Traci Baker, Director of Community Activities & Communications
Virtual Excursions
Dec. 10: A Closer Look Tours—Copper Canyon
Jan. 14: New England Fall Foliage
Jan. 14: London and Paris–Mayflower Tours
Holiday Travel
Go “dashing through the desert” and “caroling through the canyons” with Free Spirit Vacations and Events this holiday season. This year will look a little different than previous years, and we are not really sure what it will look like. Some event planners still have not made a final decision as to whether or not their event will take place, but they are hopeful and optimistic, so we will continue to promote them. However, we are very excited about the following two drive-through light displays that will definitely be happening. Big buses are not permitted, so we will be taking our Mercedes Sprinter. Capacity is limited to 12 guests per date, so book early!
Desert Botanical Garden & Mill Ave Fair
Dec. 4, $105 per person
Visit the Tempe Festival of the Arts, one of the Top 100 Classic and Contemporary Craft Shows in the nation. Then enjoy a magical night as the Desert Botanical Garden comes to life with the soft glow from more than 8,000 hand-lit luminaria bags, thousands of lights, and entertainment throughout.
Prescott Christmas Parade and Lights
Dec. 5, $115 per person
Travel to “Arizona’s Christmas City,” Prescott, and watch a legendary parade complete with floats and marching bands. Parade seating and lunch included. We will also stay for the lighting of the courthouse. A warm hospitality room will be provided in between the end of the parade and the lighting of the Courthouse Square. Drive through the light display in Prescott Valley on the way home.
Verde Canyon Magical Christmas Journey
Dec. 11, $139 per person
Travel aboard Verde Canyon Railroad to the “North Pole,” making a couple of slow passes by the delightful and funny buildings, acrobatic elves, Santa and Mrs. Claus. First class seating is included, along with access to the open-air viewing cars for a better view of the fantastic decorations and illuminated buildings: Reindeer Flight School, Mrs. Claus’ Bakery, Elf Training Center, Naughty Kid’s Coal Mine, and the Ugly Sweater Factory.
Zoo Lights Drive Through and Dinner
Dec. 14, $115 per person
For the first time in the history of the Phoenix Zoo, experience millions of twinkling lights and dazzling animal sculptures from the comfort of your own vehicle. Tour the Africa Trail and see the all new Wildlife Lantern Safari, featuring 66 animals: polar bears, mammoths, koalas, kangaroos, and more! Includes dinner at Buca de Beppos.
World of Illumination and Dinner
Dec. 17, $125 per person
Discover a symphony of sight and sound at the world’s largest drive-through holiday light spectacular. Featuring more than two million LED lights animated and synchronized to the tunes of holiday classics, World of Illumination is the must-see family event of the season. Also included is a delicious dinner at Rustler’s Roost.
New Year’s Eve at Historic La Posada
Dec. 31, 2020 to Jan. 1, 2021, $425 pp/double, $495 pp/single
La Posada in Winslow, Ariz. will be the site for this exclusive New Year’s celebration. In the tradition of architect and visionary Mary Colter, La Posada continues to inspire many renowned artists to create magnificent and memorable works. Dinner and New Year’s Eve celebration will be 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.
Coming in 2021
Utah Mighty 5 from Phoenix
Departs first Sunday of every month, $1,899 pp/double, $2,249 pp/single
Join us for a seven-day adventure through Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion National Parks. These magnificent parks are known as the Utah Mighty 5. Each park will enable you to see unique geological formations all within the region of Southern Utah. It will be a week you won’t soon forget!
Uniquely Arizona Party Time
Jan. 31 through Feb. 1, 2021, $299 pp/double, $350 pp/single
Travel to the Desert Bar for lunch on your own. This unique bar is situated in the Buckskin Mountains, in Parker, Ariz., on land that was an old mining camp. Continue to Lake Havasu and enjoy a tiki bar cruise with a beverage. Make a stop in the Route 66 mining town of Oatman before continuing to Laughlin for the evening. On day two, explore the Route 55 towns of Hackberry, Valentine, and Williams.
California Wine, Whales, and Butterflies
Feb. 8 through 12, 2021, $1,179 pp/double, $1,550 pp/single
Experience nature’s brilliance as you travel up the California coast to the Monarch Butterfly Grove, home to one of the largest monarch displays in the nation. See the breathtaking cascades of color in the trees as they seek shelter from the northern winters. Also featured is whale watching in the pristine waters surrounding Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary.
Rocky Point Golf (or Spa) Getaway
Feb. 15 through 18, 2021, $775 pp/double, $995 pp/single
Upgrade to a condo on the sandy beach.
Travel to Rocky Point and spend three nights at Peñasco del Sol. Two rounds of golf are included along with two dinners, breakfast daily, and a sunset cruise. (One day spa or two days golf for same price)
Pickleball in Las Vegas
Feb. 23 through 26, 2021, $365 pp/double, $465 pp/single
Optional hour lesson with pro Steve Cole add $35. The Plaza Hotel & Casino will be your host for three days of drop-in-play. In addition, you will experience the Las Vegas Strip, the Fremont Street Experience, and have free time to flirt with lady luck.
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 is 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 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.
Rockin’ 9 Mystery Tour
Jan. 9, 2021, $109 per person
Back by popular demand! We’ll travel down the road a bit and stop somewhere you wouldn’t want to miss. Next, our lunch stop, then more surprises!
Verde Canyon Railroad
Jan. 16, 2021, $149 pp (coach), $195 pp (first class)
Board the Verde Canyon Railroad for a four-hour diesel train journey to places only accessible by rail. See crimson cliffs, eagle nests, white water rapids, and abandoned gold mines.
Sweet Basil
Jan. 21, 2021, $135 per person
Travel to Sweet Basil, which makes the fun of cooking and entertaining come alive. Experience a cooking demonstration, concluding with a delicious lunch. Includes class and lunch. End the day with shopping in Old Town Scottsdale and a stop at the Cosanti Foundation, a designated Arizona historic site. Hear the tones of bronze and ceramic wind-bells strikingly suspended amidst courtyards.
Dolly Steamboat and Lunch
Feb. 1, 2021, $129 per person
Travel the scenic and winding trail to Canyon Lake, framed by giant saguaro cacti. Board the Dolly Steamboat for a 90-minute narrated cruise of the secluded waterways of the “Junior Grand Canyon.” Tortilla Flats and lunch are also included.
Mighty Colorado
Feb. 2 through 4, 2021, $495 pp/double, $550 pp/single
This soft adventure features rafting through the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, a jet boat ride from Lake Havasu to Laughlin, and guided kayaking.
Laughlin, Oatman, Lake Havasu
Feb. 2 through 4, 2021, $199 pp/double, $255 pp/single
Flirt with Lady Luck in Laughlin for three fun-filled days. You will also visit Oatman and Lake Havasu.
Tubac Arts and Crafts Festival
Feb. 4, 2021, $89 per person
Every February, the Tubac Chamber of Commerce is proud to sponsor the Tubac Festival of the Arts. The major event of the year for Tubac showcases the work of hundreds of visiting artists, craft persons, and musicians from around the country and Canada.
Tombstone
Feb. 9, 2021, $115 per person
Relive the legends of one of the West’s most famous towns. Belly up to the bar in Big Nose Kate’s Saloon and walk the streets of the Old Wild West.