Help With Planning

My wife and I are planning a trip to Arizona in mid to late April. We are both in our mid 50%26#39;s and enjoy relaxing, shopping, and sightseeing. We%26#39;re especially interested in experiencing the beauty of the soutwest. We%26#39;re not big hikers but short ones are within our level of comfort. Having never been there before we are planning to spend two nights in Scottsdale, one in Sedona, one at the GC and two in Vegas. Marriott Camelback in Scottsdale and Hampton in Sedona are possibilities right now. We%26#39;ll probably spend a night in the GC. Having said all this, is this too ambitious? Should something be cut or extended? I don%26#39;t want to shortchange an area but we only have a week. (April 20-26th)I know Vegas doesn%26#39;t fit into the beauty experience but my wife hasn%26#39;t been there in 15 years and we%26#39;d like ot take in a show and walk around a bit. Any suggestions on this schedule and on what are ';must sees'; while there would be appreciated. As always, thank you for your help.

Help With Planning

I planned a trip like that for my wife to Seattle, Victoria and Vancouver. It was like the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles....we were always on the move. It was nice, but not relaxing. So, I can%26#39;t define what makes a good vacation for you, but ever since, I plan fewer side-trips for us!. You have plenty of time...90 min drive from Scottsdale to Sedona, another 1.5-2 hours from Sedona to the GC. The last leg...GC to Vegas, takes a surprising 5-6 hours at times, espeically with traffic. It takes 5-6 hours to drive from Vegas to the valley too (avoid Hoover Dam until the bypass is built). I go to LV 4-5 times per year, so check their forum for guides. I love it there and if it has been that long for her, she won%26#39;t recognize the place!

Help With Planning

I think that itinerary is very doable and makes sense. I assume you are flying into Phoenix and departing from Las Vegas.

Unless you just want a city experience and if your flight doesn%26#39;t come in too late in the day, you might want to stay just one night in Scottsdale and two in Sedona or Grand Canyon.

If you have trouble getting a reservation inside GC Nat%26#39;l Park, try in the town of Tusayan, just a short drive south of the Park entrance.

Search the forums in each town for ';must see';. Plenty of prior posts.

I agree with Janss. Just stay one night in Scottsdale (nothing against it, we just stayed 4 days and enjoyed our R%26amp;R but if for scenery don%26#39;t miss Sedona and especially GCNP.)

So maybe:

Day 1: Scottsdale

Day 2: Early start for Sedona. Stay Sedona

Day 3: Drive via Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff. Take us89, make the loop through Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki NM%26#39;s, drive to Cameron Trading post for some food and shopping. Drive into GCNP by its eastentrance and take the first view from the Watchtower in Desert View. Then drive east rim to GC Village.

Day 4. Spend all day near the rim. Take the Hermits rest shuttle and explore GC Village.

Dag 5: Drive to Las Vegas

Day 6: Las Vegas

Day 7: Home.

This will be an unforgettable trip.

Tet