Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

Winter/Spring 2017

Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine

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DREAMSCAPES WINTER/SPRING 2017 50 to jazz, blues, Texas swing and salsa. The stately stable across the street that once housed the brewery's draft horses is a pop- ular venue for weddings and other events. As part of the city's famous River Walk, Pearl is ideal for strolling and cycling. Water taxis and barges ferry people to a range of attractions along the River Walk, which winds for 24 kilometres along the San Antonio river. Paths and walkways connect restaurants, shops, museums, missions, hotels and art galleries. THEME PARKS A truly unique San Antonio theme park is Morgan's Wonderland, the world's first fully accessible playground that serves not only handicapped children, but also parents who may have been injured in military service. "We get a lot of veterans with debilitating injuries or amputations who have healthy, active children so they can come here and play together safely," says Ron Morander, the 10-hectare park's general manager. Morander reports that finding high-pro- file role models for members is integral to the organization's strategy of creating posi- tive experiences. For example, in September 2016, double amputee and paralympic bronze medallist Amy Purdy led a motiva- tional session that lifted the spirits of hundreds of handicapped children. San Antonio native and actor Eva Longoria, whose older sister has special needs, is also a patron. I was surprised to find that San Antonio is home to the largest of three SeaWorlds in the U.S. and is reputedly the world's biggest marine-life theme park. Much of its work is in animal husbandry, welfare and rescue. In summer 2017, SeaWorld will launch a roller coaster ride based on marine animal rescue missions. The Botanical Garden, whose glass pyra- mids are a San Antonio landmark, is a 15-hectare family-friendly park that focuses on education, interactivity with plants and water conservation. Programs include chil- dren's book-readings in the garden, the annual butterfly count, vermiculture and PetSmart Dog Days, when dogs may accom- pany their owners. And through the interactive Culinary Garden and outdoor kitchen, members can learn healthy eating habits. Foodies and sippers will enjoy events such as Brews and Blooms where local craft breweries showcase their beer, and Wine Down at the Garden featuring food and wine pairings. While this amazing cultural adventure was my first rodeo in San Antonio, it cer- tainly won't be my last. On May 1, Air Canada (aircanada.com) begins direct flights to San Antonio from Toronto. A recently launched visitor bus service (VIVA) takes passengers on self-directed tours to the area's key attractions for an all-day pass rate of US$2.75 (viainfo.net/BusService/VivaMain.aspx). For more information, check out VisitSanAntonio.com. DS T R A V E L P L A N N E R LEFT: SeaWorld San Antonio is reputedly the world's largest marine-life sea park. visitsanantonio.com BELOW: Gilbert and Gloria Solis teach traditional tamale-making at the Witte Museum. E. Lisa Moses

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