Texas

Just a few hours' drive from the perfectly developed major tourist cities of Austin, Houston and Dallas, San Antonio in the southern part of the Lone Star State is an unspoiled gem where the foundation stone for the founding of Texas was once laid. Today, the metropolis of 1.5 million is lined with one luxury hotel after another, countless gourmet restaurants vie for international guests and greenery, construction and embellishment are taking place everywhere. No wonder that the German airline Condor has been flying directly to San Antonio from Frankfurt since May 2024.

Wild West romance & Latino charm

There are five Spanish Franciscan missions from the colonial era - Concepción, San José, San Juan, The Alamo and Espada - which make San Antonio the only city in Texas with UNESCO World Heritage status. Here, travelers can experience a fascinating and unique blend of Spanish, Mexican and indigenous history and culture. But there is more behind these stations, or more precisely behind "The Alamo": the historic fort was founded in 1718 as a mission and colonial outpost and was converted into a military base called "The Alamo" in 1793. It became famous during the Texan War of Independence in 1836 due to the Battle of the Alamo, in which Texan rebels fought against the advance of Mexican troops and were the decisive factor in Texas being admitted to the USA as an independent state in 1845. The historical discovery, settlement and development of San Antonio can be seen at nightfall in the impressive 20-minute video art projection "The Saga" by Xavier de Richemont. It is projected onto the façade of San Fernando Cathedral in the main square. All five missions are located on the San Antonio River and can be reached via the idyllic "River Walk", one of the Texmex metropolis' most popular attractions. The 24 km long, picturesque riverside promenade can be explored on foot, by bike or on an enjoyable boat trip with a three-course gourmet meal. It is lined on both sides by countless restaurants, cafés, boutiques, hotels, historical monuments, modern architecture and museums.

From Tex-Mex food to high-end gastronomy

Just like the historic sites, the cuisine of Texas' oldest city reflects the cultural influences of Spain and Mexico. As a UNESCO "Creative City of Gastronomy", San Antonio offers an impressive selection of culinary highlights, ranging from authentic Tex-Mex food to healthy high-end gastronomy and sustainable fast food concepts. You can explore the culinary diversity both downtown and in the trendy Pearl District, where the famous Hotel Emma, one of the most luxurious hostels in the USA, is also located. Mediterranean-Texan delicacies with dips, tapas and fish delight the palate in the "Jardin". Farm-to-table delicacies are served at the "Pharm Table". The "Hill & Vine" in Fredericksburg spoils you with excellent steaks, hamburgers and fries, as does "La Gloria".

An oasis for those interested in art and history

The turbulent history of the US metropolis is also reflected in the art scene. A visit to the Briscoe Western Art Museum brings the heritage of the American West to life. There are paintings, sculptures and other artifacts to marvel at - from Sitting Bull with his peace pipe to historic saddlery and tongue-in-cheek cowboys. The Witte Museum takes a multimedia approach to the nature, science and culture of the region. Modern art is presented in the ruby-red Ruby City. In the Hopscotch Museum, interactive art invites you to join in and have fun. The San Antonio Botanical Garden, the city's green oasis, is home to lots of modern art and even more fascinating plant life.

Tip: On a city tour by e-bike, you can also immerse yourself in the vibrant street art scene and discover huge murals. The 230-metre-high, rotating Tower of the Americas offers a sensational panoramic view over Alamo City. You can experience a real cowboy and western feeling at a thrilling rodeo show followed by live country music.

Real western feeling in the cowboy capital of Bandera

Or you can drive 125 km to Bandera. The 1.5-hour drive through Texas Hill Country, a gently rolling landscape with a multitude of wineries, ranches and endless prairie pastures, is an experience in itself. You can experience true Wild West romance at one of the authentic guest ranches such as Rancho Cortez, where you can ride a hay wagon across the prairie to a longhorn pasture accompanied by cowboys and feed the mighty cattle with their impressive horns. Or you can visit the Mayan Ranch and take a horseback ride! A barbecue in the cool evening hours followed by live music in the saloon is definitely not to be missed during a visit to Bandera.

Fredericksburg - Texan heart, German soul

In addition to Spanish, Mexican and Anglo-American influences, the history of San Antonio was also significantly shaped by German immigrants who settled in the region during the 19th century and left their mark both in the King William Historic District of San Antonio and beyond. The settlement area at that time is now known as the "German Belt" and includes Fredericksburg, which was founded in 1846. A good hour away from San Antonio, the small town with the slogan "Texan heart. German soul" with a shopping mile worth seeing, around 30 excellent wineries, local fruit growers and German brewery culture. If you climb the pink Enchanted Rock, a 130-metre-high granite monolith rising from the earth in the shape of a dome, you will be rewarded with a view over the surrounding Texas Hill Country. The German heritage is particularly evident in the Alt-stadt brewery: the menu includes German-style Texas beers as well as roast pork with sauerkraut, hearty knuckle of pork or pretzels with bratwurst and mustard. Wine lovers, on the other hand, will get their money's worth at Becker Vineyards and the Texas Wine Collective with a tasting of excellent Texan wines that are rarely if ever available in Europe. You should also not miss a typical Texan dance evening! The best place to do this is in the cool western town of Luckenbach with its three souls, where you can do a great two-step, a couple's dance that is particularly popular in the southern states of the USA and is danced to fast Cajun music.

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