Texas

The Best of San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country

Program No. 22272RJ
Find out why San Antonio and the Hill Country are true Texas as you explore the River Walk and Texas Hill Country, enjoy authentic cuisine and learn about LBJ.

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At a Glance

Bold colors, brave battles, big fandangos and bigger appetites — San Antonio stands a breed apart from other American cities. As gateway to the borderlands and crossroads of culture, it showcases the best of North and South, old and new. Experience San Antonio as the embodiment of the strike-it-rich spirit of Texas, a city embracing contemporary culture while paying homage to its storied past.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Keep the Pace: Walking up to 4 miles, climbing stairs. Getting on and off motor coach and barges with minimal assistance. Standing in a museum for up to two hours.

What You'll Learn

  • Stroll along the landscaped walkways of the River Walk and discover the city's rich history with a visit to the Spanish missions designated as a UNESCO World Heritage cultural treasure.
  • Explore Fredericksburg, in the majestic Texas Hill Country, to learn of its rich German heritage.
  • Recall the era of LBJ as you learn about his early life, legislative accomplishments and visit his Texas ranch.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Carolina Castillo Crimm
A retired professor of history, Dr. Caroline Castillo Crimm won many local and state-wide awards, including the prestigious Piper Award as one of the best teachers in Texas. Dedicated to Texas and Hispanic culture, her Spanish family came to Texas originally in 1792 although she was born and raised in Mexico City. The author of “De Leon: A Tejano Family History,” she has appeared on PBS and “The History Channel.”

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Gregg Eckhardt
Gregg Eckhardt View biography
Gregg Eckhardt is an environmental scientist with 26 years of experience in environmental modeling and analysis, water resource planning and development, state and federal permitting, and water treatment. A senior analyst for the San Antonio Water System, he is involved in the management of the city's water supply and wastewater systems, and much of his work focuses on developing and implementing environmental initiatives. Outside of work, he is active in community education, providing lectures and web-based learning curriculum on regional water resources and environmental history.
Profile Image of Carolina Crimm
Carolina Castillo Crimm View biography
A retired professor of history, Dr. Caroline Castillo Crimm won many local and state-wide awards, including the prestigious Piper Award as one of the best teachers in Texas. Dedicated to Texas and Hispanic culture, her Spanish family came to Texas originally in 1792 although she was born and raised in Mexico City. The author of “De Leon: A Tejano Family History,” she has appeared on PBS and “The History Channel.”
Profile Image of Bill Perryman
Bill Perryman View biography
A fifth generation Texan and an award-winning teacher, Bill Perryman is known throughout Texas for his historical portrayals of heroic figures in Texas and American history and for his teacher trainings, seminars and educational explorations of historic San Antonio. He is the founder of History In Person Theater which is an official arts program for the Texas Commission on the Arts. Bill’s passion for history captivates audiences!
Profile Image of KT Cockerell
KT Cockerell View biography
KT Cockerell, a native Texan, loves to share colorful Texas history with visitors. She enjoys the adventure of discovery while leading groups and in her own personal travels as well. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe and locally. KT has been involved with the travel industry for over 20 years. KT and her husband Alan enjoy living in the small rural town of Seguin, where they have raised their four daughters.
Profile Image of Diana Barrios
Diana Barrios View biography
Diana Barrios’ cooking-class techniques, spiced with warmth and wit, were honed during her years of weekly cooking segments on San Antonio morning television. Her local celebrity status resulted in guest cooking appearances on National TV shows as "Good Morning, America" and the Food Network. Encouraged by her new friend, Emeril Lagasse, Diana collected family recipes for the "Los Barrios Family Cookbook" that is sold nationally and for which Emeril wrote the forward.
Profile Image of Ken Erfurth
Ken Erfurth View biography
Ken Erfurth is a life-long resident of San Antonio whose interest in the region’s history, culture, and architecture began at an early age. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and is a registered architect. He has been conducting educational adventures in San Antonio for various groups for over 20 years. In recent years, Ken has used photography to document the unique visual aspects of his native city and surrounding area. His images have been exhibited and published in multiple forums.
Profile Image of Mary Brennan
Mary Brennan View biography
Mary Brennan is dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Texas State University. She has exhaustively researched conservative politics in America and has penned a number of books related to the subject, including "Wives, Mothers, and the Red Menace" that evolved from her curiosity about Joe McCarthy’s wife, and "Pat Nixon: Embattled First Lady." Mary has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows, including CNN’s "The Sixties" and CSPAN's "First Ladies: Influence and Image."
Profile Image of Aimee Villarreal
Aimee Villarreal View biography
Aimee Villarreal has a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and specializes in Mexican American culture and history. With Chicana roots in New Mexico and Texas, she is passionate about the movements for social justice, equity, and sustainable futures surrounding the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. She is the author of the book "Sanctuaryscapes," which highlights the concepts of community, sanctuary, and humanitarianism in native cultures.
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