Mr. Michael, Robinson was an Amazing tour guide he was very professional and knowledgeable about the city of San Antonio and it's ancestry Ge was very patient and detailed with the walk and was hospitable with our group, he's also very funny! He made our experience delightful The food samples were amazing Transportation was very accommodating and pleasant I'm excited to take another tour of this beautiful city! Can't wait to introduce my church community and friends to this amazing experience Blessings to Mr. Robinson and Pro Tours Sincerely Delia, Richardson
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Private transportation
- Experience iconic Japanese Garden
- Guided drive through of King William District
- Bottled water
- Learn about creation and importance of Riverwalk
- Pick-up/ drop-off at downtown location
- Expert guided tour of four missions
- Exclusive tour of the Hotel Emma (#1 rated)
- Visit San Fernando Cathedral (optional)
- Guided tour of The Pearl District
- Visit El Mercado (MiTierra bakery - optional)
- Learn all about city landmarks like Tower of America's and more!
- Exclusive tour of interior of mission churches
Excludes
- Gratuities
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Southern-most mission of the five in San Antonio, this location is the start of your tour and will lay the foundational context for the rest of the tour. You will walk into the interior of this mission, hear interesting information about its' inhabitants and the Friars, as well as, the construction and layout of the mission. You will also have an opportunity to walk into the church that looks as it did in the 1700's.
Just five minutes from the first stop at Mission Espada, this mission has a fully renovated church that is not only charming, but impressive in its' reconstruction and the highlight of this stop. Hear about the inhabitants at this location, the construction of this mission, and what life was like for them. You will visit a small museum that has wonderful displays of materials used by the inhabitants, the use water for agriculture, among interesting other information.
The "Queen of the Missions" is the largest and most renovated mission in San Antonio. This huge mission is arguably the most important here because of the massive amounts of food that was cultivated and shared with the smaller missions. Here, you will walk into one of the apartments of the inhabitants, experience the Convento where the Friars and soldiers slept, walk through the beautiful domed church, and see the gorgeous facade of the church while you hearing stories of its' creation and renovation. And, of course, see and hear all about the iconic Baroque architectural piece known as the Rose Window. This stop includes a few minutes to peruse the gift shop as well.
Mission Concepcion is hands down the most charming of all the missions. Hear about its' inhabitants, what life was life at this location, and learn about the creation of its' duel bell tower church, the oldest stone church in the US! You will see a 250 year old fresco, a fascinating ocular display, and the interior of the church where you will be humbled by its' beauty. You will see some other architectural highlights here, but those a secret and I can't wait to tell you all about them!
A visit to the exterior of the Alamo? Sure! This can be included in this experience since this is a private tour. Whatever you want to experience near downtown is available to you, as we can just shift timing at other locations.
You will be guided through a portion of the King William District and and see and hear about the impressive homes of many German entrepreneurs from the late 1800's. You will see eight homes and be given deep and interesting information on their original owners, how they contributed to San Antonio, and how the neighborhood became what many call the "nicest neighborhood in San Antonio".
You will hear the history of this important market place from the 1700's to present day. Hear stories about the Chili Queens and different immigrant groups that sold good here at Market Square. You will have time to visit a store with authentic Mexican crafts and goods, and get a pastry at the iconic MiTierra panaderia.
Enjoy a short visit to the this iconic garden that dates back to the 1920’s. Another example of how San Antonio revitalizes former industrial spaces (old quarry).
Ok, get ready for the most impressive re-use of a former industrial space in any city in the US. You will experience a guided tour through the revitalized Pearl Brewery that was an iconic business in San Antonio for a century. You will see original components of the brewery all throughout the district, living spaces for locals, public spaces for families and community, and a plethora of restaurants and shops. You can also experience the lobby of the Hotel Emma, which used to be the brewery and has been converted into one of the finest hotels in the US. You will have about 45 minutes to enjoy a meal (not included in ticket price), coffee, or shopping here.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Michael with ProTours was great!
Michael is incredible! We did two half day tours and had a wonderful tour and learned so much about San Antonio. He is passionate about his tours. You will not be disappointed in investing your time with Michael! Chris and Robin McIntire
The Missions and More Tour was fabulous! Learning and laughing all the way.
Michael and his whole crew were friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this tour!
Michael is awesome! We spent several days with Michael touring San Antonio and the surrounding area that were fantastic from start to finish. Micheal is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and kept us totally engaged with his knowledge and local insights. He went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and had a great time. Michael has a gift in the way he shares the history of San Antonio and Texas that really puts things in perspective. We were lucky to have him as our guide and will definitely use him again on our next trip. We highly recommend Michael; we just couldn't imagine anyone else who could share the history and knowledge and have so much doing it.
Michael is an outstanding tour guide. Highly knowledgeable on history and contemporary art, culture, cuisine, and urban development. Highly recommended.
Highly recommend this tour, especially early-on in a visit to get a lay of the land, considering all the expertise and insider-knowledge that is shared. The UNESCO Missions are a must-see, and San Antonio is so rich in history, beauty, and great food - it would be a shame to experience all this wonder without some appreciation for its background, and Michael was a fantastic guide. Knowledgeable, funny, and open to questions, with a clear passion for his subject and a respect for the traditions of faith and culture that enrich the story of this enchanting city. We're grateful for the time that we shared and the connections that were made, definitely a highlight of our trip!
We had never been to San Antonio and wanted to see as much as possible in the 4 days we had there. Michael made it happen! We went to so many places and experienced so many things. Michael is extremely knowledgeable about the missions, The Pearl, Japanese Tea Garden, we ate the best tacos ever and saw beautiful historical homes to mention just a few. This tour was the best ever because of Michael and his sense of humor, education and professionalism. Kevin and Gayla
Michael was an amazing tour guide and so knowledgable. As a group of educators, we thoroughly enjoyed learning from Michael about the missions. His attention to detail and his ability to make everyone a part of the learning experience and tour is unmatched. You will not regret doing a tour with Michael.
If you’re on the fence about booking this tour because you think tours are cheesy and scripted, with someone droning on and on… trust me, I GET IT. I told Michael that during our very first conversation. But somehow, through our conversations and especially during/after our tour, he completely changed my mind. Michael gave our group a fully customized experience that felt more like exploring the city with a super knowledgeable friend than being dragged around on a “tour.” Yes, he knows the history inside and out, but what makes him truly unique is that he brings the spirit of San Antonio to life. Every stop had a story, and you could tell he genuinely loves this city. And let’s talk about the food and drinks! Michael knew ALL the best hidden gems and local favorites, and every stop felt intentional (not touristy at all, thank goodness). The biggest bonus: his personality! It’s what made the experience unforgettable. He’s funny, engaging, welcoming, and instantly makes you feel comfortable. Our whole group connected with him immediately, and it honestly felt like hanging out with someone who’d known us for years. This experience was one of the top highlights of our trip, and I would recommend Michael to absolutely anyone visiting the area — especially people who don’t like tours. :)
We had a great experience on this half-day tour with Michael! I went with my friend and everything was really well planned - beautiful spots, interesting facts and lots of laughs along the way. Michael was super knowledgeable and made the tour fun and easy to follow. He was also very attentive and checked in often to make sure we were comfortable and having a great time. Highly recommend!
Micheal was knowledgeable about the missions and was able to answer all of our questions. Communication prior to the excursion was excellent and our tour was relaxing and very enjoyable. Michael was engaging and offered us help with restaurants and other activities too! Would definitely book again.
My family and I had a wonderful time touring with Michael! We enjoyed seeing the sights of San Antonio and learning about its history. Michael also added in some unique stops that were of special interest to us.
Michael, of Pro Tours San Antonio, impressed us with his wealth of historical knowledge. He is very entertaining and personable making the tour seems like a friend was showing off his city. Highly recommend.
Throughly delightful and engaging half day spent with Michael touring the Missions of San Antonio as well as parts of the city. Michael really goes above and beyond to meet the needs of his guests. It was the best way to learn about the city’s history as well as getting recommendations for places to visit and eateries to check out.
We often do tours in a city new to us because we want to learn as much about the area in the time we have. We chose an all day private tour with Michael of San Antonio Pro Tours. We made the right choice. He is passionate about his city and knows his stuff! My husband loves music so he took us to a small guitar shop used by local musicians— not on the tour but something for us. How special. His car was comfortable and immaculate and he was a great driver. At the end of the tour we wished we had more time to book some of his other tours like the food tour. This tour was A++
This tour is highly recommended. Michael the tour guide was very knowledgeable and informative throughout the tour, explaining the background and history for each site visited. We enjoyed every minute.
This was a great personalized tour of the missions. Michael had us informed and entertained the entire tour. We would recommend you book this your to learn about the mission histories. The side visit to the Japanese garden have us a good overview on case we wanted to spend more time there.
My wife and I have taken many tours and we both agree Michael from San Antonio ProTours was one of the best. We explored the history of the missions from the beginning to the current day. Michael was very knowledgeable and loved sharing all of his insights. The Half day private tour was the best way to see and feel the history and culture of San Antonio.
Very interesting private tour of the Missions and a fascinating insight into the history of San Antonio. Michael is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to spend time with him.
Michael was fabulous: knowledgeable, funny, and generous with his time. He welcomes questions and knows his stuff. I highly recommend any of his tours. You will leave celebrating this beautiful city and the time you spent with him!
This was an amazing tour. Michael is personable, knowledgeable and a great tour guide. He tailored the tour to our interests and gave us such great information. Was truly an outstanding experience.
Unforgettable experience from ProTours! I booked a private Missions tour for a girls' trip with my Mom and sisters to celebrate Mom's birthday. Our expert guide, Michael, was communicative, professional and prompt prior to our experience, making booking and logistics stress-free. Once we were on our way, Michael took care to get to know us and connect us with the history and beauty of the places we visited and people groups we were discovering. This was NOT a plug and play experience. Michael is engaging and knowledgable with infectious enthusiasm and disarming humor. He is detail oriented, not only in his presentation of history and culture but his care for us - opening every doors, pointing out every uneven step in our path, graciously keeping us on time and in dealing with curious tour intruders. My goal was to give my Mom, a lover of history, a special, bespoke experience, but Michael and ProTours went above and beyond - even leaving a sweet note and flowers as a surprise for her at our dinner spot. I was so pleased to learn that food tours (which must be insane because the lunch spot he took us to was *chef's kiss* and beautifully dovetailed into the history of the land and peoples of San Antonio) and other Hill Country experiences are available through ProTours because we MUST do this again!
Michael picked us up at the airport and gave us day filled with history as well as a culinary experience at 2 local restaurants. Our second morning with him included The Botanical Gardens and The Alamo
Spectacular tour. Michael is not only an incredible guide, but a fabulous host. He knows the little things that add to the experience both on history and hospitality. What a fun day of learning, sharing, and laughing. Above and beyond!
We were able to see alot more of San Antonio besides the Riverwalk. Michael is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor.
Michael truly made this tour so much fun! He is so informative and has a great sense of humor. He made this so personable, I highly recommend this interesting and informative tour when you visit the beautiful city of San Antonio!
A walking talking enciclepedi on American history and local knowledge. A great experience with a good mix of humour along the way. I will highly recommend Micheal and his tours to all our friends and family, plus pets. Xx
Michael did a great job explaining the history of the missions, but then also showed us other parts of the city.
The best tour I have ever taken. BEYOND experienced and Michael is a wonderful story teller. He understands the history and very knowledgeable. He is also very funny and met our energy very well. Worth the cost, customized to our interests, and loved every moment. Thank you!
Our morning tour of the Missions with Michael at San Antonio ProTours was easily the best private guided tour experience we have ever had. Michael was communicative, punctual and incredibly knowledgeable. His passion for history was infectious, and we loved his thoughtful and nuanced approach. As a bonus, our morning came with plenty of humor! This tour is an excellent way to start your time in San Antonio, allowing you to truly appreciate the context of other sites. If we could do one thing different, it would be to book even more time with Michael to learn about this vibrant city. We will recommend this tour to anyone visiting San Antonio and can’t wait to check out some of his recommendations for the rest of our time here. Thanks, Michael!
We returned home for a visit after leaving TX 32 years ago. This tour was outstanding on many levels. Great knowledge of history delivered by a previous history teacher with a sharp sense of humor. I learned a ton about the rich and colorful history of my hometown, much of which I had never known. Michael seamlessly tailored our tour to some needs of our group without missing a beat. I am looking forward to a food tour with him when we return!!
Great tour. Just the right amount of history and humor. We learned so many new things about San Antonio's history we didn't know. Highly recommend this tour.
Just returning from a trip from San Antonio. Went for the Men's NCAA basketball tournament. Left with a love of San Antonio . . .thanks to Michael! Booked Private Missions and More Tour with Michael (San Antonio Pro Tours) based on concierge recommendation from our stay at Hotel Emma. Given the elevated status of Hotel Emma - this was a first clue as to what to expect from my time with Michael. And not only did Michael meet these high expectation - he soared above them. The basics . . .COMMUNICATON - immediate and consistent from the moment interest was expressed until he was waiting for me in the lobby of my hotel for our time together. TIMELY - from start to finish - on time and kept the tour moving (as another client was booked after my time on such a busy weekend) yet I never once felt rushed or that time was an issue at all. TRANSPORTATION - clean, comfortable, with water waiting. CONTENT - exactly what I booked and was hoping - a journey of San Antonio's rich history from the earliest years to present, leaving me with a new founded understanding and appreciation for what makes it unique and special. But it is beyond the basics (which one should expect when paying for a private tour) that makes Michael and his Pro Tours so special! Michael was deeply knowledgeable, enthusiastic, engaging, PERSONABLE and AUTHENTIC! You will feel as if your experience is the most important thing to him. He is fantastic at human conversation, taking the time to learn who you are in a authentic way as if making a new friend - and then structuring his presentation and conversation in such a way to connect with your life/experiences. Michael is extremely excited to receive your questions (each one being "excellent") and enthusiastically answers them all. Then, along the way, he knows just when to stop you for quick pictures so that the memories of your visit are captured perfectly. And you want tips and recommendations about other things to do and see in San Antonio?? Or the best places to dine . . . just say the word! All a part of what you'll take away from your tour. I travel very often all over the world and usually book a tour in each place we visit so as to learn more about the destination. I have experienced a spectrum of guides from poor to excellent. I can easily say Michael is at the top of the scale! A perfect mix of historian, comedian and customer service fanatic, you will walk away delighted with your experience, loving the wonderful history of San Antonio AND with a feeling that you've make a new friend that you can't wait to come back and share more time together once again! Do yourself a favor - BOOK THIS TOUR (or any of Michael's Pro Tours) - it will be a highlight of your time in San Antonio!
Michael was an incredible tour guide - everything one could hope for - knowledgeable, personable, excellent communication skills, humorous and relatable to all ages. At first glance, I expected the tour itinerary to be a bit repetitive and unremarkable. However, Michael tied all five missions together, weaving the architectural and historical influences and progression of the missions into a compelling story. I highly recommend this tour with Michael at the helm.
Michael is an amazing tour guide. I travel a great deal and his tours are “ above and beyond!” He provides an incredible experience —don’t miss it.
Our San Antonio tour with Michael exceeded our expectations! He is a passionate, knowledgeable and fun tour guide. We learned so much. I would highly recommend a tour with him.
Michael does an EXCELLENT job. He is extremely knowledgeable, great historical facts and entertaining. Highly recommend this tour for a real feel for San Antonio.
Some friends from the NYC area were coming to town and I wanted to find an incredibly knowledgable and equally engaging guide to show them the city my family has lived in for generations. Extensive research was leaving me disheartened at what I was finding, until a friend suggested specific search terms to use. And that search produced Michael. Wow. Wow. Wow. We have traveled extensively, all around the world, and have had incredible guides. I can honestly tell you, though, that I have never felt as interested, entertained, and informed as I was with Michael. I learned so much about my native city and my friends were fascinated by our time with him. For any tour that he offers, Michael is your guy. You literally can not do any better.
Outstanding tour of San Antonio. Michael was very knowledgeable and entertaining. We took the all day private tour and it was one of the best tours we ever booked
Without a doubt, one of the best experiences was booking a full day tour with San Antonio Pro Tours. Our guide, Michael is as personable and professional as he is knowledgeable. We got an insiders view of the missions, history of SA and the culinary scene. On time, kept us hydrated, comfortable, great coffee stop and lunch. And a few delightful surprises like a stop at the Japanese Gardens , and the newly opened World Heritage Center. We felt we would never have seen or learned 1/2 of what we did without Michael's expertise. It was such a relief not to stress about directions or parking ! Would highly recommend!
We thoroughly enjoyed our San Antonio tour with Michael! Communications ahead of time were very good. Michael had extensive knowledge of the history and peoples involved in San Antonio's history and was able to present it in a way that was interesting. It helped bring the past alive and show how the various cultures came together to create the city we see today.
Michael is very knowledgeable and passionate about the history of San Antonio. I learned a lot and had fun while doing it!
Michael is a fantastic tour guide. Extremely knowledgeable, informative and personable. Definitely recommend this tour.
We have been on private tours all over the world and have to say our time with Michael ranked the highest! Great information on the history, people and architecture of San Antonio made for a wonderful afternoon. Michael was witty and fun and clearly loves the area and allowed us to see it through his eyes. Highly recommend this tour, you won’t be sorry.
We were a group of 8 college friends in our seventies and Michael made it exactly how we needed it to be for our group. Just the right amount of walking and sightseeing. We even included lunch. Michael is extremely knowledgeable! I learned more about San Antonio with Michael than I ever knew after living here for over 20 years. I would highly recommend booking a tour with him! In fact after telling my husband about the tour, he wants me to schedule a tour for the two of us!!
This was an amazing tour! Michael is a guide who is not only personable, but very knowledgeable. He takes the time to get to know each tour participant and makes the tour catered to his or her interests. We saw so much on this half day tour! All the missions, the Japanese Gardens, the King William District, and the Mercado where Michael assisted us in finding new sandals for our daughter who experienced a sandal malfunction while on the tour! We ended up at the Pearl. This is an area of shops and restaurants, centered around the Hotel Emma. It has a very interesting history which Michael will tell you all about. Make sure he tells you the story about the Three Emmas and then be sure to enjoy the drink by the same name. We opted to stay at the Pearl for dinner and Uber back to our hotel. Michael gave us excellent suggestions of where to eat and other things for us to see during our stay in San Antonio. This is the best tour of San Antonio. Michael made our day special and informative. A tour we will never forget!
What an absolutely wonderful tour! My husband and I were lucky enough to spend a morning with Michael. He was knowledgeable, friendly, engaging and tailored the tour to our interests. We really packed a lot into our time visiting 4 missions, the Pearl/King William’s historic districts,(including the Pearl Brewery, Market Square, the Alamo, Japanese Tea Gardens, and more. We even got a little bird watching and native plant identification in! This is a totally different, immersive experience than you would have exploring on your own as we got to see, hear, and even taste the culture and history of the area. Truly a unique perspective and worth every cent! One of the best tours we have been on, highly recommend it!
Michael is amazing. So knowledgeable and passionate about the places and their history. So grateful to have spent the afternoon with him. 5 stars!
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
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