Destinations Web Exclusives [CITYSunTimes May 2010]

Tlaquepaque:
Revisiting The Art And Soul Of Sedona

By Katherine Koenig

Tlaquepaque by Katherine Koenig

Photo by Katherine Koenig

At the bridge crossing Oak Creek, surrounded by the stunning red rocks of Sedona, Tlaquepaque continues to impress as one of the Southwest’s finest arts destinations.
The word Tlaquepaque means “the best of everything,” which still rings true with this Sedona landmark after 30 years.
Wandering the cobblestone streets with ivy covered walls and glorious Sycamore trees immediately takes you back to another time and place.

Tlaquepaque balcony by Katherine Koenig

Originally an artist community, Tlaquepaque is reminiscent of a traditional Spanish Colonial village. It was built in the 1970s, recreating traditional Mexican architecture and construction methods, and was modeled after the town of Tlaquepaque near Guadalajara, Mexico. The property includes four connecting outdoor courtyards with galleries, shops and restaurants.
I have wandered these charming streets from time to time over the past few decades, always intrigued and delighted with the surroundings of the fabulous art, sculpture, textiles in this lush, soothing environment.
The tasteful galleries and connection to the natural surroundings create a perfect afternoon to shop, visit and enjoy a meal on a lovely patio. More than 40 shops are tucked into every corner with breathtaking blown glass, bronze sculpture and various treasures throughout. With its stained glass windows and white washed walls, the beautiful chapel in Tlaquepaque, surrounded by colorful flowers, is used for weddings throughout the season
If you are looking for a glorious place in Sedona to spend the day or even a few hours,
Tlaquepaque should be on your list – whether stopping in for the first time…or coming back again.

– CST

For additional information, visit tlaq.com. For information on travel in Sedona, go to visitsedona.com.

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DESTINATIONS

It's All In The Game By Leni Reiss

My husband and I and some friends recently spent two weeks enjoying a South African adventure. Our safaris were book-ended by visits to beautiful Cape Town and bustling Johannesburg and culminated in a stay at Victoria Falls in neighboring Zimbabwe. Wearing ponchos and toting umbrellas, we got happily drenched along the viewing path of the world’s largest waterfall. The mist it creates is referred to locally as “the smoke that thunders.” We experienced a dense shower of spray, deafening noise and breathtaking vistas.
Victoria Falls

Livingstone’s Island, midway along the length of the Falls, is named after David Livingstone, the intrepid explorer and first European to visit this exquisite wonder of the world.
The Victoria Falls Hotel offers a balance between old-world elegance (high tea) and modern amenities (open-air pool bar) and is surrounded by lush gardens and rolling lawns. A family of warthogs roams free on the grounds – and I saw a good-sized baboon make a dash through one of the courtyards.
leopard

Time spent in the bush, however, exceeded our “wildest” expectations.
We divided our time between the Sabi Sabi (sabisabi.com) and Tinga (tinga.co.za) private game preserves, the latter within Kruger National Park (krugerpark.co.za). At both places we slept under mosquito netting in beautifully appointed guest lodges with private patios.
impala

Game drives are scheduled for early mornings and late afternoons, when the chances of spotting game are most likely. In our case it worked. The goal for most tourists over the course of several days is to spot “The Big Five:” lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and Cape buffalo. We accomplished this prime wildlife viewing on the first day in one breathtaking sighting after another, with our guide and tracker plotting a bumpy route through the bush.

In the course of our stay we also saw, at very respectful distances, giraffes, hippos, impalas (so ubiquitous and such popular prey for predators that they are referred to as “the McDonald’s of the bush”), zebras, Vervet monkeys, warthogs, nyalas, bushbucks, kudu and a bevy of birds. We were held up in traffic twice: once by elephants crossing the road and once by dozens of baboons refusing to budge. vervet

If a trip such as this sounds appealing, here are a few tips:

Bring more film or memory cards than you could ever imagine using.
Binoculars are a must – as is insect repellant.
A willingness to sample crocodile is a plus. (Not that I did, but my friend Phyllis said it was very tasty!)

– CST

DESTINATIONS Web Exclusive | CITYSunTimes May 2010