PREPARING FOR A WINTER GETAWAY
Although families tend to vacation in the summer months, winter is an overlooked but excellent time for a family vacation. In the winter you can expect fewer crowds, less expensive trips (depending on where you travel), and the magic of snow. Let’s take a look at some of the best winter vacation destinations in the Southwestern U.S.
With milder than average temperatures, winter is a great time to visit the alluring city of Las Vegas. The amazing hotel resorts in Las Vegas have adventures for the whole family, including museums, indoor swimming pools, and spas. Hit the slot machines, see a Vegas show, and take the family on a helicopter tour from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon—a must-do on your Vegas itinerary.
The Grand Canyon is spectacular any time of year, but it’s particularly magical when covered in snow. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open 365 days a year, and there’s plenty to do, even in the winter months.
Take the family for a hike on the ―Trail of Time,‖ look for reintroduced condors in the area, or catch a glimpse of the canyon from the air on an exciting South Rim airplane tour.
There are so many things to do and see in the Greater Phoenix area for the whole family. Here are a few ideas: • Visit Mystery Castle, a Western fantasyland that the kids will love. • Learn about the Native Americans of the area and view thousands of cultural artifacts at the Heard Museum. • Hike through giant saguaro cactus on Camelback Mountain. • Take an all-day ground tour from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon.
Surrounded by spectacular red rock formations, Sedona boasts more than 100 hiking trails and unparalleled views of the breathtaking Arizona desert. Visitors come from all over the world to experience ―The Vortexes,‖ which are said to emit spiritual energy straight from the Earth. Take a vortex tour to experience it for yourself. Don’t miss the Grand Canyon while in Arizona– take a full-day adventure tour right out of Sedona.
Here are some tips for keeping the whole family comfortable and toasty warm on your winter vacation: 1.
2.
3.
4.
Dress in layers - that way you can pull clothes off and on as needed. Bring a hat, scarf, and gloves - temperatures can drop quickly at higher elevations and at night. Stuff your pockets with hand warmers - hand warmers from an outdoor or sporting goods store are a welcome relief for chilly digits. Bring a heavy jacket and lighter sweater - essentials in cold winter weather.
While you may not need to book your trip quite as far in advance in the winter months than in the summer, it’s still a good idea to plan as far ahead as possible to get the best rates. Plan to make transportation arrangements several months in advance, and book special tours at least a few weeks in advance. Buying plane tickets? Smartertravel.com offers a formula for when to book.
Nothing quite compares to seeing the Grand Canyon by helicopter. Papillon offers a variety of helicopter tours, departing from Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon Airport as well as combination ground, helicopter, and boat tours, departing from Phoenix and Sedona. Your family will never forget these once-in-alifetime tours of the spectacular desert.
Since 1965 Papillon has been the world's oldest and largest sightseeing company, flying an estimated 600,000 passengers a year on its daily Grand Canyon tours. With over forty unique excursions featuring spectacular sights of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Monument Valley, and the Grand Canyon, Papillon is proud to offer guests an unparalleled perspective of one of the world's greatest natural wonders. Visit www.papillon.com or call (888) 635-7272 for tour information.
Sources 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hours.htm http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/upload/2013srwinter_letter.pdf http://heard.org/ http://climbcamelback.com/ http://www.mymysterycastle.com/ http://travel.usnews.com/Sedona_AZ/Things_To_Do/The_Vortexes_62185/ http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/why-you-should-book-yourflight-exactly-54-days-in-advance.html?id=17812107