Despite Arthur Frommer’s feelings about the Grand Canyon State, people seem to be ready to head out to Phoenix this fall. It is possible that his opinion might not have made it through to everyone yet, or it’s possible that nobody cares what Frommer thinks. Even though things are slow due to the economy, the Valley of the Sun appears to keep drawing the crowds into town.

According to the 2009 Travel Leaders Fall Travel Trends Survey—catchy name—the Phoenix and Scottsdale area sits just outside the top ten at number 11 among destinations booked throughout the rest of the year. People must want to avoid the cool crisp days of autumn at any cost. About 75 percent of those asked said that trips were down compared to last year overall, and about 60 percent said they had a good feeling about the strength of the fall travel season. Let's just hope the travel season isn't too strong, we're getting used to all the great deals. ]]> kjb 2009-09-10T09:13:50-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/9/3/125855/4687

Become an informed consumer while still on vacation! Check out Jaunted's newest series of the Best Factory Tours the world over, and let us know if we missed any.

Ever heard the urban legend about how peeling the top layer of a golf ball will cause it to explode? Us too! We expect a tour of Karsten Manufacturing, maker of Ping golf balls, to clear this mystery up for us.

Karsten Manufacturing founder Karsten Solheim got into golf as a young engineer when his coworkers at General Electric strong-armed him into joining their foursome; the putter he subsequently designed first made a big splash when a winner at a Phoenix PGA tournament used it. At Karsten in Phoenix, you can watch club heads being molded in a machine and later, real-life orders personalized for golfers around the world. ]]> egw 2009-09-03T16:29:45-05:00 33.5849080 -112.10447 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/6/18/72932/9622

Before we felt it right to make our way to one of the country’s best ice cream parlors, we had to backtrack for a moment and hit up one of the country’s best pizza places first. Located in a historic square along Phoenix’s downtown border, Pizzeria Bianco has been the pizza Mecca for crust aficionados across the country.

We knew that Bianco was a must-eat during our visit to Arizona, so we headed to the restaurant at 4:30 pm, as the place opens at 5:00, and only takes reservations for six or more. From what we’d read, we knew we’d have to wait, but we didn’t totally believe that our wait would be as long as it was. When we arrived, the line was already way down the block, and by the time we finally sat down and were rewarded with two delicious pies, it had become a five-hour journey. ]]> kjb 2009-06-18T10:02:13-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/2/10/7552/53952

This weekend is a great time to get away to Phoenix. Not only will you be able to escape the winter weather and enjoy sunny skies with highs in the mid 60s, but you’ll also get to attend the very romantic 2009 NBA All-Star Game with your sweetheart.

Things kick off Friday evening with the rookie and celebrity games. Saturday evening brings the fun stuff like the slam dunk contest, three point shootout, and the skills competition. Finally, on Sunday night, Jordin Sparks will get the evening started when she performs the National Anthem, before the league’s best look to battle it out at the US Airways Center. Originally, Chris Brown and Shaq were going to announce the starting lineups, but we’re thinking Shaq might be performing this one solo.]]> kjb 2009-02-10T12:14:13-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/28/1917/65455

We know, we know...you’re thinking, “Phoenix's Desert Botanical Garden? Is there anything to see besides cactus…lots and lots of cactus?” Apparently there is now through May 31, 2009, since glass artist Dale Chihuly’s fanciful exhibit, “The Nature of Glass,” will be on display at the PBG, which is usually known for...well, just for its wide variety of agave and palo verde trees.

But for now, there are 17 separate sculptures and installations, including The Sun, which towers over the entrance at 16 feet tall and 14 feet wide, and chandeliers in the Cactus and Succulent Galleries—that just sounds naughty, doesn’t it?

After training at the Venini glass factory in Venice (where else?), Dale Chihuly has been creating these fantastical glass works since 1965 at his Pilchuck Glass School in Washington State.

What makes the monumental scale and vibrancy of his works even more impressive is the fact that Chihuly himself is blind in one eye—that’s right, the eye patch he wears isn’t just for dramatic effect.

Advanced reservations are required as the garden is doing timed admissions. Members get free admission while the rest of us have to pay $15. Seniors get in for $13.50 and students get in for $7.50. Children 3-12 still have to pay too at $5 a pop.

Related Stories:
· Chihuly Exhibit [Desert Botanical Garden]

[Photo: Adam Rodriguez/PBG]]]> EricRosen 2009-01-28T15:15:56-05:00 33.4637110 -111.94133 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/3/144351/4936

We were in Phoenix for Christmas, and we wondered, as we always do when we travel, if we could ever be happy living there. Having fled the cold and wet New York winter, Arizona's mild weather and breezy lifestyle seemed awfully enticing, but we'd hate to give up the energy and convenience of the city for a suburban, car-dependent existence. We're just so used to taking the subway that the idea of having to drive everywhere seems like a drag.

But as of now, it's possible - if difficult - to live in Phoenix without owning a car. The city just took a big step toward a 21st century public transit system with the opening of its light rail line, and while it's a far cry from the New York City Subway, it's a cheap and convenient way to get around the city without worrying about traffic, gas, or those insidious red light and speeder cameras that keep popping up everywhere.

Transit geeks that we are, we took a ride on the Phoenix Metro on its first day of operation and found it to be quite impressive. The $1.4 billion line stretches twenty miles from northwestern Phoenix to Mesa, and the green-and-white cars are quiet, smooth, and futuristic. Since the train was free during its first few days of operation (normally it costs $1.25 a ride, or $2.50 for an all-day pass) it was packed with riders, many of whom probably haven't taken public transit in years. As regular subway commuters, we found it cute that people were reluctant to press into the crowded cars, opting instead to wait for the next train. That will change.

The light rail is also great news for area boozers, as it passes through the bar-heavy town of Tempe. While the last train leaves at 11:00 p.m., it offers safe, sober transportation to many tipplers who heretofore saw little alternative to getting behind the wheel after having a few too many. If only Charles Barkley had the option of taking the train on New Year's Eve he might not be in such hot water right now.

[Photo: Victor Ozols]

Related Stories:
· Valley Metro Light Rail [Official Site]
· Phoenix Opens $1.4 Billion Light Rail System [Reuters]
· Public Transportation Coverage [Jaunted]]]> Victor Ozols 2009-01-03T14:43:51-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/5/8535/01438

John McCain hushes a booing crowd during his concession speech at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix last night, flanked by running mate Gov. Sarah Palin.

Early punditry blamed the Arizona Senator's loss on a combination of tactical errors (including, some might say, the Palin pick), an inability to stick to a message that reached undecided voters and the shadow of President George W. Bush.

But McCain was all grace last night as he told a crowd, "I would not be an American worthy of the name, should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century."

Related Stories:
· For CNN, It's Never Over [NYT]
· McCain's Speech Last Night [JohnMcCain.com]
· Possible Presidents '08 coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: NYTimes.com]]]> egw 2008-11-05T08:45:07-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/