Please contact me by email or phone if you have any more questions.

Favorite Restaurants:

Fiorito's - Italian with a flair - Small and friendly, with a good bar (one of the owners, Patch, makes the BEST martinis anywhere; tell him I sent you!) and fantastic food ranging from pizzas to lamb shanks and of course pastas; huge portions; typical dinner for two w/drinks and good tip - $65 - On Grant Road just east of Tucson Blvd.

Noni - Cajun, New Orleans, seafood - Absolutely fabulous food and atmosphere - owners run the place and are wonderful; Susi runs the bar and is a hoot; mussels Melinda is a favorite and don't miss the bread pudding with bourbon sauce; typical dinner for two w/drinks and good tip - $65 - On Grant Road just east of Tucson Blvd.

Kingfisher - seafood and more - really a classy place, and one of the few places in Tucson with a separate smoking room so those of you who do, can, inside. Yummy oysters, great bar. Typical dinner for two w/drinks and good tip - $85. On Grant Road just east of Tucson Blvd.

Arizona Inn Bar & Dining Room - European and classic fare - I recently had the hands-down best meal we've had anywhere in the dining room (new chef) - boulliabaise, and beef bourgignion. The service is top top line (this is a sport-coat-and-tie eatery guys) with fabulous silver and bone china in one of our most spectacular historical buildings. Must see. Must eat. Or at least have a drink at the bar, and listen to Bob Linesch on the piano; both my parents and my husband's mom have known Bob for 50 years and he's still playing! It's schmarmy music, but it's the last of a disappearing era... Typical dinner for two w/drinks and a good tip - $130. On Elm just east of Campbell Avenue.

Cup Cafe at Hotel Congress - one of best spots in town for breakfast and fantastic people watching, in historic hotel with amazing lobby. Eggs in Hell is my favorite; omelettes and granola too. Typical breakfast for two w/good tip - $20. Congress at Toole across from the new Depot.

Micha's - Mexican - old time Tucson Mexican, hidden in South Tucson; hangout for real locals (politicians, newspapermen and women; construction workers). Yum. Typical dinner for two w/good tip - $40. On south Fourth across from the dog track, almost to I-10. (A runner up for Mexican is El Charro downtown on Meyer and Court. . . old Tucson favorite but their service is horrible and the bar is silly and full of lawyers (eww!), but the food is really first rate.)

Hotels - Higher End:

Arizona Inn - this is THE classic near U ofA. See above for description. Over $150 during winter. But oh so lovely.

Lodge on the Desert - another classic. Lovely cabanas. At least $130 during winter. Alvernon and 5th Street, midtown.

Hotels - Medium End:

Ghost Ranch Lodge - old style cabanas and rooms, like off Route 66 in the 40s. Now a Best Western but still locally owned/run. $90 - $100 I think in winter. Miracle Mile about a mile from I-10.

Others: La Quinta - Broadway midtown; Doubletree (Radisson) - Alvernon and Broadway, midtown, across from major park that has a great running/walking path for miles, and recreation center for tennis, golf, etc.

Hotels - Lower End:

Hotel Congress - downtown - see description above. Loud bar but what a scene. Funky and fun, clean and safe. Well less than $100 I think.

Sites to See/Things to Do:

More on this soon.

Recommended for outdoor/nature lovers: The Summit Hut is the source for maps and books and information; www.summithut.com.

Southern Arizona Nature Almanac by Roseann Beggy Hanson and Jonathan Hanson. A seasonal guide to southern Arizona . . . birds, plants, hiking, drives, weather. Contact me for a signed copy, or go to www.DesertNewcomer.com. Now reprinted by University of Arizona Press.