San Antonio has often been referred to as “The Alamo City,” but it’s emerging as Texas’ premiere leisure destination, with a booming culinary scene, vibrant urban core and year-round fiestas. Just an hour’s drive away is Fredericksburg, in the heart of Texas Hill Country — with more than 20 wineries, boutique shopping on its historic main street and plenty of outdoor adventure at Enchanted Rock Natural State Area.

Canadian tour operators gather at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, located just outside San Antonio, Texas, in April 2015. Clockwise from left: Anthony Tumminieri with Aimia; Nathalie Lauzon with Velo Quebec Voyages; Jacqueline Budd-Primeau with Merit Travel; Mireille Chartier with Tours Chanteclerc; Joanie Lampkin with Air Canada Vacations; Sandra Robszye with Toundra Voyages; Julie Ann Laverty with CAA; Thomas Rado with The Gibraltar & Palme Group Ltd.; Andrew Walker with Flight Centre Go Go Vacations; Juan Forteza Mayol with Texas Tourism; and Debra Bustos with the Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism, in Texas.

Visitors can take in the sights and sounds of San Antonio onboard a river cruiser, gliding past towering cypress trees and underneath stone footbridges — with a margarita in hand, of course.

San Antonio recently completed a US$358.3 million project to lengthen its River Walk from three to 15 miles, connecting downtown with museums, cultural districts and the historic Pearl Brewery.