The beauty of a Sedona sunset is unlike anything else in this world.  To see one of them, complete with  glass of wine, cheese, and some good friends, is a truly satisfying experience.

We recently flew into LasVegas, rented a car, and spent 3 nights at the Wyndham Grand Desert.  Then we drove down to Sedona for 4 nights.  (Frequently we fly into Vegas because the flights are cheaper than flying into other places, and– we like it!  Then we head out to other locations like Arizona, San Diego or Utah for a while, then back to Vegas for more glitz.)

After our 4-5 hour drive we checked into Wyndham Sedona.  We had been told that most of the units had good views, but ours was not too impressive.  The concierge was extremely hard-sell in trying to get us to do a timeshare presentation.  Actually, he bordered on obnoxious.  Having to say “no” more than 5 times usually leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

The standard 2-bedroom unit  was fine, and nicely decorated.  There were some craft activities offered, and a welcome breakfast that we missed, because of our check-in day. The staff was very business-like, but not overly friendly.  We decided that we much prefer Arroyo Roble, which we have stayed at during 2 previous visits.

Wyndham Sedona

The big attractions in Sedona, other than the sunsets, are the beautiful red rock formations.  Most have names that reflect what they resemble. Thus, we have Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Snoopy Rock, Coffee Pot Rock, etc.  There are numerous hikes one can take up and around these formations, but they  can also be enjoyed by car.  If you are very adventurous, and have a good heart and back, you can take a Red Rock or Pink Jeep Tour.  The jeeps take you where a car cannot go, so the views are astonishing!

One of our favorite places to visit in Sedona is the Chapel in the Rocks.  The views from this little chapel are magnificent.  There is a nice gift shop with religious articles on the lower level.

Speaking of the spiritual, Sedona is known for vortexes, which are concentrations of energy prevalent in certain areas (there are 4 in the Sedona area.) I can’t really begin to explain what a vortex is, other than the energy concentration helps one to get in touch with mind/body healing and also the spiritual and the divine.  Vortexes enhance the ability to pray, meditate, and explore the inner soul.  If you want to know more about this, I suggest you try the internet, or, better yet, visit Sedona!

Another must-see place is the overlook at Oak Creek Canyon.  Located between Sedona and Flagstaff, the views are spectacular.  As an added bonus, there are tables and tables of Native American jewelry for sale at very reasonable prices.

Speaking of shopping, Uptown Sedona is known for its many stores and boutiques.  Souvenirs and T-shirts are readily available, but Sedona is known for its unique, lovely and expensive art.  Many Southwestern treasures, including jewelry, can be found here. There is also a small outlet mall in nearby Oak Creek.

For a most unique shopping experience (another “not-to-be-missed) visit Tilaquepaque.  This beautiful, upscale arts and crafts center is modeled after an old Mexican village with cobbled streets and walls of stucco. Not only are there many different and one-of-a-kind shops,  there are flowers and beautiful sculptures, galleries and restaurants.  The arched stone doorways make you feel as if you’ve been transported back in time.

So where are the best places to view those amazing sunsets?  A very popular place is the Airport Mesa.  But the one that we really like is Cultural Park.  There are few people, so it is much quieter than by the airport.  There are also some picnic tables if you do want to haul out the wine and cheese.

And where to eat after you enjoy that lovely sunset?  Generally speaking, we don’t go to expensive restaurants.  (Our son made the point, long ago:  “After all, it’s only food!”)  There are almost no chains here, except for fast food. We enjoyed The Coffee Pot for breakfast, home of 101 omelets.  We ate dinner at Wildflower Bread Company, which is kind of like Panera , but the menu is a little more extensive.

We’ve also eaten at the Oak Creek Brewery, known for good sandwiches and burgers.  There is also a very good local place (can’t remember the name) in the plaza where the Safeway is.  If you like to dine upscale, The Cowboy Club downtown is legendary, though we’ve never eaten there.  Another restaurant that gets good reviews is The Hideaway.  Actually, there are many great (and higher-priced) places to eat in Sedona—just ask around.

Staying in Sedona offers you the opportunity for some great side trips.  The Grand Canyon is about 2 ½ hours away.  The quaint ghost/mining town of Jerome is a wonderful day trip, complete with museum and excellent shopping.  Be sure to eat at the Haunted Hamburger! Montezuma’s Castle , an ancient Indian dwelling, is about a 40-minute trip. Flagstaff , a bigger town with a mall and university, is about 45 minutes (be sure to stop at Oak Creek Canyon on the way).  There is a Wyndham in Flagstaff, which is the closest timeshare to the Grand Canyon.  The Painted Desert and Petrified Forest are within a few hours.

Sedona is truly an exciting, enchanting place, and when you dream of timeshare travel,  you will find yourself always wanting to return.