Happy 2011!!!

With the amazing help of Stan Hattaway of  Hattaway Creative and Terry McCullough of Panoramic Press our 2011 trolley guides are hot off the press and into distribution! We have been blessed with some wonderful downtown Scottsdale advertisers once again and we will be spotlighting them in our blog over the next months.

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!

It’s that time of year again! Get to know where you live. No need to battle security at the airport, crying babies (you don’t know) in the seat next to you and the pesky summer surcharges! (what’s up with those anyway??) Stay and play where you live! Visitors pay thousands of dollars to travel here to do what you can do for much less!

Let’s start with one of my favorites, Hotel Valley Ho. This mid-century property is one of the best examples of preserved mid-century architecture in a hotel property in the country! Home of the original Pool Party their OH Pool was voted “One of the World’s Coolest” by Travel and Leisure magazine! They have mid-week rates starting at $99 and weekend rates from $129. Check back often for specials!

Be sure to indulge in an wonderful meal at Cafe Zu Zu. Executive Chef Chuck Wiley has taken comfort food to the next level! His beef stroganoff is beyond amazing!

While you are at the Valley Ho explore the it in depth on the “Magical History Tour“, a fascinating 90 minute walking tour of the hotel. You’ll go up on the roof, into a condo, into Trader Vic’s (they have one of the happiest happy hours around!! ) and learn about the stars who have stayed and played there!

At the “Ho” you are within walking distance of Scottsdale’s famous arts district, historic Old Town and  DownTown where you will find great local shopping. If you don’t feel like walking the free downtown trolley stops right in front of the hotel and will take you all around downtown!

Remember if you want to get a group together Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours will custom design a art event to your specifications!

So come on!! Start vacationing and exploring where you live!!

We’ll be back with more!

Ace Bailey, President
Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours LLC

Ace Bailey, President

Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours

Saturday, my last day in Santa Fe, (for this trip anyway!) My flight out of Albuquerque wasn’t until late afternoon so Leslie and I decided to take the “long way”. After running a few errands we left Santa Fe around 10 a.m. and headed to “the ranch”.  The ranch is the home of Schenck Southwest Publishing. It is the year-round home of Billy Schenk and the Santa Fe summer home of my friend from Scottsdale, Mark McDowell. The peaceful property is about 20 minutes south of town but feels much further. There are a couple of homes that were built on the property over 80 years ago that have been lovingly preserved and, in some cases, added on to creating wonderful, rambling haciendas. Leslie and I  were treated to a private tour of the ranch and the homes. The one-of-a-kind and antique furniture in the homes was amazing! There is also a newer building that is an office and Mark’s studio/home that is in the processes of being completed. The views of the valley are stunning. It was the kind of place that you are in no hurry to leave but we had more to do on the way to the airport.

We headed out to start our trip to Albuquerque via the Turquoise Trail. Our first stop was in the old mining town of Cerrillos. We stopped for the scenic overlook and could have spent an hour or so exploring the old museum and other sites but we wanted to get to Madrid for lunch. Madrid is a historic mining town turned funky art town. As we pass the city limits we saw a gypsy festival going on in a little valley with people dressed up and dancing. I say they were “dressed up” for all I know they could have been a band of real gypsies! The highway is lined with old buildings and homes most of which have been restored and are now little restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries and studios. We decided to have lunch at the  Mine Shaft Tavern known for their great burgers.  Fortunately we arrived with time to spare because it took about 45 minutes for us to be served. Our buffalo burgers were excellent although by the time we were served we were so hungry that buffalo jerky would probably have tasted like Kolbe beef! Side note, Madrid is where Wild Hogs was filmed and there are plenty of bikers around. It is a very colorful, fun town.

Albuquerque is only about 45 minutes from Madrid. The drive was very easy and we didn’t hit any traffic until we hit I40 which is only about 10 minutes from the airport.

Thanks to Leslie, my Santa Fe trip was unforgettable and I feel like I know Santa Fe a little more like a local! I can’t wait to go back and learn more. I have always wanted people who participate in my Scottsdale tours to feel like they have lived here for a short period of time. This trip has confirmed that and will help me continue to keep that as our primary focus.

Oh, yes I did finally get that map of Santa Fe on Wednesday!

Ace Bailey