Valley of The Sun

Set in its desert nest under Squaw Peak and the Salt River Mountains, Phoenix coddles winter, spring and late fall visitors with superb weather with an average average of 300 days of sunshine per year. A host of dude ranches, horseback rides under the moonlight, helicopter fligts, sporting events or concerts, how air balloon rides, plus the wonderful hotels, golf courses, tennis courts and splendid fishing and hunting nearby make Phoenix a special place. Add the Grand Canyon, Canyon de Chelly and lesser-known attractions such as a splendid collection of antique fire-fighting equipment or the inland surf at Big Surf in nearby Tempe and you can see why the area's so popular.

Phoenix has wonderful shopping at Arizona Mills, a unique shopping experience complete with over 170 retail stores and restaurants plus movie theaters to add to your entertainment. For more shopping you can always drive to the Prime outlets store 15 miles north of Phoenix then you have Scottsdale with more shopping and a stay at one of their many posh resorts should be added to your list.

The largest city between Denver and the Pacific Coast, Phoenix offers low humidity and high temperatures all winter. Sports buffs appreciate dandy public tennis courts as well as the quality private ones and then golf offers such places as Las Sendas, Troon North Golf Cub, Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale, the home of the Phoenix Open, which attracts over 400,000 fans. Dozens of public and private golf courses -- offer green punctuation on the once-brown desert.

Quality dude ranches offer trail rides, cattle drives and other western diversions. Fishing for trout in the mountains north of town towards Flagstaff also ranks with superb dove hunting, what may be the best in the United States.

Dining out in the Valley of the Sun reflects that area's multicultural heritage. Food with a Latin flavor abounds in inexpensive cantinas. Resort food runs from French, German, Polynesian and other heritages. The big five star hotels offer superb meals.

To reach these and other delights in the valley of the Sun you really need an automobile if you don't plan to hole up an kick back for your vacation at a dude or tennis ranch. It's a good 30 miles across Phoenix, bus travel's rarely convenient and taxi's cost more than most afford. Do, however, take advantage of shuttle buses to hotels and inns, then shop for your best price on rental cars. Air conditioning remains a must -- everything's air-conditioned in Phoenix anyhow -- and a compact car handles most roads. If you plan on trips to the boondocks, consider a 4WD vehicle. Note: we found weekly rates least expensive for car rentals and for room rentals both.

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