San Antonio Culinary Getaway...Cooking Vacations...Culinary Getaways...Cooking Classes!

Rising 12 stories above the famed San Antonio Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas, the Hotel Valencia Riverwalk is across the street from The Majestic Theatre and three blocks from the Spanish Governor's Palace. The hotel is within four blocks of the Alamo, El Mercado, the largest Mexican-style marketplace outside of Mexico, and Rivercenter Mall. Within one mile of the hotel are the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and La Villita Historic District, the original settlement of San Antonio.

The Hotel Valencia Riverwalk's courtyard area features a Dodd Mitchell-designed fountain set among Valencia orange trees and Tuscan-style architecture. Spanish-influenced cuisine tempts taste buds at Citrus restaurant. The Vbar serves cocktails and tapas, while offering views of the Riverwalk from a stone terrace. Wireless Internet access is complimentary throughout the hotel. The hotel's third-floor health club provides Egyptian cotton towels, fresh fruit and purified water after a workout on the cardiovascular and strength-training equipment. Massages and facials are scheduled through the concierge desk.

Foodies already know that the best way to connect with a city is through her cuisine. Since 1968, the San Antonio River Walk has drawn visitors to San Antonio, but long before the Riverwalk became what it is today, the cuisine of San Antonio drew people to this city. From the Canary Islanders to the Chili “Queens” of the Mexican market, to the diverse cuisines available today, San Antonio is a culinary adventure all by itself. This driving tour of San Antonio’s delectable diversity will take you to those “hole in the wall” spots that the locals frequent and introduce you to the true flavors of San Antonio.

From her historic beauty to her rich music history, San Antonio is a true treasure. Country music has been a Texas tradition since before Texas was Texas! On this excursion, you will visit one of San Antonio’s beautifully restored, historic theaters that, on its own, would be a worthwhile experience. When you combine it with the best of traditional country, western swing, and old-fashioned Gospel music performed by 10 world-class musicians that keep your toes tapping for 2 hours you have an experience that can’t be matched!

The San Antonio Riverwalk has been drawing throngs of visitors since 1968 when the city hosted Hemisfair ’68. The World’s Fair brought more than 7 million people here over the 9 months that the fair was here. A good way to experience the Riverwalk is by river barge. A better way is River Dinner Barge! You will enjoy a 4 course dinner prepared by one of the best restaurants on the Riverwalk. Your meal will include such delectable’s as an appetizer of Smoked Tomato Salsa & Guacamole made right before you on the barge, Caesar salad, and a choice of the Black Angus Beef Tenderloin w/roasted peppers and chipotle bordelaise sauce with Smoked Shrimp and Gulf Crab Enchilada or Grilled Atlantic Salmon w/creole mustard butter, garlic mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables and topped off with Toasted Nut Brittle Ice Cream in a pool of Hot Fudge! All of this while enjoying a guided river barge tour along the beautiful San Antonio River.

The Pearl Brewery has been a historic San Antonio landmark since 1883 and sits on the beautiful San Antonio River. Although it sat vacant for many years, The Pearl complex has now been revitalized and is host to numerous restaurants, shops, and loft apartments as well as the deep history that can be experienced on Saturday mornings. This excursion starts with a river taxi ride to the Pearl Brewery where you will tour the complex. Next, stroll through the local, open-air, organic Farmer’s Market. You can sample the farmer’s wares and watch cooking demonstrations where local chefs prepare dishes made with the produce that they purchase fresh from the farmer’s that morning. Your excursion is topped off with a beautifully prepared Chef’s table under the tent of Mesalegre where Chef Johnny Hernandez and his staff prepare a unique “al fresco” family style dining experience from ingredients purchased at the farmer’s market.