Good morning! This teacher is OFF from school today, thank you Veterans Day! (and thank you Veterans while I'm at it!). I have a bunch of things to get done today but I thought I'd start with a quick post.
First of all, please check out the second part of my trip to New Zealand over on Meghan's blog. If I had to choose which part I like better, I'd pick Part 2 and my only warning is that the pictures alone may make you want to book your trip to New Zealand right now.
Secondly, I need some help from all you world travelers (well actually all you US travelers) out there. For those of you who don't know planning trips is one of my favorite things ever to do. Every once in awhile I get a major itch to plan a trip. Traveling is also one of Eric and my favorite things to do together. We have such a good system going with each other where we can see a lot of things in a new place, but we never over do it and we always make sure to relax and have a good time. However, I was reading Kirsten's blog the other day and she mentioned she has been on a plane 31 times this year for personal travel. I know I could never get to that number but it did make me realize that I have not been on a plane since October 2008. I also have not been on a trip alone with just Eric since our trip to Europe in 2006. These stats may not seem like a big deal to anyone, but to me travel is the #1 "worth it" thing to spend money on. The other thing is, Eric and I have big dreams of serious travel before children. We still have a few years before we have to worry about that...but then again, serious travel requires serious time and money, so we need to start now.
Obviously next July we will be going on our honeymoon, but I still do not think I can let almost two years pass without setting foot on a plane. So I have been thinking about a possible February vacation trip to Phoenix Arizona/Grand Canyon area. I have dedicated a little bit of time today on my day off to do some number crunching to make sure this is a realistic trip and figure out a solid budget. Until then- I need some advice from anyone who has been to this area.
Right now my current rough itinerary is:
Arrive Saturday night- stay in hotel in Phoenix.
Sunday morning drive up to Sedona, stay there for 1 night
Monday drive up to Grand Canyon, stay there for 2 nights
Wednesday drive back to Phoenix, stay there for 2 nights
Friday- flight back to Boston
So what I need to know from you guys is...
- Does that look like a good itinerary? Is there anything I need to add or take away?
- Recommendations for hotels to stay in (and also- is it a good idea to stay in Phoenix or outside in Scottsdale etc?)
- Is there any way to get internet on a plane? I always see people blogging from the air, but I have never been able to even plug my computer in on a plane, forget receive internet access!
- Recommendations for how to find the best deal on a rental car
- Things I must see or do on this trip
That is about all. I'll be back later for a more "healthy living" related post :)
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Oh so fun! I wish I had some helpful advice to add, but I've only spent a few hours at the grand canyon! I agree with you though that traveling is the best way to spend those extra saved dollars :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVED Arizona. Sedona is amazing and so beautiful. The Grand Canyon is cool to see ....but it is obviously way out of the way and other than seeing it, I found there wasn't much to do there. I would have preferred we spent more time in the Sedona area.
ReplyDeleteWe stayed once in Phoenix at the Hilton Tapatio which was very nice and the second in Scottsdate at the Princess. (we got a deal there but it has the most amazing spa and Mexican restaurant onsite)
Now I want to go back.....
Hmmm...my aunt and uncle went to Sedona awhile back for their anniversary and they loved it. I have no idea where they stayed, but I do know that they went onto some of the Native American Reservations, which they said was a very eye-opening experience. Good luck planning!
ReplyDeleteSadly I have never been to the Grand Canyon, but I would think two days should suit you well. Overall, your itinerary looks great to me! I'm jealous.
ReplyDeleteAs for the internet on the plane, you have to pay for it. Do you have a laptop? Why do you have to plug in your computer? You shouldn't have to, unles you need a new battery or if it dies. But to get the internet they will charge you about 10 to 20 dollars (rip off!). IF you have nothing else to do, it's worth it.
Can't wait to see pictures from this wonderful trip!
I have never been to Arizona, but your trip sounds like it could be a lot of fun! So jealous!
ReplyDeleteI also LOVE planning trips and I haven't been on a plane since my honeymoon 4 years ago! Eeek! I will be rectifying that this December. ;)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the planning!
I think you itinerary looks great. I went to AZ in April almost 2 years ago. I posted all about it, and included some links to restaraunts and such... Plus, we hiked the Superstition Mountain, which I HIGHLY recommend! Check it out:
ReplyDeletehttp://dare-to-tri.blogspot.com/2008/04/arizona-run-down.html
I've never been to the Grand Canyon so I can't be of much help :( I have been to New Mexico though and loved it!
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally agree - travel is SO worth the money. i have to keep repeating this because I'm broke since all my savings went to travelling... but it was SO worth it!
ohh looks beautiful!! I have never been to AZ but I hear it is breathtaking, HOT but not humid which is great!! you are going to have an awesome time!!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had better advice, but I've only been to Phoenix. I loved it though, I actually almost moved there! It's definitely hot, but it's a cool place to visit. And I totally agree about it being worth the money for a vacation--we need that little something to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I would love to go to this part of the country. Only been to Scottsdale once for work and we were at the hotel the whole time so didn't see much. Just last night I was planning a little trip for us actually, thinking of going to Sanibel Island this March. I love traveling and don't do enough of it. Enjoy the rest of your day off!
ReplyDeleteIf you let me know what kind of stuff you guys want to do I can give you a whole list! Obviously, a blogger meet up with ME should be on the itinerary...
ReplyDeleteI spent the first part of my life in Arizona and it is awesome! You should definitely stay in Scottsdale if you get a chance because it is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Arizona, but it looks like you've got a good plan. A few days in each place should give you plenty of time to get lots of sight seeing in. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteSedona ia gorgeous, as is the drive to get there! Think wild horses running in the desert. . .
ReplyDeletePhoenix was a little iffy, but Scottsdale is to die for. We stayed at the Camelback which has an amazing spa, Mummy Mountain to hike up, and poolside cactus margaritas! We also went to a copper mining town called Jerome which was neat in an old west sort of way.
I am going to a meeting there in January and we are staying at Fire Sky Resort, I will have more info then!
Hey! I live in Tempe, AZ which is right next to Phoenix. It kinda depends on the area where you stay. Phoenix can be good if you're in the right place. Scottsdale can be pretty uppity and high class--which means it can be pricier, but also MUCH prettier and nicer. They're much more resort-style. Mesa can also be a pretty good place to stay. In the Tempe-Phoenix-Chandler-Mesa area, there are patches where it gets sketchy, but then patches of nice and safe places, too. And it's usually nothing real bad, just places where if you go out, you're gonna get lots of unwanted attention from slimy guys--husband or not. And you won't want to walk alone at night. If you're worried, you could email me the hotel you're looking at, and I could tell you what kinda area it is :)
ReplyDeleteMy family drove down to Sedona from Tempe in the summer, and it was really pretty. I'd look into the hikes there, especially since it'll be cooler in the winter. Oh, when you're in Phoenix you should check out the restaurants Green and Pita Jungle. Especially Pita Jungle!
When I went to AZ to visit my grandparents,I LOVED going to the Cubs training camp. :) Hit up Scottsdale's Old Town, there is also a huuge mall in scottsdale, Camelback Mountains are beautiful, Keegan's was a cool irish sports pub, and pickengils was another restaurant we ate at. Last time I was there was 2003, but I love it.
ReplyDeleteOo, fun! One of my best friends lives in the Phoenix area so I usually go down there one a year to visit her - and actually I usually go in Feb to get away from our yucky winter weather!
ReplyDeleteI have actually never really spent any time in Phoenix, though. My friend lives in Chandler, which is a western suburb, and then we spend all of our time either in the Scottsdale area or going hiking at Superstition Springs or Camelback, etc. So I don't know that you would need to stay IN Phoenix, but I will defer to the other experts out there!
Umm never been there but I just wanted to say that I LOVE how much you guys like to travel together and I totally want to do that too! I love flying and fly about 5 or 6 times a year at least but that's mostly when I'm going home!
ReplyDeleteYay Phoenix!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'd stay in Scottsdale. There's a lot more to do there. Check out the new addition to Scottsdale Fashion Square - new Barneys! There's not much to see in Phoenix itself.
If you have any specific questions, ask me about it - I can't think of specific advice, but I'd love to help you out.
I LOVE the Grand Canyon area. If I were you, I wouldn't stay in Phoenix. In fact, I recommend you stay in Sedona or Flagstaff. They are more north and closer to the Grand Canyon and other amazing places! Flagstaff has some great hotels and it's BEAUTIFUL... but in February it will be cold and snowy and you may want to get away from that.
ReplyDeleteSo, with that said... Scottsdale would be more fun than Phoenix. In any case, you'll have a great time!
That is so exciting! I was in AZ once but I was about 13 so I can't help too much, but we were just talking about going back, so I am looking forward to your itinerary and recaps :)
ReplyDeletei've never been but i may copy whatever you come up with! ;) sounds good so far! hope someone is able to help.
ReplyDelete