
Bi-weekly Featured Destination: Scottsdale, Arizona
Destination overview: Scottsdale
If only we were the ones that purchased 640 acres of desert land in what is now Scottsdale back in 1888 for the mind blowing low price of $3.50 an acre!!! Instead it was United States Army Chaplain Winfield Scott, the namesake of “Scottsdale.” He, like many after him, was drawn to the area by the favorable climate, beautiful scenery and irrigateable desert land. Like much of the dry west, many health seekers, predominantly those that suffered from respiratory distress/disease, sought the favorable dry, warm air. Turn the clock forward just a short stitch in time to 1910 when the Ingleside Inn, the first luxury resort brought refinement and golf to the area. By the late 30’s, and early 40’s Scottsdale became quite the draw. In 1937 famed architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, built Taliesin West in the McDowell Mountains. Cosmetics maven Elizabeth Arden even built a spa to draw for the well to do and celebrities. Turn the
Trip Planner: Scottsdale
Gorgeous sunshiny days, amazing restaurants, outdoor sports o’plenty, and spas, lots of spas! Pick one, or all for a single day. While I am not a golfer, I can see the allure with courses as beautiful as those in Scottsdale, not to mention that you could play a new course daily for almost 3 months! Hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, that is more my speed, and the area offers amazing options. You’ve probably heard of Camelback Mountain, but what about Tom’s Thumb? Whether you hike or climb it, it offers amazing views of Phoenix. After giving your muscles a wake up, why not wind down your day with an amazing massage and Cocoa Mexicano Wrap, a full body chili and chocolate wrap at The Saguaro Hotel spa. Decorated with the bold colors of desert flowers, you can’t miss the Saguaro. The hotel was purchased in early 2011 with plans to remain open while a complete revamp and re-branding
What to pack: Smart Planet Glass Water bottle
So your bag is on the bed, and you’re standing there lost in thought about what to pack to take to Scottsdale (or anywhere else). It doesn’t matter if you are headed there with the gals (or guys for our male JANEers), taking your sweet mom on a well deserved getaway, or tossing a nightie in your bag to make your beau swoon, you’ll need one thing- a great water bottle! That’s right, practical and necessary. The desert leaches every bit of water out of your body, onto your body- you’ll sweat so much you have to stay hydrated while visiting. Many of us just refill ‘disposable” water bottles, but studies show plastics #1 & #7 reused can be harmful because of Bisphenol A (BPA). Pitch your old refillable bottles, microwaveable lunch containers and maybe even sippy cups and start fresh, I love, and swear by this bottle by Smart Planet. Classier than your old
-
Air travel tip- Soapy hands
I am a typical woman with a small bladder. Well, there’s more to that. I’m an atypical woman actually. I have a bladder condition, Interstitial Cystitis, that makes me urinate much more frequently than the average woman. So I consider myself an airplane bathroom expert. As a …
-
TSA & packing- Don’t confiscate my shoes!
Do you get tired of finding that TSA rules seem to vary from airport to airport? I do. Do you find yourself occasionally antsy as you approach the TSA line because you are unsure about an item you have packed? Not because it’s potentially harmful, or …
-
The view across from Patallacta ruins (Peru)
The Patallacta ruins along the Peruvian Inca Trail undoubtedly are stunning. You feel in awe and perplexed when seeing them, it’s like viewing a real life sized puzzle. The whole trail is full of experiences so magical you almost hear the native pan flutes beckoning …
-
Dimly lit market, Istanbul, Turkey
In huge cities of the world it is impossible to stay on course and see everything you want to. I have found the longer I travel the more obsessed I become with finding local grocery stores and better yet, open air markets. Here you get …
-
Wednesday’s Wish Trip, Apokryfo Hotel, Lofou, Cyprus (by the request of JANEer- Victoria Giorvas)
I am as picky as they come when selecting a hotel/B&B. Not because I have to have a fancy, luxurious place to stay on vacation, but because I want…well…, the right feel and the best value in the best location. After all, we don’t get …
-
Wednesday’s Wish Trip, Serrin House Hotel -Cappadocia, Turkey (by the request of JANEer- Cynthia Oberg)
Some cities feel magical, extraordinary and other worldly. Cappadocia, Turkey should be at the top of this list. Cappadocia’s history could be it’s own class in high school. For starters you must understand what formed the unusual topography. The city is a lava bed that …
-
Wednesday’s Wish Trip, Bella’s Bed and Breakfast-Freemans Bay (Auckland), New Zealand (by the request of JANEer- Allyson Jacobs)
Somehow New Zealand has evaded me in my travels, and apparently JANEer Allyson Jacobs too, as she asked me to look into travels in Auckland for her…! To brush us all up on geography, New Zealand is divided into two islands, referred to as the North …
-
Third party plane ticket booking advisory!
Have you ever booked a plane ticket from Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia etc.? I recently did, but usually book directly through the airline. Last night I went to check in for a flight due to depart from Knoxville headed to Albuquerque, a ticket I booked via …
-
Wednesday’s Wish Trip, Daviot House Hotel-Ayr, Scotland (by the request of JANEer- Jan McQuarrie)
1st feature in a series of 7 cities! If you’ll recall, I asked JANEers where they’d like to see featured/ researched by me! First up at the request of Jan McQuarrie, the birthplace of her mother and grandmother… 32 miles South-West of Glasgow, sit the …
-
Wednesday’s Wish Trip- ANNOUNCEMENT!
Recently on our Facebook page, I asked for your feedback as to what CITY/COUNTRY you’d like to see featured here on our site for our Wednesday’s Wish Trip!Fun news! Starting next week, each week I will feature YOUR selected cities. I will work in the order …









