AAPM 40th Annual Meeting August 9-13, 1998 San Antonio, Texas

All tours requiring over the road transportation will utilize a 47-passenger deluxe motorcoach and will be conducted by a Certified Professional Tour Guide, well trained, experienced and knowledgeable in the history of Texas, San Antonio and their sites. The tours are based on 30 people and the prices may be adjusted as needed, upon confirmation of all variables. The cost of the tours includes Circa Texas staff, admission fees, meals or refreshments where specified, service fees and entertainment.

Guests will meet at the San Antonio Convention Center and walk the short distance to the ALAMO. A certified staff member will enlighten you on the history behind this mystical shrine. On this walk you will enjoy refreshments.

Begin your tour of local color with a cruise down the San Antonio River while you enjoy a continental breakfast. The barge will depart from the river site in front of the Companions' Suite. Your tour will view San Antonio by water & see the reason for its beginnings. You will depart the barge at Old Ursuline Academy/Southwest Craft Center, the first girls school in San Antonio, founded by the French Ursuline Nuns. Now known as the Southwest Craft Center, past & present combine cultural history with a school and gallery for local artists. Crafts are not sold but a gift store is available for the discriminating shopper. After reboarding the cruiser, you will travel to the Arneson River Theater & LaVillita. Built in 1939, the theater serves as an entrance to the "Little Village," the original settlement of San Antonio. The quaint adobe & rock buildings have been restored & serve as shops for artisans such as glass blowers, spinners, weavers, potters & painters. You will delight in the many crafts & fashions from Mexico & Guatemala, Peru & local artisans. You will then be transported by an antique Trolley to the Market Square for shopping "South of the Border" and lunch on your own. El Mercado or Mexican Market is now filled with crafts, clothing & food in a restored setting of two large indoor markets. You may dine at one of the many restaurants where you will be serenaded by Mariachi troubadores. You will also receive a coupon for a free Margarita or Mexican Pastry.

Begin this tour of San Antonio's history with a visit to the most beautiful neighborhood in all of Texas, the King William District. These homes were built by prosperous German merchants in the late 1800's. Tour the Steve's House, built in 1876 and carefully restored. It is now the home of the San Antonio Conservation Society. Also, visit the Guenther House, built by the immigrant who operated the first flour mill on the San Antonio River. Still part of the Pioneer Flour Mill, products from the mill & pastries are available. You will then travel to the "Queen of the Missions", Mission San Jose. The largest and best restored, it is now the show piece of the San Antonio Missions Historical Park. At the famous "Rose Window," enjoy a traditional Mexican snack of fresh fruit, Galletas (cookies) and limonada. You will then venture to the quaint Mission Espada, Espada Dam and Mission Concepcion by motorcoach. Our last stop displays the textures, colors and blending of many different fibers that went into the making of San Antonio. The Institute of Texan Cultures, a museum operated by the University of Texas, focuses of the 30 plus ethnic groups that settled The Lone Star State. Exhibits are not only informative, but fun!

Fredericksburg is a charming German community north of San Antonio in the beautiful rolling hills of Texas. Enjoy your continental breakfast while you absorb the beautiful drive. Your first stop will be the Fredericksburg Herb Farm. This 1880's farmhouse, turned apothecary, has herbal beauty potions, herbal condiments, a candle shop and Bed and Breakfast, all on four acres of herbal paradise. One lucky guest will win an etched bottle of herbed vinegar. Next travel to the heart of this charming area – Downtown Main Street. Shop the areas most interesting shops full of antiques, local crafts & furniture – even a micro brewery. You will be given a map of Main Street and be able to "dine on your own" in one of 10 charming restaurants. For the non-shoppers, visit the Steamboat Hotel Structure, originally built in 1852, home to the Admiral Chester Nimitz Museum of the Pacific War. Admiral Nimitz, the last U.S. five star Admiral, was a native son of Fredericksburg. The lush Japanese Garden of Peace behind the hotel is a gift from the people of Japan. Also view the History Walk of the Pacific War. As you return to San Antonio, you will now understand the town's reputation for "gemuethlichkeit", a warmth and friendliness intertwined in 150 years of the town's history.

This tour will take you to places where you can truly experience the special beauty & graciousness of San Antonio. By motorcoach you will travel a few minutes from downtown to Brackenridge Park, and view the 343 acre park that includes a golf course, driving range, bridle paths, picnic areas & the San Antonio Zoo. Also located in the park is the unique Japanese Tea Garden. Built in the remains of a rock quarry the sunken garden is lush with flowers, greenery, bridges & a deep pool filled with goldfish & koi. Walk through this garden & experience a water garden without compare. You will then travel to the spacious San Antonio Botanical Garden with its distinctive gardens & designs. There is a Garden for the Blind emphasizing scent & texture, a Sacred Garden of plants named in the Bible and an authentic Japanese Garden donated to San Antonio by its sister city, Kumomoto. The gardens also have landscapes to show the many terrains of Texas. The McNay Art Museum is our last stop of the day. The museum is a treasure trove for both serious and casual art lovers. Set within the former Mediterranean style mansion of the eccentric Marion Koogler McNay, the museum features wide-ranging collections. On display are objets d'art from Picasso, Chagal, Renoir to Native American paintings to sculpture. The museum itself is a work of art. One of our guests will be the lucky recipient of a kiln-fired trivet to take home as a reminder of their adventures in San Antonio.

HOWDY PARDNER! Wranglers & wranglerettes will mozie on down to Rio Cibolo Ranch by motorcoach. Ranch Chaperones & Staff will organize teams for a Cowboy Olympics. Let the fun begin! Hay Wagon Rides are available all morning to the Longhorn Pastures & along the banks of the Cibolo River. Look for sightings of wild game along the way. Lunch will be a Hitchin' Post Picnic. All you can eat Dude Burgers, ranch baked beans with bacon and molasses, country fried potatoes and all the fixin's. Afternoon you will have free time to play basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, enjoy nature trails or just relax. Pioneer Skill Testers will be organized for additional fun. Hayrides will continue for those who missed the morning. Snack time prior to leaving will provide options of brownies, ice cream, or cookies. Iced tea, bottled water, and lemonade will be available all day for children and chaperones.

Guests will be transported by motorcoach from downtown to Fiesta Texas, a whole new world of fun. Your guide will give you maps, admittance tickets and general details about a meeting place for departure. You will then be set on your way to discover San Antonio's prize park. This is a giant playground, with music and entertainment the Lone Star Way. Remember your swimsuits to enjoy the added Fiesta Texas water park with rides and a lazy river for COOL fun!

Guests will depart from Convention Way on a 47 passenger motorcoach. The Witte is a history & science museum that appeals to all ages. Don't miss the Triceratops dinosaur & an Egyptian mummy. Then you will be escorted to the new & exciting H.E.B. Science Treehouse reserved for our guests. Here, you and your adult companion can experiment and discover all the wonders of science. You may purchase refreshments at the Treehouse snack bar.

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