San Antonio celebrates like no other

WHEN it comes to Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, there's no place in the United States that observes this traditionally Mexican holiday quite like San Antonio. This year, as the city celebrates its Tricentennial anniversary, there will be more than 20 unique events from October 20 through November 3 -- more than any other city in Texas, and likely any other city in the country. 

Mexican roots run deep in San Antonio (which is a previous colonial capital of New Spain and state capital of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas). The city is a three-hour drive from the U.S.-Mexico border, and more than 60 percent of the city's population is of Mexican descent. This cultural heritage is evident through San Antonio'sunwavering celebratory spirit -- the city hosts a seemingly endless roster of festivals and events each year, including the 10-day-long Fiesta San Antonio in April -- and also is distinctly felt when it comes to Día de Los Muertos.

This year's events run the gamut, from small gatherings with traditional altars and face painting to multiple-day festivals featuring live music, stilt walkers, Mexican cuisine and festive parades. In addition to official celebrations, restaurants and cafes across San Antonio will showcase altars, customary décor and fresh-baked pan de muerto, a popular type of sweet bread that is also used as an offering to loved ones who have passed. This collective spirit offers an unforgettable way to experience the city, as well as to gain insight into this unique, historic holiday which views death with lightness and humor rather than fear. Most events are family friendly, allowing children to learn about the rich traditions of the holiday, helping it continue for generations to come.


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Free admission for U.S. veterans

THROUGH to July 4, 2018, SeaWorld is offering U.S. veterans and up to three guests free admission to all three of its parks – SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Antonio and SeaWorld San Diego.

Since SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment started the Waves of Honor program in 2005, more than 9 million active military, veterans and their families have visited the parks for free, which represents an estimated value of $300 million.

U.S. military veterans and retirees may redeem admission for themselves and up to three guests online at www.WavesofHonor.com


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San Antonio celebrates Tricentennial in 2018

SAN ANTONIO makes National Geographic Traveller Best of the World List - San Antonio, which draws more than 34 million visitors a year, was one of three U.S. destinations listed. Also honored were Cleveland, Ohio, and Oahu, Hawaii.

#sanantonio will be celebrating its 300th birthday throughout 2018. It has recently enjoyed a string of notable accolades, including recognition from Conde Nast Traveler, Fodor’s and Frommer’s, all naming the city as a must-visit #destination. In October, Travel + Leisure named San Antonio one of the friendliest communities in the country.

Already home to the only World Heritage Site in Texas, San Antonio also was honored earlier this month when UNESCO named it a Creative City of Gastronomy for its mix of culinary cultures. San Antonio is only the second U.S. city to receive this recognition.

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San Antonio designated creative city of gastronomy by UNESCO

SAN ANTONIO'S culinary heritage is significant for its confluence of many world cultures such as Mexican, Spanish, German and French, as well its geology and geography.

Drawn to San Antonio’s river running between the coastal plains and hill country, for 13,000 years indigenous people foraged roots, harvested pecans and hunted game. Trails and river ways brought trade with other groups who introduced gulf coast game. In the 1700s, Spanish colonists and Canary Islanders introduced new traditions and tastes. Other new flavors, spices and ingredients from Europe, Asia and Africa came with German and other European settlers in the 1800s.

Today the city’s culinary scene has since blossomed in its richness, with chefs honoring and celebrating its culinary heritage through preservation and innovation. Beyond the famous River Walk and historic walls of The Alamo, San Antonio’s culinary scene has historically been firmed planted in blends of Tex-Mex, but has now progressed to “Tex-Next.”

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We are amused!

FAMILY VACATION CRITIC, TripAdvisor's #familytravel site, has released its annual list of the best amusement parks for families.

‘#Amusementparks are a quintessential part of summer break for families,’ says Lisa Poirot, editor-in-chief of Family Vacation Critic. ‘Whether you're on vacation, or staying home, a day at an amusement park can be an extra-special treat for kids, and a fun bonding experience for the entire family.’

This year's list includes:

Cedar Point – Sandusky, Ohio
What's new: Rougarou, a floorless roller coaster, and extensive renovations at Hotel Breakers, an affiliate hotel.

Carowinds – Charlotte, North Carolina
What's new: Fury 325, the world's tallest and fastest giga-coaster.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg – Virginia
What's new: Tempesto, a coaster hurling riders at speeds of over 60 mph.

Dollywood – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
What's new: Dollywood's DreamMore Resort, featuring two pools, a kids' club, family suites, and a spa.

Six Flags Great Adventure – Jackson, New Jersey
What's new: El Diablo, a looping coaster inspired by the Jersey Devil.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas – San Antonio
What's new: Batman The Ride, with 4-D features and two 90-degree drops.

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Picture Credit: Vertical Velocity (Six Flags Great America) by http://www.flickr.com/photos/hendricksphotos/ - http://www.flickr.com/photos/hendricksphotos/981101325/. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Cedar Point Slingshot by LONNOL2004 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Chasingrainbowsmuseumfront by Original uploader was DollyFanJoie at en.wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia; transferred to Commons by User:DoxTxob using CommonsHelper.. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons 

Bobbies on the beat … in Magaluf & Ibiza

TWO UK police officers have been sent to #Magaluf, Majorca, to help their Spanish counterparts deal with troublesome British holidaymakers.

The UK's ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, says their presence ‘will help to remind British holidaymakers of the importance of respecting local laws and custom’.

The officers will be in Magaluf for one week before moving on to spend a week in San Antonio, #Ibiza.

They will initially act as a liaison between Spanish police and young Brits. Magaluf, visited by an estimated one million UK tourists every year, has been dubbed ‘Shagaluf" because of the antics of young holidaymakers.

The town has been trying to improve its image by cracking down on drunkenness and debauchery with new rules that went into effect in June, but the new regulations – which include a ban on drinking alcohol on the street between 10pm and 8am and restrictions on bar crawls – have been ignored by British visitors.

Go Holiday editor David Kernek comments: If two officers can be found for this absurd exercise in futility, is it possible to believe British constabularies when they say do not have sufficient manpower to police the streets of Birmingham, Bolton or Bristol? Call me old fashioned, but other questions this example of Anglo-Spanish co-operation raises are: If the law in Magaluf and on Ibiza is being ignored, is it not the responsibility of the Spanish police and courts to see that it’s enforced? How do our two boys in blue plan to tackle the drunk British louts? Reason with them?

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Picture Credit: Bora Bora, Platja DEmbossa (Ibiza) by Eduardo Pitt from Madrid, Spain - Bora Bora, Platja D'Embossa (Ibiza). Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Tax-free shopping in the Lone Star state

XMAS shoppers with big budgets might want to think about a trip to Texas, where shopping is tax-free for international visitors.

More than 5,000 stores throughout Texas offer tax-free shopping to overseas visitors.

They can simply take their purchases – along with receipts, flight tickets and passports and visas – to refund centres.

Major shopping cities in the state are Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.

See more: www.traveltex.com and www.TaxFreeShopping.com

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Picture Credit: 'Downtown Dallas' by Fredlyfish4 (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons