Christmas at the San Antonio River Walk

I have a habit of clicking on those "Top Ten" links on yahoo.  You know the ones..."Top Ten Places to Live", "Top Ten Restaurants in a Tree" and most recently "Top Ten Places to See Holiday Lights".  When I read the list and saw that #8 is only an hour and a half from where I live I decided it was time for a quick road trip to check it out for myself and brought my parents and my brother along to enjoy the Christmas spirit while they were here for a visit.

I had been to the San Antonio River Walk before but never at Christmas time and they do it up right.  The day was very cold for this Florida girl who now lives in Texas with highs only in the 40s but it also helped to make it feel more like Christmas.  We walked around the River Walk and froze for a while before eating an earlier dinner, more to get inside and warm up then because we were actually hungry.  It worked though and with full stomachs and warm(er) bodies we went back out into the cold to see the lights once it had turned dark.  It did not disappoint.  The trees were wrapped in lights and the bridges had twinkling lights on them producing a beautiful reflection of light in the water.  The boats were still giving tours on the river but we opted to not try it this visit because I don't think we could stand being in the cold much longer.  All in all, it was really pretty and a nice way to get more into the Christmas spirit.  With so many towns cutting back on Christmas light displays due to the recession it was nice to have one place to go see that is still decorated beautifully.

Victorian Holiday Tea at The Driskill - Austin, TX

I have had a love of going to high tea since I was lucky enough to study abroad in London during college.  There is something that speaks to the little girl in me of getting dressed up and going to a fancy hotel to spend time with girlfriends.  Every time I get together with my old roommate from that time we have to do an afternoon tea at a nice hotel in what ever city we are in.  This time I went to tea with my sister-in-law and her mother who were nice enough to include me in their holiday tradition of tea.

I have wanted to go The Driskill hotel here in Austin since I first moved here 2 years ago.  Samantha Brown from the Travel Channel had visited there several years ago as part of her Great Hotels series and I have always loved getting to travel through watching her shows before I was able to afford more travel on my own but this time I am actually getting to see the hotel through my own eyes.

The Driskill is one of the oldest hotels in Austin.  It is beautiful on the inside with dark wood throughout but made even more beautiful with the floor to ceiling Christmas tree in the lobby.  There is something about the magic of Christmas and all the white lights that can make a place so magical.  I love that when you enter the lobby that the doors are opened for you and that the staff are so attentive and friendly.

Our table for three was reserved with our name on the table which was a nice touch.  While listening to the harpist play we browsed the tea menu and I settled on the Snowflake tea.  We were served sparkling wine and scones while the tea and sandwiches were made.  The Snowflake tea had hints of vanilla and was served on elegant china.  Overall, the actual tea and sandwiches were similar to other places but listening to the live music (of course it would be live- it is Austin after all!) and enjoying good company while looking over the giant Christmas tree made it a unique experience and one I would definitely recommend. It has put me in the Christmas spirit and has me looking forward to all the activities my family has planned for this year.