Arizona

Value Times are July and August
Excludes Holidays and Special Events

Though Arizona has become famous for its sunny skies and desert scenery, this is no one-dimensional state. Here, Native American, Mexican and Old West cultures blend. Grand mountain ranges in orange, yellow and red hues, and towering Giant Saguaros (the universal symbol of the American West) dot the landscape. Arizona is a place to be discovered and there’s more than can be absorbed in just one vacation.

Your Destinations

Sedona

Sedona is situated in an area that has mesmerized visitors for decades. Surrounded by breathtaking red-rock monoliths, Sedona is a haven for those who not only love spectacular scenery and open spaces, but those who desire an upscale, sophisticated destination with all the amenities. In fact, Red Rock Country is a four-season playground with something for everyone from history and art to geology and archeology. For thrill seekers, visitors here can conveniently spend a day hiking, soaring in a balloon over the rocks, horseback riding, or bouncing in a Jeep on trails and dirt roads that crisscross the area. Indeed, this is the paradox and enchantment of Sedona: unique shops, impressive art galleries, and fine restaurants nestled in an unusually rugged canyon surrounded by an expansive national forest.

Scottsdale

For those on the hunt for hidden gems and once-in-a-lifetime experiences to awaken adventures spirits, Scottsdale has it. The activities, adventures and attractions offered here promise unforgettable memories. Perhaps you’ll explore the McDowell Sonoran Preserve or sail over the Sonoran Desert in a hot air balloon. Maybe you’ll hike the famous Camelback Mountain or play 18 holes of desert golf. Or you’ll awaken, rejuvenate and unwind at any number of spas found here. No matter what you choose to do in Scottsdale, you’ll want to come back for more.

Dining

Arizona chefs are famous for their Southwestern cuisine, a regional combination of Mexican spices, mesquite flame-broiling and unusual meat-and-fruit pairings. Most good restaurants will serve at least a few Southwestern-influenced choices, and you’d be foolish to pass them up. The inventive fresh-fruit salsas are often very good. Hearty helpings of beef are best found in locally owned steak houses. And Arizona cooks up some of the best Mexican food in the country, with the fried chimichanga being a local favorite.

Shopping

Arizona’s Native American communities specialize in pottery, handcrafted jewelry and hand-woven textiles. These goods can be found throughout the state, but you may find better prices in the reservation areas. The intricately carved and painted Kachina dolls of the Hopi are also popular, but shoppers should not confuse real Kachinas with the crude imitations found in many curio stores and roadside shops. You’ll also find baskets and Apache beadwork. Many of the shops that sell Native American crafts also offer demonstrations on silversmithing, rug weaving and pottery making.

Travel Tips

Check out the Major League Baseball spring training camps that take place in Arizona

Don’t forget to carry water with you when you hike in the desert, or even when you’re driving through it. Dehydration is all too common, and it can be deadly.

Weather

Arizona’s temperatures range from below freezing (17 F/-8C) to blisteringly hot (120 F/47 C). There are really two factors to take into account when visiting the state: season and elevation. South of the Mogollon Rim (just south of Flagstaff), the low-elevation desert is warm in winter and scorching in summer. North of the rim, on the Colorado Plateau, summers are moderate and winters are cold. However, you should be prepared for dramatic changes at any time, there can be as much as 50 or 60 degrees F/25-32 C difference between day and night temperatures. Low relative humidity means that the triple-digit heat is somewhat more tolerable than you might expect, though you’ll definitely feel it at 105 F/39 C or more.

Getting There

Excellent air service is available into both Tucson and Phoenix. Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) is 3 miles (5 km) southeast of downtown; Tucson International Airport (TUS) is 7 miles (11 km) south of the city. A number of regional and commuter airlines offer daily scheduled service from Phoenix to smaller Arizona communities such as the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Major rental car companies maintain branches at both the Phoenix and Tucson airports.

Getting Around The Area

We recommend flying to Arizona and renting a car to tour the state.

The information contained here and within the GiveBack Vacations website is believed to be correct. Every effort has been made to assure accuracy. LifeStyles Vacation Club and Global Connections, Inc. assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions.

The destinations listed are subject to change without notice or may no longer be available under this vacation certificate.