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Arizona Vacations: 5 Useful Tips for a Great Trip

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Arizona Vacations Travel Tips

Arizona has some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. From the vast beauty of the Grand Canyon to the many colors of the Painted Desert and the sprawling vistas of Monument Valley, there is literally nowhere else quite as striking as Arizona. A visit here offers everything from great golf and world class spas, to exquisite restaurants and fantastic hikes. If you're planning an Arizona vacation, here are five tips to help make sure your visit is just perfect.

Plan to Spend a Lot of Time Outside

While Arizona has some lovely indoor attractions, the real beauty of this state lies in the great outdoors. Your holiday will be best enjoyed with a lot of time out in the Arizona sunshine. Golfing, hiking, boating, swimming, walking, horseback riding; whatever you love to do, plan and pack accordingly. Even if you're just planning to see the highlights of the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam, you need to bring essential men's or women's travel clothing and accessories, such as a good pair of walking shoes, sunscreen and a hat. The Merrell Women's Chameleon Arc Wind is a great walking shoe for every activity. If you're planning on hiking, you will want to upgrade to a proper hiking boot, such as the Merrell Women's Chameleon Arc Mid. The sunscreen and the hat are essential when you're out in the hot Arizona sun.

Dress Accordingly

Arizona is a desert. So that sunscreen and hat will be important, but so will a sweater. Deserts can be blisteringly hot during the day and chilly at night, and in Arizona, a temperature swing of up to 50 °F is not unheard of in the summer. If you're visiting in the winter, keep in mind that temperatures could drop below freezing, and bring a jacket. Phoenix holds the record for the American city with the most days over 100 °F, and Flagstaff is the record-holder for the most temperatures below freezing (excluding Alaska). Check the weather for when you're planning to visit, and dress for the season.
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Immerse Yourself in Culture

Even if art isn't your thing, you should spend at least one afternoon taking in some of Arizona's rich cultural heritage. Spend the day wandering from art gallery to art gallery in Scottsdale, or learn more about Arizona's 22 native tribes by visiting one of the hundreds of museums, cultural centers, historic sites or trading posts, found all across the state. Depending on when you visit, there may also be some great events going on at one of Arizona's many native reserves.

Plan to Shop

Arizona is home to so many artists and artisans, it would be a shame to visit and not come home with a souvenir or two, not to mention some gifts for friends. The Navajo are skilled in making beautiful jewelry of silver and turquoise, as well as bright textiles. The Tohono and the Hopi weave lovely baskets. The Maricopa create wonderful pottery from Arizona's red clay. The Apache are famous for their beadwork. Make sure to bring a few extra dollars, and visit many of the unique craft shops.

Relax

It's pretty obvious that your vacation should involve some relaxation. There are hundreds of spas all across Arizona, so plan for a pedicure, a hot stone massage, or a mud bath. This is the best place on earth to find a new way to unwind.
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  • Kelly Jul 2, 2011 @ 10:15 pm | delete
    Definitely worth taking a trip to! a mud bath sounds fantastic!
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photo credits

flickr:
Sedona Arizona - Photo by Adventurous Wench
Tiaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, Sedona, Arizona -Photo by Evelyn Proimos

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