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Matthew Schaffer

Chicago, IL

Arizona Travel Agent Specialist

When it comes to great U.S. destination states, Arizona will always have a special place in my heart.  This may be because I had an amazing destination wedding in the mountains of Tucson, or maybe because I went to the University of Arizona, and e...
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When it comes to great U.S. destination states, Arizona will always have a special place in my heart.  This may be because I had an amazing destination wedding in the mountains of Tucson, or maybe because I went to the University of Arizona, and every time I visit Tucson, I feel young again.  I really do not believe there is another state with so many different types of beautiful vacation possibilities all year round.

It really is difficult to explain the different experiences to be had all over the state.  For all you lovers of truly majestic scenery, nothing compares to places like the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Montezuma Castle or Vermillion Cliffs.  Any one of these sites are perfect for a relaxing getaway, but also offer multiple options for outdoor adventures. 

If mainly water activities is more your style, Arizona offers gorgeous locations like Lake Havasu, Saguaro Lake, Lake Powell or Lake Mead.  With amazing scenery these locations offer boating, waterskiing, tubing, wakeboarding, kayaking, paddleboarding, scuba diving, parasailing and of course, fishing.  For a break from the water each Lake is also unique in its different hiking environments. 

Of course, you cannot talk about Arizona without mentioning the two biggest cities, Phoenix and Tucson.  While there is only about an hour and a half drive between the two, the cities are different in almost every aspect from environment to culture.  If you are looking for a city that has everything, Phoenix being the 5th most populous city in the country is just that.  To name just a few of Phoenix's draws, there is professional sports, Jack Nicholas designed golf courses, world class spas, museums, hiking in the Sonoran Desert, a lively nightlife, diverse restaurants and don't forget the hot air ballooning.  Another great perk of Phoenix is that Scottsdale is on its northern border, which is a great resort town that all should visit.

For you mountain view lovers, Tucson is the place to be.  This is because Tucson is situated in a high desert valley surrounded by the Santa Catalinas to the north, the Rincons to the east, the Santa Ritas to the south and the Tucsons to the west. Located only 70 miles from the Mexico border, the Tucson experience is everything a person imagines of the true southwest with both Mexican and Native American influence.  Tucson delivers exceptional opportunities to explore, from hiking in Saguaro National Park, to the famous 98-acre Arizona-Senora Desert Museum.  And if you like Mexican food, you will love what is known as the Best 23 Miles of Mexican food.  With multiple ranch experiences and luxury resorts in the mountain side, Tucson is a must visit in Arizona.

Lastly is a town very close to Tucson, the border town of Nogales.  Native American tribes met up with Spanish explorers there Centuries ago, which has created an amazing meld of cultures in Nogales.  Luckily for all of us, that history has not been erased, and Nogales is one of the premier places to visit historical buildings.  As far as food goes, whether you are on the Arizona side or the Mexico side of Nogales,  the authentic Mexican food is outstanding.

I wish I could tell you more about all the other amazing places in Arizona, but unfortunately that would take a novel.  Instead, I hope you allow me to create an experience for you that will make you long to see every part of Arizona.  

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Matthew Schaffer

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Cabo San Lucas Travel Agent Specialist

Cabo San Lucas

There can be no doubt that Cabo San Lucas is a must visit destination in Mexico.  After all, Cabo is the place famous French explorer, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, called the “Aquarium of the World”.  No matter how many times I visit Cabo, I am always blown away by its beauty, and I every time I find something amazingly new and exciting to keep me going back.

Cabo San Lucas is a modern and sophisticated destination located on the southern tip of the Baja California Sur state in Mexico, on what is known as the Baja California peninsula, separating the Pacific Ocean from the Sea of Cortez.  When people mention “Los Cabos” they are talking about the whole area, which includes Cabo San Lucas, the neighboring city San Jose del Cabo, and the 20 mile stretch between them, called “The Corridor” or “Golden Corridor” which is where most of the resorts, beaches and golf courses can be found.

There’s always something new to discover in Cabo San Lucas, and the variety of options make it one of the most popular places in Mexico. You can swim with the dolphins, and surprisingly you can ride camels on a desert safari.  If you have a need for speed, zipline over mountain canyons, or drive ATVs over rugged trails.

Cabo is an ideal location for anyone planning to holiday in a hot and sunny location since Cabo San Lucas logs more than 340 days of sunshine a year.  Many of the Cabo San Lucas beaches have been designated as Blue Flag Beaches, an award given to communities that promote environmental education and stewardship, making them some of the best vacation spots in the world.

The city has miles of white sandy beaches with Medano Beach being one of the most popular, home to the world-famous Mango Deck.  Another favorite is Solmar Beach, which is one of the most beautiful and breathtaking beaches you will come across while on a trip to Cabo San Lucas. Other beaches worth visiting include Playa Acapulquito, Playa Chileno, Playa Palmilla, Costa Azul Beach, and Bahia Santa Maria.

For the romantic at heart, Playa del Amor, or Lover’s Beach, has spectacular caves, rock formations, and clear tropical waters.  Next to Playa del Amor, you’ll find Pelican’s Rock, a popular snorkeling location where visitors can view colorful tropical fish that have thrived in the marine sanctuary.

If you love the outdoors, a glance at the ocean will tell you is Cabo San Lucas worth visiting. The sparkling water stretches out to the horizon, but the real treasure lies under its surface. While snorkeling or scuba diving, you’ll discover a whole new world filled with tropical fish, sea turtles, and even sea lions.

Sunset is always a magical time of day in Cabo, but viewing the majestic beauty of a sunset from a sailboat makes it all the more special. Whale watching is also one of the best things to do in Cabo.  Most commonly seen are grays and humpbacks, and blue whales, sperm whales, and orcas have been spotted.

For many travelers, food is the main reason why Cabo is so popular. Famous amongst foodies the world over, the magnificent culinary scene found in Cabo San Lucas is poised to take your dining experience to the next level.  The local cuisine includes delights such as seafood, steakhouses, international, and fusion Cuisine.  While you can find everything from sushi to pasta in Cabo, the city is best known for its authentic Mexican cuisine and fresh seafood. After eating, try local drinks like Damiana liquor, Tequila, Mezcal, and local seasonal fruit liquor.

One of the reasons to go to Cabo San Lucas that all sorts of travelers can agree on is the city’s vibrant nightlife. Whether you want a live DJ and light show at a nightclub or live rock music at a downtown bar, there’s no limit to what you’ll find in Cabo.  Some of the spots where you can let loose include Squid Roe, Cabo Wabo, Mango Deck, Nowhere Bar, and Jungle Bar. Thankfully, moving from one entertainment location to another is typically easy.

To sum it up, nature has truly blessed the entire region around Cabo, which is filled with breathtaking scenery sure to set the perfect scene for a vacation of a lifetime.  I look forward to giving you a such an amazing vacation to Cabo San Lucas that you will never want to leave.

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Cabo San Lucas

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