Arrival in San Antonio, registration with program’s group leaders, orientation meeting and dinner

Afternoon: Arrive at the Drury Plaza Hotel after 3:00 p.m. for check-in. Upon arrival, please pick up your program folder (this will give you your group assignment number) on the 4th floor of the hotel. At 4:00 p.m., attend an orientation meeting with your group leader on the 4th floor of the hotel. You will review the week’s itinerary, get to know other participants in your group, receive your listening devices and get other information needed during your stay.

Dinner: 5:30 p.m. Enjoy the kickback reception on the 2nd floor of the hotel, featuring free hot food and cold drinks, during each day of your stay. Welcome dinner at the Drury Plaza Hotel in the 4th floor ballroom from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Evening: During dinner, enjoy a short presentation on conjunto music, followed by music by a local trio. Conjunto music blends the traditions of the Tejanos of South Texas with the Norteños of Northern Mexico with influences from German and other European immigrants. Welcoming remarks, special introductions and general program information follow dinner.

Lodging: Drury Plaza Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

San Antonio Overview and Presentation on early settlers; Alamo, La Villita and the River Walk; night-time river barge ride

Note: Must be able to climb up and down stairs to access river walk area of city and restaurants. Must be able to board trolley to reach start of walking tour. Walking up to two miles.

Breakfast: Full buffet breakfast in the hotel from 6:00 – 9:30 a.m. on the 2nd floor of the hotel.

Morning: This morning from 8:30 – 11:00 a.m., classes will give you an overview of San Antonio, one of America’s unique cities. Learn about its poignant and colorful history, ethnically varied people, and the blending of cultural heritages that set the city apart. Hear the intriguing story of German immigrant Mary Menger, who operated two large San Antonio enterprises in the mid-19th century and demonstrated that a woman could thrive during a time when men dominated local commerce. As a widow and single mother, Menger profited from both the Western Brewery and Menger Hotel and became San Antonio’s largest employer.

Lunch: Enjoy a sumptuous buffet in a historic hotel on the way to discover the city's treasures.

Afternoon: Go on expert-led walking explorations that visit the Alamo, the elegant Menger Hotel—built in 1859 on the site of Texas’ first brewery—and La Villita, at the heart of old San Antonio which is now home to the shops and studios of artists and craftsmen.

Dinner: Enjoy the kickback reception on the 2nd floor of the hotel, featuring free hot food and cold drinks, during each day of your stay. Enjoy dinner near the hotel. Then, make your way to the River Walk— the heart of the city —for a narrated barge ride on the San Antonio River, located 20 feet below street level and just steps from the famed Alamo. See how stone pathways connect shops, restaurants, hotels and museums with a blend of historic and modern architecture that resonate the depth of this centuries-old metropolis. Marvel at the beauty of San Antonio and its spectacular holiday light display.

Lodging: Drury Plaza Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Presentations on Texas History and Water Conservation; visit the McNay Museum, Southwest School of Art, Special Lecture from Mission Control Director Gene Kranz

Note: Must be able to climb up and down stairs to access river walk area of city and restaurants. Must be able to board trolley to reach start of walking tour. Walking up to two miles and standing in museum for 1-2 hours.

Breakfast: Full buffet breakfast on the second floor of the hotel from 6:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Morning: 8:30- 11:00 a.m.: Join local experts for an informative and entertaining presentation on the successful story of San Antonio’s water conservation efforts, which will enlighten you and provide a new perspective on the state. You will also hear from an expert about the influences of the six sovereign nations that have flown their flags over Texas, and how historical events shaped the state’s demographics, economy and culture.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Art enthusiasts will delight in afternoon field trips to some of San Antonio’s finest art institutions. Enjoy a visit to the McNay Museum of Art, a Spanish Colonial Revival-style home which opened as the first museum of modern art in Texas in 1954. Today, its visitors are captivated by magnificent works of art by modern masters including Paul Gauguin, Vincent Van Gogh, Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. You will also make stops at the Southwest School of Art, one of the nation’s largest community-based art schools, to enjoy galleries and studios on the grounds of a former convent, and the San Antonio Public Library, an architecturally striking vibrant red building designed by renowned architect Ricardo Legoretta. Marvel at the building’s crowning artistic jewel, the colorful Fiesta Tower by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. The Fiesta Tower, comprised of 900-plus unique hand-blown glass ornaments, rises nearly 27 feet from the library’s atrium. Those who prefer to remain at the hotel can enjoy a video and display information from the Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University.

Dinner: Enjoy the kickback reception on the 2nd floor of the hotel starting at 5:30 p.m., featuring free hot food and cold drinks, during each day of your stay. Dinner is on your own tonight.

Evening: Just after the 50th anniversary of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, former Director of Mission Operations Eugene F. Kranz will share stories from his distinguished career at NASA, beginning at 7:30 p.m. As the leader of the “Tiger Team” of flight directors who brought the Apollo 13 spaceship safely back to Earth on April 17, 1970, Gene Kranz demonstrated extraordinary courage and heroism. Kranz retired from NASA in 1994 after 37 years of federal service. “Failure is not an option,” the motto that carried him through the Apollo 13 crisis, is a major theme of his motivational message. Kranz has received many awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which he received from President Nixon for the Apollo 13 mission, and his designation as a Distinguished Member of the Senior Executive Service by President Reagan. Kranz will describe what happened during the Apollo 13 mission and how he and others made the tough decisions under pressure, which resulted in the crew's safe return to Earth.

Lodging: Drury Plaza Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Field trip to the quaint German town of Fredericksburg, featuring the Nimitz Museum of the Pacific and the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park; barbecue dinner and dancing

Note: Walk 1-2 miles, standing in museum for 1-2 hours.

Breakfast: Full buffet breakfast on the second floor of the hotel from 6:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Morning: Depart at 8:30 a.m. for a full day excursion. Begin in the scenic Hill Country town of Fredricksburg. Explore the city on your own to visit German historical sites, marketplaces, breweries, the National Museum of the Pacific War, located in the historic hotel run by the family of Admiral Chester Nimitz. Soak up the early history of the area by visiting the Pioneer Museum Complex or the Vereins-Kirche (Society Church), the oldest public building in town.

Lunch: On your own at one of the many restaurants along Main Street in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Afternoon: Leave downtown Fredericksburg at 1:00 p.m. for the LBJ National Historical Park, which contains a visitor center, reconstructed boyhood home, cemetery and the Johnsons’ residence, known as the Texas White House, where the private quarters have been recently opened to the public for the first time.

Dinner: Stop on the way back to San Antonio for a Texas-sized barbecue dinner with live music and dancing.

Lodging: Drury Plaza Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Visit the historic Mission complex; walking tour of King William District

Note: Must be able to climb up and down stairs to access river walk area of city and restaurants. Must be able to board trolley to reach start of walking tour. Walking up to two miles and standing in museum for 1-2 hours.

Breakfast: Full buffet breakfast on the second floor of the hotel from 6:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Morning: Explore the city’s early Spanish mission complex Travel by bus to San Antonio Mission National Historic Park for an exploration of the missions that make up the complex. With experts, learn about the early settlement and efforts of the Spanish to convert people to the church and an agricultural form of life. Discover the beauty of Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, the Queen of the Missions, restored by the WPA in the 1930s. See how Spaniards used irrigation (acequia) systems to develop self-sustaining agricultural communities along the San Antonio River. See Mission San Juan Capistrano, Mission Concepcion and Mission Estrada during your visit to the site of the earliest European settlements.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Take a trip back in time as you experts lead you through an area settled in the mid-19th century by affluent Germans, named after King Wilhelm of Prussia. Stroll through impressive houses designed in the Greek Revival, Victorian and Italianate styles. Get an inside look at the lifestyle of rich and famous San Antonio personalities from the late 1800s.

Dinner: On your own

Evening: Free for you to explore the many attractions of the city on your own.

Lodging: Drury Plaza Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Texas Tales; Early Folk Medicine; San Fernando Cathedral; Mexican marketplace; free afternoon

Note: walking up to one mile, standing in museum for up to 1-2 hours

Breakfast: Full buffet breakfast on the second floor of the hotel from 6:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Morning: From campfires to cracker barrels to front porches, folks have been gathering around to hear stories for centuries, and tales told well still work their magic. Texas history and folklore come alive through the riveting tales—some true, some tall—told by our award-winning storyteller, so gather round, sit back, and enjoy. Take a peek at the system of folk medicine that came to be used by the early Texans, who often were forced to find substitutes for remedies that had been available in their previous environs. They began to share "cures" with people from other cultures: Native Americans, Mexicans, Germans, Poles, Swedes and many others. Join us as we look inside the medicine cabinets of these early settlers.

Lunch: Hear a traditional mariachi performance as you dine overlooking the River Walk.

Afternoon: Led by experts, enjoy a walk to visit the heart and soul of the city, the San Fernando Cathedral. Built in 1738, the Cathedral is still in operation and played an important role in the religious and secular history of the city. The rest of your afternoon is free for you to discover something that interests you in the city. Those who prefer to remain in the hotel can enjoy video presentations about Texas state and national parks.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner at a popular restaurant near the hotel.

Evening: Enjoy making new friends as you gather at the hotel to enjoy bridge, card games or other board games, or, take time to explore more of the city on your own.

Lodging: Drury Plaza Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Special Interest field trips; Institute of Texan Cultures; farewell dinner

Note: Option 1) no walking involved; Option 2) Hike up to three miles on paved pathway; Option 3) Walk up to one mile; Option 4) Walk up to one mile; Option 5) no walking involved

Breakfast: Full buffet breakfast on the second floor of the hotel from 6:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Morning: Choose from one of the following field trips: 1) Cooking demonstration/class- Learn how to prepare a delicious Mexican meal with picante style from Diana Barrios Trevino. Diana has appeared on the Today Show, the Food Network and prepared the puffy tacos served at Bill Clinton’s inauguration dinner. Diana shares the story of her mother’s effort to start a restaurant and how the family business has expanded to satisfy the hunger of thousands of happy customers. Enjoy an enchilada lunch following the demonstration. 2) Hiking the mission trail- Enjoy a three-mile hike alongside the San Antonio River. You will learn about the city's urban renewal efforts. Bring your binoculars to help spot birds and other wildlife as you enjoy an easy walk on paved pathways with a master naturalist as your guide. 3) SAS Factory Tour- Take a bus to the San Antonio Shoe factory to find out how the passion of two shoe makers in the 1970s created a company that became a nationally known brand from the local factory. See how the founders’ dedication to comfort, quality, and craftsmanship is carried on today. Visit the general store with a candy kitchen, ice cream parlor, and vintage car display. 4) Explore the city's west side to learn more about the diversity of the city and view some of its colorful murals. 5) Remain in the hotel to and enjoy a video presentation about Texas' famous personalities of the past.

Lunch: Lunch is provided on the field trip of your choice.

Afternoon: Return to the hotel for free time before the farewell dinner. All groups depart the hotel at 4:00 p.m. for the Institute of Texas Cultures (ITC) at Hemisfair Park. Operated by the University of Texas at San Antonio, the ITC fulfills its mandate as the state’s center for multicultural education by investigating the ethnic and cultural history of the state. Examine displays about the 26 different ethnic and cultural groups that settled the Texas frontier.

Dinner: Farewell dinner under the dome theater of the ITC, featuring music and cultural dancers.

Lodging: Drury Plaza Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Full buffet breakfast on the second floor of the hotel from 6:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Morning: Say “adios” to San Antonio as you depart for home. Hotel check-out time is no later than 12:00 p.m.

Meals Included: Breakfast