Planning Ahead! New Year’s and Alaska in March
Traci Baker, Director of Community Activities and Communications
Your friends in the Activities Office are pleased to continue to bring you some exciting opportunities for New Year’s Eve, as well as an amazing trip to Alaska!
Two Exclusive New Year’s Eve Getaways
As you may know, festivities for the Rose Parade, a popular New Year’s Eve/Day getaway have been canceled this year. However, we are pleased to present two small, elegant New Year’s Eve experiences for you.
La Posada Hotel in Winslow, AZ
The first one is overnight to the historic La Posada Hotel in Winslow. Dinner and New Year’s Eve celebration are included at the world-famous Turquoise Room, a fine and unique restaurant, providing a mesmerizing interpretation of Arizona food. Other Arizona treasures, including the Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, and Meteor Crater, are also part of this mini-getaway. And, of course, we will be “Standing on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona.” Date: Dec. 31, 2020, through Jan. 1, 2021. Price: $425 per person/double; $495 per person/single.
Tubac Golf and Spa Resort
The second package is a deluxe four-day vacation to the Tubac Golf and Spa Resort. This beautiful luxury destination resort is set on 500 acres at the base of the Santa Rita Mountains in Southern Arizona, south of Tucson. The resort features 98 luxury Hacienda-style accommodations, two restaurants and cantina at the golf course, a full-service spa and salon, and a 27-hole championship golf course. This romantic, almost secret, place is still a haven for Hollywood notables, accomplished business executives, and generations of families who returned year after year. Also included are the vineyards of Sonoita, Patagonia Lake, Tubac, Tumacácori, and the Mission San Xavier del Bac.
So, ring in the New Year with a historic trip to Winslow or Tubac!
Alaska: The Iditarod & Northern Lights (Land and Air Tour) March 4 through 11, 2021
Limited availability remains for this, so be sure to call if you are interested.
Price: $3,717 pp/double; $4,185 pp/single
Have you always wanted to witness the Iditarod? Or longed to see the Aurora Borealis? Dreams come true this winter in Alaska. You’ll meet the dogs and mushers, witness the start of “The Last Great Race on Earth,” go on a gray whale watching cruise, take an unforgettable rail journey, walk with reindeer, see the creations of artists competing in the World Ice Art Championships and Northern Lights.
Call the Activities Office at 623-535-9854 for more details on any of these amazing opportunities and to register.
Virtual Excursions, Field Trips, and More!
Traci Baker, Director of Community Activities and Communications
Your friends in the Activities Office are pleased to continue to bring you some local travel/leisure opportunities with virtual excursions, field trips, and Road Warrior programs.
The following travel/leisure activities are available for the month of October:
Virtual Excursions
Hosted by travel experts, these events are offered on the second Thursday of every month, at 3 p.m. There is no charge and everyone is encouraged to join us. Learn about new destinations and dream about future travel, once all this is behind us.
Oct. 8: Explore Alaska with Princess Cruise Lines
Contact the Activities Office to receive the link to register at 623-535-9854.
Friday Field Trips
Each field trip will include a guided, educational audio tour and will highlight small, locally owned businesses throughout the Valley.
* Oct. 16, at 10 a.m.—Gilbert and Chandler; $59 per car
Don’t want to do this date, but have a group that wants to do one of these? Let us know, and we can arrange a private group outing with a minimum of five cars!
Road Warriors
Explore local attractions and meet new people, find travel companions, and make new friends. These are planned for the first Thursday of the month at 10 a.m.
* Oct. 1: Musical Instrument Museum at 10 a.m.; $22 per person
Activities Office Things to Do: Local Travel
Traci Baker, Director of Community Activities and Communications
Your friends in the Activities Office are pleased to continue to bring some local travel with your safety in mind!
Travel Local!
For 25 years, our travel partner, Free Spirit Vacations, has offered quality, regional, motor coach vacations. Now more than ever, this type of travel is front and center. Your Activities Office and Free Spirit are pleased to take this a step further to include, whenever possible, locally owned small businesses in the tour itineraries. The following are some great local tours available in October and November to book through the Activities Office by calling 623-535-9854. We can email you a flyer or you can let us know you are stopping by, and we can hand you a flyer as well.
Pine with a Bit of Foliage Oct. 9
Price: $115 per person
Fall is the perfect time to travel to the small, quaint community of Pine. Begin by visiting the Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm where three varieties of lavender are grown, using the water of the Pine Creek. An included lunch, some unique shopping, and wine tasting are also included.
A Taste of Elgin Wine Oct. 24
Price: $125 per person
Travel to Elgin and visit Autumn Sage Winery, 16.5 acres of high desert bliss with 7,500 Sagrantino, Alvarinho, Counoise, Cabernet Franc, Aglianico, and Malvasia Bianca grape vines. Enjoy an educational tasting, entertainment, and picnic lunch. Stops will be made at two additional wineries for anyone wanting to taste and purchase (additional cost).
Verde Valley Overnight Nov. 13 to 14
Price: $360 pp/double $415 pp/single
Highlights of this overnight getaway include first-class seating on the Verde Canyon Railroad, dinner at the Blazin’ M Ranch, and the Copper Art Museum. Overnight stay is at the Best Western Cottonwood Inn.