The perfect itinerary for a 7-day road trip in Arizona: The call of the wild

In Arizona's vast expanse, the quintessential American experience comes alive. Seven days might be insufficient to uncover the awe-inspiring natural beauty of this mineral-rich region, where the nostalgic remnants of Route 66 coexist with the ancient traditions of the Native American people. Known for its extensive road trip opportunities, Arizona feels tailor-made for adventure-seekers, with the wind whipping through their hair as they drive through the landscape. And with direct flights from Paris to Phoenix available on Air France, this journey has never been easier to embark on.

Embark on a cultural odyssey through the ancestral lands of the Navajo and Hopi nations, the Wild West and iconic Route 66, and a melting pot of traditional and modern cuisine. Journey from the majestic Grand Canyon to the majestic landscapes of Monument Valley in just seven days on the road.

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The artistic masterpieces of Native American communities can be fully appreciated today. The Heard Museum has showcased their most exceptional works for nearly a century, while the Fry Bread House honors their resolve with a simple, yet beloved fried bread dish. Now is the perfect time to venture into the great outdoors: driving north along Route 87 towards another Arizona region. As one travels, the iconic saguaros, native to the Sonoran desert, gradually make way for the breathtaking pine forests of Rim Country.

Take a break in Payson at the Beeline Cafe, one of those popular roadside diners where the coffee never runs out and the tales never cease. Then head to Sedona and its stunning red rock formations, a source of inspiration for a wide range of folkloric stories: since the 1980s, energy sites known as "vortexes" (Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock...) have attracted attention from the new age community. In these territories, the world of mysticism is ever-present, subtly blending with the natural world.

• about 2h30

• Heard Museum

  This address "2301 N. Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85004" is not a full sentence or statement hence there is nothing to paraphrase.

  +1 602-252-8840

• Fry Bread House

  4545 North Seventh Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85013

  +1 602-351-2345

• 815 South Beeline Highway, Payson, AZ 85541

  +1 928-474-996

3. **Exploring the Grand Canyon Village:** Marvel at the historical Grand Canyon Railway Depot and indulge in local eats.

If you are a tourist in a hurry or rather a patient observer, then be prepared for the dawn at the South Rim – the part that is accessible all year round and undoubtedly offers the most breathtaking view of the Grand Canyon. As the first rays of the day’s sunlight illuminate these eternally carved rock layers.

"The Bright Angel Trail is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a thrilling trek into the depths of the canyon, a challenging descent that requires several days of commitment. Alternatively, the Rim Trail is a more leisurely 5-mile walk that spans eight kilometers between Mather Point and Yavapai Point, providing a glimpse into two billion years of geological history.

• about 2h

• Grand Canyon National Park's Visitor Centre

  The address is 20 South Entrance Road, Grand Canyon Village, Arizona, 86023.

  +1 928-638-7888

Taking in the iconic formations of the Mittens, Merrick Butte, and Mitten Rock, we truly feel as though we are "entering the set" of a Hollywood movie. From John Wayne

The sacred homeland of the Navajo people is situated between the states of Arizona and Utah. The majestic mesas of Monument Valley appear to be a testament to a bygone age: the Navajos revered them as sacred land, and later John Ford filmed his classic westerns in these breathtaking natural settings.

The Valley Drive is a 27-kilometre loop that passes through a series of movie-like rock formations. However, to explore the area's hidden treasures, including Mystery Valley and Antelope Canyon located further to the north, visitors must join a guided tour led by a Navajo guide, who are the modern-day caretakers of this ancient heritage.

• : about 3h

• (Pronounced "Ah-tee" by the Navajo Nation, meaning " valley of the rocks")

  Indian Route 42, Oljato-Monument Valley, Arizona 84536

  +1 435-727-5874

"Dinner tip: The Fun(AFArchitect-designed desert bio home at Dunk Brewery, Winslow."

As one leaves Monument Valley on the iconic Route 66, the scenery suddenly transforms into a vibrant tapestry of colors. The Painted Desert unfolds as a surreal expanse of ochre, purple, and grey-blue layers across its arid, rocky terrain. This striking backdrop is merely an introduction to the Petraified Forest: a collection of 225 million-year-old fossilized tree trunks boasting their ancient, mineral-rich beauty, stretching out across the landscape.

At night, head to the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, fashioned with unique teepees made to be just as robust as the surrounding trees themselves. One of the symbolically iconic roadside motels of Route 66, where the America of the 1950s still warmly receives weary travelers even to this very day.

• 2h30

• Petrified Forest National Park

  This text is not a quoted text or a handwritten list, so there is nothing to paraphrase. The provided text appears to be an address.

  +1 928-524-6228

• 811 Hopi Drive, Holbrook, AZ 86025

  +1 928-524-3048

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Between heaven and earth, Arizona stands as a persistent reminder of the human condition. At the Rock Art Ranch in Winslow, well-maintained rock carvings narrate the story of the first individuals who attempted to leave their imprint on the world.

Further on, Meteor Crater, a 50,000-year-old massive pit created by a celestial collision, serves as a stark reminder that Arizona's landscape is sculpted both by the forces of the Earth and the vast phenomena of the cosmos. In the evening, the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, a magnificent Earth-based platform for astrological exploration, offers a unique perspective on just how tiny humanity is in the face of the universe's vastness.

• 1h30

• Lowell Observatory

  1400 West Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001

  +1 928-774-3358

• Rock Art Ranch

  Winslow, AZ 86047

  +1 928-288-3260

• Meteor Crater

  Interstate 40, Milepost 233, Winslow, Arizona 86047

  +1 800-289-5898

"To Do: Explore the abandoned town sites, such as the Jerome Historic District. You can take guided tours to learn about the area's history. The Arizona Central Railroad and the Courthouse Square Historical Society offer tours to Cleator and other historic sites.

And then there's the incredible Joshua Tree Parkway. These towering yucca trees with gnarled branches, which the Mormons liken to the outstretched arms of the prophet Joshua, are like natural art along this picturesque drive.

South of Wickenburg, the "ghost town" of Vulture City retains in its structures the memory of the gold prospectors who, in the mid-19th century, built an entire town out of the Arizona desert. Both captivating and timeless, a remnant of the Wild West if ever there was one.

• 2h30

• 301 East Highway 66, Seligman, AZ 86337

  +1 928-422-3291

• Vulture City Ghost Town

  36610 North 355th Avenue, Wickenburg, Arizona 85390

  +1 877-425-9229

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The road trip concludes with one final outdoor adventure: Lake Pleasant, a vast expanse of turquoise glistening in the desert. This 4,000-hectare man-made lake has become an unexpected haven for kayakers and ospreys, while campers can witness some of Arizona's most breathtaking sunsets.

After a detour to the impressive Botanical Desert Garden, it's time to cap off the day's excursion at The Arrogant Butcher, a gourmet restaurant. With a cozy rustic atmosphere featuring exposed brick walls and robust options like slow-cooked BBQ short ribs and spicy buffalo chicken wings, urban comfort food offers its own unique appeal.

• 1h30

• 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008.

  +1 480-941-1225

• The Arrogant Butcher

  Located at address 2 East Jefferson Street, Suite 150, Phoenix, Arizona 85004.

  +1 602-324-8502

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7 outstanding works of modern architecture to visit in Japan

In the field of architecture, Japan engages in a subtle game more than any other place. The seven architectural works by notable figures such as Kengo Kuma and Tadao Ando demonstrate how the Japanese archipelago's past is being transcended to shape its future.

Here are seven iconic masterpieces that disrupt the boundaries of what is possible, from the rural town of Yusuhara to the capital of Tokyo, representing Japan's architectural innovation. Temples that harness light, museums that thrive underground, and stadiums that blend seamlessly into the surrounding forest are just a few examples of what Japanese architects have achieved.

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Key elements include a local craft processing factory, a woodcuts collection house, and the grave and statue of sculptor Korin Fujimori who the town's design is said to be enshrine.

He has designed six buildings that resemble a large construction set. The town hall is clad with cedar, the museum takes the form of a suspension bridge, and the library is disguised as a forest. Each building reinterpret ancestral Japanese construction techniques to create a city that is unprecedented in the country.

The Church of Light, designed by Tadao Ando in 1989, is a phenomenal example of spiritual architecture that blurs the lines between nature and man-made structures. With its minimalist design and emphasis on light, this sanctum has intrigued architects and designers worldwide. Situated in MODERN LAURI, a residential area in Ikeda, Osaka, the Church of Light is Tadao Ando's reinterpretation of a Japanese architectural style.

A rusty block of concrete in Osaka's suburbs holds a special spiritual significance. The simple, cruciform notch behind the altar transforms natural light into art. The beam of light from the notch cuts through the church's stark interior, the only ornament in this unadorned building, where Tadao Ando shows that a crack in a wall can be more moving than a grand Gothic cathedral. One of the defining works by this influential Japanese architect.

Takasugi-an Teahouse, a work of the Japanese architect Terunobu Fujimori, is another expression of his concept of a small teahouse.

In the mountains of Nagano, a tiny teahouse, aptly named Takasugi-an ("a house built too high up"), cleverly defies gravity, nestled six metres above ground on two chestnut trunks. This whimsical creation by Fujimori elegantly combines the traditional Japanese tea ceremony with a creative twist of fantasy. A humble ladder serves as the entrance to this elevated space, which feels like a serene and artistic oasis, reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli-inspired set.

The Chichu Art Museum is a modern museum situated on the northern coast of Naoshima Island in Japan. Tadao Ando is the architect behind this breathtaking structure.

Renowned architect Tadao Ando has challenged the conventional concept of a museum by burying it beneath the earth's surface. Invisble from the outside, the Chichu Art Museum can only be observed from the air. Within this labyrinthine expanse of rugged concrete, strategically positioned shafts of light cast Monet's, Turrell's, and De Maria's works in a captivating display that subtly transforms as the hours progress. A stairway illuminated from above leads to a room where the ever-changing sky interacts with Monet's water lilies. In this space, the building itself becomes a masterpiece, harmoniously blending the celestial, terrestrial, and human-made elements to create a distinctive and immersive sensory experience.

Oita Prefectural Art Museum (2014) - Shigeru Ban Design who focuses on decentralized structure, octagonal and particulate approach

- the exterior corridor reminiscent of traditional Japanese homes - the museum fosters a constant dialogue between the street and the artworks on display. The upper facade is decorated with a trellis evoking local bamboo craftsmanship, adding a touch of refinement to this distinctly modern building.

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He has designed a contemporary temple: a 100-metre gallery that gradually lights up with the summer solstice, while a 70-metre tunnel runs through the mountain to capture the winter sun. On a glass stage floating above the sea, a stone theatre awaits the equinoxes.

Like he had pioneered a dear method that unites the quest of nature with descriptive contexts of a place specific to culture of Japan, focusing basic ground where demolition of old-event opponent leaves footprints set as chosen place for shaping this Japan National Stadium before the Tokyo 2020 Games. Like alive streets with streams and underscores flow side by side.

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