Arizona Luxury Holidays

A stimulating blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication.

A stimulating blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication. Majestic saguaro cacti and giant granite boulders just minutes from fashionable boutiques and cosmopolitan restaurants. It borrows its taupe-and-tawny colour scheme from the Sonoran Desert, while its unique ambience springs from the cultures of Mexico, Native America and the Old West. Delve into the attractions of affluent Scottsdale with its breathtaking scenery, vibrant arts and cultural scene and powerhouse shopping, as well as galleries and museums galore. Blessed with 330 days of sunshine a year, it's the perfect base from which to discover the awesome Grand Canyon National Park by helicopter or plane. Golf is definitely king here, with well over one hundred courses carved out of the desert by some of the sport's most illustrious names. The jeep tours, horse riding, hot air ballooning and shopping trips are equally inspiring distractions. Billed as one of the ten most beautiful places in America, Sedona fills the senses and feeds the soul. This is Red Rock country, a four seasons playground with no end of rugged grandeur, archaeological rarities and rich Southwestern history. The city is surrounded by rocky monoliths and lies at the mouth of the unbelievably beautiful Oak Creek Canyon. It's a great second centre for your meanderings in the Grand Canyon State. Or saddle up and take to the desert on horseback alongside a western wrangler and return to the ranch for a BBQ cookout under the stars. Yet despite all the opportunities for daytime adventuring, it is probably after sunset when Arizona's own particular brand of magic really begins to take effect. When the sky goes from aquamarine-blue, to flame-red, to jet-black and the stars seem so close you could touch them.

Grand Canyon – Dominating the Northern Arizona landscape, this is a must see on any visitor’s list. Day trips can be arranged from Scottsdale. Monument Valley – Take the impressive 3.1 mile Wildcat Trail to see the enormous monuments which have been the backdrop for many western movies. Phoenix – The state capital of Arizona offers a wealth of attractions from museums and gardens to opera and art. Scottsdale – Great shopping malls, golf courses and galleries displaying works from both local artists and others from around the world. Sonoran desert – Saddle up and ride into this spectacular desert on horseback for a real taste of the Wild West. Kitt Peak National Observatory – Stargazing in South-West Arizona is an astronomer’s delight with clear and unpolluted skies. Pima Air and Space Museum – One of America’s largest collections of historic aircraft with more than 275 planes.

Jan | Arizona National Boat Show Jan | FBR Phoenix Open – Played in North Scottsdale Feb | Scottsdale Fine Art and Chocolate Festival – Held at the Scottsdale Pavilions Mar | Carefree Fine Arts and Wine Festival – A world class gathering of artists displaying original art Apr | Scottsdale Culinary Festival – Enjoy fabulous food, fun, festivities and great weather Jul | Fourth of July celebrations – Free events for the family in downtown Phoenix Oct | Crave Arizona – Culinary event in Scottsdale Nov| ArtFest of Scottsdale – Featuring contemporary artists

Sweet onions – Arizona produces the mild and sweet Grand Canyon onion. Piki – A dry and thin rolled bread made by the Hopi American Indians. Saguaro fruit syrup – The rarest of the world’s fruit syrups, made from hand harvested saguaro fruit and cooked slowly over mesquite fires. Red lima beans. Traditional arts and crafts from Native American Tribes.

CLIMATE Arizona offers comfortable sunshine almost all year round. Monsoons can occur in late summer. Desert temperatures range from hot during the day to cold at night. STATE CAPITAL Phoenix TIME DIFFERENCE GMT -7 hrs Daylight saving time is not observed FLYING TIME PHOENIX: 10 hours 35 mins

Arizona Luxury Holiday Accommodation

• The Phoenician
• Four Seasons Resort, Scottsdale
• The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa
• Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo Spa
• Rancho De Los Caballeros
• America's West
• Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
• Deserts & Oceans
• The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain

Arizona Luxury Holiday Special Offers