A luxury RV and tiny home resort is coming to this Hill Country town outside San Antonio

Van life

Photo courtesy of Firefly Resorts

The opportunities for Hill Country road trips and getaways continues to grow with the addition of a new luxury RV and tiny home resort in the town of Fredericksburg. The resort is the first-of-its-kind for a popular vacation destination about 70 miles northwest of San Antonio.

The FireFly Resort is located on 52 acres of land and boasts over 230 sites with gorgeous Hill Country views along several tiered rows. The fully-furnished, uniquely designed tiny homes and the RV sites can connect guests to resort-style amenities such as the two-tiered pool with an infinity water edge, a clubhouse with lounge areas, an outdoor kitchen area with a community refrigerator and grill, long farm-style tables for eating, a community dog park, and much more.

Firefly Resorts Fredericksburg “From our luxurious accommodations and upscale amenities to our hospitable staff and their abilities to curate a custom stay, Firefly Resort ensures guests will have a unique and memorable experience,” said Shortridge.Photo courtesy of Firefly Resorts

Photo courtesy of Firefly Resorts

A new way to enjoy a stay in Fredericksburg has arrived.

The tiny homes can accommodate between two and eight guests depending on the house's size. Each home is outfitted with an in-house washer and dryer, fridge, dishwasher, and wifi. Outside the homes are covered patios with screened porches. A select number of the tiny homes even have direct access to the Firefly pond.

The RV sites on the property are large enough to accommodate fifth wheels and motorhomes, with extra room for any outdoor seating. Guests can choose their own site, with some having a dedicated green space, or a furnished seating and lounge area, a grill station, or an outdoor fireplace. The RV sites also have complimentary hookups and a concierge service.

Firefly Resort director of operations Logan Shortridge said in a press release that every guest is meant to feel like a VIP at this new resort.

“From our luxurious accommodations and upscale amenities to our hospitable staff and their abilities to curate a custom stay, Firefly Resort ensures guests will have a unique and memorable experience,” said Shortridge. “Firefly Resort is close enough to the popular tourist sites to provide a range of entertainment options, yet secluded enough to allow for stargazing. We’re excited to share the beauty of the Hill Country and the unique experience of Firefly with our guests.”

The resort is only a 15-minute drive from Fredericksburg's thriving main street district, where folks can visit one of the many local shops, eateries, and wine bars that capture the hearts of Texans everywhere.

More information about Firefly Resorts can be found on firefly-resorts.com.

tripadvisor.com

3 Central Texas tours ranked among Tripadvisor's best experiences in the nation

traveler's choice

From sightseeing to wine-drinking, there is plenty to do on a day trip around the San Antonio area. And three Central Texas excursions in particular have recently made it on Tripadvisor's "Best of the Best Things to Do" list for 2023.

The Traveler's Choice Awards encompass the best experiences from millions of reviews around the world over the past 12 months. According to a press release, it's the online travel agency's "definitive list" of the ultimate best activities from every part of the world.

Starting with the popular wine tour trend is the Taste of Fredericksburg Small-Group Wine Tour from San Antonio, which ranked No. 11 in the list of best wine experiences in the nation. This day trip adventure brings up to 10 people from the La Villita Assembly Hall in San Antonio to Fredericksburg's Sister Creek Vineyards and the Texas Wine Collective. This tour by Cottonwood Wine Tours promises a "guaranteed small-group experience" with free time to explore the town outside of the designated tour stops.

In the category for the best food and culinary experiences, Austin's Hill Country Barbecue and Wine Shuttleranked No. 3 in the United States and No. 18 globally. The four-and-a-half hour tour by Austin Detours can accommodate up to 10 people on a drive through the Hill Country, stopping at wineries like Duchman's Family Winery or Fall Creek Vineyards, as well as a stop at the Salt Lick to try some of their classic Texas barbecue. According to the listing, the tour is "perfect for foodies visiting Austin for the first time."

The final Central Texas experience that made it onto Tripadvisor's Traveler's Choice Awards is the ninth best cultural and historical tour in the United States: the Classic Waco Tour: Best Sites and TV Highlights in Waco. In just two-and-a-half hours, up to 13 visitors or locals will get to ride in a Mercedes Benz Sprinter van to visit several key gems from around the city, like Magnolia Market, Heritage Creamery, and more. Tourists will also receive an exclusive coupon book from Waco Tours that contains over $300 in savings for local Waco businesses. And if no one in the group is a natural photographer, the tour guide is more than happy to fill the role at no added cost.

Tripadvisor's general manager of experiences Kate Urquhart said in a release that connecting travelers with the local community is vital to converting them into frequent adventurers.

"With more than 300,000 bookable experiences in over 250,000 destinations worldwide, Tripadvisor helps people access the best things to do globally, and we're committed to expanding that number of tours and attractions across every destination," she said.

Urquhart also says the Traveler's Choice Awards are key indicators of the Tripadvisor community that continues to find and support local businesses that provide unforgettable memories.

"We're grateful to everyone who took the time to share their reviews and help fellow travelers plan their next escape," she said.

The full list of Tripadvisor's Traveler's Choice Awards can be found on their website.

Photo by Sophia De Pascuale

Historic Hill Country mansion transforms into luxe vacation getaway

VINTAGE COTTAGECORE PARADISE

Hot on the heels of last week's luxury hotel news, Fredericksburg is getting even more accommodations this summer. In a fusion of elegant Victorian-style design and Texas history, a historic Hill Country property is being transformed into a glorious getaway destination.

The Menagerie is located at 302 West Travis Street in Fredericksburg, just blocks from the historic downtown Main Street. The renovations are in its final stages, with the overhaul expected to be completed by summer 2023.

The overall property spans 9,500 square feet across 12 total units on both sides of West Travis Street: the original landmark mansion, a carriage house, a five-unit converted barn/garage, and four units in three cottage-style bungalows. The Menagerie can accommodate up to 34 guests over 14 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms.

The original mansion was built in the early 1900s as the private residence for Fredericksburg’s first mayor, and was heavily influenced by Queen Anne Victorian-style design. Property owners Nicole and Ramzi AlRashid wanted to keep those aspects in mind when choosing a design team to renovate the house, which led them to Austin-based land design studio Twistleaf and interior designer Sarah Stacey.

“We have an excellent team of all-stars working on this project and we’re incredibly thankful for the work Twistleaf and Sarah Stacey have put into making The Menagerie inviting, restful and lively for groups of many sizes,” Ramzi said in a press release.

Nicole shared that the decision to work with Twistleaf was due to her and her husband’s desire to collaborate with inspiring designers that would “elevate [their] spaces and do great work for [their] guests and the local community.”

Details of the property renovation include:

New fencing and gates
A hardscape reconfiguration
LED landscape lighting
Mutabilis rose bushes and native ornamental grasses by the pool
Native Hill Country plant species
Natural color schemes

The interior design refresh will include vivid, bold colors with theatrical elements and a few modern updates for practicality. Each room on the property will feature antique furniture, eccentric wallpaper, and vintage decor that pays homage to the site’s history.

Twistleaf founder Sarah Yant said renovating a property with a rich past like The Menagerie is an "exciting opportunity" for her team.

“Nicole, Ramzi and Sarah Stacey brought expansive vision to this project, and our landscape design mirrors their excellence," she said. "We're working to improve the land with Hill Country-friendly plants and create a design that adds to the intuitiveness, circulation and comfort of the outdoor spaces. All the changes are designed to enhance the functionality and hospitality of the property.”

The Menagerie is expected to open in summer 2023. More information can be found on themenagerieatx.com.

Photo courtesy of Becker Vineyards

Wake up and smell the lavender at a Hill Country vineyard's decades-old festival

Lavender? I barely know her

There's a lot of talk about flowers springing up with the seasonal blooms around Texas, but visitors are generally discouraged from picking and eating them. Fans of floral flavors can look forward to the Lavender Festival at Becker Vineyards in Fredericksburg, which will serve wine pairings with the unmistakeable aroma on April 15 and 16.

This festival is 24 years running, and still hasn't run out of ideas for the timeless flavor. Over two days, visitors can explore the vineyard, shop for goods like soap and lotion from artisan vendors, enjoy live music, and most importantly, taste the lavender. It's more than a shortbread cookie, too.

Becker's executive chef Michael Lockhart and winemaker Jonathan Leahy invite guests to "Lavender Luncheons" ($125) in the Lavender Haus Reception Hall, a "replica of a barn at the Lyndon B. Johnson Settlement." There's no menu so far, but it will be a meal inspired by the 500 lavender plants in the vineyard. There will also be four "wine and lavender bite pairing sessions" ($60) on Saturday. Less formally, or for those who would rather see the lavender than taste it, there will be three local food vendors on both days: Mac’n Wag’n, Conchita’s, and Garbo’s Seafood.

The history of the festival stretches back almost as long as the vineyard has been producing lavender. The first plants were sown in June of 1998 — that's just one year longer. Although the family struggled to find a healthy variety for the area and lost huge swathes of the three-acre crop, they kept pushing on. Eventually, they discovered that the Stoechas (Spanish) varietal does best in the region.

If readers have struggled with lavender (an extremely likely circumstance), they may find that gardening tips at the festival help this year or next year's blooms. Lavender, unlike the many wildflowers that make the Hill Country famous, does not naturally grow in the region, and instead prefers its native conditions in the Mediterranean. It's starting to make sense that in Texas it thrives in the vineyard, no?

The Lavender Festival at Becker Vineyards is located at 464 Becker Farms Rd., Fredericksburg, Texas. Tickets ($15 general admission, plus add-ons for tastings) are available at beckervineyards.com. The festival is open on April 15 and 16 from 10 am to 5 pm.

Photo courtesy of Becker Vineyards

Becker Vineyards invites Texans to see the fields and try lavender foods and wine pairings.

Photo by Jody Horton

Luxury Hill Country hotel announces three new restaurants, coming this summer

Hill Country Hotel

The anticipation is growing for the Albert Hotel, opening in Fredericksburg later this year. Operated by New Waterloo (known in Texas for properties like the South Congress Hotel, and in New Mexico for El Rey Court), the new luxury property will feature three new restaurants — and lucky for Fredericksburg natives and visitors alike, an acclaimed Texas chef will be behind them all.

Located at 213 East Austin Street, Albert Hotel is a historic preservation effort with four late-19th century buildings and a newly constructed hotel featuring 109 guest rooms, a sunken pool, full-service spa, and versatile indoor and outdoor event spaces. Michael Fojtasek will lead the restaurants, which will run the gamut from gourmet dining experience (the Restaurant at Albert Hotel) to market-style deli (The Pharmacy) to backyard barbecue spot (Junebug's BBQ).

The name behind Austin concepts Olamaie and Maie Day, Fojtasek is a three-time James Beard ‘Best Chef, Southwest’ finalist. He'll be joined by New Waterloo's Head of Food and Beverage, Justin Spencer, as well as its Director of Culinary Projects, Amanda Rockman.

“The culinary program at Albert Hotel is driven by our love of Central Texas and the Hill Country,” says Fojtasek in a releas. “It's a dream come true to be working in a town with so much history and beauty. My vision for the culinary program is built upon respect for the rich traditions of the area and our desire to bring a level of warmth and excellence to the hotel.”

A reflection of the Texas Hill Country way of life, The Restaurant at Albert Hotel will use the best regional ingredients in its rotating seasonal menus. Highlights will include a local spring salad with ranch dressing, a lamb rack with horseradish, and a spring melange with spaetzle. The deep and wide-ranging wine list will feature a robust selection of local and international labels, and the restaurant will be open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Housed in the historic Brockmann-Kiehne house on Austin Street, Junebug's BBQ will offer hand-rubbed meats by the pound. Spencer will lead the concept, bringing his experience as a competition barbecue pitmaster. His team’s accolades over the past 15 years range from “18th Best Brisket in the World” to “Best Chicken Wings” at Memphis in May, and multiple other national titles.

Last but not least, The Pharmacy at Albert Hotel will be the property's Main Street-facing concept. Featuring an artisanal market offering a daily breakfast and lunch menu, the Pharmacy will also carry hand-made goods, locally-sourced treats, and thoughtful gifts. Rockman will lead the concept's house-made pastry and bread program: "The Pharmacy will bring a product to Fredericksburg that is both unique and represents the Texas spirit and experience," she shared via release.

The entire project is designed by Clayton Korte and located on a two-acre site, spanning 242 to 248 East Main Street. A dedicated, two-level 160 space parking garage will be located directly across East Austin Street, while the hotel itself is tucked away behind the original historic buildings, creating a peaceful escape with quiet sophistication just off bustling Main Street.

The grounds will also include the, historic White Elephant Saloon, a private dining room, an outdoor pool, fitness center, and a 2,000 square-foot full-service spa. An official opening date has not yet been set, but eager followers can stay up to date on Instagram and Facebook at @Albert_Hotel_TX.

Photo by Jody Horton

The Albert Hotel will feature three new restaurants and a historic saloon.

Visit Fredericksburg Instagram

Southern Living names Texas Hill Country hot spot a top Southern small town

BEST OF THE SOUTH

In a win for the Hill Country, Fredericksburg was the only Texas town to make the top 10 best small towns in Southern Living’s seventh annual South’s Best Awards. In the Alabama-headquartered magazine’s upcoming April issue, they tabulated the top 50 best Southern small towns, cities, hotels, state parks, and barbecue restaurants.

In the past, Fredericksburg has earned praise for being one of the best Texas towns for retirees. In last year's 2022 South's Best Awards, Fredericksburg ranked as the No. 4 best small town and San Antonio was named one of the best family getaways.

"In a year when more people than ever are traveling and moving to the South, we wanted to put a spotlight on small towns in this year's South's Best Awards,” declared Sid Evans, the editor in chief of Southern Living in a release. “These are the hidden gems our readers picked for their character, charm, and unmistakable southerness.”

St. Augustine, Florida was named the No. 1 best southern small town, with Beaufort, South Carolina and Gatlinburg, Tennessee coming in at No. 2 and No. 3. Other cities on the best small towns list hail from Georgia, North Carolina, and Alabama.

The top 10 out of 50 Best Small Towns include:

No. 1 – St. Augustine, Florida
No. 2 – Beaufort, South Carolina
No. 3 – Gatlinburg, Tennessee
No. 4 – Dahlonega, Georgia
No. 5 – Blowing Rock, North Carolina
No. 6 – Fairhope, Alabama
No. 7 – Tybee Island, Georgia
No. 8 – Sanibel, Florida
No 9 – Folly Beach, South Carolina
No 10 – Fredericksburg

Texas' capital city also earned some impressive recognition as one of the best southern cities overall, according to Southern Living's rankings. We already know Austin is one of the best cities for entrepreneurs, filmmakers, family-friendly vacations, remote workers, and retirees.

Austin ranked No. 10 in the South’s Best Cities list, with cities in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, and Tennessee ranking higher than the Lone Star State. Charleston, South Carolina was ranked the South’s best city, with Savannah, Georgia and Asheville, North Carolina respectively ranked in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots.

Featured on the magazine’s first-ever celebrity cover is Hoda Kotb, an NBC Today co-anchor. The cover spotlights her connection to New Orleans, which was ranked the No. 6 best southern city.

Evans shared his excitement to have Kotb share her “longtime connection” to Louisiana’s most famous city.

“This whole issue is about the places we love, and in Hoda's case, the city clearly loves her back,” he said.

The top 10 South’s Best Cities list includes:

No. 1 – Charleston, South Carolina
No. 2 – Savannah, Georgia
No. 3 – Asheville, North Carolina
No. 4 – Atlanta
No. 5 – Nashville
No. 6 – New Orleans
No. 7 – Greenville, South Carolina
No. 8 – Chattanooga, Tennessee
No. 9 – Alpharetta, Georgia
No. 10 – Austin

In the category for the best barbecue by state, Austin’s own Franklin Barbecue was declared the best in Texas.

Southern Living’s Top Barbecue by state rankings are:

Alabama – Saw’s BBQ in Birmingham
Arkansas – Wright’s Barbecue in Fayetteville
Florida – Tropical Smokehouse in West Palm Beach
Georgia – Fox Brother’s Bar-B-Que in Atlanta
Kentucky – Moonlite Bar-B-B Inn in Owensboro
Louisiana – The Joint in New Orleans
Mississippi – The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint in Ocean Springs
North Carolina – Lexington Barbecue in Lexington
Oklahoma – Leo’s BBQ in Oklahoma City
South Carolina – Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ in Charleston
Tennessee – Peg Leg Porker in Nashville
Texas – Franklin Barbecue in Austin
Virginia – Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que in Williamsburg
West Virginia – Dem 2 Brothers and a Grill in Charleston

Southern Living’s April issue goes on sale March 17.

The full list of Southern Living’s survey and its methodology can be found on SouthernLiving.com.

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San Antonio International Airport clears runway for 1st nonstop flight to Europe, plus more top stories

Hot Headlines

Editor's note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From international flights to local delights, here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. San Antonio International Airport clears runway for 1st nonstop flight to Europe. Passengers can now book tickets for flights from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) to Germany's Frankfurt Airport (FRA).

2. Hot San Antonio hotel brings back popular live fire dinner series for fall. Executive chef Michael Collins will keep grilling on the patio at Ambler Texas Kitchen + Cocktails.

3. New honky-tonk surprisingly two-steps into St. Paul's Square. When Steve Mahoney first relaunched Francis Bogside and Anne’s, rumors circulated on how he would use the expansive upstairs space.

4. Nola breaks new ground and a Hill Country eatery heads to City Hall in San Antonio food news. This week's food news saw the expansion of a popular brunch spot, cookbook and website features, and more.

5. Here are the top 7 things to do in San Antonio this weekend. There's much to do this weekend, including beer festivals and a great standup set.

Hugely popular San Antonio restaurant Ladino celebrates first anniversary with Mediterranean party

Luck be Ladino

Although Ladino has only been a Pearl gem for one year, the mediterranean hotspot already feels like a San Antonio staple.

Helmed by executive chef Berty Richter and Emmer Hospitality, Ladino is slated to celebrate its first anniversary this Sunday with a festive party celebrating the restaurant's success as well as its future. Guests will enjoy a welcome beverage (and more cocktails for purchase), plus unlimited grilled meats, pita sandwiches, and other bites. DJ Zain will keep the energy up, while guests play yard games and kids get their faces painted.

Chef Richter tells CultureMap, '"In the world of restaurants and hospitality, we always strive to progress, keep learning, and improving."

When Ladino opened last September, it represented a promising branching out from its Austin-branched hospitality group parent, which had prior (and has since) earned acclaim from national publications for its cultural vibrancy — and deliciousness, of course.

In Ladino's case, the cultural touchstone is the Judeo-Spanish language of the same name that Chef Richter spoke growing up, which also included elements of Castellano, French, Italian, Greek, Turkish, and Hebrew. Richter's Turkish mother inspired many parts of the restaurant's popular Mediterranean menu.

Despite a strong point of view, the restaurant does have something for everyone, and is very accommodating to patrons with dietary restrictions. Signature staples include the sourdough-based pita bread (which comes unlimited with the hummus dip), kibbeh nayeh with Wagyu tartare, shishbarak (lamb and pork dumplings), and saffron chicken. The Wagyu Denver steak is a consistent standout, with a perfect crispy edge surrounding the medium rare middle.

Chef Richter plans to keep the menu generally the same for now, with the ongoing tradition of rotating some dishes out based on seasonal availability.

"We are excited to continue exploring the cuisines and cultures that Ladino represents, while strengthening our relationships with local farmers, growers, producers, and the communities of San Antonio," says Richter.

Now open seven days a week, Ladino offers a happy hour on weekdays from 5-6:30 pm. Deals include six dollars off of the hummus dip and pita, $5 off of Ladino's signature cocktails and wines by the glass, and deals on other plates like babaganoush, a spicy Feta plate, and more. The happy hour specials are only available at the upstairs bar, which is easily accessible catty-corner to the main Ladino entrance at the Pearl.

Tickets ($40, $15 for kids) to the anniversary celebration on October 1, from 4-8 pm, are still available via Eventbrite. Regular reservations and to-go orders may be made at ladinosatx.com.

Botanical Garden's Lightscape mesmerizes with new exhibits and discount tickets

THAT OL' RAZZLE-DAZZLE

Call it the grown-up version of posing with Santa Claus. Since its dazzling debut in 2021, the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s Lightscape has been the essential stop for holiday photoshoots. Planners are already working hard to ensure the annual tradition is more brilliant — and accessible — than ever.

Tickets are now on sale for the showstopping exhibition, running November 17 to January 1. The festivities will include familiar displays and brand-new illuminated works from global designers.

French creative studio Pitaya will return with a new installation, "Spark Ballet." The work features dozens of hanging lanterns glowing with firefly lights as a flickering guide around the lake. Visitors will also be treated to a pair of large-scale spectacles from UK outfit ArtAV, including an array of sparkling stars and a 40-foot-high LED tree.

Some of last year’s favorites will make an encore. The "Heart Arch Walk" allows guests to stroll under a tunnel of love while "Floraison" canopies explorers with brightly lit poppies. As always, the "Winter Cathedral" provides one last selfie spot.

The ever-popular "Bluebonnets" will also mesmerize sightseers, this time with an army of life-sized cowboy nutcrackers. The "Fire Garden" will have a new addition, too — the 25-foot dragon last seen in the blockbuster Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time exhibition.

Peak date tickets cost $28 for adults and $18 for children, with VIP packages and member discounts available. For the first time ever, the garden also offers Value Nights on select dates in November and December. Revelers can score tickets as low as $18 for adults and $10 for kids online.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Botanical Garden

The Pixel tree makes an ideal selfie stop.

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