Phoenix Holidays

No matter what time of year you visit Greater Phoenix, you´ll find plenty of things to see and do. More than 325 days of annual sunshine mean you can count on exceptional weather as you experience the rich diversity of our Sonoran Desert playground. Accommodation Looking for a truly great escape? Greater Phoenix has a wide array of options ranging from charming bed-and-breakfast inns to luxurious hotels and resorts and everything in between. For the adventurer at heart, a stay at a campground or RV park or even a dude guest ranch is the perfect getaway. If you plan to stay awhile, temporary housing or apartment and condominium rentals might be a better option. With luxury resort properties that lay it on in style, Greater Phoenix has risen to become the top hotel destination in the country according to a recent Zagat Survey of frequent travelers. In fact, the January 2004 Conde Nast Traveler magazine listed 10 of our resorts among its Gold List and Reserve of the "World´s Best 700 Places to Stay." What makes Greater Phoenix hotels and resorts so special? You name it - deluxe suites, outstanding meeting and guest services, world-class spas and golf, gourmet dining - everything you could imagine, or hope for, in an ultimate getaway. Nightlife As the sun fades and night falls on Greater Phoenix, the desert quickly becomes much cooler. But as the locals know, the nightlife is just heating up. With a wide range of activity within a short distance, a night on the town brings spontaneity and excitement. Greater Phoenix hotspots range from trendy nightclubs to more relaxed sports bars where conversation is to be enjoyed with friends. Each of the cities within the Phoenix metro area offer something fun and unique through such bars, nightclubs and entertainment complexes. On the weekends, just about every major crossroad provides an opportunity to be entertained. Activities No matter what time of year you visit Phoenix, you´ll find plenty to do. Great outdoor activities include hiking, biking or horseback riding along scenic desert trails, to floating into the clouds in a hot-air balloon or glider. Numerous ranches provide the opportunity to live like a real cowboy or cowgirl, or if it´s water adventure you´re looking for, five major lakes are within a 45-minute drive. Take the kids to one of numerous city and county parks such as South Mountain, the largest municipal park in the country. Attend a sports event, or golf on more than 200 picturesque courses -- two great ways to release some energy. Greater Phoenix is also a place where art connoisseurs can explore modern galleries and performing arts buffs can experience the impressive Phoenix Symphony. Greater Phoenix provides an outlet for everyone whether they´ve got the urge for adrenaline or a passion for walks in the park. Shopping Whether you´re coming to Greater Phoenix to work, rest or play, you´ll want to take some time for a little shopping. When you do, you´re in for a treat. When visiting Greater Phoenix, you owe it to yourself to check out the area´s fabulous shopping malls, unique boutiques, antique shops and the terrific deals available at regional outlet centers. As you shop at palatial Scottsdale Fashion Square, enjoy the upscale ambiance of Biltmore Fashion Park, peruse antique stores in Glendale or explore galleries and boutiques in Scottsdale, you´ll see why shopping is such a popular activity in Greater Phoenix. Original Southwestern art and eclectic gifts are sure to pique interests as you peruse art galleries along Main Street and Marshall Way in Scottsdale. Art collectors and enthusiasts revel in the vast array of artistic talent on display here. For a shopping experience that is decidedly young at heart, visit Mill Avenue in Tempe. A stones´ throw from Arizona State University, Mill Avenue is a great place to find unique gifts, jewelry, souvenirs and clothing much of which is made by local artists and designers. Spas / Health & Beauty We invite you to delve into the spa experience, as Greater Phoenix is home to a luxurious collection of full-service day spas tucked away in world-class resorts and private facilities. Start your day at the spa by soaking up a little Arizona sunshine. Then, refresh in a crystal-clear pool. The therapists, estheticians and other personal-care professionals who staff our spas will look after the rest. Your menu of self-indulgences offers the world´s foremost rejuvenating treatments some imported from Asia and Europe, others inspired by exotic Native American traditions, including warm-stone therapies, aloe vera body wraps, Sonoran Desert aromatherapy exfoliations and more. Whatever spa choices you select, you´re sure to experience a new world of pampering treatments amidst elegant, yet comforting surroundings. Tours & Sightseeing If spectacular sightseeing, temperate weather and unique experiences are all things you enjoy, plan your next vacation in Greater Phoenix. Visitors have discovered a unique combination of natural beauty, climate and culture and in Greater Phoenix, where you can discover nearly two dozen Native American tribes that maintain strong local traditions. When vacationing in Greater Phoenix, the sky truly is the limit. Mild weather conditions allow for a variety of air sports like soaring over the Sonoran Desert in a two-seat glider or lofting above the rural areas in a hot-air balloon. Tour companies would also be more than happy to lead you on a desert excursion to abandoned gold mines, or other sites filled with ruins more than 500 years old. Whether you´re interested in a three-day trip to the Grand Canyon or a day of mountain biking at our local Camelback Mountain, it´s amazing how diverse sightseeing can be. A variety of discoveries await you in Greater Phoenix, where the Sonoran Desert´s magical landscape stretches to the peaks of surrounding mountains, where a new panorama of beauty awaits behind every Saguaro cactus, and where each day brings a new adventure. Public Transport Car rental companies and shuttle services situated in and around Sky Harbor Airport provide hassle-free service. Greater Phoenix offers the efficient Valley Metro bus system, which extends to all areas of the city, and the free Copper Square DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle), which transports passengers night and day to places like America West Arena, Bank One Ballpark, the State Capitol building, museums, and other downtown facilities. In addition to taxis and private cars can be hired. Pedicabs bike you to and from parking and around downtown for sporting events, performing arts and nightlife. Contact Information Website: www.visitphoenix.com/ Serving Airports Airport: Sky Harbor International Airport Airport Code Flight Time from the UK: 9 hours