Feature

Sedona
Rewind and Renew Your Soul

Get ready to stretch your imagination and do something a little out of the norm. Have a vortex experience, get your aura read or have avocado spread all over your naked body while gazing up at the breathtaking red rocks that point to the Arizona sky. Just head to Sedona and return to a state of well-being and happiness.

For years, folks have been trekking to the red rock country to disconnect from the rat race and reconnect with nature. Today, Sedona continues to reign as a premier destination, where renewing the mind, soul and body is the primary objective.

Situated in northern Arizona at an elevation of 4,500 feet, the famous Red Rocks of Sedona are one of the most beautiful natural sites in the U.S. and the major focal point of the city. The rocks display nine layers of stone from different geological periods spanning millions of years, with the predominant color of red giving the city its identity. Their beauty and mystery entice more than 3 million people annually to head toward Sedona.

A great way to get introduced to the magic of Sedona is to take a drive to beautiful Oak Creek Canyon, a colorful gorge and creek that sits within the city. The drive through Oak Creek Canyon has been described by Rand McNally as one of America’s Top 10 scenic drives and is the No. 2 Arizona destination after the Grand Canyon.

Intermingled into the lush landscape and flowing creeks are lodges, vacation rentals, quaint bed-and-breakfast accommodations and resorts boasting every amenity imaginable. The choices for lodging ranging from the simple to the divine, but all nod toward relaxation, natural settings and the need to keep life simple and down to earth.

Two great resorts worth checking out are L’Auberge de Sedona and Enchantment Resort with its top-rated Mii Amo spa.

L’Auberge includes luxurious cottage rooms right on Oak Creek and one of the very best French/American culinary experiences in the area. Light up the fireplace in your room, open the windows and listen to the water as you go to sleep.

Wind your way back into Boynton Canyon, and you’ll find Enchantment Resort. Truly a world unto itself, this resort features adobe casita-style accommodations with world-class comforts surrounded by breathtaking red rock vistas. The resort’s Mii Amo (Native American for journey) spa was voted the No. 1 destination spa in the world by Travel + Leisure readers in 2007 and among their 2008 world’s best awards. Just try and tear yourself away from Mii Amo’s pool and the attentive service if you can.

When you are ready to shop, you can cover a lot of artistic ground with Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. The cobblestoned grounds encourage you to stroll and take your time. You’ll find the shops and galleries are well above standard tourist fare while restaurants such as René’s will entice you to take a break every time.

Before you leave Sedona, you must get your aura read. Have your photo taken and you’ll see the colors that emanate from your energy. More important, you’ll find out what it says about your personality, where there is stress in your life and how to create balance. Follow this with a glass of wine and you have completed your activity for the day.

If you just can’t sit still and you want to see it all, then get out your hiking boots and head to one of more than a 100 hiking trails at 4,200 ft. elevation or enjoy an unforgettable balloon ride. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced rider, you’ll love horseback riding along the ridges of canyons and crossing creeks. And, of course, there’s always those bumpy jeep tours that take you straight up the red rocks to see some of the best views around.

By all means make sure you explore the Native American influence of Sedona. Tours are plentiful for insight into the people who revered the spiritual side of life long before it was considered cool by the rest of the world.

Native Americans consider all of Sedona one big spiritual vortex, or healing energy, where prayer and meditation lead to healing and inner peace. The list is endless for vortex experiences, but two noteworthy ones worth checking out during your stay are Cathedral Rock and Bonyton Canyon.

At the end of the day you are settled back in an easy chair with a breathtaking view from every angle and the cares of the world are miles away. The headache you arrived with is gone and you’ve experienced a whole new level of R & R. It’s Sedona, the mystic capital of the world.

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