If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Southwest Trip Questions
To your questions:
1. I've done essentailly this trip (in reverse: flying into Phoenix, dropping off in LV) two times in the last several years, and both times found a rental agency that didn't charge the drop-off fee. Definitely check several agencies. I think I used National for one of the trips, but cannot remember for sure. 2. I agree with the previous poster that despite the spartan nature of the lodging, staying in the Village is better. I especially think it's great if you are going to do a lot of walking or hiking as it makes a brief rest so much easier. Except for El Tovar, the "lodges" are very clean, very plain basic motels, with pretty much no amenities. 3. Sedona is definitely worth a stop for the beautiful rock formations. If the weather is hot, Oak Creek Canyon is a nice park for a dip in the (very crowded) Creek. The surroundings are beautiful too - it marks the transition from the rocky desert to the almost alpine-appearing mountains further north. Others may disagree, but unless I were staying in a fabulous hotel/spa in the area, I would make Sedona a stop on the way somewhere, as opposed to staying overnight or for multiple days. 4. I love Tuscon, and spent 4 days there, and easilly kept myself busy. As others have said, the Mission at San Xavier del Bac is beautiful and interesting; if you are interested in aviation, the Pima Airfiled/Museum is fascinating (I'm not much of a plane buff but really enjoyed it); there are lots of good restaurants in Tuscon, including more authentic Mexican than you'll find almost anywhere else in the US - the carne seca alone is enough to make me eat beef. Daytrips from Tuscon are nice; I visited Tombstone, and if you are a fan of western lore, by all means go, but it is more than a tourist trap. It gives tourist traps a bad name. I also loved Bisbee. It's about an hour or so further south of Tombstone, and has sort of reinvented itself as an artists community now that the mine is closed. When I was there in '98 you could tour the old copper mine, and there were several lovely galleries and restaurants. We spent a nice day there walking around and window shopping after seeing the mine, and just seeing the town sprawled across the valley and up the mountain as you come out of the tunnel was worth the drive. 5. Other AZ stuff: I definitely recommend heading east from Flagstaff - nearby Walnut Canyon is fantastic; if you have time the Monument Valley/Canyon de Chelly loop is not to be missed. I found it to be the highlight of the trip. They are two of my favorite places anywhere. I am no fan of extended driving, but in the Southwest, I find driving trips much more manageable, almost enjoyable, so don't hesitate to add more to the itinerary if time allows and the distance is discouraging you. Between higher speed limits, less traffic (than the east coast, anyway), more polite drivers and the psychology of space that all those open vistas incurs, I was always surprised at how pleasant it was to drive long distances, sometimes up to 200 miles a day for 2 or 3 straight days. |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Southwest Trip Questions
I want to thank everyone for their replies to my questions about
traveling to Las Vegas and Arizona. I am planning this trip for June 2005. After reading the replies, I'm kind of putting together this plan. 1) Fly into Las Vegas and spend two nights at one of the fancy hotels (probably Venetian or Bellagio) - we're not gamblers but we would like to see a show and see some of the hotels. 2) Drive to Grand Canyon, stopping by Hoover Dam on the way, and hopefully stay at El Tovar for two nights (I know I have to book a long time ahead and will do so just as soon as they open June bookings). 3) Drive east and do the Monument Valley/Canyon de Chelly loop. 4) Then back to Flagstaff and then head south stopping in Sedona. 4) Drive thru Phoenix and go to Tucson and Tombstone. 5) Then finish trip in Phoenix before flying back, leaving car in Phoenix. I could fly out of Tucson I guess, but Southwest doesn't have good flights to home, while Phoenix does. I'm figuring 10 days to 2 weeks for this trip. Does it sound doable? |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Southwest Trip Questions
Yes, sounds doable. Two weeks, not 10 days.
Julie WolfpackFan wrote: I want to thank everyone for their replies to my questions about traveling to Las Vegas and Arizona. I am planning this trip for June 2005. After reading the replies, I'm kind of putting together this plan. 1) Fly into Las Vegas and spend two nights at one of the fancy hotels (probably Venetian or Bellagio) - we're not gamblers but we would like to see a show and see some of the hotels. 2) Drive to Grand Canyon, stopping by Hoover Dam on the way, and hopefully stay at El Tovar for two nights (I know I have to book a long time ahead and will do so just as soon as they open June bookings). 3) Drive east and do the Monument Valley/Canyon de Chelly loop. 4) Then back to Flagstaff and then head south stopping in Sedona. 4) Drive thru Phoenix and go to Tucson and Tombstone. 5) Then finish trip in Phoenix before flying back, leaving car in Phoenix. I could fly out of Tucson I guess, but Southwest doesn't have good flights to home, while Phoenix does. I'm figuring 10 days to 2 weeks for this trip. Does it sound doable? -- Julie ********** Check out my Travel Pages (non-commercial) at http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Southwest Trip Questions
"WolfpackFan" wrote in message ... I want to thank everyone for their replies to my questions about traveling to Las Vegas and Arizona. I am planning this trip for June 2005. After reading the replies, I'm kind of putting together this plan. 1) Fly into Las Vegas and spend two nights at one of the fancy hotels (probably Venetian or Bellagio) - we're not gamblers but we would like to see a show and see some of the hotels. Try and avoid Friday and Saturday night, room rates will be triple what they are midweek. 2) Drive to Grand Canyon, stopping by Hoover Dam on the way, and hopefully stay at El Tovar for two nights (I know I have to book a long time ahead and will do so just as soon as they open June bookings). Sounds good 3) Drive east and do the Monument Valley/Canyon de Chelly loop. 4) Then back to Flagstaff and then head south stopping in Sedona. 4) Drive thru Phoenix and go to Tucson and Tombstone. 5) Then finish trip in Phoenix before flying back, leaving car in Phoenix. I could fly out of Tucson I guess, but Southwest doesn't have good flights to home, while Phoenix does. I'm figuring 10 days to 2 weeks for this trip. Does it sound doable? Sure, have fun. Keith |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Southwest Trip Questions
I don't remember the drive between Phoenix and Tucson with affection!
Quite a busy freeway, not the best laid out and the scenery best described as boring. To avoid doing it twice I might consider: Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelley, Petrified Forest/Painted Desert, Show Low, Globe, Tucson....... -- ***** *****The "return to" address embedded in this mail is wrong as an antispam measure. Please address new mails or replies to edwarddotharrison1atbtinternetdotcom replacing dot with a . and at with an @***** ***** |
#16
|
|||
|
|||
Southwest Trip Questions
"Graham Harrison" wrote:
I don't remember the drive between Phoenix and Tucson with affection! I do. the scenery best described as boring. Not by me! I thought it magnificent. I also enjoyed the stop in Florence. __________________________________________________ __________ Un San Francisqueño en San Francisco http://geocities.com/dancefest/ http://geocities.com/iconoc/ ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 IClast at SFbay Net |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
Southwest Trip Questions
WolfpackFan wrote in message ...
I'm in the beginning stages of planning a trip to the southwest for next year. Locations we want to visit - Las Vegas for a day or so, Grand Canyon and then some areas in Arizona (that's where I need the help). Questions - 1) I was thinking of flying into Las Vegas and renting a car and then Tho I travel a lot in the SW, never with an rental car so no info. 2) We'd probably spend two nights and one day seeing Grand Canyon. Where is best place to stay for this type visit? El Tovar would be nice, right on the rim. However, book a LONG way ahead of time. I've never planned far enough ahead but when I've asked about lodges inside N Parks of the SW have been told by them to reserve a year ahead. 3) We've heard about Sedona. What is there and how long should I budget time-wise? I thought it grim. If one has never seen the southwest before, there are a few nice views. BUT the village is a "nothing" and, interested as I am in photography, I was vexed by the fact that in the middle of every view was a millionaires house. I spent only a few hours, would never go back. 4) Is Tucson worthing visiting? If so, for how long? If you're going to be in the Grand Canyon, see scenery instead of cities. Go around to the N Rim, fewer people, still grand views. AND a very scenic drive, crossing the Colorado River at Navajo Bridge over Grand Canyon. Read John Wesley Powell's "The Exploration of the Colorado" and at Navajo Bridge take a few moments to meditate on what his experience must have been like as he drifted past this point. Bryce (my favorite because of the fantastic color) and Zion are nearby so venture up into Utah. OR from Tuba City go over into the Hopi reservation to Second Mesa. Satisfactory motel, nice restaurant, and a small but excellent museum which gives you insight into the Hopi culture. If you want to go past Flagstaff, see Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater, and perhaps even Walnut Canyon. Another alternative would be to continue past Second Mesa, onward to Canyon de Chelly (great views down into the canyon), take the highway down to Interstate 40 and come back east past Petrified Forest. The SW is a magnificent place, so it is hard to go wrong: BUT stay away from cities (Phoenix, Tucson). |
#18
|
|||
|
|||
Southwest Trip Questions
WolfpackFan wrote in message ...
I'm figuring 10 days to 2 weeks for this trip. Does it sound doable? I did almost this exact itinerary in 12 days, and found it very doable. If you can go up to 14 all the better, but I wouldn't go down to 10 days. I'm envious- have a great trip. Susan |
#19
|
|||
|
|||
Southwest Trip Questions
On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 07:57:19 -0400, WolfpackFan
wrote: I want to thank everyone for their replies to my questions about traveling to Las Vegas and Arizona. I am planning this trip for June 2005. After reading the replies, I'm kind of putting together this plan. 1) Fly into Las Vegas and spend two nights at one of the fancy hotels (probably Venetian or Bellagio) - we're not gamblers but we would like to see a show and see some of the hotels. 2) Drive to Grand Canyon, stopping by Hoover Dam on the way, and hopefully stay at El Tovar for two nights (I know I have to book a long time ahead and will do so just as soon as they open June bookings). 3) Drive east and do the Monument Valley/Canyon de Chelly loop. 4) Then back to Flagstaff and then head south stopping in Sedona. 4) Drive thru Phoenix and go to Tucson and Tombstone. 5) Then finish trip in Phoenix before flying back, leaving car in Phoenix. I could fly out of Tucson I guess, but Southwest doesn't have good flights to home, while Phoenix does. I'm figuring 10 days to 2 weeks for this trip. Does it sound doable? Hi We did a not too dis-similar trip some years ago (except for Monument Valley but with a detour to Bisbee), staying in a tent the whole way - except in Las Vegas and Tucson - spending a few days at some places. The list below is by no means complete, just the main stops:- Las Vegas: (Excalibur) Grand Canyon (North Rim): Sunset crater: Sedona: Prescott: Bisbee: Tucson: We then carried on to Los Angeles via.... Yuma: Mount Palomar: LA From my diary, we left Las Vegas on the 11th September and arrived in Tucson on 25th Sept, which is just 14 days. I don't remember feeling rushed, so your itinerary is certainly "doable". We have also done a trip from Phoenix:- Phoenix: motel Apache Lake: tent Show Low: tent Painted Desert: tent Monument Valley: tent Bullfrog: tent Escalante: motel Mount Carmel Junction: tent St George: tent Las Vegas: hotel ......and then to LA via Death Valley and "Red Rock Canyon". That trip took around 2 weeks to Las Vegas - again I don't remember feeling rushed. However, having said that, we would have liked to have spent longer in some places - and have been back to them since. Incidentally, the last time we were in Las Vegas (Sept 2002), rather than pick up our rental car on arrival, we got a cab to our hotel (the Sahara) to recover from our Trans-Atlantic flight (we are Brits) then picked up the car the next day downtown - it worked out very well. Regards KGB |
#20
|
|||
|
|||
Southwest Trip Questions
On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 13:31:57 GMT, "Evelyn C. Leeper"
wrote: Icono Clast wrote: "Graham Harrison" wrote: Tombstone which is a wonderful tourist trap but still well worth an hour or two. I'd say a few hours but the big thing about Tombstone is that it's on the way to Tucson's great Desert Museum. Also on the way is a wonderful mission. It's not on the way from anywhere north of Tucson. It's not very far out of the way. Strictly speaking the desert museum isn't on the way to much onywhere. ************* DAVE HATUNEN ) ************* * Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * * My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps * |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Four Seasons Papagayo Trip Report | [email protected] | Latin America | 1 | June 17th, 2004 04:03 PM |
Using olfactory cues to remember your trip of a lifetime | Mxsmanic | Europe | 18 | February 7th, 2004 05:17 AM |
Questions to our first trip in Las vegas! | Sandra | USA & Canada | 28 | January 12th, 2004 10:14 PM |
Winglets in Southwest | Alec D. Plotkin | Air travel | 6 | November 20th, 2003 04:42 PM |
Yosemite-Tahoe Vacation Trip Report | Seb | USA & Canada | 8 | September 26th, 2003 01:00 AM |