March 2027
Monday, March 15th – Today you’ll board your late-morning flight bound for Phoenix, where the sun spends the winter. Upon our arrival, we will pay a visit to nearby Scottsdale. Located in the beautiful Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale is bordered by Phoenix to the west and the McDowell Mountains on the east. Scottsdale annually rates among the nation’s most desirable communities to live and visit. We will visit Old Town Scottsdale which is a historic district which is known for its southwestern charm, along with a range of restaurants where you can purchase lunch. Afterwards be sure to check out some of the amazing art galleries and boutique shops.
We will check into our comfortable hotel accommodations at the Drury Inn where you can enjoy a light “Kick Back” dinner. We will wind down our day at the Hale Center Theater in nearby Gilbert for a lively performance of the comedic musical, “Nunsense”. The Hale Center Theater always produces quality entertainment and tonight will be no exception. (light dinner included)
Tuesday, March 16th – This morning is your morning to relax, after all, you’re on vacation. Located some 35 miles east of our hotel is Arizona’s desert Lake Region knowns as the Apache Trail. Here, the starkly beautiful Sonoran Desert meets the strikingly handsome Superstition Mountains. President Roosevelt said “The Apache Trail combines the grandeur of the Alps, the glory of the Rockies, and the magnificence of the Grand Canyon”. Today you will travel a portion of the Apache Trail, making a stop at beautiful Canyon Lake and board the Dolly Steamboat for an awe-inspiring 90-minute nature cruise in the Tonto National Forest. Have your camera ready for some great wildlife viewing of eagles and bighorn sheep. Other possibilities include bobcats, mountain lions, deer, coyotes, vultures and hawks.
Before returning to the city, we’ll pay a visit to Tortilla Flats, the last surviving stagecoach stop on the Apache Trail with a population today of only 6 residents. It really is a fun visit back in time.
The Barlene Arizona Opry Dinner Theater has been entertaining guests for years. Besides providing you with a great meal this evening, you’ll be presented with a spectacular musical variety show. You’re in for some great entertainment along with a little side-splitting comedy and a bunch of wholesome family fun. (breakfast & dinner included)
Wednesday, March 17th – Happy St. Patrick’s Day! After breakfast we have the special treat to be able to visit the Western Spirit, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. This amazing museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate and has played an important role in preserving the rich history and cultural heritage of the American West, ensuring that the artistic treasures and illuminating stories of the region continue to inspire current and future generations.
After our museum visit, we will make a lunch stop and then have time back at the hotel to refresh and relax before going out for the evening.
A fun dinner stop is planned at the Organ Stop Restaurant in Mesa which is the home of the world’s largest Wurlitzer theater organ. This is truly a fun way to be entertained while you dine. The organist will play popular hits and also takes requests…..so get ready with your favorite song.
While we are here in Mesa, we have the honor and privilege this evening to witness Jesus the Christ, the world-renowned Mesa East Pageant. This outdoor musical production depicts the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the largest annual outdoor Easter pageant in the world with a cast of more than 400. Over 100,000 people of different faiths and beliefs see the pageant every year. The current soundtrack used in the spectacular production debuted in 2022 and was written and composed by Rob Gardner and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra and Spire Chorus. (breakfast included)
Thursday, March 18th – This morning is your morning to relax by the pool or take a morning walk in the Arizona sunshine. You will have a choice of two great options to occupy your afternoon.
Option #1 – Rising from the desert terrain of North Phoenix is the Musical Instrument Museum, better known as the MIM. This is a great addition to the worldwide community of museums, and it is devoted to music. This museum is so fascinating that most visitors consider this to be one of their top attractions while visiting the Phoenix area. MIM’s collection is truly global in scope, with 10,000 instruments and artifacts from nearly every country in the world. Each exhibit includes high-quality audio/video that allows guests to see and hear the instruments being played in the cultures where they originate.
Option #2 – “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”. Over a dozen of the Major League baseball teams come to the Valley of the Sun for their spring training camps. This afternoon you can sit back in a modern and comfortable ballpark (with reserved stadium seating) and enjoy America’s favorite pastime – baseball!
Retired “snowbirds” flock to Arizona during the summer months to escape the cold and enjoy the warm weather and the great entertainment that is abundant in all of the communities in the Valley of the Sun. Tonight we will visit the Silver Star Theater where they take entertainment to the next level. We will be rated to a dinner show where the headline entertainers will present a variety show of popular music thru the year. You’ll be tappin’ your feet and hummin’ along with all this amazing music and talent. This is one evening that you’ll never forget. (breakfast & dinner included)
Friday, March 19th – We have kept this morning free for you to do as you wish. Perhaps you’ll want to take the opportunity for a round of golf at one of the many nearby golf courses, go shopping at the nearby Chandler Fashion Center Mall (with shops like Dillards, Macys and Scheels), visit the Gilbert or Mesa temple or simply just relax by the pool with your favorite book. (Arrangements for transportation to these optional excursions can be arranged for a minimal Uber fee).
Later in the afternoon we will make our way the Taliesin West, which is a World Heritage site and National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. Taliesin West was the beloved winter home and desert laboratory of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. While on our hour-long tour we will step inside Wright’s inspiring spaces and connect with the architecture and amazing grounds and admire his visionary work as he pushed the boundaries of architectural innovation.
We will enjoy a tasty dinner on the patio at the Cheesecake factory and then we are off to the Dutton Family Theater. The Dutton Family has been winning the hearts of Branson Theater-goers for 26 years
and will win your hearts here in Arizona where they spend the pleasant winter months entertaining the Snowbirds. You may have seen the Dutton’s on the television production of “American’s Got Talent” where they placed in the top 10. They really do have talent and you are in for a great show this evening. (breakfast & dinner included)
Saturday, March 20th – After breakfast we will pay a fascinating visit to a working orange grove where you can learn about citrus farming and taste some amazing fresh squeezed orange juice. Save room in your suitcase for a few grapefruits to take home and enjoy. Afterwards we will make our way to the Phoenix airport to catch a flight back home. We are certain you will agree” The Valley of the Sun’s natural beauty, history, people and entertainment create an experience you’ll always remember. (breakfast included)
