Night 1 & 7: The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa Tucson, Arizona Set in the high desert of the American Southwest, The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa overlooks the city of Tucson from its perch in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The well-appointed guest rooms, which are among the largest in Tucson, feature private patios or balconies and Westin’s signature Heavenly Bed®. The resort is surrounded by the greens of the Paloma Country’s Club’s 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, which has been rated as among the best courses in America by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. Tennis enthusiasts can take advantage of the ten lighted tennis courts and there are five swimming pools to enjoy. The adventurous will want to try the Sidewinder, a 177-foot waterslide, before paddling off to the swim-up bar. For those in search of pure pampering, the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa awaits. The readers of Condé Nast Traveler consider the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa to be one of the Top 20 Best Resorts in the Continental United States and one of the country’s Top 100 Golf Resorts.
Night 2 & 6: Aboard Sierra Madre Express About Tauck’s Private Train Sierra Madre Express consists of four private Pullman cars. The Arizona car has a large observation lounge and four guest compartments with upper and lower beds. The Divisadero car has an open-air observation patio and, along with her sister car, the Ing. Ballesteros FCP car, features eight compartments with lower beds and one with an upper and lower bed; all beds are 6'3" in length. Train compartments are compact with a sealed window, 110-volt power, bedside sink and a toilet underneath; there are no showers. The Tucson car has a lounge where complimentary drinks are available, as well as a domed observation and dining area. Each rail car has air conditioning and heating.
Night 3: Posada del Hidalgo El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico Built in 1890 by the wealthy El Fuerte “alcalde” (mayor) Rafael Almada, Posada del Hidalgo was the largest and most beautiful house in town. At a cost in excess of 100,000 gold pesos, only the finest materials, such as red pine imported from Canada, were used to construct this lovely residence. Today, Posada del Hidalgo superbly combines colonial Mexico’s charm and today’s modern conveniences. A lovely swimming pool entices and the open-air restaurant features fine Mexican cuisine, as well as a selection of intriguing Mexican table wines.
Night 4 & 5: Posada Barrancas Mirador Divisadero, Chihuahua, Mexico Perched on the rim of the Copper Canyon, the views from Posada Barrancas Mirador are sweeping and incredible. This deluxe hotel features lovely guest rooms, each with a private terrace overlooking the beauty of the canyon. The influence of the culture of the Tarahumara Indians is evident in the public rooms as well as in the guest rooms. A restaurant and bar enhance the pleasure of a stay at the Posada Barrancas Mirador.