|
|
Tucson, AZ & Sonoran Desert
featuring the International Gem
and Mineral Show
February
12 - 16, 2009
With over 300 days of sunny weather, Tucson is an ideal haven
for sun seekers during the cold winter months. It is also home
to some of the most spectacular high desert scenery in the
Southwest. Tucson is surrounded by four mountain ranges
creating a wilderness of rugged, surrealistic beauty. Southern
Arizona is part of the Sonoran Desert, the only place in the
world where the Saguaro cactus can be found. We'll explore
nature's beauty in the area as well as spend time at the Tucson
Gem and Mineral Show. For two weeks every winter, the world
meets in Tucson as it becomes a bustling, international
marketplace of buyers and sellers at the Tucson Gem, Mineral &
Fossil Showcase. We will make this a very special part of our
Tucson adventure.
(See tentative itinerary below)
We are currently in the process of
planning this trip.
Once we have all the activities, hotels and other details
confirmed,
and the price finalized, we will remove this information and post
a completed itinerary with the price.
If you are interested in
learning more about this trip,
make a pre-reservation.
It
is very important to make a no-obligation pre-reservation.
Those who have made a pre-reservation will be notified first
when the full itinerary and pricing is posted.
Make a
Pre-Reservation
A pre-reservation does
not require any money.
Once the tour is finalized and a
tour price available, those who have pre-reserved
a space will be
contacted via email and asked to decide if they
want to make a deposit. If you are not interested, you don't have to
do anything.
Tentative
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Tucson
An
afternoon city tour will include Barrio Historico, the
finest collection of adobe homes in the Southwest, El
Tiradito Shrine, Snob Hollow, El Presidio neighborhood and
quaint La Casa Cordova, the oldest adobe home in the city,
the University of Arizona campus and the Arizona Historical
Society.
Day 2: Saguaro National Park, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum,
Sabino Canyon
Spend
the morning becoming more familiar with desert flora and
fauna at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which tells the
unique story of the Sonoran Desert region. Over 200 species
of animals and 1,000 species of plants, indigenous to the
Sonoran Desert are exhibited in naturalistic habitats. The
hummingbird exhibit is one the highlights not to be missed.
Next drive through Saguaro National Park to view the Giant
Saguaro, a universal symbol of the American West. And yet
these majestic plants are only found in a small portion of
the United States.
Enjoy the
afternoon with a leisurely tram ride through Sabino
Canyon--a world of natural beauty--stunning vistas, the
tranquility of running creek water, and the rugged backdrop
of Thimble Peak. We will board a tram and wind along the
floor of the canyon, crossing Sabino Creek on nine low-water
rock bridges, while drivers tell about the areas rich
history and ecology.
Day 3: A full day at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
Diamonds, rubies, sapphires and a lot more are on abundant
display at the
Tucson Gem and
Mineral Show. Being in Tucson for the annual gathering of
gem, mineral and fossil exhibitors from all around the world
is a fantastic experience. This show has set the standard
for gem and mineral shows, and is now the largest gem and
mineral show in the United States. It has some of the best
exhibits and a dazzling array of minerals, antique beads,
dinosaur fossils, jade sculpture, cut gems, jewelry, jewelry
supplies and more. There's something for everyone - from
gold and diamonds to granite bookends and glass beads, and
from fine specimens of dinosaur fossils to opals dug from
the Australian Outback. There are displays from renowned
museums and private collections along with over 250 mineral,
gemstone, jewelry and fossil retail dealers. This show
attracts thousands of treasure hunters from every corner of
the globe.
Day
4: San Xavier Mission, Tubac Artist Colony
We
will visit San Xavier del Bac Mission, "Sistine Chapel" of
the southwest. Founded by Father Kino in the late 1600's,
it is known as "The White Dove of the Desert." San Xavier
Mission is acclaimed by many to be the finest example of
mission architecture in the United States. It is a graceful
blend of Moorish, Byzantine and late Mexican Renaissance
architecture, yet the blending is so complete it is hard to
tell where one type begins and another ends. San Xavier del
Bac Mission is a fully functioning parish church within the
Diocese of Tucson.
Tubac
was established in 1752 as a Spanish presidio (fort).
Working artists' studios now surround the grounds which once
served as the home for a Spanish military garrison. Tubac is
the perfect shoppers' paradise with over eighty galleries
and shops that feature hand-crafted items, sculpture,
paintings, clothing and some of southern Arizona's best
import shops.
Day 5: Depart Tucson
|
