The sunset-colored mesas and sprawling plains of the American southwest present some of the most striking landscapes on the planet. Dive into a world as vibrant as a painting on this journey to Arizona, home to larger than life sunsets, giant cacti, snow-capped mountain ranges, spiky pine forests, and thriving artistic communities renowned the world over. Spend your days enthralled by the countless wonders here, from the stunning variety of geological beauty to the historical significance of places like the White Dove of the Desert and the OK Corral. Taste the fusion of Mexican cuisine and Old West adaptations that have become uniquely “southwestern” in flavor and presentation. Wander the streets of hip city centers and centuries-old settlements, where tumbleweeds might still blow at high noon. This is an adventure that will leave its images in your heart forever.
Degree of Difficulty –
Upon arrival in Tucson, your Classic Escapes representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. The city of Tucson has a vibrant, multicultural heritage with a thriving visual and performing arts scene and respected galleries and museums. Spend some free time resting or exploring the area around the hotel, and then meet for a group dinner at Calibri, where you will enjoy beautiful views along with typical Southwestern cuisine. Tucson was the first city to earn the designation of World City of Gastronomy by UNESCO. Discover a uniquely Southwest experience at your hotel, an oasis situated on 500 acres of lush desert terrain and located on the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. HILTON EL CONQUISTADOR.
(D)
Embark on an excursion to Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, a zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, natural history museum, and art gallery with two miles of walking paths. Here you will discover the wildlife and unique ecosystems of the Sonoran Desert, including giant saguaros and desert vistas as you see birds of prey including Turkey Vulture and Black Vulture, mountain lion, bobcat, grey fox, porcupine, Mexican gray wolf, black-tailed prairie dog, and bighorn sheep. Browse the exhibitions at the Warden Aquarium to understand why this is known as the lushest desert on earth and enjoy some free time to choose which aspect of this attraction you most want to experience. Afterward, head to the Mission San Xavier del Bac, a National Historic Landmark founded by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. The current church, completed in 1792, is known as the “White Dove of the Desert” for its stunning white stucco exterior, and truly special Mexican-Baroque paintings and sculpture in the interior. HILTON EL CONQUISTADOR.
(B)
Spend the morning at Sabino Canyon, located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, where you might spot a Gila Monster, bobcat, or other animals that are adapted to this unusually intense and diverse climate and its surrounding terrain. Enjoy some light hiking or take a tram tour around this amazing canyon. Return to downtown Tucson for a local history and foodie walking tour. Sample delicious cuisine and enjoy lunch as your guide points out architectural highlights, cultural sites, and great local shops along the way. Drive to Tubac, an artist’s community perfect for art, history and nature lovers. Learn about the history of the area at the Tubac State Park and Museum. Afterwards, you’ll have free time to peruse the galleries and shops in the center of town on your own before returning to your hotel for the evening. HILTON EL CONQUISTADOR.
(B, L Tasting Tour)
Delve into the Wild West today as you head to Tombstone, the site of the OK Corral, where an infamous shootout involving Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday has inspired storytellers for generations. The shootout is regularly re-enacted, and the narrative of the area is easy to experience as history plays itself out over and over again. Walk down Allen Street and see the saloons, theater, and gambling parlors of the old red-light district. The central area remains a historical Old West town – a dirt road, with only horse and carriage transportation and no cars allowed. Continue down the highway to scenic and friendly Bisbee, a history-laden town set among hilly green landscapes just above a mile high. Don a yellow jacket and hard hat before boarding the miniature open-sided train that enters Bisbee’s Queen Mine for a guided tour. Though no longer in operation, the mine produced millions of pounds of copper, gold, silver, lead and zinc in its nearly 100 years of operation. Enjoy dinner at El Charro Restaurant, America’s oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family. HILTON EL CONQUISTADOR.
(B,D)
Drive to Sedona, a desert town surrounded by red rock buttes, steep canyon walls, and pine forests. After lunch at a local restaurant, embark on an awe-inspiring jeep tour of the red rocks and mountains of Sedona followed by a moderate late afternoon hike with your guide. Begin the next day with a trolley tour to the spectacular Chapel of the Holy Cross, built into the buttes overlooking the city. You’ll also visit the Mexican style Village of Tlaquepaque, nestled beneath the shade of sycamores on the banks of beautiful Oak Creek. After lunch on your own at one of Sedona’s charming bistros, visit the Sedona Heritage Museum, focused on the lifestyles and works of the people who pioneered Sedona, from 1876 through present day. Next day will be at leisure to discover the many offerings of Sedona on your own. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your group. Your resort is tucked along the banks of Oak Creek Canyon like a secret sanctuary, and is just steps from buzzing Uptown Sedona, as well as close to endless adventures in the Red Rock Country. AMARA RESORT.
(B,L; B; B,D)
Transfer to Phoenix and your homeward flight, taking with you the wonderful memories of Tucson and Sedona, two jewels of the Grand Canyon State.
(B)
Say farewell to your fellow travelers and continue your adventure north through the town of Flagstaff, your entryway to the legendary Route 66 and the town of Williams. Board a restored, historical train to wind your way down to the most famous geological formation in the nation. Explore everything the Grand Canyon has to offer, from eye-popping natural scenery to local indigenous history, perhaps opting (at additional cost) to see the sights via mule or helicopter. Wrap up your experience in Scottsdale with a guided sunset tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home, the perfect way to take one last look at the incredible scenery of Arizona.
Prices vary by season and package. Please inquire by phone at (800) 627-1244 or email info@classicescapes.com for more information and a pricing estimate.
Maximum group size: No restrictions, although we recommend a maximum of 24 travelers.
YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES:
- Accommodation at hotels as indicated in the itinerary (or similar).
- Roundtrip transfers between airport and Tucson hotel, as well as Phoenix hotel and the airport. (Please note one group transfer will be supplied each way. Anyone not arriving on group schedule, will require a personal transfer at additional cost.)
- All meals as specified in itinerary.
- Services of local guide on all tours, and driver/guides throughout the tour.
- Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles throughout the tour.
- One-way Grand Canyon Railway train ride to the Grand Canyon on the optional extension.
- All park and admission fees.
- All applicable hotel and lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
- Water in the vans.
- Complimentary baggage tags.
The climate in Arizona is primarily semi-arid in the southern and western parts, but the north and east have high altitudes and, thus, alpine climate. The best times to visit are spring and autumn when temperatures are cooler in the mountains and warm in the deserts. The summers can be sweltering and the winters cold, depending on the area visited. If wildflowers are of interest to you, spring is the perfect time to visit, between March and May, when the tops of saguaro cacti are covered with white blooms. For our Arizona program, the best times to visit are April through June, and September through October.
