Featuring four nights at the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 (DINNER)
This morning, we’ll board a flight bound for Phoenix, Arizona. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to Sedona to see the breathtaking views of Red Rock Country in the heart of the American Southwest! Nestled amongst the red rocks of Oak Creek Canyon, we will check into the 4-star Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock for the duration of our stay. Cozy up near the fireplace or enjoy the fresh air and view of Sedona’s majestic landscapes from your private balcony or patio. You may wish to enjoy the facilities at the resort, including the Eforea Spa, offering world-renowned spa treatments to relax your body and mind. Included in your stay is access to putting greens with provided equipment, pickleball courts, a fitness center, and two spacious pools. A welcome dinner is included this evening.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (BREAKFAST)
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll start the day with a guided Sedona Trolley Tour that features stops at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, views of the “Snoopy” & “Camel” rock formations, and the Airport Mesa Vortex, the most panoramic & elevated viewpoint in Sedona. Our guide will highlight the beauty of Sedona as we see the flat-topped buttes, steep-walled canyons, and pine forests that form this arresting area. Afterward, enjoy free time in Tlaquepaque Village for lunch and exploring. Tlaquepaque means “best of everything,” so it’s easy to understand why this Spanish-influenced arts & crafts village is internationally renowned for its artist community with treasures and unique gifts around every corner.
The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy as you wish. Enjoy the amenities offered at our resort or browse the many artisan shops in downtown Sedona. For the adventurous, you may choose to take a guided Pink Jeep Tour of the Sedona backcountry to see unforgettable views of the famous red-rock landscape. Check with the hotel for other optional tours—there’s no limit to the activities you can do in Sedona!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 (BREAKFAST, DINNER)
After breakfast, we’ll take a scenic journey through Oak Creek Canyon. This twelve-mile-long canyon is known for its towering red cliffs, cut through by Oak Creek, and surrounded by lush pine, cypress, and juniper forests. As we wind up the center of this massive fault line, we’ll enjoy the majestic view of Sedona’s natural centerpiece, millions of years in the making. After we arrive in Williams, we will board the Grand Canyon Railway, featuring western musicians and cowboys performing on vintage rail cars. Take a fabled journey through time on this two-hour journey before we’re dropped off near the scenic south rim of the Grand Canyon National Park.
Our motorcoach will pick us up at the station to begin a guided tour of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, starting with the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Here we’ll watch a short film to learn how the Grand Canyon was formed. Stretch your legs on a short walk from the Center to Mather Point. Our last stop will be the Desert View Watchtower, a 70-foot-tall circular stone structure listed on the National Historic Landmark Registry. See sweeping views of the canyon through the tower’s different windows as you pass by walls and ceilings covered in Native American pictographs. You may wish to buy a souvenir at the nearby Desert View Trading Post. Finally, we’ll drive back to Sedona, stopping in Flagstaff to enjoy dinner as a group before returning to our hotel.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 (BREAKFAST, DINNER)
Following breakfast, we’ll step back in time with a visit to the famous Montezuma Castle National Monument. This pueblo was built in the 12th and 13th centuries by the Sinagua on a stretch of limestone cliff roughly 90 feet from ground level – a feat of daring engineering! It is considered one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in North America. Later we’ll visit Jerome, once known as the “Wickedest Town in the West,” to explore the once-abandoned shops that serve as a haven to the artists, musicians, historians, and writers that thrive here. Enjoy free time to explore and have lunch on your own at one of the many ghosttown- themed restaurants.
This afternoon we’ll board the Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarkdale for a 4-hour train ride through a protected corridor along the river’s edge. As we wind through Verde Canyon, witness spectacular views of towering pinnacles and sweeping rock faces, two national forests, historic trestles, fortified bridges, and an immersive 734-foot-long tunnel. Upon our return to Sedona, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner together as a group.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 (BREAKFAST)
Enjoy our last breakfast at the hotel before we depart. We’ll stop in Old Town Scottsdale for free time to explore and find a last minute souvenir. If time allows, we will take a guided tour of Scottsdale. See boutique stores with a Southwestern flair in a town that blends urban elements with Old West charm. Lunch will be on your own to enjoy. This afternoon, waving goodbye to the red rocks and southwest sun, we’ll board our flight home with great memories of our wonderful adventure in Sedona!
Please call Betty for reservations at (320) 214-3009
