PHOENIX

Vibrant and radiant, audacious and modern, Phoenix is a microcosm of everything that's great about Arizona! Also known as The Valley, this metropolitan area of five million residents lying at the heart of the Sonoran Desert is the biggest and boldest of Southwestern America's cultural hubs. Kick off your tour of Phoenix by spending time in the museums along Central Avenue, the Phoenix Art Museum and the Heard Museum, whose impressive collections put Arizonan art and Indigenous cultures in the spotlight. Further east, Scottsdale harbours one of the state's greatest architectural jewels, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright: Taliesin West, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is a landmark homage to organic design and the blazing desert light. In Tempe, Tempe Center for the Arts is a state-of-the-art performing and visual arts facility that has been inspiring audiences for almost 20 years.

The Valley of the Sun is teeming with vibrant commercial districts to satisfy your entertainment and shopping cravings. Roosevelt Row, celebrated for its colourful murals and art galleries, has an abundance of restaurants, bars and boutique shops where art is everywhere you look. Culdesac, Tempe, designed as the first walkable neighbourhood in the US, is well known for its car-free streets, beautiful open spaces and friendly dining spots. While Downtown Mesa has plenty to keep visitors amused, from its hip independent stores to its natural history museum and street art. Not forgetting Old Town Scottsdale, a prime destination for its fine-dining venues and Native Art Market showcasing Indigenous crafters, makers and performers.

Do you dream of wide open spaces? Prepare to be wowed by the incredible landscapes that encompass this metropolitan area, blessed with 300 days of sunshine a year. Hit the trails around Papago Park, famed for its rocky formations, or get out on the water of Tempe Town Lake. In Mesa, enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Dolly Steamboat and soak up the breathtaking scenery surrounding Canyon Lake. And if you hear adventure calling, Arizona is packed with endless possibilities. The mythical Grand Canyon, the lunar landscapes of Petrified Forest National Park, the magnificent Canyon de Chelly and the unique formations that stud the Chiricahua National Monument promise an unforgettable immersion in Arizona's spectacular scenery.