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 Facial

If you love the bubbly or go wild over wine, you might love a Champagne and Ice Wine Facial. Available only this month, it could be your next break from holiday events. The organic facial contains champagne grapes and orange essential oils to detoxify, refresh and renew. It’s followed by a hydrating Mimosa Champagne Tonique and Tokay Ice Wine Masque. Sounds intoxicating.

Organic Mimosa Champagne Manicure and Pedicure

Since you’ve probably been on your feet a lot this month and have been using your hands to wrap all those presents, how about a little pampering? Let an experienced spa therapist treat you with an Organic Mimosa Champagne Manicure and Pedicure. The Mimosa lotion and Mimosa Champagne Sugar Scrub sooths your hands and feet with antioxidants that rejuvenate let you get back to your shopping.

If you go:

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa: 6902 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale

(Photo used with permission by Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

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 at home:

“Sonoran” Eggnog

• 1 1/2 oz. Don Julio Tequila
• 1 oz. melted Mexican Chocolate
• Eggnog

Mix all ingredients, serve warm.  Garnish with a chocolate cigar and serve in a martini glass.

“Sweet S’more”

• 1 1/2 oz Monte Cristo-12 year aged rum
• Fresh Hot Chocolate Mix

Prepare hot chocolate, add rum.  Garnish with a graham cracker crust rim and a homemade marshmallow.

 
Troon Bourbon Cider

• 6 oz. Hot Apple Cider
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 1/2 oz Basil Hayden Bourbon
• 1 cinnamon stick (as garnish)

Mix all together, and serve warm.

(Photo and recipes used with permission by the Four Seasons Resort, Scottsdale.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

It’s all lit up in Prescott for the holidays. The Yavapai County Courthouse (pictured above), Whiskey Row behind it, the gift shops, boutiques and restaurants downtown–they all take part in the holiday festivities that have helped turn this former territorial town into Arizona’s official “Christmas City.”

With a heritage dating back to Victorian times and earlier, they know how to do Christmas here. Phoenicians drive the 90 miles north to see what’s been billed as the world’s largest Gingerbread Village. This year, more than 100 gingerbread structures decorate the lobby of the Prescott Resort now through December 28. The resort is open 24 hours a day.

You have until December 30 to drive through Fain Park and see the mile-long lighted and animated holiday display. We’re talking thousands and thousands of lights.

And this weekend (December 6), Santa arrives. A festive parade welcomes him on a tour around Courthouse Plaza, followed by a lighting ceremony. Afterward, the Governor’s Mansion at the Sharlot Hall Museum hosts an open house with Charles Dickens-era carolers and hot apple cider.

For more information about upcoming holiday events in Arizona’s Christmas City, visit the Prescott Chamber of Commerce or call 800-266-7534.

(Photo courtesy of Prescott Chamber of Commerce.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

A few travel writers, including Christine K. Bailey, author of Destinations: A Complete Guide to Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona and Central Arizona, and Teresa Bitler, whose Great Escapes Arizona was just released are scheduled to appear.

Also plan to see arts & crafts booths, food and live music at the festival on both days.

If you go:

What: ArtFest of Scottsdale                                                               When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23        Where: Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza, 7380 E. 2nd St.                          Cost: Free

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

If you’re thinking of taking a New England vacation along the coast, here are a few overall recommendations stemming from my recent trip:

_Sign up for the signature facial at the Cliff House in Ogunquit–a resort and spa located on Maine’s south coast, atop Bald Head Cliff. This unique restorative facial incorporates products from both land and sea. It includes a seashell massage, a seaweed cleansing, and a blueberry mask. Blueberries grow wild in Maine and are a staple in various products, including skin care, pancakes and ice cream. I definitely tried the blueberry-spiked facial and thought it was sea-sational. Plus, at the Cliff House, you get to take home a free gift–the Blueberry Signature Mask, made exclusively for the spa by Spa Technologies. If you have time, take a walk on the labyrinth. It’s outside and overlooks the sea.

_Pay the $30 for the ocean view from the seat of an historic schooner as it makes it way along the Penobscot Bay. We got on Surprise out of the Camden Public Landing. (Note: Above photo was taken while ON Surprise.) It was recommended to us by our hosts at the Windward House B&B, also in Camden; it was a perfect suggestion. Our morning two-hour ride aboard this 57-foot Windjammer, launched originally in 1918, was smooth sailing all the way. We, of course, were lucky to have missed the rain that blew in later that day. A special treat aboard the Surprise: fresh fruit and gingersnap cookies. 

_Plan a few nights’ stay at the Windward House or the Orland House in Orland, two miles east of Bucksport. Both of the owners will help you navigate the coast to make your stay as interesting and enjoyable as possible. Just ask for recommendations. And the breakfasts alone will make you feel like royalty because the service is so all about you. Don’t mind the creaks, cracks and crevices you’ll see inside these historic Victorian mansions–these century-old houses have earned them. For us Southwesterners, we can only marvel that a building can last that long!

_If you happen to be coming from Camden, planning to visit the observatory at the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, I suggest driving across the bridge, turning left, and visiting the little town of Bucksport. Head straight to Andy Lacher’s BookStacks bookstore for some small town charm, and a hot cup of coffee. He’s adding a used book section, has comfy seating areas, and it’s just a nice place to hang out and chat with the locals who seem to congregate there all day.

_A tour through the small town of Castine also is worth the off-the-beaten path drive to get there. Pick up a “walking tour” guide and hit the roads. Historic markers fill you in on the details of this town that is one of the oldest communities in North America–occupied continuously, according to the brochure, since the early 1600s. Um, we’re talking Pilgrim days. The French, the British, the Dutch–they all arrived here at some point and tried to take over the region, as well as try to oust the Native Americans. You’ll see some spectacular homes in Castine, as well as a lighthouse and Maritime Academy. Even if you get caught in the rain, as we did, it’s a beautiful walk through a quiet and historic seacoast village.

_If you can manage a week or two, plan on picking a spot and hanging out there. Because there’s so much to see and do, no matter where you wind up, it might be wise to ease up on the driving and plan your travel plans around that one area. You know, take it easy.

_Or, do as we did and pack as much fun in as you can. It’ll be, as they say in Maine, a “wicked good” time.

(Photos by Jackie Dishner and used with her permission. Hold your curser over the photo itself to see what they represent.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

The trend began with the opening of BOURBON STEAK at the Fairmont Scottsdale (formerly the Scottsdale Princess Resort). This steakhouse, which opened early this year, is a contemporary American steakhouse brought to Arizona by nationally renowned chef Michael Mina. The James Beard award-winner’s restaurant menu features the finest cuts of beef, poultry, and fish–all slow-poached in butter, grilled and finished over seasoned, wood-fueled flames.

Mina’s steakhouse also serves classic American side dishes such as Blue-Cheese Scalloped Potatoes, Duck Fat Fries and Spinach Soufflé. For those who avoid red meat, the menu includes Mina’s special Whole-Fried Organic Chicken with Truffled Mac & Cheese and seafood dishes. Personally, I’d like to get my taste buds on the Lobster Pot Pie.

Two more steakhouses open soon.

Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa, is nearing completion of a $45 million renovation. Included in the renovation of this historic property is a new lobby flanked by organic herb gardens that will provide ingredients to Camelback’s new restaurants, BLT STEAK included. Celebrity Chef Laurent Tourondel takes the helm, introducing Arizona to the modern American steakhouse.

Tourondel, named “Best New Chef” by Food & Wine Magazine and honored with several other accolades, is a French-trained chef. BLT Scottsdale is one of several such restaurants opened by the award-winning chef. His first, BLT New York opened in 2004. He’s since opened restaurants in Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Miami, and several more in New York.  

The Phoenician is also putting a contemporary spin on the luxury resort experience with its $70 million renovation. In October, J&G STEAKHOUSE, a high-end restaurant from Jean-Georges, debuts in the restaurant space formerly known as Mary Elaine’s. It will feature premium meats and fish as well as incorporate an individually designed dinner menu. Though many locals and regular visitors were sad to see the 20-year-old Mary Elaine’s close, I am told that hotel staff cannot wait to see this new restaurant open.  

(The above photo of Pinnacle Peak Patio in Scottsdale was taken by Jeff Noble. It is used with permission by the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Some of the savings you’ll see include discount travel packages at various hotels, free appetizers at participating restaurants, dollars off on massage therapies, discounts on theater tickets and tour packages, shopping incentives at upscale malls, and even a free lunch.

It might be worth a visit.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

The resort’s new Carefree Spa Getaway Package offers daily hikes, cooking classes, spa treatments, and meditation time…Ummm. I get it. It’s going to lead to a few “Aha!” moments. I’m beginning to see where enlightenment might occur.

Good thing the Sonoran Desert is nearby. That makes the hiking easy to access.

If you’d worry whether you could handle a hike in the desert, however, don’t worry any more. A professional fitness assessment comes with the package. Spa services and meals, too. (I’ve tried them both, and both are exceptional.) And interactive cooking demonstrations? That could be fun. I hear the on-site organic garden is a great place to pick fresh herbs and veggies; they’ve only had it for about two years. 

Since I’ve never walked in the resort’s labyrinth or taken a yoga class there, I couldn’t tell you what that would be like. Nor could I share with you any rock climbing experiences. I haven’t had any. But I’ve seen the boulders at this resort and know you’ll have to use ropes when you climb them. So, I’d say you’ll need to bring some faith, hope and trust with you if you sign up for this trip. Still, since all of this is included, it sounds like good times ahead.

Here’s the contingency: This package is available only once a month during the full moon. Since we’ve already missed July’s, here’s hoping you can reserve dates for the next availability: Aug. 14-17 or Sept. 11-14. 

Suggestion: Solicit 11 of your best friends or favorite family members to join you. With rates starting at $1,399 per person, or $1,199 for double occupancy, that doesn’t sound like a bad deal for this upscale resort. And since they’ll only accept 12 guests for this package per month, you could make the retreat your very own.

To book this getaway, call 480-488-9009.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

You really can cook an egg on the sidewalks of Phoenix in the summer. Elementary schools have been known to test this out, and at least one town in Arizona hosts an egg-frying contest. But we actually do a LOT of sunny-side-up kinds of things here. This video illustrates a few:

~Watching cacti bloom.

~Enjoying outdoor recreation.

~Swimming and other poolside fun.

~Boating and rowing and gondola rides.

~Shopping and dining.

~Watching beautiful sunsets.

Wish you were here!

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

If you want your child to have the opportunity to work right along side of this guy to build a life-sized, one-of-a-kind LEGO creation–and who doesn’t?–it’s time to sign up now. Suggested for children ages 6-12 years old, the weekend workshop is limited to 50 participants per weekend. Starting at $249, the resort package includes one night in a luxury guest room (parents included), access for one child to the two-day LEGO Master Builder Class, an exclusive video presentation for the whole family by the LEGO Master Builder, a $25 LEGO Gift Card, a LEGO Club Membership, and a coupon redeemable at the LEGO Store for a Pick-A-Brick Cup.

To sign up, go online, scroll down the page to "Special Offers" on the right-hand side of the Home Page. Click on that to find the LEGO Package. Or, call the resort directly at 602-225-0100, and ask for reservations. The Special Offer rate plan code is BUILDO8.

If you don’t sign up in time, no need to worry. LEGO stores nationwide (There are now 21 of them.) offer in-store building contests and other free activities. This year marks the Denmark-based toy company’s 50th anniversary.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler