16 Jun 2015

Escape to Sedona for Your Family Vacation!

By Janice McInnis

Sedona, Arizona is more than just a laid back Southwestern town filled with art galleries and souvenir shops.  If you think that it may be boring to bring kids, then reconsider what you've been told about Sedona.  It's a wonderful place for a family vacation with a diversity of activities both in the town and just outside of it.  With over a dozen state and national parks, miles and miles of hiking paths, and a range of other indoor and outdoor activities - there is plenty here for families to fill their days with from great introductory activities to adventurous outings to easy, lazy days in town.

When you first arrive in Sedona, getting the lay of the land doesn't have to mean an afternoon pouring over maps and brochures.  Instead, try something a little more hands on like a jeep tour or a trolley ride to help you get acquainted with the area.  There are many jeep tour companies in the area which are a great way to get out and do some sightseeing with the family on your first day in Sedona.  The tours will take you through the open spaces and teach you about the different rock formations, plant life, and the history of the area while getting a sense of the area around the town.  If something a little more tame is more your speed, then take a trolley ride from Oak Creek to West Sedona to become acquainted with the town!  Trolley rides are also wonderful for exploring Sedona on your own schedule - just hop on and off as you wish!  After getting familiar with the area, it's time to move on to something more adventurous!

With plenty of parks and places to explore, finding something exciting to do with your family is effortless.  Three great options in Sedona are Cathedral Rock, Slide Rock State Park, and the Grand Canyon.  Cathedral Rock is one of the most iconic sights in the Southwest with its towering height and striking red colors.  Take your family on an adventure hiking through the beautiful natural beauty of the American Southwest.  The hike takes you from the floor of the desert to the different "saddle" points or gaps between the rocks where it's shaded and cool, and from where you can see the stunning views.  If you want to do something a little more water focused, then spend the day at Slide Rock State Park - one of the nation's top ten state parks!  At Slide Rock, families can picnic, fish, and spend the day cooling off in the water pools and the natural water slides. In the summer, this park can get busier, so plan accordingly.  Finally, what trip to Arizona would be complete without a visit to one of the seven natural wonders of the world? The Grand Canyon is less than two hours from Sedona, which is a very doable day trip!  If the family car isn't on hand, there are tours that leave for the National Park every day that you can schedule.

After all the exploring, hiking, and adventures, staying in town for a low energy day will still give you plenty to do and see.  Sedona has premiere shopping in the central district with art, jewelry, and other boutique stores that will give anyone more to look at than they could possibly manage in a single day.  Staying cool while wandering is easy with Sedona's array of restaurants and ice cream shops provide sustaining or quick ways to stay full and not too hot in the Sedona afternoons.  Take some time to relax and explore the stone lined walkways of Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, and the cool side streets in town between your outdoor adventures.

If your family is filled with four-legged creatures instead of tiny humans, then Sedona is still the place for you!  Sedona is one of the most pet-friendly towns in the region with its miles of hiking trails for you to take your dog with you on walks, the state and national parks, and fun, new places in town like pet friendly bakeries.  You can still fill up your vacation without having to leave your dog at home.  However, if there is a day where you want to do something and can't bring your pet, then use one of the many pet boarding, sitting, or even grooming services available in Sedona to keep you and your four-legged family member safe and happy.

Of course, between adventures - whether high octane or more tame - families of all size and composition will need a place to sleep at night, and there's no better option than El Portal Sedona Hotel.  El Portal is a luxury boutique hotel that offers quiet privacy, a central location, and top-line amenities to their guests. With only twelve suites, El Portal is personal and welcoming to both humans and their pets as one of the best pet friendly hotels in the nation. With personalized concierge services, staff at the hotel can make reservations for hot air balloon rides, tee times, tours, spa treatments and much more. Guests have access to two swimming pools, a full gym and basic spa privileges right next door at los Abrigados! El Portal offers pet friendly Sedona accommodations with fenced pet patios, and no pet fees, making it an ideal place to put your feet up at the end of a long day of exploring.

Contact Information:

El Portal Sedona Hotel

95 Portal Lane, Sedona, AZ 86336

928-203-9405

800-313-0017

Fax: 928-203-9401

info@ElPortalSedona.com

www.ElPortalSedona.com

27 May 2015

Take Vacation Days - It's Important

By Janice McInnis

Use Your Vacation Days for a Better You

It's common knowledge that employees in the United States are some of the hardest working in the world, but there are times when that isn't such a good thing.  Americans accumulate more than four hundred million unused vacation days every single year, which adds up to a 224 billion dollar vacation liability for their companies.  This number is more than twenty-four times the annual revenue of the National Football League and almost half the size of the Gross State Product of half of the states in the country.  Even though the number does not include sick leave or personal time, it has still managed to grow by over 65 billion in the last year alone.  These liabilities average out to about 1,800 dollars per employee that the company must pay out when an employee leaves their service.  It seems unlikely that these numbers are going to go anywhere but up; according to the Time Off Project started by the US Travel Association, Americans are taking less time off than ever before.

Employers aren't the only ones losing with this system of long hours and "always on" work schedules.  Employees who don't take the time to take care of themselves often see health and productivity decline as they continue to grind away at the office with no break in sight.  It can often be difficult to take that time - there's always the possibility that a boss or a coworker might call and interrupt a trip - but that is not reason enough to pass on paid time off.  Taking vacation days provides a boost of happiness and wellbeing that stays with employees when they return to the office.

Taking vacations also provides workers with a chance to remember how to relax, which in turn gives them a chance to develop resilience in the work place.  Taking time off renews the neural connections in the brain that produce feelings of calm and peace, according to clinical psychiatrist Deborah Mulhern. Taking the body out of a stressful environment gives it a chance to restore and makes it easier to return to that environment and function in it. People who are worried about losing an edge in the office shouldn't be so concerned either.  There is no evidence of a link between putting in more time at the office and getting a pay raise or bonus. In fact, employees who left eleven to fifteen days of paid time off unused last year are ctually less likely (6.5%) to have received a raise or bonus in the past three years than those who used all of their paid time off.

Taking time away from work to rest and rejuvenate is a great idea for both economic and health reasons, and there's no need to go across the Atlantic or Pacific to find those benefits.  There are many places here in the United States to vacation where it would be impossible to hold on to stress.  For instance, the American Southwest is known for its beautiful weather, gorgeous natural spaces, and an eclectic mix of traditional and modern.  In Sedona, Arizona, vacationers can access incredible state and national parks like the Grand Canyon and miles of hiking trails where walks through nature can help shed off office worries and anxieties.  There are museums and cultural sites to see as well, including Native American ruins from hundreds of years ago, incredibly well preserved for visitors to experience.  There are championship golf courses set amongst the stunning red rocks. Sedona is also becoming increasingly known for its vineyards, art galleries, and shopping - there's no need to travel far abroad for these experiences!

Of course, a vacation can be made or broken by what accommodations are booked, but visitors to Sedona need look no further than El Portal Sedona Hotel.  El Portal is a luxury boutique hotel that offers quiet privacy, a central location, and top-line amenities to their guests. With only twelve suites, El Portal is personal and welcoming to both humans and their pets as one of the best pet friendly hotels in the nation.  Each room may include such features as an adobe corner fireplace or a river rock stone fireplace, French doors, hand-painted detailing, stained glass, high beamed ceilings and arched windows.  The pet friendly hotel offers a unique and beautiful atmosphere that makes it easy to relax away from the office and make the most of those paid vacations days.

23 Apr 2015

Summer Sights to be Seen in Sedona

By Janice McInnis

The American Southwest is rarely mentioned as an ideal vacation destination during the summer months, and Arizona has an especially poor reputation with its high temperatures.  However, there is a lovely place in the state that stays lively and much cooler than the rest - Sedona.  Mountains surround Sedona, Arizona, protecting it from much of the heat that makes other areas of the state much warmer. With national parks, festivals, and events throughout the summer months, Sedona is an excellent choice for a getaway spot.  Here are seven things to see in Sedona during the summer months.

  1. Sedona offers miles and miles of beautiful trails for hiking and biking that are suitable for explorers of all skill levels.  There are flat trails that wind their way around the foot of hills, offering spectacular views of the landscape and rock formations that make up the Sedona desert - perfect for those with younger families.  There are also more difficult treks that climb up from the bottoms of canyons or reach the tops of the rocks, where hikers can enjoy the sprawling vistas beneath their feet; giving the teenager and thrill seekers in the family all the excitement desired!  These aren't just for human feet! Many of these trails are pet friendly, so bring your energetic dog along for the walk.

 

  1. The Sedona Hummingbird Festival is truly a sight to behold.  Held this year from July 31 to August 2 when the population of hummingbirds is the highest and most diverse, these three days are always filled to the brim with free exhibits and special garden tours or breakfast with these colorful little birds. But hurry, tickets for special engagements go quickly: http://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/purchase-tickets-2015/

 

  1. The artistic soul of Sedona thrives vibrantly in galleries, shops, and squares peppered throughout the town.  Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village offers frequent events, shows, and celebrations throughout the year, and summer is no exception. Also, the first Friday of each month, from 5:00pm until 8:00pm, the Sedona Gallery Association puts together a showcase to highlight artists, special exhibits, and events for locals and visitors alike - a great way to experience three of Sedona's biggest art locations - Tlaquepaque, Hillside Sedona, and Uptown Sedona.  So come and see talent and creativity can flourish in the beautiful desert. First Fridays are free and they include opening receptions. Ride the trolley for free between venues!

 

  1. Don't leave the kids out! There are many state and national parks located close to Arizona, but the one with the biggest draw during the summer months is Slide Rock State Park.  It was named one of the top ten state parks in the country just last year! The smooth, slippery natural waterslide that ends in a swimming hole is a fun and cooling way to spend a day with the family. Red Rock State Park also has activities for the kiddos with Ranger programs, guided nature walks, and special guest speakers or presentations. One area not to be missed is The Crescent Moon Ranch Picnic Area at Red Rock Crossing. There's fishing, swimming, and lots of fun just wading in the creek; as well as a great picnic area and beautiful scenery to photograph.

 

  1. If history and culture are more interesting than hiking and festivals, there are plenty of places where hours can be spent learning about the history of the Southwest.  Sedona has a Heritage Museum with exhibits featuring art from across the region and educational exhibits about everyday life in the town from the nineteenth century until present day.  Sedona is also the location of two Indian ruin sites - the Palatki and Honanki Heritage sites.  Take time to see Montezuma Castle and Well, a National Monument about 30 minutes from Sedona. The walks involved in any of these cultural experiences are minimal, making them an excellent way to spend a day without working too hard!

 

  1. Sedona is also known as a peaceful and rejuvenating place, a spectacular and powerful place - attracting mediums, meditation experts, and many others. Some visitors come for a life-changing experience, rejuvenation of the spirit, or an energy specific vortex visit. Sedona offers numerous spiritual retreats, healing experiences, and psychic readings to choose from. If a life-changing or more spiritual experience is of interest, there are many retreats hosted throughout the year or energy vortex visits and tours visitors to choose between.

 

  1. Of course, what kind of visit to Arizona, the "Grand Canyon State," would be complete without a trip to the Grand Canyon itself?  Sedona is located less than two hours away from one of the seven natural wonders of the world - there are many day tours offered that begin in Sedona, or visitors can drive themselves the short way up to the national park to enjoy the truly stunning views of the Grand Canyon and some of the walks around the rim. (Leashed pets are allowed on trails above the rim).

Of course, these are not the only ways to spend your summer days in Sedona.  There are wine tours, jeep excursions, horseback riding, golf, shopping, and plenty of other things to fill up the day when you come and visit.  One question remaining is where to stay while you experience all of them?  El Portal Sedona Hotel is truly the place to stay - pet friendly, and located just steps away from Tlaquepaque Square and the heart of the town.  El Portal offers a unique lodging experience. It isn't a typical bed and breakfast, nor is it your big resort.  It is a twelve-suite boutique hotel offering unpretentious luxury. Each suite is distinctively decorated, includes a private entrance, patio, fireplace, whirlpool bath and Wi-Fi; featherweight cashmere blankets, luxury Egyptian cotton sheets, bath towels, premium down pillows and comforters for the ultimate in restful comfort. El Portal offers pet friendly Sedona accommodations with fenced pet patios, and no pet fees, making it an ideal place to put your feet up at the end of a long day of exploring.

Contact Information:

El Portal Sedona Hotel

95 Portal Lane, Sedona, AZ 86336

928-203-9405

800-313-0017

Fax: 928-203-9401

info@ElPortalSedona.com

www.ElPortalSedona.com

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Jan McInnis

 

LuCorp Marketing, LLC

Grand Canyon National Park - less than 2 hours from Sedona, AZ

El Portal Sedona Hotel

El Portal's The Molesworth Suite for designer Thomas Molesworth

West Fork Hiking Trail

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