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Just think of a region where the sun sets unobstructed by rain, clouds, or pollution 300 days a year. Think of a region where the winter months yield temperatures in the comfortable 60s and 70s, where the sizzling summer sun sets more than the desert on fire. The unique bed and breakfasts, the Southwestern cuisine, and the extensive hiking and biking opportunities all make the southern Arizona region a great choice for a romantic getaway. If a fun-filled anniversary or honeymoon is what you're searching for, look no further. Between Tucson and Phoenix, you'll find everything you need with plenty of choices along the way.
Let the Sonoran Desert blow you away, especially what there is to see in Sonoran Desert National Monument. Without getting too dusty and sweaty, or without even getting out of your car, witness together the vast mountain-scapes of the Maricopa Mountains. Try to stay for sunset, as a dazzle of colors descends beyond the arid land.
Romantic Accommodations in Southern Arizona
To catch the sites of the Sonoran, it's best to stay in Phoenix, which thankfully has a good amount of bed and breakfasts and inns. These aren't your typical Victorian and Queen Anne offerings though. Rather, many of them are influenced by Southwestern architecture styles like that of the pueblo. An excellent Phoenix bed and breakfast is Maricopa Manor, a Spanish-style manor surrounded by palm trees and located in the heart of the city. Each of the suites has its own private entrance, and each is decorated in the Southwestern and Mexican Colonial styles. You have all the private amenities you could ask for, like a coffee maker as well as other ready hot drinks, snacks, a microwave, silverware and plates, and more. Rooms with a gas fireplace and a whirlpool tub are also available.
Southern Arizona is where you can catch some sun, see awe-inspiring sights, and be back for your appointments with the masseuse. That's a typical day itinerary at Alta Vista Inn, the premier luxury bed and breakfast in Tucson. The view from atop their mountain, of the surrounding peaks and valleys of the nearby Catalinas, is enough to set your hearts racing. The view from your room is about as good as it gets, and is great to wake up to. The owners of this pleasant two-room establishment love to pamper, and their breakfasts are full of good stuff like fresh grapefruit, fresh eggs, scones, brownies, homemade lemonade, and more. And with regard to the masseuse, request the Swedish hot stone massage.
Small bed and breakfasts are the rage in Tucson, so here's another charming place to rest your heads while in town. Casa de Angeles, between Oro Valley and Marana amongst lush Sonoran scenery, contains only three guest rooms. This is a low-key, personal bed and breakfast, and the innkeepers are friendly and accommodating. At the center of the three-acre grounds lies the restored Spanish manor; the guest rooms inside are appointed with mostly Victorian-style furniture, and the angel motif plays throughout. What a great way to express your love, spending a weekend at a place like this!
Romantic Dining in Southern Arizona
Romantic dining experiences await in both Phoenix and Tucson, often at the cities' resorts. These are two that will provide the appropriate ambiance for a romantic evening.
In Phoenix, reserve a table at Acacia, the Four Seasons' restaurant. Remember the talk about sunsets? Get that table on the veranda, among the potted mini-saguaros, in view of the majestic living desert and Pinnacle Rock, and watch the sun set as you sup the roasted butternut squash soup - actually sporting the same hues as the sunset itself. Then move onto an entrée of prime filet and lobster tail with black truffle stuffing; then a taste of chocolates - chocolate mousse, white chocolate lavender soup, and Guanaja chocolate - for dessert.
In Tucson, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort makes the boast of the Ventana Room, where presentation is as important as taste. Both complement each other. Presentation extends to the very look of the place, a dark-lit room with emphasis on adobe and stone, and with views of the mountains and the desert. The international but Southwest-accented cuisine is Tucson's best, and with excellent service, you can't hope for more. Order each other the turbot with white asparagus soufflé and arugula emulsion, and the rôti-aged rabbit tenderloin with confit galette. Dessert? Can't beat the almond soufflé and the orange cinnamon pudding. Yum!
Romantic Excursions in Southern Arizona
In Tucson's immediate area is Saguaro National Park, on both its east and west, sandwiching the city for easy access. This is possibly the most beautiful desert scene you'll ever witness, especially if you go in the spring. Lots of cacti abound here, not just the saguaro. You'll also find wildlife in abundance, and such rarities like the javelina, the coyote, and the Mexican spotted owl. There are roads for driving and trails for hiking and biking, so no matter what your preferred mode of transportation may be, you're covered.
Those excursions, good as they are, aren't going to conclude your romantic getaway to southern Arizona. That doesn't happen until you take a hot-air balloon up to the skies to see the sights from above. The Sonoran Desert never looked more haunting, and the cities of Phoenix and Tucson never looked so beautiful. Grab a bottle of bubbly or your favorite wine - now that's how to end a memorable romantic weekend in southern Arizona.
Romantic Vacation Ideas in Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, Tombstone and Southern Arizona
Romantic-Vacations-Getaways
South Mountain Park - Phoenix, Arizona
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