San Antonio River Walk - A favorite for the holidays

San Antonio's River Walk is a holiday wonderland.  You will find shops, restaurants, and hotels lining the San Antonio River. With sidewalks, stairs to the street level, historic sites to tour, and boats floating lazily down the canals, you will find plenty to enjoy in this area of San Antonio. In late November, the River Walk takes on a holiday glow. The colorful lights along the river will put you in the holiday mood.

Holiday Festivities
On Friday, November 23rd at 7:00 in the evening, watch the San Antonio River Walk come alive under beautifully draped LED lights in 200 trees. Tourists and locals alike can enjoy the show from seats located along the parade route, or from the patios of their favorite River Walk establishment.

This year’s theme, The Lights and Sounds of the Season, reflects exactly what spectator can expect from the floats- over 85,000 lights, more than half of which will blink, flash, twinkle, chase or “beat” to the music. Floats will also feature live entertainment, filling the River Walk with traditional holiday carols, as well as symphonic favorites. Hotels and restaurants lining the River Walk offer special dining packages for the event.

In December enjoy the Fiesta de las Luminarias. Experience the holiday serenity of the River Walk as you stroll along the lush banks of the San Antonio River guided by more than 6,000 luminarias. Warmly glowing candles in sand filled bags line the walkways to symbolically mark the "lighting of the way" for Holy Family. This centuries old tradition begins at dusk Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.

Your River Walk Experience
The lights dance above you in joyful color. Who wouldn't be uplifted by a visit to San Antonio's River Walk at holiday time. You can enjoy walking or just sit at an outdoor cafe (yes the weather is mild) and watch the world float and walk by. But for a real treat, consider a dinner on the river. There are several River Walk restaurants that offer dinner on the River barges.

We took the cruise offered through Boudros, one of the top restaurants on the River Walk.

We boarded the boat just in front of Boudros. The table was set and the wait staff were pouring margaritas and wine. The staff took our orders for entres and told us we would take a short cruise and be back to the restaurant to pick up the main course and dessert.

Soon, Boudro's famous fresh guacamole arrived and we set sail down the river for a narrated cruise. We enjoyed our appetizers and salad and, just as they said, we ended up back in front of Boudros and were served the main course, piping hot from the kitchen.

Setting sail again down the river we went even farther, entranced by the colorful lights hanging from above.

Throughout the trip we were serenaded by boat loads of carolers and bands. From the banks we could hear the strains of Mariachi music. It was indeed a magical evening.

Information on Barge Dining with Boudros

Community Barge Dining
Reservations for community barge dining may be made up to two weeks in advance. Please contact the Catering Office at (210)224-1313 (Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm CST) or the restaurant at (210)224-8484 for availability and times of barge dining. A credit card number is required to confirm. Boudro's Website

Private Barge Dining
Reservations for private barge dining must be made with the Catering Office. For menus and pricing please call (210)224-1313 (Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm CST). Boudro's Website

More Information
List of chartered barge tours for cocktail and dinner cruises
For information on River Walk festivities go to the River Walk Website.
For Boat Tour reservations go to the Rio San Antonio Cruise Website.

Book places to stay in San Antonio, Texas

Photography Copyright: Elizabeth R. Rose

Spanish Colonial Arts - New treasures to be on exhibit in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe, New Mexico is rich with hand woven textiles and other treasures. After traveling in Guatemala this past summer, an exhibit like this sounds very enticing. The Spanish Colonial Arts Society recently announced the opening of their new exhibit this fall, New Mexico Collects: Private Treasures, which will be on display at Santa Fe’s Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. The exhibit will open to members at a private reception on September 9, and to the public on September 10, 2011.


This exhibit will feature several extraordinary art pieces from 10 private collections within New Mexico. All but one of the items in the exhibit are historic pieces from Spanish Colonies outside New Mexico, with one commissioned piece by a modern-day Spanish Market artist, Victor Goler.

The largest piece in the exhibition is a magnificent colonial textile, most likely woven in one of the obrajes, or workshops, in the Cuzco or Lake Titicaca region of Alto Peru. Cross-cultural textiles such as this were woven by indigenous weavers following Spanish models and therefore included motifs typically found on both Spanish and indigenous Peruvian textiles. The double-headed Hapsburg eagle derives from well-known heraldic devices of the Spanish world, while the design motifs of bird, flower and tendril ‘arabesques’ survive from pre-conquest Tiahuanaco and Incan cultures. The textile is woven from a mixture of llama, alpaca and sheep wool that was dyed with natural dyes including cochineal and indigo.

A splendid group of ivories from the Spanish Philippines and Portuguese Goa illustrate the extent and influence of the vast Iberian colonial empire. Among these is an exquisitely carved triptych of El Divino Piloto—the Divine Pilot—an image of the Christ Child standing on a cloud and guiding a vessel (the Church) through the turbulent waters of life. The image of the Christ Child is flanked by two angels, carved on the doors of the triptych, which in turn fold in to reveal the original use of the orb as a billiard ball. Believed to have been carved in Asia, the piece was embellished with a silver latch and hinges once it arrived in New Spain. The beauty of the carving as well as the dexterity with which the image is placed inside its circular frame attest to the expertise of this early anonymous artist.

Three ceramic vessels from the 18th century illustrate the convergence of Spanish, Asian and indigenous artistry. Possibly made in Puebla, Mexico, the pieces were thrown on a wheel and glazed in the tin enameled style of Talavera de la Reina, Spain. The form of the jars, however, as well as the motifs and palette are derived from Chinese export porcelains that were brought to New Spain in the Manila galleon trade. Other motifs, such as the quetzal, were introduced by indigenous potters of Mexico. Collected in Mexico in the late 19th century, these vessels are representative of the distinctive blue and white mayolica tradition that developed in Puebla and sustained the potters of Mexico for over two centuries.

The only new art in the exhibit is a large commissioned Bulto by well known Spanish Market artist, Victor Goler. This piece depicts the ascension of Christ, witnessed by the twelve apostles, as he is carried heavenward by two angels. Victor used traditional methods and style, but there is evidence of advanced technical techniques in the composition and design of this amazing carving.

The New Mexico Collects: Private Treasures’ exhibit will remain on display until February 27, 2012. For more information, call The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art at (505) 982-2226 or visit http://www.spanishcolonial.org/. For further information about visiting Santa Fe, call the Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-777-2489 or visit http://www.santafe.org/.

The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art is open from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday (Closed Mondays) from Labor Day to Memorial Day.  (Please note from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Museum is open seven days a week.) 

Photo Credit: Museum of Spanish Colonial Art

Rebecca Weatherford - Texas Hill Country Glass Artist

As I travel, I often visit very talented artists. I did that while on a Texas Hill Country press trip. Rebecca Weatherford, a very talented glass artist lives on acres of oak studded rolling hills. She is a fused glass expert. She is also an excellent teacher and glass instructor.

You'll find her work in the galleries of Fredericksburg, Texas. As I sat entranced by her presentation, I learned how difficult her craft is. And, as I was about ready to leave I spied a lovely horse design that she had done on glass. While this was a simple horse, I had hoped to add a bit of Texas Hill Country color if I were to order a piece from the skilled Rebecca.

Fortunately Rebecca worked with me and created a wonderful work of art. I has been several months since my visit to the Texas Hill Country, yet I was suddenly reminded of the beauty of the rolling hills and wildflowers when my art glass piece arrived today.

Finding Rebecca's Art Glass
Rebecca and her husband live on Ranch Road 965 near Fredericksburg. Her works can be seen in town at the Fredericksburg Art Gallery. She is kind enough to grant studio tours on request. E-mail: rebecca@ctesc.net.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth R. Rose - Texas Hill Country art glass by Rebecca Weatherford