Travel Interruption
For the last couple of years, I have been planning travel almost every month – even if just for a quick weekend getaway. This Arizona Itinerary is from one of those travels before the pandemic hit.
As I traveled I have been taking pictures and printing them on canvas to bring a glimpse of these adventures back to my office. The pictures brought me back to those moments of awe for a moment. I even offered my space to others during stressful moments…we called it my vacation spot! I allowed free tours!
My Arizona pictures got a lot of attention. Sitting there really did feel great! Then…Coronavirus. No more travel plans. No more trips to the office. (I am very fortunate to not have contracted the virus at this point and I do feel for everyone that has been affected in the many ways that this virus has devastated our country and other parts of the world. I write this to offer hope that we will all feel safe to travel again soon!)
A Little Break From the Isolation
When Philadelphia shut down, I had just returned from a great anniversary trip to Florida with my husband. We were scheduled to leave soon for California! That was canceled, and nothing else was scheduled.
That is, until our area lifted out of the red, then out of the yellow and into the green phase. My husband and I took our chances on a road trip to my parent’s house in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was a great time. Relaxing, boating, feasting, and a lot of family fun. I used the most hand sanitizer, and Clorox wipes possible, and we all made it past the 14-day marker with no signs or symptoms of the virus. We were lucky.
We don’t know when we will be willing to take our chances on traveling again. Some people are out there. I am just not there yet. My Michigan pictures will have to hold me over! Each time I look at the picture below, I can feel the calm and taste the fresh air. I promise…the Arizona Itinerary is coming up next! I just had to add some perspective – about why I am highlighting a trip from the past…we are unfortunately not in a time of traveling freely.
Social Distancing Travel Option
I decided to share my Arizona Itinerary because it is the most Social Distancing friendly. Not all parts of the Itinerary qualify, but it was a great trip and even if you go now and enjoy the socially distanced activities – there is so much to see and do – you could go back to see the rest another time!
I have been to Arizona twice and will go back again for sure. The next time I go I would like to bring a group along to experience this same Arizona Itinerary – including some that have never been there. Sometimes seeing someone else experience something for the first time is another vantage point for your own feeling of awe as I am typing. I am really thinking about when I will plan my next trip to Arizona…hopefully, it is soon!
One of my travel struggles is packing way too much into each day of my travel plans. The plans for my Arizona trip started that way too. It was December, and I was in Michigan visiting my parents. My husband was home in Philadelphia. We considered having our flights meet in Phoenix, but with the unpredictable weather in PA and in MI, we decided to take the same flight out of Philadelphia.
As we suspected, the weather was an issue. I was delayed overnight in Michigan. I took the first flight out to Philadelphia in the morning and got there just in time to take the airport shuttle to my car in the economy parking lot, change a few things out of my suitcase, and get back to the gate to meet my husband for the flight. It was almost not in time, but that still qualifies as just in time! I made the flight.
I don’t recommend starting like that, but the rest of the details are below, and they could help you plan an awemazing trip! The only thing I would change is to add more days to each part of the trip. Many additional adventures could be added at each location.
Friday Arizona Itinerary
Fly into Phoenix
Hotel: Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale, Curio Collection by Hilton
The Boulders property is a vacation in itself. There is a lot to do in Phoenix and Scottsdale. There is a Party Bike/Pedal Pub Crawl in Scottsdale. We didn’t get to go this time, but we did the Cycle Party in Fort Lauderdale, so I know they can be fun! It is definitely an interesting vantage point to explore any city. (There is a paddle instead of pedal option in Miami…can’t wait to try that too!)
Saturday Arizona Itinerary
Drive to Page, AZ. On the way, visit Montezuma’s Castle and Horseshoe Bend.
Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Page AZ This is a great hub for many adventures!
Sunday Arizona Itinerary
Tours in Page, AZ
Upper Antelope Canyon Tour 8 am-10 am, Lower Antelope Canyon Tour 11:30 am-2 pm (Ken’s Tours) Can be a bit crowded, but when you get inside the canyons you are looking up, not at the people and you almost forget that there are any other people with you – it is that awemazing – it really is! (The pictures in the middle below are the canyons from the outside – unbelievable how hidden this beauty is.)
Lake Powel Boat Ride 3:45-4:15 (Antelope Point Marina) know that to get to this boat you have to go down a VERY LONG and STEEP bridge/dock and then on the way back up it seems to be even LONGER and STEEPER. Great tour!
Monday Arizona Itinerary
Grand Canyon Tour and traveling on to Sedona, AZ
Sacred Edge Tour – Page, AZ This tour is truly the tour guide and whoever is in your party – miles and miles from anyone else. You could sit on the canyon’s edge and hang your feet over – but you definitely shouldn’t do that! You are taken to several vantage points – each unique. I visited the park rim and flew through in a helicopter on my first trip to Arizona – this experience was so much better!
Drive to Sedona- Hotel: Sedona Resort at Bell Rock – Another great property. I needed that sauna after the touring I had done in the past few days!
Sedona is known for jeep rides off the beaten path and many other adventurous experiences in the red rock countryside. Sedona also has a spiritual and foody side that shouldn’t be missed! We only spent one night this time, but you could definitely enjoy many!
Tuesday Arizona Itinerary
Fly home
If you plan a longer stay, you will be able to see more and do more, and you will also have more flexibility with the dates and times of the tours. This was a packed four-day itinerary – it was a lot for even me in this short amount of time. I was exhausted but it was well worth it. Some of the best vantage points for awe I have ever experienced. A picture like the one below popped up as by google background one day…I can’t believe I was able to go and take my own photos and experience this myself. I hope you also get the chance to go and see it! Stay safe!
