Palm Springs Overnight
November 11-12, 2021
Price: $345 pp/double $435 pp/single
Day One: Depart the Valley and travel to Palm Springs. Visit Sunnyland Botanical Gardens and Visitors Center. Continue to Palm Springs and check into your downtown hotel. This evening, enjoy VillageFest (currently on hold due to Covid).
Day Two: This morning, take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of the Mountain for spectacular Views. Lunch is included at Billy Reeds before returning to the Valley. (L)
new years eve at the historic la posada
December 31, 2021 – January 1, 2022
Price: $425 pp/double $495 pp/single
Day One: Depart the Valley and travel to the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. Then check into La Posada. A New Years Eve Dinner is included at the World Famous Turquoise Room. (D)
Day Two: This morning explore and enjoy the elegance and history of La Posada. Stand on the Corner in Winslow Arizona. Tour Sunset Crater on the way back to the Valley.
California Gardens
January 7-9, 2022
Price: $495 pp/double $650 pp/single
Day One: Depart the Valley and travel to Southern California. Tour the world-famous Huntington Library and Gardens. Encompassing about 130 acres, the botanical gardens feature 16 stunning themed gardens. Continue to Pomona and check into the LaQuinta. Dinner is on your own at the Claremont Center.
Day Two: Breakfast is included this morning at the hotel. Today will be spent touring the Getty Museum and Gardens. In addition to exploring the inside exhibits, the outside gardens include carefully curated gardens and eye-catching sculpture displays. The most popular garden at the Getty, the 134,000-square-foot Central Garden. Dinner is on your own before returning to Pomona for the evening. (B)
Day Three: Breakfast is included this morning at the hotel. After a leisurely morning, return home. (B)
Tubac Golf and Spa
January 18-20, 2022
Price: $995 pp/double $1250 pp/single
Day One: This morning we depart to explore Southern Arizona, beginning with stops in Sonoita, Arizona to have lunch, learn about the wines of the region and taste a few. We travel to Patagonia State Park for a Lake Discovery tour on pontoon boats. Watch for the beautiful migrating birds that flock to this area at this time of year. This evening we check into the magical and timeless Tubac Golf Resort & Spa for our 3-night stay. This former 1800’s ranch now features luxurious hacienda-style guest rooms with architecture reminiscent of the Spanish Colonial times clustered across the grounds of the resort with easy access to dining, golf, spa, and swimming. There are even bicycles for rent and a walking trail on site. (L)
Day Two: This morning, choose from a round of golf OR a spa treatment. Then this afternoon, explore the town of Tubac and the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. Experience the history of the Spanish colonial period and the settlement of the territory that would eventually become Arizona and roam this destination for the arts featuring over 100 eclectic shops and world-class galleries. Continue to Tumacácori National Historical Park which protects the ruins of three Spanish mission communities, including the Mission San Cayetano de Tumacácori established in 1691. The site was also on the route of the 1775-1776 Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition from New Spain to Alta California. (B)
Day Three: This morning, choose from a round of golf OR a spa treatment. After lunch on your won, travel to the Mission San Xavier del Bac nearer to Tucson which stands in stunning contrast to Tumacácori as a restored and active church originally finished in 1797 on the site of Father Kino’s 1692 mission. The oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the church's interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings. After a docent-led tour, it will be time to return home. (B)
Arizona Rails - Grand Canyon and Verde Canyon Railroads
February 2-3, 2022
March 3-4, 2022
Price: $550 pp/double $660 pp/single
Day One: Depart the Valley and travel to the magnificent Grand Canyon. After seeing the Canyon from several lookout points, lunch is on your own before departing on the Grand Canyon Railroad. Travel from the Canyon to Williams. Overnight is at the Grand Canyon Railway hotel.
Day Two: After breakfast on your own, depart for Cottonwood where you will tour the Copper Art Museum. Lunch is on your own in Cottonwood before departing on the Verde Canyon Railroad. Then return home.
williams and grand canyon railway
February 2-3, 2022
March 3-4, 2022
Price: $495 pp/double $595 pp/single
Day One: Depart the Valley and travel to the magnificent Grand Canyon. After seeing the Canyon from several lookout points, lunch is on your own before departing on the Grand Canyon Railroad. Travel from the Canyon to Williams. Overnight is at the Grand Canyon Railway hotel.
Day Two: After breakfast on your own, depart for Cottonwood where you will tour the Copper Art Museum. Lunch is on your own in Cottonwood before enjoying some of the Verde Valley's finest wines. Then return home.
california whales, wine, and Wildlife
February 7-11, 2022
Price: $1179 pp/double $1550 pp/single
Day One: Depart the Valley and travel to Long Beach. Tour the Long Beach Aquarium before checking into your hotel. Dinner is on your own at Shoreline Village.
Day Two: Depart along the California Coast to Ventura where you will enjoy a Whale Watching cruise through the Channel Islands. Continue to Santa Barbara and check into the Best Western Plus Encina Inn and Suites.
Day Three: This morning, visit he Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens. Next make a stop at Solvang for shopping and lunch on your own. Continue to Pismo Beach and spend some time at the Pier before checking into the Cavalier Oceanfront Resort for the evening.
Day Four: This morning, visit Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Then travel south along the scenic California Coast. Lunch is included at the unique Madonna Inn. Continue inland to Temecula and check into the Hampton Inn and Suites. (L)
Day Five: A deluxe continental breakfast is included this morning at the hotel. This morning, visit the Alpaca Hacienda. Then return home.
california presidents weekend
February 12-15, 2022
Price: $750 pp/double $1050 pp/single
Day One: Depart the Valley and travel to Southern California. Tour the General Patton Museum and Sunnylands Gardens before checking into the Best Western Plus Carriage Inn. Dinner is on your own this evening at Universal City Walk.
Day Two: Breakfast is included at the hotel. This morning, tour the Nixon Library which is the most modern presidential museum in the country. Learn about Richard Nixon the man, his life and his presidency. Lunch is on your own at the Library Café. This afternoon, enjoy a self-guided tour of the Nethercutt Museum which showcases more than 130 of the world’s greatest antique, vintage, classic and special interest automobiles including many top winners of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Return to the Best Western Plus Carriage Inn. Dinner is on your own this evening. (B)
Day Three: Breakfast is included at the hotel. Today tour the Reagan Library. In a storied career that spanned more than five decades, Ronald Reagan inspired Americans and his legacy thrives at the Reagan Library where exhibits rediscover his values, actions, and spirit of determination. Return to the Best Western Plus Carriage Inn for the evening with dinner on your own enroute. (B)
Day Four: Breakfast is included at the hotel. Tour the Mission Museum and the Historic Mission Inn. Nixon was married here and most presidents have stayed here. This is your opportunity to see parts of this Historic Landmark that inaccessible to the general public. Then depart for home and return to the Valley. (B)
kartchner caverns and ramsey canyon
February 16-17, 2022
Price: $395 pp/double $450 pp/single
Day One: Depart the Valley and travel to Kartchner Caverns. This stunning limestone cave boasts many world-class features that have been protected since the cave was discovered in 1974. Continue to Tombstone, the Town Too Tough to Die, before arriving in Sierra Vista for the evening. Check-in to the Holiday Inn Express Sierra Vista. Dinner is included this evening. (D)
Day Two: A continental breakfast is included this morning at the hotel. Visit Ramsey Canyon. Ramsey Canyon, located within the upper San Pedro ecosystem is known for its outstanding beauty, diverse plant and wildlife, and a multitude of species of birds, several of which can be found at fewer than 20 locations throughout the world. After lunch on your own, enjoy wine tasting in Sonoita before returning home. (CB)
tucson overnight
February 16-17, 2022
Price: $350 pp/double $425 pp/single
Day One: Depart the Valley and travel to Kartchner Caverns. This stunning limestone cave boasts many world-class features that have been protected since the cave was discovered in 1974. Includes picnic lunch. Return to Tucson and spend the night at the Desert Diamond. (L)
Day Two: Today visit Sabino Canyon and tour the Desert Sonoran Museum before returning home.
tombstone and tucson overnight
February 23-24, 2022
Price: $295 pp/double $365 pp/single
Day One: Depart the Valley and travel to Tombstone, the "Town Too Tough to Die". Relive the legends of one of the West's most famous towns. Belly up to the bar in Big Nose Kate's Saloon and walk the streets of the Old Wild West. Includes admission to OK Corral and Historama. Return to Tucson and spend the night at the Desert Diamond.
Day Two: Today enjoy the Tucson Rodeo. The La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (Celebration of the Cowboys) is a nine-day celebration centering on the Tucson Rodeo, one of the top 25 professional rodeos in North America. Includes grandstand seating for the Rodeo Parade and rodeo. Then return home. (pending confirmation of date for rodeo).
san diego
March 1-4, 2022
Price: $795 pp/double $1095 pp/single
Day One: Travel to San Diego. Visit SeaPort Village before checking into the Best Western Plus Island Palms on Shelter Island, located right across the street from the water. Dinner is on your own in Old Town this evening.
Day Two: A continental breakfast is included this morning at the hotel. Enjoy a harbor cruise this morning. Then discover Balboa Park and Coronado Island including the famous Del Coronado hotel. You will have time to stroll the grounds and explore the hotel. Dinner is on your own Gaslamp District. (CB)
Day Three: A continental breakfast is included this morning at the hotel. Today will be spent at San Diego’s Wild Animal Park. Dinner is on your own in Little Italy this evening. (CB)
Day Four: A continental breakfast is included this morning at the hotel. Visit Cabrillo National Monument before departing for home. (CB)
yuma and algodones overnight at the q
March 3-4, 2022
Price: $295 pp/double $375 pp/single
Day One: Travel to Algodones and shop 'til you drop. Then check into Q Resort and Casino. Enjoy the casino and many fine restaurants this evening.
Day Two: This morning is at leisure. You can go back to Algodones in the morning OR visit downtown Yuma. After lunch on your own, depart for home.
big bend national park
March 21-25, 2022
Price: $950 pp/double $1295 pp/single
Day One: Depart the Valley and travel to Las Cruces. Check into Hotel Encanto for the evening. Dinner and tour of the haunted restaurant Double Eagle is included this evening. Located in the heart of Historic Old Mesilla, the historic, elegant home was built in 1849. The adobe building is filled with turn-of-the century art, antiques, crystal chandeliers and two ghosts! (Meals: D)
Day Two: Breakfast is included this morning at the hotel. Today your will visit Fort Davis National Historic Park, a major frontier military post. This afternoon and evening, travel to Marfa, home to the mysterious "Marfa Lights". Overnight is in Alpine. (Meals: B)
Day Three: Breakfast is included at the hotel. Then depart for Big Bend National Park. Here you can explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States, and experience unmatched sights, sounds, and solitude. Return to Alpine for the evening. (Meals: B)
Day Four: Breakfast is included at the hotel. Travel to El Paso and discover El Paso missions, Ysleta and Socorro and the presidio chapel of San Elizario. They are enduring symbols of the long and rich history of Spain, Mexico and the United States. Overnight is at the Wyndham in El Paso and dinner is included this evening at Cattleman's Steakhouse, located at the working Indian Cliffs Ranch. (Meals: B, D)
Day Five: Breakfast is included this morning at the hotel. Then depart for home. (Meals: B)
National parks of the southwest
April 25-28, 2022
Price: $795 pp/double $975 pp/single
Day One: Depart the Valley and travel to Mesquite. Visit Valley of Fire State Park. Check into CasaBlanca.
Day Two: Breakfast is included this morning at the hotel. Depart Mesquite. Full day of sightseeing in Zion. Check into Best Western Red Hills in Kanab for the evening. (Meals: B)
Day Three: Breakfast is included at the hotel. Full day of sightseeing in Bryce Canyon. Continue to Page and check into the Hyatt Place. (Meals: B)
Day Four: Morning Canyon Adventure Cruise. Lunch on own in Page. Depart for home.