Top Benefits of Renting a Mini Bus for Your Road Trip

Shuttle Bus - Charter Buses Phoenix ArizonaAs summer approaches and you plan your next trip with family members or a group of friends, you may want to consider renting one of the most comfortable and luxurious mini or charter buses Phoenix, Arizona has to offer. Hiring a limo service can upgrade your trip, make it so much more fun and make the journey as memorable as the destination you’re headed to. Your companions will reminiscence your ‘once in a lifetime’ trip for years!

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits that the best bus rental in Phoenix, AZ can provide!

Enjoy the scenery

Let the landscape float by your window as you enjoy the comfort of your rented bus. When you hire a reliable limo service such as AZLIMO.COM, you can relax and enjoy the scenic views while a professional chauffeur brings you and your friends and/or family to your destination safe and sound.

With a professional driver behind the wheel, you will never have to worry about missing a view again! Also, when you rent a coach bus or a charter bus, the size of the windows will allow you to get the best possible view of nature from inside!

Ride in comfort and style

When you set off, you should be able to sit back, relax and recharge your batteries. By renting one of the best coach or charter buses Phoenix Arizona can provide, you will enjoy all the wonderful amenities and the highest level of comfort during your special ride. You and your crew will travel comfortably, safely, confidently, and in style!

If you want to watch movies on your bus’s TV monitors, take a nap, have some fun with your companions or catch up on some reading, you will be able to do all that and more! With the best charter buses Phoenix Arizona can offer, you will enjoy not only luxurious amenities, but also comfortable seating, spacious legroom and more than enough space for your luggage. Forget about a family van and rent a vehicle that can fit way more friends and family members so that you all can have fun the minute you set off.

Leave the driving to someone else

Finding a person who is both qualified and willing to take you to your destination can be tiring. Why should any one of you bear the burden of the driving shifts? If you leave the driving to a professional, experienced and well trained chauffeur, you won’t have to focus on the driving logistics, safety or punctuality.

Bring anyone you want

If you like spending your vacation with your friends or family, why not make the most out of your time together by renting a bus that can accommodate your needs? Why worry about coordinating travel with your family and friends when you can all ride together and enjoy your free time with luxurious bus transportation? All that travel time can quickly become a chance for you to have fun and socialize.

Looking for first-class coach and charter buses Phoenix Arizona can provide?

By renting the best coach or charter buses Phoenix Arizona can offer, you can enjoy all the benefits of your road trip with less of the worry. AZLIMO.COM will make sure that your trip goes smoothly and our chauffeurs will help make your vacation a trip to remember! Check out our fleet and book our limousine rental services in a few quick steps and get the first-class customer service in Phoenix, AZ! Reserve your vehicle today!

Benefits of Renting a Sprinter Van in Phoenix AZ

az limo sprinter van phoenix az
Do you need a convenient and safe means of transportation for a group of people? That is exactly what you can get by renting the most luxurious sprinter van Phoenix AZ can offer! Here are a few benefits of using a sprinter van for your next group outing!

Keep everyone together

Now you can all travel together! Sprinter vans have plenty of room, allowing you to travel as a group. In general, these vehicles accommodate 10 to 16 passengers.

You can bring anything and everyone with you on your trip. You will all arrive at your destination at the same time and have fun in the meantime. To have good times together during the travel, rent a sprinter van in Phoenix, AZ and have fun with your crew!

Travel in style

Sprinter vans usually have high back, leather seating, and some seats can also recline. Arrive in style in the most stylish sprinter van Phoenix AZ can provide!

Great features and amenities

Another benefit of these vehicles is that they can boast a ton of various amenities and features you will enjoy! Choose a limo service that takes pride in a vast selection of premier sprinter vans that would satisfy any recreational or business travel needs. You will feel like traveling in the most luxurious vehicle on the road!

Optimized for style and comfort, sprinter vans can have different amenities and features such as built in Bluetooth Navigation, Wi-Fi, DVD, television, top-of-the-line video and audio equipment, and even game consoles.

Convenience

By renting the finest sprinter van Phoenix AZ can give you, not only will you have enough room; you will also get a friendly and courteous professional chauffeur who knows their way around the city.

You will be able to sit back, relax in the comfort of the vehicle, and enjoy the ride with your group without having to worry about traffic, parking or arriving on time. Your chauffeur will take care of all that and make your journey effortless.

More than enough room and cargo space

Most sprinter vans have a high roof exceeding 6’5″. This is especially important for very tall individuals. No more bending over to get in a vehicle! You will have plenty of room inside and be able to easily get in and out of the van.

These vehicles also have a large storage space that you can use for your luggage or anything else that you want to bring along. With so much room you won’t need to worry about running out of space. You will also be comfortable during the ride and be able to relax, which is especially important when traveling long hours.

#1 Sprinter Van Phoenix AZ Rental

Searching for the best limo service in Phoenix, AZ? Look no further than AZLIMO.COM. We will save you the hassle and provide you with the first-class rental services in Arizona.

AZLIMO.COM boasts a fleet of modern vehicles including Sprinter Vans, SUVs, Sedans, Stretch Limousines, Party Buses, Coaches, and Mercedes Benz S550s. Our vehicles are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained, as well as equipped with features, amenities and technology you need for comfortable, convenient and reliable transportation.

Our chauffeurs are polite and professional and can provide you with a wealth of knowledge about the area. Check out our fleet, choose the perfect vehicle for your needs, get an online quote, and book our services. Wherever you want to go, we can take you there!

Why You Should Hire a Limousine on New Year’s Eve

black limo - limo service ScottsdaleIn a time when one year is ending and another one is approaching, we reflect on/upon the choices we’ve made, make a list of things we wish to do and achieve, and spend time with our loved ones. New Year’s Eve is also a time for celebrations and we want it to be special, a night we will never forget. We plan our night out with our family, friends, and colleagues or a romantic evening with your special someone. Just like in life, it’s not always about the destination, it’s about the journey so start your night right with the best limo service Scottsdale can offer!

Whether you’re planning to spend New Year’s Eve in a bar, hotel or a club or want to go to a concert, an elegant dinner party and wine tasting, find out why renting a limousine is the number one choice for luxury transportation for any event!

Safety comes first

New Year’s Eve is the night when we feel particularly festive and tend to embrace the new year with a bit more than a couple of drinks. However, it is never okay to drink and drive.

Renting a limousine gives you the chance to indulge yourself and have a blast without worrying how you’ll get home when the night is over. New Year’s celebrations increase drunk-driving risks and accidents, making this night one of the most dangerous holidays of the year.

A reliable limo service Scottsdale will allow you and your friends to relax and enjoy yourselves without having to drive. You’ll avoid the hassle of driving and finding a parking spot. You can spend your night carefree and arrive home safely.

Even If you haven’t had anything to drink, safety should be your main concern. Rest assured your professional and experienced chauffeurs will get you to your destination, successfully managing all the risks.

Party on wheels, arrive in stylefriends chatting in a limo - limo service Scottsdale

Start celebrating the minute you leave your home! No matter what your plans for the night are, with your trusted limo service in Scottsdale, you can start your party as soon as you set off. You won’t have to deal with navigation and worry about the traffic.

The best of all, you’ll arrive at that special place in style, comfort, and elegance. A limousine will put you in a party mood before you even reach the planned destination.

Get dressed up, enjoy in a five-star limo service, and let courteous professional chauffeurs accommodate your transportation needs.

Ride with your crew

Make the last night of the year unforgettable with friends by your side. Bring them along for the ride. It’s much more amusing and practical than arriving at the party separately.

Get together with your loved ones and keep the fun rolling right from the beginning of the evening. Share the ride, along with joy and happiness. You can use this time to remember great moments and memories you created the past year. A limo will also wow your special someone if you’re planning a romantic night out.

It’s cost-effective

Hiring a limo service Scottsdale is less expensive than paying legal fees and fines for DUI. Besides avoiding a potential lawsuit, you won’t have to pay for fuel or think about parking. Hire a private chauffeur for the night, share your ride with friends and you can split the costs, as well.

Hire first-class limo service Scottsdale

If you’re looking for the number one limo service in Arizona, book your reservation at AZLIMO.COM. We guarantee you a reliable, convenient and extraordinary experience. Check out our fleet of luxurious vehicles that can meet any transportation needs. Our professional chauffeurs with ample experience and knowledge will get you anywhere you want so that you can spend your special night just like you imagined. Start your adventure and the new year hassle-free with AZLIMO.COM!

Explore Red Rock Country with Your Scottsdale Limo Service, Part 2

cathedral rock in sedona - scottsdale limo serviceIn our previous article, you could read about some of the wonders of Red Rock Country that could inspire your next road trip. You can explore these amazing places that Sedona and Colorado Plateau hide – behind the wheel of a car! If you’re looking to hire a Scottsdale limo service to start your unique journey, wait a little bit longer. Here are a few more things you may want to put on your bucket list.

Amazing wineries

If you are a wine enthusiast, you’ll find joy in Sedona’s nearby vineyards and tasting rooms. Sedona and surrounding cities Page Springs and Cornville are the heart of Arizona’s wine industry. Dry, hot summers and rich volcanic soil are perfect for grape like Cabernet, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Merlot.

On your driving tour, you’ll have a tremendous opportunity to taste some of the country’s finest wines that could compete with any Napa white. Unwind at one of the local wineries to sample some wine and cheese and visit some of the wine bars known for their great ambiance.

Ancient American Heritage

A short drive away from Sedona, you’ll find 700-year-old Honanki Indian ruins, one of the biggest prehistoric pueblos in the Verde Valley. There you’ll discover ancient cliff dwellings, marvelous rock art and pictographs on the cliff walls.

Along with its sister site Palatki, the Honanki Heritage Site is one of the best-persevered Sinagua Indian ruins in Sedona. Both sit in the Coconino National Forest, approximately 15 miles west of Sedona.

Tuzigoot pueblo was the largest Sinaguan complex in the Verde Valley. The walls of more than a hundred rooms were built from limestone and sandstone from the area.

The monument occupies an area of 1.3 square miles. It is located near the towns of Clarkdale and Cottonwood. There tourists can see the remains of a few pit houses and petroglyphs, signs of the people who lived in the Verde Valley one thousand years ago.

montezuma castle - scottsdale limo service

If you’re interested in ancient history, keep unraveling the mysteries of Native Americans by visiting Montezuma Castle National Monument, as another part of the legacy of the Sinagua culture. The structure can only be reached by ladder and although visitors are not permitted to go inside anymore, you can admire it from below.

Only 11 miles away is Montezuma’s Well, along with an early irrigation network and other ruins. These sites are located off I-17 in Rimrock and Camp Verde.

Local art and culture

Immerse yourself in Sedona’s unique art by visiting the Sedona Art Museum or one of the local art galleries, festivals and cultural events. Sedona Plein Air Festival is a week-long celebration of world-renowned artists and spectacular landscapes, organized by the Sedona Arts Center.

Every October, during the festival, various workshops and events give tourists and locals a chance to get creative and enjoy numerous lectures, receptions, and exhibitions.

Travel safe with your trusted Scottsdale limo service

See the amazing Sedona and the Grand Canyon in grand style and comfort that your reliable Scottsdale limo service can provide. Whether you want to indulge in a glass of wine or explore ancient ruins, AZ Limo is your way to get there.

Our experienced and knowledgeable chauffeurs can take you on your next road trip to help make it even more memorable. We have the vehicle that suits your needs, wishes and budget. Call us today at 1 (480) 635-887 or contact us online for a free quote!

 

Explore Red Rock Country with Your Trusted Limo Service Chandler AZ, Part 1

road in the desert - limo service chandler azThis is the perfect time of the year to explore Arizona and enjoy the wonders of Red Rock Country – by car! Seeking limo service in Chandler, AZ is one of the first steps to give yourself and your loved ones a one-of-a-kind, personalized tour and check out one of the finest vistas in Sedona and the Grand Canyon you will never forget.

If you love deserts and slot canyons and have an adventurous spirit, it’s time to start planning your next road trip! Read on to find out some of the things Red Rock Country has to offer.

Magnificent scenery

Choose a car that fits your needs and start your driving adventure from Sedona. There you will see some of nature’s most beautiful landscapes.

The town is nestled among a true geological wonderland, at the southern escarpment of the Colorado Plateau. It will inspire you with stunning scenery and mesmerizing views of red rocks and mesas covered in lush vegetation.

Climb up the Colorado Plateau. As you ascend 2000 feet above the town, you will be stunned by Sedona’s scenic beauty. Colorado Plateau is a vibrant mix of deserts and forests, with the Grand Canyon as its most famous place and Arizona’s most distinguishable landmark.

Every year, four and a half million tourists come to enjoy the remarkable geology of the Grand Canyon, seeking serenity and outdoor recreation. Unsurpassed beauty, colorful landscape and its overwhelming size make Grand Canyon National Park a hugely popular destination.

Thrilling adventure

Travel the bouncy jeep tracks, trails and byways to experience Sedona and its alluring surroundings. If you’re in for a true off-road adventure, get rugged on one of the extreme tracks and overcome challenging obstacles while enjoying red rock canyons. Drive through the high desert terrain in your SUV or take an adventure down the Verde River in a Ducky Kayak.

Peace of mind

Regarded by Native Americans as sacred, Sedona keeps being recognized as a place of healing. It is known for its vortexes, which attract people from all over the world to come to find balance, renewal and spiritual direction. An energy vortex is believed to be an intersection of natural electromagnetic energy and a potent transformational energy center.

People who visit Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon report feeling the great concentration of energy. These four best-known vortexes are believed to encourage healing, and facilitate prayer and meditation.

Explore Red Rock Country with #1 limo service Chandler AZ

These are just a few reasons to take an adventurous jeep tour and experience the fascinating wonders of Sedona and its surrounding wilderness areas. In our next article, you can read some more.

Then you can explore ancient ruins, canyons and forest lakes with the assistance of AZ Limo, a limo service Chandler AZ you can trust. Our knowledgeable staff can help you choose a vehicle from our fleet that fits your needs, requirements, and your budget.

You can have your own private tour with our most experienced chauffeurs. They are knowledgeable of the area and its landmarks and will go above and beyond to make your Arizona limo tour unforgettable. For a free quote, reach us at 1 (480) 635-887 or contact us online!

15 Mother’s Day 2013 Gift & Activity Ideas

“A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” – Tenneva Jordan

happy mother's day baby and mother hugging

Every year your mom insists that she doesn’t want anything for Mother’s Day, but even if she is telling the truth and not just playing coy, don’t you think she deserves a little something nice?

Mother’s Day 2013 is Sunday, May 12. Check out our tips below for suggestions for what to get for Mother’s Day and what Mother’s Day activities to partake in.

TREAT HER TO A SPA DAY

After 18+ years of taking care of you, don’t you think Mom deserves some relaxation and pampering? Take her to this oft-tried and oft-enjoyed Mother’s Day activity at one of these spas in the Phoenix area:

  • Willow Stream Spa: 22 miles from Downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale’s newly redesigned Fairmont Scottsdale Resort Hotel has been going strong for 25 years. The resort’s Willow Stream Spa promises to relax, rejuvenate, and educate you and your mom with a “medically guided, personalized and full integrated wellness program.”
  • Body Beautiful Med Spa & Day Spa: Has your mom been complaining about getting older? We’d love to guide her to the fountain of youth, but until we find it, Body Beautiful Med Spa & Day Spa will have to do. This spa’s anti-aging experts and aestheticians provide Botox, lip augmentation, derma fillers, and laser procedures in addition to more common spa services like waxing and massages. They also offer a host of Gentlemen’s Spa Services, which is ideal for the sons who might typically feel left out of this Mother’s Day activity.
  • Dolce Salon & Spa: Dolce Salon & Spa is the largest full-service salon and day spa in North America and has three locations in Chandler, Scottsdale, and Peoria. Services include everything from manicures, massages, and waxing to spray tanning and event coordination for private parties.

ART CLASS

If your mom is the artsy type and won’t mind getting a little messy, enjoy this unique Mother’s Day activity with her.

  • The Brush Bar: At The Brush Bar, customers can enjoy a glass or bottle of wine before the class starts. Their Mother’s Day special classes are sold out, but you can call to be placed on the waiting list.
  • VanGo Pottery: VanGo Pottery brings the pottery studio to you. The company travels throughout the Metropolitan Phoenix area and will set up a pottery painting experience whenever and wherever you want them to.
  • As You Wish Pottery: If you’re a mom and would like to do something fun and creative with your toddler, check out As You Wish Poterry’s Mother’s Day Handpring Event. For just $25, you and your preschooler/toddler can work together to paint a Mother’s Day ceramic plate and enjoy some light refreshments.

BRUNCH

Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but brunch has to be the most enjoyable. This Mother’s Day, treat your mother to a sweet and savory brunch at one of these local restaurants.

  • Rio Mirage Café: With locations in Surprise, AZ and El Mirage, AZ, this Mexican restaurant aims to provide “high quality, the freshest ingredients, and excellent service” to their customers. Since 1999, Rio Mirage Café has been making good on their promises, and, because of this, it was voted Best Mexican Food Restaurant in the West Valley. They also provide catering services.
  • Cork: This East Valley restaurant is run by husband-wife team Robert and Danielle Morris and Chef Brian Peterson. Cork boasts, a full bar, indoor and outdoor seating, and a 25-foot floor-to-ceiling wine wall. If for some reason that gigantic wine wall doesn’t impress you, maybe Cork’s accolades will: Every year since 2009, Cork has earned Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence and was awarded 4 ½ stars by the Arizona Republic in 2008.
  • Hillside Spot: Hillside Spot offers Ahwatukee residents “high quality food at a reasonable price” and is also dedicated to supporting local farms and producers including Cartel Coffee Labs, MJ’s Bakery, Maya’s Farms, Schreiner’s Sausage, Oak Creek, and Four Peaks Brewery.

GET HER SOMETHING AS SWEET AS SHE IS

If you have a Mother’s Day activity already planned but want to sweeten the pot a bit. Get cupcakes, cakes, chocolates, or other mouth-watering snacks from these bakeries.

  • Barbs Bakery: This family-owned business has been in business for more than 30 years. During its almost four decades in business, Barb’s Bakery has been repeatedly voted “Best of Phoenix.” They make everything from traditional wedding cakes to Barbie-inspired birthday cakes and butterfly-shaped cookies.
  • Essence Bakery: Essence Bakery in Tempe, AZ operates under the motto “Buy Locally. Eat Well. Preserve the Planet.” The environmentally friendly café offers delicious macaroons, croissants, and truffle cookies, among other pastries, and earned a 4 ½ star rating from the Arizona Republic.
  • Something Sweet: This bakery in the Ahwatukee and Chandler area was actually inspired by a mom. On the website, the owner write, “I grew up in a wonderful Italian family of eleven. From the time I was little, I would watch my mom as she would spend hours in the kitchen making dinner to feed her very full table, but always saved time to make dessert. I learned back then that dessert wasn’t just something delicious to fill your tummy, it was like a big kiss from mom!”

FLOWERS

If your mom really isn’t big on Mother’s Day, keep it simple and grab her a bouquet of flowers from these florists.

  • McDonald Floral And Gift, Inc: McDonald Floral And Gifts, Inc. has been serving the Valley since 1917 and has floral arrangement for every occasion and for every budget. Just remember that they’re closed on Sundays, so you’ll have to pick up your Mother’s Day flowers the day before.
  • PJ’s Flowers & Events: This award-winning Phoenix florist will craft the finest floral arrangements and gifts for your mom and deliver it to you as well. If money’s a little tight, check out how you can win free flowers from them here.
  • Road Runner Florist & Basket Express: Pamela Smith founded Roadrunner Florist in Phoenix in 1979. In 2006, she received a plaque from the Society of American Florists to celebrate her 40+ years of service in the floral industry. Check out their suggestions for bouquets for mom here.

Need help getting to and from your Mother’s Day activities? Contact us.

6 Ways to Spend New Year’s Eve in Arizona

If trying to figure out how you’ll be ringing in 2013 in Arizona has you drawing blanks, fear not; we’ve got you covered. Here are 6 big ways to spend New Year’s Eve in the Grand Canyon State.

 1. SCOTTSDALE’S ULTIMATE BLOCK PARTY. Each year Scottdale’s Ultimate Block Party, a collaboration between local venues Dos Gringos, RockBar Inc., and Blitz Sports Grill, throws the state’s only New Year’s Eve block party. For the past 10 years, Scottsdale’s 21+ residents have gathered in Craftsman Court to enjoy what can only be described as the ultimate indoor and outdoor New Year’s Eve block party. Attendees are treated to a street festival featuring live entertainment from local and nationally known musicians and are, of course, encouraged to visit the variety of bars and restaurants in the area.

 2. ZOO YEAR’S EVE. This year the folks at the Phoenix Zoo are putting a very adult spin on a place we’ve all visited a time or twelve during our childhood and are challenging you to let your party animal loose at their Zoo Year’s Eve celebration. The zoo will be spoiling partygoers with a three-hour New Year’s Eve shindig with three complimentary drinks, complimentary appetizers, party favors, live entertainment, a cash bar, and a lightshow! What better way to start of the New Year than with free stuff?

3. PLAYGROUND BAR. Tuscon’s Playground Bar seems eager to continue its rep as the city’s #1 nightlife destination in 2013. For this year’s New Year’s Eve fete, Playground Bar is offering 3 bars on 2 levels, 3 areas for the New Year’s countdown, an all-star DJ lineup, and a tribute to electronic music duo Daft Punk. That alone sounds like amazing time, but Playground Bar is sweetening the pot a little more for those who buy advance tickets: Advance ticket holders will get guaranteed and express entrance to the New Year’s Eve celebration as well as a midnight toast and rooftop access.

4. SAVE THE FAMILY’S HEARTS OF GOLD NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION. If you like to mix in a bit of philanthropy with your partying, then you should consider attending Save the Family’s annual Hearts of Gold New Year’s Eve Celebration. Thrown at the Tempe Center for the Arts, the event promises a night of delicious food, live entertainment from popular cover band TréJa Vu, champagne, casino gaming, and lakeside fireworks. And since all proceeds benefit Save the Family, an organization that has been dedicated to servicing homeless families with children for over two decades, you can feel free to indulge guilt-free.

 5. THE NATIONAL COMEDY THEATER. Laugh in 2013 at the National Comedy Theatre’s New Year’s Eve Comedy Extravaganza in Mesa, AZ. The theater is known for its unique, interactive, and improvisational comedy shows and was even awarded the title for 2011’s “Best Local Performing Arts Troupe” by the East Valley Tribune. At its New Year’s Eve Comedy Extravaganza, guests of all ages are welcome to participate in 90 minutes of improv and mingle with the cast. Guests will also receive party favors, a countdown to midnight with complimentary champagne or cider toast, and delicious desserts.

6. HOTEL VALLEY HO. Hotel Valley Ho is vowing to “shake (not stir) it up” this New Year’s Eve. Guests who stay at this Scottsdale hotel during New Year’s Eve will have the opportunity to enjoy a four-course dinner paired with Belvedere Vodka, Moët & Chandon, and Veuve Clicquot. Talk about classy! Guests will also enjoy live entertainment all night long and a champagne toast at midnight on top of the hotel’s seven-story tower. And if you think all the fun will be over come New Year’s Day, think again. The good people at Hotel Valley Ho open their Bloody Mary Bar 9 am – 2:30 pm on New Year’s Day.

However you choose to ring in 2013, AZ LIMO can help you do it safely. Rely on our responsible drivers, available in Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, and Phoenix, to get you to and from your New Year’s Eve destination safely.

 

Image via village14.com

Santa Trackers

Santa Claus and reindeers

In 1955, a Colorado Springs business advertisement misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa Claus. The number instead put children in contact with CONAD, the Continental Air Defense Command. Instead of turning the misled children away, the Director of Operations at the time turned his staff into Santa trackers, asking them to check the radar for indications of Santa making his way from the North Pole and update inquiring children on Santa’s location. For two years CONAD continued to act as a Santa tracker until 1958, when the governments of Canada and the United States created NORAD, North American Aerospace Defense Command.

Since then, volunteers for the NORAD Santa Tracker have responded to phone calls and emails from children around the world. For those who prefer a more modern approach, the NORAD Santa Tracker now tracks Santa on the interwebs. Noradsanta.org, available in eight languages, provides up-to-the-minute updates on how many gifts Santa has delivered, the cities and countries he’s delivered to, and even gives kids info on where Santa and his reindeers will be going next and how long it’ll take him to get there. So far, we’ve spotted Santa in Hat Yai, Thailand, Alice Springs, Australia, and Magadan, Russia, among hundreds of other cities in the Eastern Hemisphere.

For the child who might get a bit bored of the NORAD Santa Tracker, the site also offers a Santa Cam that captures images and video of Santa Claus as he journeys around the world and interactive holiday games.

Google, who formerly collaborated with NORAD on the Santa Tracker, is now engaging in its own Santa tracking fun. The Google Santa Tracker provides pretty much the same info as the NORAD Santa Tracker, but Google’s Santa seems a bit slower than NORAD’s: as of this morning, Google’s Santa has delivered a mere 594 million gifts while NORAD’s Santa has delivered well over 1 billion. Google’s Santa also seems quite social: about twice every minute, he updates his status, saying things like, “Mmm those cookies were delicious” and “Jingling all the way!”

Try one or both of these Santa tracker sites to add a bit of location-based fun to your holiday season!

 

Image via scienceblogs.com

Arizona Celebration of Lights

Phoenix, AZ may not have the whitest Christmas, but what the city’s residents lack in snow, they make up for in lights. The annual Arizona Celebration of Lights boasts the state’s largest presentation of holiday lights. The high-wattage celebration includes more than 7,000,000 lights and 600 animated and still displays.

Located at the Phoenix Event Complex at 2209 N. 99th Avenue, the Arizona Celebration of Lights is how we imagine the Las Vegas Strip would look if Santa were in charge of decorating. Homes in the one-mile long spectacle are decked out in displays depicting nutcracker men, frolicking reindeer, and other Christmas-inspired scenes.

Now in its 15th year, this family-friendly event promises to be bigger than ever with appearances from and photo ops with jolly ole St. Nick and a projected 140,000 participants. If this sounds like the perfect addition to your holiday plans, get in on the fun and hire a car service to guide you and your loved ones through the display! The Arizona Celebration of Lights opened on November 18 and runs through January 6, 2013. Gates to this drive-through event open 5:30pm-9:00pm Sunday through Thursday and stay open even later, 5:30pm-10:00pm, on Friday, Saturday, and holidays.

Don’t be outshined by the extravagant light displays: make sure you and your family attend the Arizona Celebration of Lights in style in one of AZ LIMO’s luxury chauffeured limousines. We offer a Holiday Light Tour Package that allows participants to choose between several light tours throughout the Phoenix Metro Area, and if you just can’t decide which light tour to attend, we can customize a route for you! Contact AZ LIMO for more details on how we can make your Holiday Light Tours experience that much brighter!

 

Images via phoenixnewtimes.com