Pack an appetite if your summer vacation lands you in Sedona, Arizona, between June 11 and 26, 2011. During this time, vacationers can take a culinary tour of the destination’s best eats during Dine in Sedona Restaurant Fest. The two-week delish event will tantalize taste buds, satisfy tummies and rest easy on the travel budget.

Be treated to three-course, prix-fixe menus from participating restaurants. Don’t worry, you have a choice in what you eat. Each menu is designed so diners can select their appetizer, entrée and dessert. Participating restaurants have selected which dining price point they are so diners can budget accordingly.

The levels of dining are Modest ($19.95), Classic ($29.95) and Elegant ($39.95).

A complete list of participating Dine in Sedona Restaurant Fest eateries is listed on the event’s website, appropriately, www.dineinsedona.com. Or, when in Sedona, stop by the Uptown Visitor Center in June for complete list of participating restaurants.

When vacationing in Sedona, don’t forget to try those delicious dishes unique to the area like prickly pear margaritas, cactus fries and Cowboy-style steak. Yum! If wine is your thing, venture out to wine country in Verde Valley for a little sipping and swirling.

Bon appétit! And don’t forget to take care of your restaurant server.

Image Source: Sedona Chamber of Commerce

Some cities have artistically decorated cow and pig sculptures as public art displays. The Verde Valley Wine Trail in Arizona has brought together wine and artists to create 40 unique Painted Barrels. All will be auctioned off with proceeds going to support the Yavapai College Viticulture Program located in Cottonwood.

The Painted Barrels are found in and around Cottonwood, Sedona and Verde Valley in tasting rooms, wineries and businesses. Since the Verde Valley is an artistic community, Painted Barrels provide a great opportunity for visitors to connect with very talented artists.

“The Painted Barrels are a fun way to connect our great wineries with some very talented artists from the Verde Valley and even renowned Navajo artist, Baje Whitethorne Sr.,” said Lana Tolleson, Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce CEO, “The artists have been so amazingly creative with whimsical designs, three dimensional appliqués, and art that really show off the beauty of the Cottonwood, Sedona area. We’re excited about all of the social media programs and Artist events that are beginning this month [November 2010].”

When vacationing in Sedona in the near future, be sure to check out the Painted Barrels website to locate these gorgeous masterpieces. You can also check out artist bios and see snapshots of each of the barrels. Get social with the Painted Barrels, find them on Facebook/VVwinetrail, Twitter/VVWineTrail and search for them on FourSquare pages. Contests and groovy prizes will be awarded to followers.

Yavapai College Viticulture Program is the first viticulture program in Arizona. Modeled after programs in California, the program provides education needed to obtain a job in the fast-growing Arizona wine industry. This past summer, Yavapai College planted their first acre of vineyards to assist in the education of their students and has 15 more acres reserved for planting of new vineyards.

Development of the program means more Arizona wine and that’s definitely a good thing.

Image: Courtesy of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce

A cool place to be this October for travelers who appreciate arts and culture is Sedona, Arizona. Cultural activities take center stage in various formats this month with activities including Sedona Jazz on the Rocks, Sedona Book Festival, and Sedona Plein Air Festival. Check your calendar against these October events then find your affordable Sedona lodging with Resort Rentals Intl.

First Friday Gallery Tour, Oct. 1
Galleries stay open a little later during Sedona’s Art Walk, traditionally held on the First Friday of the month. Between 5 and 8 p.m., Sedona visitors can view exhibitions, receptions with artists, live music, demonstrations and wine tastings. The Sedona Trolley runs complimentary service from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Sedona Jazz on the Rocks, Oct. 2
Poco Diablo Resort is the setting for Sedona Jazz on the Rocks where a lineup of musicians performing blues, jazz and R&B take the stage. Scheduled to appear are Alfredo Rodriguez, Craig Chaquico and Homemade Jamz Blues Band.

Sedona Book Festival, Oct. 2
Calling all bookworms, this event’s for you! Local and regional authors, publishers and other reading and writing organizations will be on hand to interact with book fans during the Second Annual Sedona Book Festival. More than 60 exhibitors will sell books along with book-related items. Select authors will make presentations in the author’s room throughout the day.

Sedona Arts Festival, Oct. 9 & 10
About 160 artists from across the United States will showcase their work in mediums ranging from painting to photography to jewelry to fiber arts during the Sedona Arts Festival. New this year is Gourmet Gallery showcasing locally made food items to enjoy in your kitchen. A kid’s area will offer make and take projects for the budding artists.

Sedona Plein Air Festival, Oct. 23 - 30
Thirty-two award-winning artists will be inspired by Red Rock Country during the week-long Sedona Plein Air Festival. The Festival begins Saturday with Paint Out on Main Street, Uptown and continues with free lectures, music, demonstrations, painting classes, a Day in Jerome, Quick Draw & Sale in Tlaquepaque and Los Abrigados Creekside Wine with the Artists. A gala provides an opportunity to see the paintings completed during the festival along with wine with the artists. Everyone is invited to the free Public Exhibit and Art Sale at the Sedona Arts Center Galleries.

Whether planning a romantic vacation, girlfriend getaway or family weekend escape, consider traveling to Sedona this October and get a little culture.