Located in Arizona's high desert, Sedona is just 90 miles north of Phoenix and Scottsdale under the towering southwestern rim of the vast Colorado Plateau. Characterized by majestic red-rock formations, Sedona offers visitors exhilarating scenery with a variety of outdoor adventures, cultural events, jeep tours, and, more importantly, shopping and spa excursions.
One of Sedona’s leading attractions is Tlaquepaque Village, which welcomes about one million shoppers each year. With more than 40 specialty boutiques and exclusive art galleries, shopping becomes a joyful revelation of fabulous art and distinctive gifts around every corner. Tlaquepaque is loaded with spectacular, one-of-a kind art expressions in every medium imaginable. You will find breathtaking blown glass creations, contemporary and Southwestern fine art paintings, weavings, architectural décor pieces, and stunning large format photography. Seek out the boutiques that offer amazing, handmade jewelry like Geoffrey Roth. He is a world traveler, vintage racecar driver, pilot, precision machinist, and oh by the way, master jeweler. From designer casual wear, to silks, vintage pieces, and leathers, you will find a vast array of fashions in the shops at Tlaquepaque. For a fun selection of funky-elegant casual wear, visit Diva Sedona where their clothing embraces the spirit of gypsy chic, with an extreme emphasis on embellishment!
After breaking in your new designer moccasins exploring the cobblestone paths of Tlaquepaque, more shopping and splurging can be done at the Highway 179 corridor with Hozho Distinctive Shops & Galleries as well as Hillside. For a true authentic Arizona treasure, head to Uptown Sedona, the town’s hustling tourist district. Jeans are considered dressed up in Red Rock Country, and it is all about wearing the most comfortable, yet southwestern-chic, shoes as possible. Don’t let Arizona’s reputation for scorching temperatures persuade your packing. Sedona is blessed with four mild seasons marked by abundant sunshine, cool nights, and lots of fresh air. If you want to fully surrender yourself to Sedona’s style, pack your best leather outerwear and make sure you flaunt some heavy turquoise and amber jewelry. You are sure to fit in nicely as you sip Sedona’s signature prickly pear margaritas -- deliciously found at most local watering holes.
With all of this shopping and exploring, you will definitely need a good foot rub, and luckily Sedona is home to some of the most spiritual and healing sanctuaries in the Southwest. You can discover your Dosha, balance your Chakras, and have your palm read without ever taking your robe off. Many day spas and resort spas offer fantastic treatments ranging from Sedona’s Seven Sacred Pools session at Sedona Rouge Resort & Spa to the Moonstone treatment at L'Auberge de Sedona.
For the ultimate spa and wellness experience, reserve your three, four, or seven-night journey at Mii amo, a destination spa at Enchantment Resort. Twice voted the World’s Best Destination Spa by Travel + Leisure, Mii amo visitors seek transformation and often travel down a path of renewal and self-discovery. The healing spirit found in Boynton Canyon, combined with the expansive list of treatments ranging from traditional body work and facials to Watsu and Native American inspired spiritual sessions, make Mii amo the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate. Packing for your destination spa experience is simple…leave almost everything at home because you will discover spa goers meditating, lounging, and even dining in Mii amo’s signature blue robes. You will need some active wear to look your best while doing yoga postures, Pilates, and mountain biking. Mii amo’s boutique has a phenomenal selection of the most stylish, and in some cases eco-friendly attire, with labels like Lululemon, Prana, and Green Dragon Pink Lotus.
By Alison Collins Lundberg
