Category: Special Tours & Events

Castle Loses Favored Son, Frank Carraro

July 22, 2021

Tovrea Carraro Society is saddened to announce the passing of one of the entrepreneurial Carraro Family, builders of the Jewel in the Sonoran Desert, Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights. Frank Carraro was born on September 23rd, 1937 to Leo and Lily Carraro, passing away on July 13th, 2021.

He was extremely proud of the Wedding Cake Castle located on 50th St and Van Buren in Phoenix, built by his visionary grandfather, Alessio Carraro and his father, Leo.  Beginning in 1928, Alessio and Leo built the iconic Castle on 277 acres outside the city limits.  Their dream was to open a boutique hotel and sell homesites to guests who had fallen in love with the Sonoran Desert and wanted to make Phoenix their home. 

Many years later, Frank continued the Carraro legacy at the Castle, volunteering regularly after his retirement.  His work on the Castle and the surrounding grounds gave him great pleasure.

Frank with daughers, Kim and Christine.

Growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, Frank was the oldest of three siblings– brother, Leo, and sister, Marie. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School and answered the call to serve his country in the US Navy right after graduation.  He was honorably discharged in 1965.

Frank worked for Sperry Flight Systems for many years and eventually started his own computer repair company. Not staying idle after retirement from that company, he started a mini storage company in Munds Park.

His favorite activities included participating in Jeep Jamborees, square dancing, camping, hunting and fishing. He participated in mission trips to Quito Ecuador, Guatemala, Russia, and Africa to build homes for those in need, at his own expense.

Using his Pilot’s license, he was a volunteer Sheriff for many years in Munds Park. He was such an integral part of that community, that the Pinewood Property Owner’s Association recently awarded a citizenship award to Frank for his involvement in their community.

Frank had many things to be proud of in life, but he was most proud of his family. He married his wife, Nancy, in 1964 and they had three daughters – Kim White (Randy), Christine (Gene) Head, and Michelle (Neville) Smith. Together they have 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.   

Frank’s legacy will live on in the lives of those who knew and loved him and now each time you see Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights you, too, can remember Frank Carraro!

Frank speaking at the Phoenix Mayor’s Castle Restoration Kick Off Luncheon, April 30, 2005

Tovrea Castle Tours Canceled through August 14, 2020

May 13, 2020

Update:

As of April 13, 2020, due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, all tours and special events at Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights have been canceled through August 14, 2020. 

Refunds for all guests with tickets for the Full Flower Super Moon Tours on May 6 have been requested; no exchanges were available.  

Guests with Summer Twilight Tour Tickets had the option of an exchange (through May 8, 2020, 3 pm Arizona Time) or a full refund.  All requests for refunds and Fall Twilight Tour exchanges have been made.

Guests with Regular Tour Tickets had the option of an exchange (through April 10, 2020, 11 pm Arizona Time) or a full refund.  All requests for refunds and fall tour exchanges have been made.

~Tour the Castle in the Twilight ~ Tour Tickets Available December 2, 2019 at 6 am

November 29, 2019

twilight-tours

Explore Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights
on a Twilight Tour


Fridays and Saturdays
May 29, 30 & June 5, 6
7:15 pm and 8:00 pm Tours 

Tickets Will Be Released for Purchase on December 2, 2019 at 6 am, Arizona time.

 Click Here to Easily Order Your Twilight Tour Tickets Online

There’s a certain magic to the Castle and its 44 acres when the sun gets low in the sky, and the pale orange glow of evening twilight begins to change into night. It is a beautiful sight to see!

On your tour of the Castle, you’ll cruise by tram around the Cactus Gardens and the Outbuildings, without stops or commentary, before exploring the Castle’s first floor and basement, all accompanied by members of our Certified Volunteer Team.

The tour is ADA accessible; please let us know that you are bringing a wheelchair or walker.  We cannot accommodate MOTORIZED assistive devices (wheelchairs, scooters, etc).  Other Special Arrangements should be made at least 2 weeks prior to your tour date and time, particularly for assistive devices for hearing and sight impairments.  This tour is not suggested for children under age 15.

This is a rain or shine, cold or hot tour; guests are advised to wear appropriate clothing for the weather.

Please understand that there are no tour refunds within 72 hours of your selected tour date. Tour refunds are for every ticket you have purchased e.g. 6 tickets purchased on same credit card, cannot refund only 2 tickets, but all 6!   We are unable to make exchanges between dates and times.

Be advised that tours for commercial touring companies and professional photographers, using photos for commercial purposes, are priced at a higher rate and are very limited and not available through these regular tours. If you are interested in booking a tour through your tour management company or for a photography session, please contact us for special pricing and dates at tours@tovreacastletours.com If you are a commercial touring company or professional photographer and book anyway, we will cancel your tickets.

RESELLING of tickets is not allowed under any circumstances and is strictly enforced.

All refunds must be requested from and approved by Tovrea Carraro Society; Brown Paper Tickets will refer you back to us to authorize your refund. You may call us at 602/256.3221 or email us at tours@tovreacarrarosociety.org to request a refund. Remember, this must be at least 72 hours before your tour.

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Super Moon Tour 2020 Tickets Available October 21, 2019 at 6 am

October 7, 2019

harvest moon 2017

See the Super Moon in Spring 2020 on a Tour of  Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights.

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

6:45 pm & 7:30 pm

Purchase Your Tickets beginning October 21, 2019 at 6:00 am Arizona Time at Castle Super Moon Tour 2020

The Historic Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights will be open for several very special evening tours on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.  You will experience the Castle as never before, bathed in the glow of the Spring’s Super Moon. Tovrea Carraro Society’s Certified Volunteers will take you on a historic adventure exploring Tovrea Castle at night.

This special tour of the first floor and basement gives you an idea of what life was like in the evening hours at the Castle.  The abbreviated tour includes a drive around the grounds, without stops or commentary, arriving directly at the Castle steps and features light refreshments on the East Patio, where Della Tovrea once entertained her guests.

Spend time viewing the Super Moon on the same Patio where the elite of Phoenix engaged in conversation.  THIS IS SPECIAL ONLY TO THIS TOUR – regular tours do not include the patio or refreshments.

The tour is ADA accessible; please let us know that you are bringing a wheelchair or walker.  We cannot accommodate MOTORIZED assistive devices (wheelchairs, scooters, etc).  Other Special Arrangements should be made at least 2 weeks prior to your tour date and time, particularly for assistive devices for hearing and sight impairments.  This tour is not suggested for children under age 15.  This is a rain or shine, cold or hot tour; guests are advised to wear appropriate clothing for the weather.

Be advised that tours for commercial touring companies and professional photographers, using photos for commercial purposes, are priced at a higher rate and are very limited and not available through this special event tour. If you are interested in booking a tour through your tour management company or for a photography session, please contact us for special pricing and dates at tours@tovreacastletours.com If you are a commercial touring company or professional photographer and book anyway, we will cancel your tickets.

Please understand that there are no tour refunds within 72 hours of your selected tour date. Tour refunds are for every ticket you have purchased e.g. 2 tickets purchased on same credit card, cannot refund only 1 ticket, but both!

RESELLING of tickets is not allowed under any circumstances and is strictly enforced.

All refunds must be requested from and approved by Tovrea Carraro Society; Brown Paper Tickets will refer you back to us to authorize your refund. You may call us at 602/256.3221 or email us at tours@tovreacarrarosociety.org to request a refund. Remember, this must be at least 72 hours before your tour.

We are unable to make exchanges between dates and times.

 

Summer 2018 Twilight Tour Tickets for Tovrea Castle Available October 6 at 1 am

September 20, 2017
twilight-toursExplore Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights
on a Twilight Tour

Select Fridays & Saturdays in June 2018

7:00 pm, 7:30 pm and 8:00 pm Tours
5025 E Van Buren St, Phoenix

Purchase Your Tickets at Tovrea CastleTours beginning October 6, 2017 at 1 am

The Historic Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights will be open for evening tours in June, 2018.

There’s a certain magic to the Castle and its 44 acres when the sun gets low in the sky, and the pale orange glow of evening twilight begins to change into night. It is a beautiful sight to see!

On your tour of the Castle, you’ll cruise by tram around the Cactus Gardens and the Outbuildings before exploring the Castle’s first floor and basement, all accompanied by members of our Certified Volunteer Team.