APRIL 2018 - 3 couples - Arizona - Sedona, Tuscon and around
Dec 27th, 2017, 07:47 PM
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APRIL 2018 - 3 couples - Arizona - Sedona, Tuscon and around
Hi travellers,
I am planning a trip to Arizona - 3 couples in their 50's for a milestone Celebration......looking for advise what to do in Sedona......thinking of staying at Hacienda del Sol in Tuscon and L'Auberge de Sedona in Sedona.....
what self drive things and restaurants would you recommend....we like to hike, cycle and tour....and spa!
Should we do Scotsdale??
I am planning a trip to Arizona - 3 couples in their 50's for a milestone Celebration......looking for advise what to do in Sedona......thinking of staying at Hacienda del Sol in Tuscon and L'Auberge de Sedona in Sedona.....
what self drive things and restaurants would you recommend....we like to hike, cycle and tour....and spa!
Should we do Scotsdale??
Dec 30th, 2017, 10:45 AM
#2
Hacienda de Sol is a beautiful, historic inn with excellent dining, both casual and more formal options. Note spelling of Tucson, c comes before s. The name originated with the local Indians, the Tohono O’odham, who have been in the area for thousands of years.
Tucson restaurants: Vivace, Tavolinos, Wild Garlic- all in the Foothills as is Hacienda de Sol. Feast is down the hill, worth the drive. Reservations necessary in wintertime, high season. Avoid traveling to Tucson the cirst two weeks of February when the huge International Gem Show brings thousands of international visitors to town. Restaurants are very crowded, not the best time to visit unless you are shopping for gems. If you are, get a pass from your local jeweler to gain access to the best venues.
Scottsdale is an upscale city next to Phoenix. The whole area has a lot of traffic and more of an LA feel to it. Nice, large resorts. There are several worthwhile things to see in the nearby, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesen West and the The Heard Museum in Phoenix. Personally, we avoid that area and by pass it to visit Sedona from Tucson
L’ Auberge in Sedona is a good choice too.
Tucson restaurants: Vivace, Tavolinos, Wild Garlic- all in the Foothills as is Hacienda de Sol. Feast is down the hill, worth the drive. Reservations necessary in wintertime, high season. Avoid traveling to Tucson the cirst two weeks of February when the huge International Gem Show brings thousands of international visitors to town. Restaurants are very crowded, not the best time to visit unless you are shopping for gems. If you are, get a pass from your local jeweler to gain access to the best venues.
Scottsdale is an upscale city next to Phoenix. The whole area has a lot of traffic and more of an LA feel to it. Nice, large resorts. There are several worthwhile things to see in the nearby, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesen West and the The Heard Museum in Phoenix. Personally, we avoid that area and by pass it to visit Sedona from Tucson
L’ Auberge in Sedona is a good choice too.
Dec 31st, 2017, 03:21 AM
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I would stay at Enchantment resort in Sedona vs L'Auberge. .love L'Auberge but Enchantment is beyond stunning in red rock in Boynton Canyon.
Dine for dinner at Elote cafe.
Garland lodge is fantastic too.
Day trip to Bisbee, when in Tucson.
Jerome while in Sedona.
Have fun and report back!
Dine for dinner at Elote cafe.
Garland lodge is fantastic too.
Day trip to Bisbee, when in Tucson.
Jerome while in Sedona.
Have fun and report back!
Dec 31st, 2017, 11:06 AM
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We greatly enjoyed the Pink Jeep Tour Grand Canyon day trip from Sedona. Small tour bus w/large windows & comfortable seats hold just a small group of perhaps 8 people. Pickup around 7:00 AM at lodging, return by 6:00 PM. Driving done by qualified staff who educate their guests on interesting facts about the Grand Canyon area. Comfortable, adequate time spent at each stop; didn't feel rushed at all. Lunch break at rim by the lodges. We could have driven ourselves there as we did have a car, but the tour was so much more relaxing; we learned a lot about the area, too.
We also took one of several desert Pink Jeep rides (Rock-climbing tour) which went on dirt trails into the desert, to an ancient cliff-dweller site; was interesting & fun. (Friends have also taken a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon, which they said was spectacular). The mining ghost town of Jerome is near Sedona for a day-drive - and since Sedona is known for "wellness", I'm sure you can have any type of spa treatment, have your "aurora" read/fortune told, purchase crystals, etc.
We also enjoyed visiting the Cactus Gardens at Scottsdale - a large desert walking park with dozens of different varieties of cactus, as well as a butterfly garden. Doesn't sound too exciting, but it actually was very relaxing. If you visit AZ in early March, you can attend Spring Training Baseball games in the Scottsdale area (Diamondbacks/Colorado Rockies stadium is great) or the Spring Nascar races at Avondale.
We also took one of several desert Pink Jeep rides (Rock-climbing tour) which went on dirt trails into the desert, to an ancient cliff-dweller site; was interesting & fun. (Friends have also taken a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon, which they said was spectacular). The mining ghost town of Jerome is near Sedona for a day-drive - and since Sedona is known for "wellness", I'm sure you can have any type of spa treatment, have your "aurora" read/fortune told, purchase crystals, etc.
We also enjoyed visiting the Cactus Gardens at Scottsdale - a large desert walking park with dozens of different varieties of cactus, as well as a butterfly garden. Doesn't sound too exciting, but it actually was very relaxing. If you visit AZ in early March, you can attend Spring Training Baseball games in the Scottsdale area (Diamondbacks/Colorado Rockies stadium is great) or the Spring Nascar races at Avondale.
Dec 31st, 2017, 06:58 PM
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Agree with above suggestions for both Tucson and Sedona. If you decide to spend time in the Scottsdale area. I recommend Royal Palms for lodging and spa as well as their restaurant, T. Cooks.
All three areas offer great hiking and biking as well as several good spa options
All three areas offer great hiking and biking as well as several good spa options
Jan 2nd, 2018, 09:38 AM
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Enchantment resort in Sedona has a fantastic spa..Mi Amo.
I'd spend 3-4 days in Sedona..Boynton Canyon is right there at the resort to hike and IMO,strongest of all the vortexes..sacred and stunning!
1-2 nights in Scottsdale...Royal Palms is a lovely resort...small and intimate..T.Cooks restaurant I'd fantastic and in their bar, piano player.
Four Seasons. .Talking Stick resort/casino..Boulders resort.
Tucson..1-2 nights..don't know much about Tucson.. Hit up Bisbee.
I'd spend 3-4 days in Sedona..Boynton Canyon is right there at the resort to hike and IMO,strongest of all the vortexes..sacred and stunning!
1-2 nights in Scottsdale...Royal Palms is a lovely resort...small and intimate..T.Cooks restaurant I'd fantastic and in their bar, piano player.
Four Seasons. .Talking Stick resort/casino..Boulders resort.
Tucson..1-2 nights..don't know much about Tucson.. Hit up Bisbee.
Jan 2nd, 2018, 10:58 AM
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Feb 1st, 2018, 07:07 PM
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We always enjoyed going to the Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, and there was a cafe they where we had lunch. While in Tucson, we enjoyed shooting down to Tubac for some fun shopping. We did a sunset Jeep Tour in Tucson, but the name of the company escapes me, but it was beautiful. A day trip to Bisbee, and Tombstone is also fun for all. In Sedona, we enjoyed an early morning hike, but we went to the Visitor Center in town and they gave us some suggestions for great hikes. We also did the Pink Jeep Tour in Sedona, for off road touring which was great.
