By Liz Lewis
If, like me, you believe that there's nothing like the desert to rejuvenate the senses and exorcise the demons, then take a trip to Tucson, Arizona. Tucson offers fresh air, great food, good shopping, and plenty of wide open spaces. Here you can go into exile, while you recover from exhaustion and explore your options.
If your looking to exile yourself from the world, stay at the historic Arizona Inn(http://www.arizonainn.com, / 2200 E. Elm St). Surrounded by 14 acres of landscaped gardens, the inn provides a tranquil haven of comfort and peace right in the heart of Tucson. Built in 1930, this family run hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Filled with antiques, it offers a taste of bygone years when the rich and famous would stay for months on end. Live the fantasy and breakfast by the pool, take afternoon tea in the library , and dine at night in the elegant Arizona Inn Restaurant.
A day at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (http://www.desertmuseum.org) is a must. It's only a 30 minute drive from downtown Tucson through cactus country. Try and spot a perfect Saguaro cactus on your way. Chances are you won't - like a perfectman, they are few and far between. The Desert Museum is unique. Part zoo, part museum, and mostly botanical garden, it provides a tranquil environment to wander and explore. Housing a complete desert ecosystem, you could exile yourself here for hours. Make sure you catch the Raptor Free flight and Roadrunner demonstrations.
Explore Tucson by foot. Take one of the guided walking tours offered by the Arizona Historical Society (http://www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org) (Soca-Carrillo Fremont House: ph 622-0956) and learn about Tucson's diverse and colourful history. For more strenuous Exorcise, go hiking in Sabina Canyon(http://www.sabinacanyon.com), located in Tucson's Coronado National Forest.
Re-experience your college years with a walk around the University of Arizona
campus, finishing up at the Main Gate Square (http://www.maingatesquare.com) on University Boulevard for that souvenir sweatshirt, coffee, and people watching. Live music and entertainment in the evenings (especially on the weekends) makes this a great place to sit and exhale as the world goes by.
From here, you can catch the Old Pueblo Trolley (http://www.oldpueblotrolley.org-runs Friday 6-10pm, Sat noon-midnight, Sun noon-6pm) down 4th Avenue(http://www.fourthavenue.org) to express your inner shopper.
