & Spa at The Westin La
Cantera Resort is the perfect
place to have it.
Featuring a myriad of treat
ments such as massage therapy,
facials, and manicures and
pedicures, the spa is the perfect
place to relax and catch up with
close friends.
In fact, The Westin La
Cantera Resort provides the
perfect setting for any vacation.
Located in close proximity to
both Six Flags Fiesta Texas and
The Shops at La Cantera (a free
shuttle runs between the hotel
and both destinations) and a
short drive to downtown San
Antonio, The Westin La
Cantera Resort is the ideal spot
to call “home base” during your
visit.
However, with such great
-tei!
m?
■ ■ : J
Visitors to the Alamo, part of the San Antonio Missions
National Historical Park, learn about the missionaries and
their Indian converts that called this mission home for
nearly 70 years.
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706-276-4881
amenities, you may never want
to leave the property, which
makes this a great retreat for a
romantic rendezvous. Featuring
508 guestrooms outfitted with
the popular Heavenly Bed and
Heavenly Bath, The Westin La
Cantera Resort is the perfect
place to focus on that special
someone. If you venture out
side, head to the Lost Quarry
Pools water recreation area,
which includes five outdoor
pools, two hot tubs and a water
slide.
For couples who love golf,
the resort features two 18-hole
courses expertly carved into the
surrounding landscape. The par-
72, 7,001-yard Resort Course at
La Cantera is home to the PGA
Tour's Valero Texas Open. The
Palmer Course at La Cantera is
a par-71, 6,926-yard course
designed by Arnold Palmer.
Both include a clubhouse with
pro shop and dining. If you'd
rather brush up on your swing,
expert instruction and golf
schools are available at The
Academy at La Cantera.
Finish your day with dinner for
two at Francesca's at Sunset,
the resort's AAA Four Diamond
Restaurant. Offering a menu
created by world-renowned
chef Mark Miller of Coyote
Cafe, dishes range from steak to
seafood with a decidedly
Southwestern flavor. Be
warned: Seating is limited, so
reservations are highly recom
mended.
As you can see, San Antonio
offers a plethora of activities for
every style of vacation. In fact,
there is so much to choose from,
the biggest challenge may be
deciding what to do. Of course,
you always can extend your trip
by a few days.
[Karon Warren is a freelance
travel writer living in Ellijay.
She will contribute occasional
stories for the Progress. Her
website is
www.karonwarren.com.]
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In downtown, restaurants, shopping, hotels and more
surround the San Antonio River at the city’s popular River
Walk. Of course, a cruise down the river must be included
in any visit.
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