SUNNY ARIZONA – THE GRAND EXPERIENCE

15 Days / February 17

There is no place on earth quite like Arizona.  Landscapes, tall mountain ranges, swift rivers, grasslands, sand dunes, cactus forests, a storied past reaching back thousands of years, and  people with a vibrant blend of cultures and traditions all come together to make a visit to Arizona an unforgettable experience!

Day 1.  Sit back and relax as we begin our journey traveling through Illinois and into Missouri for our lodging tonight.  Lodging:  Drury Inn, Joplin, MO

Day 2.  Following breakfast at the hotel, we travel into Oklahoma. Our lodging tonight is located in a Route 66 city which has maintained much of its history and charm.  This afternoon, we visit the Old Town Museum Complex which includes the National Route 66 Museum, Farm & Ranch Museum,and the newly opened Transportation Museum.   Lodging:  Holiday Inn Holidome, Elk City, OK

Day 3.  Enjoy your buffet breakfast at the hotel this morning.  (We gain an hour this day; so set your watches back.)  We travel on though Oklahoma, a short distance in Texas and on to New Mexico with time this evening for dinner and browsing the shops in Old Town.  Lodging:  Holiday Inn Suites & Express, Albuquerque, NM

Day 4.  After breakfast at the hotel, we travel on through New Mexico and head on to Arizona.  Lodging:  Holiday Inn Express, Tucson, AZ (2 nights)

Day 5.  This is rodeo week in Tucson and today is the day!  Grab breakfast early at the hotel; then we head to the Tucson Rodeo Parade; and attend the Tucson Rodeo this afternoon.

Day 6.  After breakfast, we travel to Sanguaro National Park outside Tucson.  This unique desert is home to the most recognizable cactus in the world, the giant Saguaro cacti.  We have a short slide show and an opportunity to visit the gift shop; followed by a driving tour of the Golden Gate area to the Signal Hill Site to see the petroglyphs.  From here, we travel to the capital city of Arizona, Phoenix.  We have a step-on guide for all the sights – State Capitol, Bank One Ballpark, Heritage Square, Wrigley Mansion, Camelback Mountain, Old Towne Scottsdale, Tempe Town Lakeand Arizona State University.  For dinner this evening, we have an unusual treat – Latin Southwestern Fusion – different; delicious!  Lodging:  Hampton Inn Phoenix Midtown, Phoenix, AZ

Day 7.  We have breakfast at the hotel this morning.  No trip to Arizona is complete without seeing the Grand Canyon; we spend the rest of the day touring the areas of this national park that are open in the winter months; truly a wonder of nature!  Lodging: Maswik South, Grand Canyon, AZ

Day 8.  Today we make a stop at Montezuma Castle, one of a number of well-preserved ancient dwellings in Arizona.  It is probably the most spectacular; an imposing 5-story structure built into a recess of white stone cliff about 70 feet from the ground.  We then head to Sedona, AZ, a visitor destination of unparalleled richness offering a chance to observe nature at her finest.  This afternoon we enjoy the guided Broken Arrow Tour in pink jeeps; what a tour!  Bring your camera and plenty of film.  Lodging:  Days Inn, Sedona, AZ

Day 9.  After breakfast at the hotel, we travel the short distance to Flagstaff to meet our step-on guide to tour Sunset Crater, Wupatki Indian ruins and an authentic trading post. There are several sites of preserved pueblos of ancient peoples in Arizona with one main building.  Here there are many ruins scattered over a large area of desert northeast of Flagstaff. The pueblos all have a distinctive red color and were made from the local Moenkopi sandstone.  The prices are great at the trading post in Cameron; no middle man!  This afternoon we visit the famous Lowell Observatory one of the largest privately operated non-profit astronomical research observatories in the world and a Registered National Historic Landmark. The first evidence of the expansion of the Universe and the discovery of Pluto are only a few of the discoveries made at this observatory.  You will have time to explore the interactive exhibit hall and visit the gift shop.  We have a special dinner at Josephine’s this evening; a real treat!  Lodging:  Hampton Inn & Suites, Flagstaff, AZ

Day 10.  We have breakfast at the hotel; then depart for Las Vegas; the world’s most exciting city!  (We gain an hour today; so set your watches back one hour; what better place to gain an hour than in Las Vegas!) We head downtown this evening to enjoy the Fremont Street Experience, a nightly light show, featuring 2.1 million lights and 550,000 watts of concert sound.  Lodging:  Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, NV (2 nights)

Day 11.   This day is totally unstructured allowing you to enjoy “Neon City”.  You have an opportunity to tour some of the many free or inexpensive attractions on the strip – antique & exotic cars, fountains, volcano, animal habitats, and thrilling rides.  You may also choose some of the most exciting shopping anywhere, book a show, or try your luck at the machines and tables.  All types of food are available from the inexpensive buffets to the gourmet. So little time; so much to do!

Day 12.  Today we leave Nevada, travel a short distance to Kingman, Arizona and tour the Historic Route 66 Museum.  It is a museum of history, housed in the unique and historical Powerhouse building, and located in the “heart” of the longest remaining stretch of the 2400 miles that was Route 66, also known as the Mother Road.  From here we travel on into New Mexico.  Arriving in Grants, NM is a literally surreal experience.  Where else in the Lower 48 States does one drive through miles and miles of lava fields?  Yes, New Mexico’s unique volcanic past is displayed on thousands of acres on either side of I-40.  (We lose an hour today; so set your watches up one hour.)Lodging:  Best Western Inn & Suites, Grants, NM

Day 13.  Following breakfast at the hotel, we enjoy the scenery as we travel on to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Our step-on guide joins us for a tour of Santa Fe to include Palace of the Governors, San Miguel Mission Church, and Loretto Chapel.  The Palace of the Governors was built in the 17th century and is the oldest continuously used public building in the nation.  It features history exhibitions.  The site of the San Miguel Mission Church dates to first Spanish colonization and was rebuilt after the 1680 Pueblo Revolt.  The Loretto Chapel is a Gothic chapel with history! The miraculous staircase (double helix) was built by a mysterious carpenter.  Following the tour, we have time for lunch and to explore some of the shops, galleries or historic buildings in Santa Fe Plaza.  Lodging:  Drury Inn & Suites, Amarillo, TX

Day 14.  After breakfast, we continue our journey traveling from Texas and on into Oklahoma.  A farewell dinner is held this evening, giving us one last chance to visit with our traveling friends.  Lodging:  Drury Inn, Joplin, MO

Day 15.  We start the day with breakfast at the hotel.  (We lose that last hour today; so set your watches ahead one hour.)  We head for home with wonderful memories of this “Grand Experience” and lots of photos to share with our family and friends.

Note: Swimmers - bring your swimwear!

Included meals:                                                                    

11 Breakfasts                                                                                     

  3 Dinners

Tour cost:

$1215.  per person Child/Teen

$1999.  per person 4/room

$2139.  per person 3/room

$2429.  per person 2/room

$3199.  Single