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JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa- Scottsdale, AZ
Sometimes all you want from a vacation is to visit with friends, drink margaritas by the pool, and eat with abandon. A complete and absolute escape from reality, at a stunningly landscaped location. On these occasions, you need a resort like the Camelback Inn.
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Hotel Congress- Tucson, AZ
Sitting in the lobby of the Hotel Congress, you can almost imagine it is 1919 outside the front doors. It just has the feel of an old Western railroad hotel, located in a dusty small town, much like Tucson once was.
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Arizona Inn- Tucson, AZ
Opened in 1930 by Isabella Greenway, Arizona’s first United States congresswoman, the Arizona Inn is the architectural equivalent of sunshine. For certain, in the depths of winter, it is an absolute pleasure to bask in its glow. Consisting of a series of casitas set amid lushly landscaped grounds, it is as if you have entered the Garden of Eden, sans snakes.
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DeGrazia Gallery in Sun- Tucson, AZ
I had never heard of Ettore DeGrazia before visiting his Gallery in the Sun. It was a cold day in the desert, and I was looking for something to do. What I found was almost transcendent. Admittedly, some of his pieces feel dated (creepy, large eyed children), but the gallery itself is a visually stunning work of genius.
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Ventana Canyon Maiden Pools Hike- Tucson, AZ
Desert mountain hikes can be brutal: desolate, dry and devoid of shade. But they also reward the intrepid with solitude and outstanding valley views. Tucson's 6.4 mile Maiden Pool hike is a perfect example- challenging, but satisfying. Crossing over several streams on the valley floor, you slowly scramble your way up the mountain, past silent saguaros, until the valley suddenly appears below.