The Phoenix Traveler

‘Tis the season to be jolly! Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.
But, if too much shopping, too much chocolate (and other seasonal goodies), or too much trying to find the perfect decoration for your holiday dinner has run you ragged, I’ve got the perfect gift for you–a free pass for a week’s worth of classes from At One Yoga, which has studios in Phoenix and Scottsdale. The passes are for new students only.
Call it the antidote to stress, and I have two passes for it. I’m giving them away this week for two lucky people who think they need it the most.
But I need your …read more

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Come to Phoenix during the holidays and you’ll see a familiar sight: the saguaro cactus lit up with Christmas lights. The above photo of one was taken at sunset at the Four Seasons Resort in north Scottsdale.
You’ll see others like it in front yards of private homes, at shopping centers and malls. I’ve seen them before at the Desert Botanical Garden and also on other resort properties. You’ll see some with more lights, some with less, and some with a Santa hat on top or a cowboy handkerchief tied around the ribs of the cactus.
Since we don’t get enough …read more

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Day trips, weekend getaways, best places to visit. That’s what Arizona-based author and freelance writer wrote about in her first book published this year by Countryman Press. Called Great Escapes Arizona, Bitler’s book is available at local bookstores and online.
I wanted to talk to Bitler about her travels during the research of her book, because if there was ever a time to think about escape, it’s now. I met up with Bitler at a recent art fair, where I purchased her book, and she agreed to e-mail me with a few suggestions on where you might want to take …read more

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Don’t recognize the sign? It sort of looks like a McDonald’s, you say?
It really IS a McDonald’s franchise restaurant. But this one’s in Sedona, where zoning laws called for the restaurant to agree to construct teal arches, as opposed to its trademark yellow. The sign also sits lower to the ground, so it’s not a public eyesore.
To see this one for yourself, here are the driving directions:
From Phoenix, take I-17 to the SR 179 exit (Exit 298), turn LEFT, take another LEFT onto SR 89A. Before you turn onto 89A, you may see a billboard advertising the unique …read more

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The woman who pioneered doggy daycare in Phoenix has launched her new blog, The Top Dog’s Blog.
“Top Dog” Eileen Proctor, who opened It’s a Ruff Life in north Phoenix in 2000 and has “bestowed biscuits, balls and bellyrubs” on thousands of the Valley’s K9 kids since then, begins with important words–holiday safety tips for you, your friends, family, and pets.
From now till the end of the year, she’ll run her top ten tips, beginning with what to do with the Christmas tree to help make it safe to be around your dogs. You can also see video from her …read more

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What are they saying about travel in Arizona? Here’s the latest news to update you:

The Arizona Republic reports bonuses for US Airways‘ employees for on-time travel.
Tempe, Tucson and Prescott get top votes for quality of life, according to this poll.
It’s the economy, stupid. That’s why Ohio State fans may not fly to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl next year (January 5).
Here’s a good reason that using a travel agent makes sense–a live connection with someone if something goes wrong with your travel arrangements.

Technorati Tags: news about Arizona travel,quality of life,Tempe rated tops for quality of life,US Airways,US Airways on …read more

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Holiday Cocktails
The Rim Lobby Lounge at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa (north side of Greenway Parkway past 68th Street) is the place to go this winter if you want try what the mixologist (fancy name for bartender) has created for you. Ask for the new Organic Mexican Macciato, made with organic coffee and organic tequila, or the Caramel Apple-Tini pictured here. It’s made with applesauce (Really?), Bailey’s Caramel liquor and Smirnoff Apple Vodka–quite a twist on a classic treat. Make sure they dip your apple slice in caramel sauce, like they do for the picture.
Champagne and Ice Wine …read more

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If you’ve never read any of Michael Engelhard’s essays, vignettes in his books, or even his anthologies, you’ve been missing a lesson in how to observe the natural environment like a poet, particularly as it relates to the American West.
This river runner, rock climber and wilderness guide, who came to America from Germany to study cultural anthropology in Fairbanks, Alaska, has been writing about his adventures long enough to attract the attention of editors at internationally-known magazines, including Outside, Utne Reader, Backpacker, and of course Arizona Highways.
I was happy to discover that, like me, this author of several non-fiction books …read more

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Who knew tequila, bourbon and rum could ring in the holiday cheer. They will if you mix them with ingredients such as Eggnog, chocolate and hot apple cider, as does the Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale at Troon North, 10600 E. Crescent Moon Dr. (Map it.)
Between now and January 1, 2009, get your “Seasons” Greetings by the glassful with these three holiday cocktail specials. At $16 each, they’re sure to warm you up as the weather cools down.
For those of you who won’t be in town or get to the resort in time, here are the recipes to try …read more

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The Phoenician Resort offers the solution to that timeless holiday gift that no one really likes. No matter how you wrap it, fruitcake is still, well, fruitcake. Instead, how about giving something even you would eat? Think chocolate…and bread.
But not just any old chocolate bread. This one, the Chocolate Cherry Sourdough bread pictured here, was created by the resort’s own Master Baker Ben Hershberger.
Made fresh daily at The Phoenician (6000 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale), you can purchase yours on-site at either the Café and Ice Cream Parlor or at Il Terrazzo, a classic Italian-style restaurant. At $3.50 a loaf, it’s not …read more

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