Scottsdale Arizona

Leisure and Luxury

Travelers the world over seek out Scottsdale for its incredible luxury offerings. A day at the spa could mean anything from chakra balancing and meditating in a teepee to a massage from a waterfall or a gold-infused facial. Three to try: The Spa at Talking Stick Resort, The Spa at the Boulders Resort and Well & Being Spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, a AAA Five-Diamond Resort. Shoppers can refresh their wardrobes at Fifth Avenue Shopping District or Scottsdale Fashion Square, Arizona’s largest mall. Round out the pampering at acclaimed restaurants such as The House Brasserie, located in the second-oldest home in Scottsdale; Barrio Queen along the waterfront; or Old Town Tortilla Factory, housed in a 75-year-old adobe home with a patio shaded by 100-year-old pecan trees.

A Desert Dream

The Sonoran Desert is the wettest desert in the world. This unique characteristic supports some of the most diverse desert vegetation and animal species on Earth. There are even eight rivers and lakes that invite all types of water recreation. The vast expanse of mesa, brush and mountains is teeming with flora and fauna, including the iconic saguaro cactus that only grows in the Sonoran Desert. There are many memorable ways to explore this unparalleled ecosystem. Hike the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Pinnacle Peak or, for advanced hikers, Camelback Mountain. Soar over the desert at sunrise or sunset in a hot-air balloon, go off-roading in a Jeep, travel on horseback or Segway, or kayak the Salt River. If you’re worried abo