jenniferstuart@explorateurtravel.com — Scottsdale

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With 299 days of sunshine a year, Scottsdale is the perfect desert escape for anyone looking for a change in scenery. It sits just a couple miles north of downtown Phoenix and home to some of the most luxurious resorts, spas, and golf courses in the country. How do you get to this vintage desert paradise? Hop a quick flight into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. This is a major hub with most cities offering direct flights at reasonable prices!

Best Times to Visit: This is truly a year round destination, but if you are looking for blue skies and reasonable temperatures November through April are best. Keep in mind that hotels see their highest rates in the winter months so if you are looking for a better deal we recommend checking in spring time.

Things to do:

Hike Camelback Mountain. This is one of the most iconic hikes in Phoenix. Camelback Mountain is located in the middle of the Phoenix Valley with picturesque views! The beginning of the hike is easy, with even terrain. The last third of the trail requires scrambling up steep grades with drop-offs on each side. Both hikes are a little under 2.5 miles long. Plan on taking two to three hours, depending on your condition, to make either of the round-trip hikes.

Day trip to Sedona. If you are looking for a break from the city life, Sedona is only a short and scenic 2-hour drive north of Scottsdale. Hike the beautiful red rocks, take a Pink Jeep tour to the most scenic overlooks, or simply marvel at the drive!

Shop & eat your way through Fashion Square. Scottsdale is known for it’s world class shopping and amazing restaurants, so make sure to check out the beautiful Fashion Square while you are in town. You will find just about every store imaginable between Fashion Square and Scottsdale Quarter.

Take a hot air balloon ride over the Sonoran Desert. If you’ve never been in a hot air balloon before, Scottsdale is the place to do it! Glide over beautiful red rocks, mountains, and cacti while watching coyote run down below. Hot air balloons float effortlessly in the morning sun, and it’s a scenic and peaceful way to spend a few hours!