The holiday season is upon us and we have all begun formulating our holiday gift list for friends and family. If you have some people on your list that love Sedona, Arizona and live, frequently visit or are planning a vacation to red rock country we would like to offer the suggestion of giving the gift of Sedona fun! Listed below you will find our top picks for Sedona-Verde Valley tours, events and attractions that offer gift certificates or online tickets for that someone special on your holiday list!

Sedona International Film Festival
Passes to the International Film Festival taking place in Sedona, Arizona on February 18th – 26th 2011 is the greatest celebration of the best in independent film from around the world. Already recognized by filmmakers and audiences as one of the top festivals in the nation (and named the “Fest to Impress” by MovieMaker Magazine), the 2012 edition will continue a tradition of honoring those motivated by passion for their art and driven by a love for making timely, moving and important films. Movie lovers on your list would love this! For more details or to purchase passes please visit the Sedona International Film Festival or call 928.282.1177.

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Arizona ATV Adventures
For that person on your list that loves adventure give the gift of exploring the mountains and canyons of Arizona on a guided ATV tour with Arizona Outdoor Adventures. And no worries if the person on your list you want to give this gift to does not know how to drive and ATV they will get hands on training before their tour on the custom built ATV training course. All drivers will be trained and evaluated for safety before the tour begins.  For more details about the tour please visit Arizona ATV Adventures, to purchase or learn more about the gift certificates available please call 800.242.6335.

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Verde Canyon Railroad
All Aboard! Everyone on your list would enjoy the wildlife excursion into the Verde Canyon with the Verde Canyon Railroad, especially in the winter months during “Eagle Watch”. The Verde Canyon Railroad travels through untamed country. It’s a landscape that seems to have been created just to bring trains and eagles together: a narrow high-walled canyon carved by one of the last free-flowing rivers in Arizona. For more information on the Verde Canyon Railroad or to purchase gift certificates please visit the Verde Canyon Railroad or call 1.800.430.2243.

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M Diamond Ranch
Treat that special someone on your holiday list to an amazing horseback ride filled with the majestic scenery of Sedona while they learn about real western history and heritage from the back of a horse with the M Diamond Ranch.you can choose from a one-hour trail ride guided by a friendly, knowledgeable M Diamond Ranch cowboy wrangler, or a full morning or evening experience that combines a horseback ride with a Cowboy Cookout, complete with kids’ activities and entertainment. For more information on the Ranch please visit the M Diamond Ranch! To purchase a gift certificate for the ranch please call 928.300.6466.

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Sedona Adventure Tours
Sedona Adventure Tours offers you a wide variety of self guided and guided tours in the area. Providing unforgettable family fun with adventures by raft, inflatable kayak, hikes, wine & micro brew tastings, horseback rides, scenic tours, tubing madness all at the edge of the Sonoran Desert! Most popular during their cooler months would be their Rock Hop & Swirl Combination Tour featuring Sedona Hiking with a Verde Valley Wine Tour. For more information or to purchase gift certificates please visit Sedona Adventure Tours or call 877.663.3661.

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Out of Africa Wildlife Park
For all the animal lovers in your family tickets for out of Africa Wildlife Park will make for the perfect gift. Out of Africa Wildlife Park offers fun, exciting and educational attractions such as Wildlife Preserve,Tiger Splash, African Bush Safari and Predator Feed. These adventures give you the opportunity to get up close to wild life in their natural habitat. Where else would you be able to kiss a giraffe, feed a Tiger, or watch people and tigers play together in a giant swimming pool? For more information or to purchase tickets please visit Out of Africa Wildlife Park or call 928.567.2840.

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When you are making your plans to visit Sedona, Arizona this Autumn make sure to include the “Fall Colors Tour” at  the Verde Canyon Railroad!

Taking a scenic drive to search for leafy color is an autumn tradition for many families. Of course that means watching the road, fighting traffic, stopping for food and quelling sibling quarrels over backseat turf. An autumn drive may not always be the hoped-for soothing respite. Yet it can be. Put those cares aside and climb aboard Verde Canyon Railroad’s Fall Colors Tour.

The “Fall Colors Tour” into the Verde Canyon is absolutely one of my all time favorite tours!  Passengers on the Verde Canyon Railroad are treated to a gentle ride through a high-walled canyon painted in an array of vibrant autumn hues that shimmer and change around every curve in the track. October and November bring crisp nights followed by warm sunny days beneath a sky achingly and endlessly blue. Be sure to keep a sharp eye peeled for wildlife. Sightings of deer, Javelina, coyote and other species increase this time of year and migratory birds return to the sanctuary. It may be due to cooling temperatures, or maybe the critters just don’t want to miss all the dazzling autumn scenery.

Each vintage car of Verde Canyon Railroad is outfitted for the utmost in comfort. Roomy and stylish with plush seating, unobstructed panoramic windows and prompt beverage service means passengers never have to budge to experience an amazing journey. Although budging will prove irresistible. Between the excessive spread of appetizers served in first class and instant access to the open-air viewing cars, it is the something-for-everybody trip we always want for our family.

The Verde Canyon Railroad is located in Clarkdale, Arizona  just 25 miles from Sedona and two hours north of Phoenix, making this soft-adventure Verde Valley attraction the perfect addition to your Sedona vacation or  the perfect Arizona day trip! And make sure to check out their Ales on Rails every Saturday and Sunday during October. For more information please visit the Verde Canyon Railroad.

Information provided by the Verde Canyon Railroad

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Fall is just around the corner, and Sedona, Arizona will be very busy with popular festivals and events including Fiesta del Tlaquepaque, Verde River Days, Sedona Winefest, 3rd Annual Festival of Native American Culture, 7th Annual Plein Air Festival and so much more! While you’re here to experience these events you’re definitely going to want take a Sedona tour or visit a fun attraction with the family. Now is the time to start making your Sedona Fall plans! Hotels fill up quickly this time of year so don’t delay! Below you will find our top picks for Sedona Vacation Packages that include your Sedona lodging with an activity or tour in the Sedona-Verde Valley area.

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The Best Western Inn of Sedona
“Horsin’ Around”

• 3 Days/2 Nights
• save money and experience Sedona
• Two Adults to M Diamond Ranch Horseback Ride and Cowboy Cookout
• Free Deluxe Continental Breadfast
• Welcome gift & Red Rock Pass

For more details, or to check rates and book this Sedona vacation package visit Best Western Inn of Sedona.

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Kokopelli Suites
“Ridin’ the Rails! Singin’ the Tunes”

• Coach class tickets for two on the Verde Canyon Railroad
• Dinner for two at the Blazin’ M Ranch
• One night’s lodging

For more details,, to check rates and book this Sedona Vacation Package please visit Kokopelli Suites.

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Wildflower Inn
“Grand Canyon Experience”

• Two night stay in one of their King rooms with in room Fireplace or Double queen room with fireplace and breathtaking red rock views!
• For your trip to the Grand Canyon, you will enjoy drive through beautiful, scenic Oak Creek Canyon learning the history, geology and folklore of Northern Arizona.
• Stops along the way include scenic points and sites on the South and East Rims of the Grand Canyon, gourmet boxed lunch, and a chance to shop at the historic Trading Post in Cameron on the Navajo Reservation.

For more details, or to check rates and book this Sedona Vacation Package please visit Wildflower Inn.

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Casa Sedona Bed & Breakfast Inn
“Great Escape Package” (best value pricing)

• Save $126
• Two nights at Casa Sedona
• Sedona SuperPass coupon booklet
• Two Casa Sedona t-shirts or two Casa Sedona hats
• 2-hour ride on the one and only Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour!

For more details, or to check rates and book this Sedona Vacation Package visit Casa Sedona Bed & Breakfast Inn

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To see even more great Sedona vacation packages and Sedona specials please visit our Sedona Deals page.

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Sedona Vacation Packages combine your lodging with a popular Sedona activity and generally save you time and money on your Sedona vacation. We have chosen four of the most popular vacation packages in town and featured them here for you. Why don’t you choose one and come on up to Sedona? Or, check out our Sedona Deals page for even more possibilities.

Featured Sedona Vacation Packages

Casa Sedona Bed & Breakfast Inn
Great Escapes Package (best value pricing)
You save $126! Your package includes two nights at Casa Sedona, a Sedona SuperPass coupon booklet, two Casa Sedona t-shirts or two Casa Sedona hats, bottled water, and a 2-hour ride on the one and only Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour! For  more details on this Sedona vacation package or to see more money saving offers please visit Casa Sedona Specials & Vacation Packages. Casa Sedona is a nationally recognized bed & breakfast inn nestled on an acre of natural and manicured gardens where beauty and serenity abound.

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Best Western Inn of Sedona
Romancing the Rails
You save save 20% on the package PLUS Save up to 15% on additional nights! Your package includes two adult first class tickets on the Verde Canyon Wilderness Train, two  nights lodging with Free Deluxe Continental Breakfast daily, and an added bonus of a $100 Tlaquepaque shopping coupon book!  For more details on this Sedona vacation package or to see more money saving offers please visit Best Western Inn of Sedona Vacation Packages. This Sedona hotel will surround you with breathtaking beauty and the natural majesty of Sedona’s Red Rocks, showcased from one of their hotel’s four terraced promenade decks that cascade from our hilltop location into the splendor of Sedona.

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Kokopelli Suites
Sedona Vortex Package
The Kokopelli Suites is offering the opportunity to experience the magic and mystery of the Sedona Vortexes! Your package includes a personalized and private Vortex Tour for two guided by the spiritual guides and Shamans of Sedona Red Rock Tours, a one night stay in the newly renovated Sugarloaf Suite,you will also receive a copy of their DVD – Sedona Vortex Yoga. For  more details on this sedona vacation package or to see more money saving offers please visit Kokopelli Suite Sedona Vacation Packages. The newly remodeled Kokopelli Suites, winner of 2009 & 2010 Best of Sedona hotels, offers a variety of affordable priced rooms and suites.

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Wildflower Inn
Grand Canyon Package
Your package will include a two night stay stay in one of our single King room with in room Jacuzzi or double queen room with fireplace and breathtaking red rock views, your your trip to the Grand Canyon, you will enjoy drive through beautiful, scenic Oak Creek Canyon learning the history, geology and folklore of Northern Arizona. Stops along the way include scenic points and sites on the South and East Rims of the Grand Canyon, gourmet boxed lunch, and a chance to shop at the historic Trading Post in Cameron on the Navajo Reservation. For more details on this Sedona Vacation Package or to see more money saving offers please visit Wildflower Inn Sedona Tour Packages. Wildflower Inn offers a variety of room selections are available to cater to your needs, while offering breathtaking views from every room.

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If you would like to see more money saving deals for your Sedona vacation please visit our Sedona Deals page. Whenever you are planning to visit Sedona our website can assist you in plannning your entire vacation from finding all the great Sedona deals, Sedona events, Sedona tours, Sedona attractions, Sedona lodging and much much more!

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While you are visiting Sedona, Arizona on your December family vacation consider taking a day trip to the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff. Located less than an hour from Sedona at 1400 West Mars Hill Road in Flagstaff , the Lowell Observatory is a great way to introduce yourself and you family to the universe at a very reasonable priceand for the month of December on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays they will feature the Holiday Skies Program.

The Holiday Skies Programstarts at 7:00 pm and will offer you and your family a great opportunity to learn and explore the mythology and science of the winter sky, including a discussion of the Star of Bethlehem.

The Lowell Observatory will also  have the Winter Holiday Celebration from December 26th through the 31st! The celebration will include extended open hours (9 :00 am – 9:30 ppm.; on the 31st they close at 5 p.m.) and offer indoor programs and special tours during the day. After dark, numerous telescopes will be set up for viewing celestial objects.

A visit to the  Lowell Observatory makes for a great gift for people of all ages! To learn more about all the daily and evening events offered during the winter season please visit Lowell Observatory.

Looking for Sedona-Verde Valley attractions

• Verde Canyon Railroad
  “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey!”
• M Diamond Ranch
  “It’s so much more than just a trail ride”!
• Out of Africa Wildlife Park
  “CALL US WILD. CALL US CRAZY. Just don’t call us a zoo.”

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Kokopelli Suites

Winter Wonderland Special

• Good for reservations booked through February 10, 2011
• Receive rates as low as $89-$129 on a Sugarloaf, Coffeepot, or Cathedral Suite
• Welcome Winter Wonderland tote. Tote includes hot chocolate and apple cider mix packed in a Kokopelli Suites keepsake tote.
• Must use promo code WINTER when making reservations
• Offer not valid on November 25th  through 27th, 2010  or December 25th, 2010 through  January 2nd, 2011
• Make your reservations today visit Kokopelli Suites

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Looking for lodging in Sedona? We have put together a list of some of our favorite places to stay in Sedona.

• Casa Sedona
• Best Western Inn of Sedona
• Poco Diablo
• Wildflower Inn
• Kokopelli Suites
• Baby Quail Inn

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Photo by Ben McIntire

Sedona is a desirable vacation destination for hikers, artists, wildlife observers, nature lovers, and people looking for renewed energy in Sedona’s vortexes.  In an Article by Derek Ray,“The surrealist painter Max Ernst came to Sedona in 1950, and the beauty of the rocks has attracted artists and those seeking creative inspiration ever since.”

There are so many ways you can explore Sedona. Many visitors start their experience in Sedona with a Sedona Highlights Tour & The Seven Canyons Scenic Tour offered by Sedona Trolley. These are a great introduction to the past and present of Sedona. They are each fully narrated 55 minute tours. You will visit historic landmarks, the vortex sites and have great photographic opportunities with breathtaking views of Sedona’s vibrant red rocks.

Just when you think you have seen all the beauty of Sedona it will be time to jump in a jeep, get out in the back country and get a closer look. There is nothing like the feeling of excitement you experience by going off-road in a 4×4 jeep, high and deep into the red rocks. One of the best jeep tours is Broken Arrow, offered by Pink Jeep Tours. An experienced guide takes you up and over the red rocks offering some heart pounding excitement and knowledgeable information on Sedona’s geology, flora and history. The views at Chicken Point and Submarine Rock are fantastic. The guides make sure to give you plenty of time to enjoy and photograph the scenery while standing high on the rocks. Derek Ray took a guided jeep tour up into the Sedona Red Rocks and said, “I was astounded when my driver urged us to “Hang on!” as he maneuvered our vehicle onto a boulder. It was a tad hair-raising, but the payoff was well worth it — some of the finest natural scenery in the western United States.” If you would rather do the driving you can get behind the wheel of your own ATV with guided tours offered by Arizona Outdoor Adventures. They will customize the tour to your skill level and have free safety training for new or inexperienced drivers.

If  hiking is your passion, you will never run out of trails in Sedona and the surrounding Verde Valley. There are all ranges of hiking trails, from easy to difficult. For great information on hikes visit Sedona Hikes. They offer a wealth of knowledge on hiking areas in Sedona along with maps and sound advice. Also visit Red Rock state park for information on their guided Geology and Bird tours.

It is said that the vortexes in Sedona create a renewing energy and enhance physic abilities. You can visit these various points on your own, but why not take a expert with you? Healing from the Heart can offer you a guided tour through Sedona’s vortexes.

No matter what your passion, Sedona can fulfill it for you. “A week or weekend spent in Sedona is one that you will treasure.” To read Derek Rays’ full article in the San Diego Reader on his experience in Sedona click here.

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