The holidays are coming and so are the relatives!! You’re anticipating a Griswold style holidays and pondering how you’re going to keep everyone entertained. Or, you’re counting the days that all peace and sanity are restored when everyone has gone home and you need a post-holiday mini vacation!
Well, Scottsdale is waiting to be explored! Starting with the dedication of the Soleri Bridge and Plaza activities the weekend of December 10th, 11th and 12th.

There is also ice-skating on Marshall Way in Downtown Scottsdale! No joke, Palavela Home presents Winter Enchantment December 2010  They are installing a skating rink in their front patio and will offer skating for the entire month of December! $15 for a 45 minute skate includes skates and 15% of all rentals and in-store sales will go to 4 charities that they are supporting! You can find out more at Palavela Home

You can also avoid all the airport crazieness by looking no further than your own Arizona roadmap and heading southeast or north where you will find some amazing local getaway destinations! It really is the perfect cure for the soul. Not to mention, very wallet friendly and a great way to keep supporting local. Check out Local First for a directory of local businesses and remember Buy Local Week is November 26-December 5!!

Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours can assist with your local plans too!

American Express Publishing, CNN and Time Inc. have collaborated on a fully integrated initiative to provide travelers with “insider” information on select cities nationwide. The T + L City Guides program, sponsored by Infinity, spans print, online and broadcast to highlight the best places to stay, eat, shop and explore in 15 American cities, including a Phoenix-area guide available April 15. The series of 12-page pullout booklets will be featured in the March, May and July issues of Travel + Leisure and select copies of other AmEx titles, including Food and Wine, Travel + Leisure Golf and Time Inc. titles such as Money, Fortune and Coastal Living, among others.