Of all the places I’ve visited across the country I adore Scottsdale, Arizona, for so many different reasons from the top championship golf courses to the world class resorts, spas and dining venues, but most of all for the TRAVEL THERAPY feeling I get when I visit this unique desert destination.

She also appeared on ABC News discussing Scottsdale as the perfect getaway from the harshness of winter. You can watch the video clip on their site.

There will be a tree cutting ceremony this Saturday, November 7th in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest near Alpine, Arizona. From there, the tree will make several stops in Arizona before heading across the country to be presented to the President on Monday, November 30th.

You are invited to attend the tree cutting ceremony or stop in and see the tree as it travels through Arizona. For all the details, check out the official website at http://capitolchristmastree2009.org/

Travelocity Gnome hanging out at the Grand Canyon

Hogan is third in a series of eight National Geographic Explorers who will be visiting the Valley of the Sun this summer at the new National Geographic Explorers Camp at the Fairmont Scottsdale.

What: National Geographic Explorers Camp is an adventure-based resort kids camp, where children ages 5-12 navigate a GPS to discover desert creatures, go on a photo safari, play on gigantic continent maps and meet real-life explorers. The camp runs Tuesdays-Sundays for overnight guests through Labor Day. The world-renowned speakers are an added feature, approximately ever other Saturday.

More on Hogan: Big fish? Make that megafish. Dr. Zeb Hogan is an aquatic ecologist who travels the world searching for giant, fresh water fish weighing over 200 pounds. As the Director of National Geographic Megafishes Project based in Reno, Nev., Hogan is leading a team of investigators to study freshwater ecosystems on six continents. Hogan’s project is racing against the extinction of bear-size catfish, half-ton stingrays, giant trout and other monster fish. He believes these fish provide insight into the health of ecosystems and that it is just as important to save Mekong catfish and river dolphins, as it is to save tigers and whales. To do this, he involves local anglers in his research, hoping to engender pride in the bounty of their lakes and rivers and encourage sustainable fishing practices.

A native of Tempe, Ariz. and U of A graduate, Hogan is returning to the state to interact and educate youngsters during two Saturday National Geographic Explorers Camp sessions at the Fairmont Scottsdale. Hogan will then keynote a special family dinner event, sharing his expertise, conservation efforts and adventures to save these freshwater giants. The kids’ camp and family dinner event are available for overnight resort guests for a nominal fee.

Where: At the Fairmont Scottsdale, located at 7575 E. Princess Drive in Scottsdale.

Interviews: Available for in-studio interviews, Friday morning, June 26

Photo Ops: On Saturday, June 27, Hogan will “edu-tain” young explorers during morning and afternoon camp sessions. During an informal dinner event for the whole family, Hogan will give a lecture presentation, sharing his adventures:

Best on-site photo opportunity: First Camp Session: 9 am – 10 am *
* Hogan will be fishing with the campers at the resort’s lagoon

Price: Daytime sessions for kid campers start at $59 for a half-day and $89 for a full-day with lunch on a speaker Saturday. Other days, the camp starts at $49 per session. The dinner event is $30 for adults, $15 for children ages 6-12 and kids 5 and under dine free. The camp and dinner are exclusively for overnight guests of the resort.

Summer room rate specials feature the “Summer Splash Package” at $199 per room, per night, which includes a $100 daily food and beverage credit. The camp is a la carte. Room only rates start at $145 per night.

Where the Locals Go Scottsdale, AZ

Several Scottsdale-area restaurants were recognized by The James Beard Foundation as semifinalists across several categories:

• Outstanding Restaurateur: Sam Fox, Fox Restaurant Concepts
• Best New Restaurant: NoCA
• Outstanding Wine Service: Kazimierz World Wine Bar
• Best Chef in the Southwest: Beau MacMillan, elements at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa

Golfweek magazine’s list of best public-access courses honored several local golf clubs:

• Troon North Golf Club’s Monument (No. 2) and Pinnacle (No. 8 )
• We-Ko-Pa Golf Club’s Saguaro (No.1) and Cholla (No.3)
• Talking Stick Golf Club’s North Course (No. 4) and South Course (No. 14)
• TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium (No. 6) and Champions (No. 20)
• Boulders Golf Club’s North Course (No. 9) and South Course (No. 15)
• Grayhawk Golf Club’s Raptor (No. 13) and Talon (No. 23)
• SunRidge Canyon Golf Club (No. 12)
• Longbow Golf Club (No. 16)

TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice Award recognized Royal Palms Resort and Spa as No. 78 on its “Best Luxury Resorts in the World” list and as No. 7 on its “Top 10 Luxury Resorts in the United States” list.

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch received Elite Certified Status by Elite Meetings International and also was honored with Meetings & Conventions’ 2009 Gold Tee Award and Successful Meetings’ Pinnacle Award.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was named No.1 on Health Magazine’s “America’s Healthiest Airports” list and No. 7 on Travel + Leisure’s “Best Airports of 2008” list.

Encore Creative was recognized by Event Solutions magazine as the “2009 Event Supplier of the Year.”

InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa was honored on Travel + Leisure’s “Top 45 New Hotels of the Year” list.

Chaparral Suites Resort Scottsdale was awarded Meeting & Conventions’  Gold Key award.

Plus, test your tourism IQ and you could win one of nearly two dozen signature Scottsdale prizes - from restaurant gift cards and a round of golf for four to museum passes and outdoor adventure experiences in Scottsdale.

Find these chances to win and more at www.ScottsdaleTravelMatters.com. Don’t miss your chance to win – enter by June 11.