http://www.RealAdventures.com/vacations/184912_articles-hawaii.htm Check out some of the recently updated travel & vacation listings on RealAdventures. Be inspired, go explore! en-us Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:41:41 GMT Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:41:41 GMT http://www.RealAdventures.com http://www.RealAdventures.com/vacations/184912_articles-hawaii.htm 100 100 http://www.RealAdventures.com/listings/1023945_Captivating-Kauai http://www.RealAdventures.com/listings/1023945_Captivating-Kauai Articles Hawaii Tue, 27 Mar 2001 00:03:00 The activities and places that should be seen on any trip to Hawaii's most peaceful island. -
The activities and places that should be seen on any trip to Hawaii's most peaceful island.


The Hawaiian Islands are the ultimate paradise. Each has its own distinctive personality and appeal, and we adore them all. Kauai, however, is for us the exquisite gem in this breathtaking necklace of islands. True, it&8217s more quiet and tranquil and doesn&8217t offer as much night life as its bustling neighbors. For the most extraordinary and incomparable scenery imaginable, though, it is unrivaled. Our yearly plan is to spend a busy week on Maui or Oahu, then fly to our very special island of choice and unwind.

This isn&8217t to say that there are no activities on Kauai there&8217s more than enough to do and see. The baggage claim area in the Lihue airport offers racks of booklets and brochures that will help you plan your visit to the Garden Isle. Be sure to pick up "Kauai Gold" and "This Week Kauai" (lots of tips, maps and coupons), as well as the "Menu" magazine, which will introduce you to some of the marvelous restaurants.

The most incredible vista on Kauai is the majestic Na Pali ("the cliffs") coastline. These ancient cliffs are unbelievably rugged and at the same time ethereal with their delicate spires and the pervasive, almost indescribable shades of green. Much of this area is accessible only by hiking (the full trail is definitely not for a novice or the unprepared, but there are shorter routes to lookout spots). Two other options for viewing this extraordinary landandseascape are by air (on the ubiquitous helicopter, the socalled "state bird") and by sea (several boat tours are available).
Details & Reservations: Captivating Kauai
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]]> http://www.RealAdventures.com/listings/1023960_Kauai-by-Land-Sea-and-Air http://www.RealAdventures.com/listings/1023960_Kauai-by-Land-Sea-and-Air Articles Hawaii Tue, 27 Mar 2001 00:03:00 Expore the grandeur of Hawaii's Kauai island by land, sea and air. -
Expore the grandeur of Hawaii's Kauai island by land, sea and air.


The most dramatic method of exploring this exceptional island is by air, and there are several excellent helicopter companies from which to chose. We selected Hawaii Helicopters on our May '96 visit since they fly out of the Princeville Airport near our timeshare on the glorious North Shore. Many companies provide a video of the tour...some are taken during your own flight. Hawaii Helicopters takes this a step further with an additional camera inside the cabin which records your very own reactions to the splendor beneath your temporary wings (I still wonder if the inside camera has ever been switched on at the moment of a passenger's unfortunate need for that "little bag")! There aren't many souvenirs that can surpass reliving your flight through the video and listening again to your pilot's narration of what lies below, along with the accompanying stories and legends. Just hearing the music that was playing when your helicopter crested a verdant hill and dipped into a lush valley brings the moment to life again.

Most of the helicopter tours overfly the major points of interest, and there are tours of various lengths and prices. Some of the incredible sights you'll see include Waimea Canyon with its everchanging colors the crater of Waialeale, the ancient volcano which formed Kauai and is an aweinspiring and ethereal spot with a sense of the mystical (due in great part to the fact that it's a sacred location in Hawaiian lore and a former home of Madame Pele) the indescribably gorgeous Na Pali coastline with its fluted cliffs and exquisite valleys lovely Hanalei Bay and the multifaceted landscape which ranges from taro fields to rain forest, from Poipu to Princeville, from mountain to sea, from remote wilderness to resort playgrounds. No matter how long your flight, the images will last forever.
Details & Reservations: Kauai by Land, Sea and Air
RealAdventures | Hawaii Articles

]]> http://www.RealAdventures.com/listings/1023965_Marvelous-Maui http://www.RealAdventures.com/listings/1023965_Marvelous-Maui Articles Hawaii Tue, 27 Mar 2001 00:03:00 Explore the magical scenery, fantastic cuisine, and refined culture of this exotic Hawaiian island. -
Explore the magical scenery, fantastic cuisine, and refined culture of this exotic Hawaiian island.


To begin your Maui vacation you'll want to gather up all sorts of information on the island. The first place you can do this is at the airport in Kahului there are racks in the baggage claim area with various of free brochures and booklets. Pick up any that interest you, but be sure to get the booklets "Maui Gold' and "This Week Maui". They have great information on sightseeing, activities, restaurants etc. They also contain maps and coupons that you may be able to use. The activities desk at your hotel (or condo) can help you with reservations and can also recommend tours, sights that shouldn't be missed, restaurants etc.

The island is divided into 2 sections, connected by a narrow isthmus, thus the nickname "The Valley Isle". Kihei is on the eastern area of Maui, which is the larger of the two parts, and Lahaina is the old whaling port on West Maui. Lahaina offers a variety of shops and restaurants. A sampling of the many good restaurants includes Cheeseburger in Paradise (good burgers with a Jimmy Buffet ambience), Hard Rock Cafe, and Longhi's (which is excellent for dinner). For a special "treat" be sure to have some ice cream at Lapperts. It's made in Hawaii (on Kauai to be exact), and everyone who tries it becomes addicted!! A lot of fishing charters leave from Lahaina harbor if you're interested in doing some deep sea fishing. The Old Lahaina luau is very good...you'll need to make reservations if you want to go (check at the Old Lahaina Cafe).
Details & Reservations: Marvelous Maui
RealAdventures | Hawaii Articles

]]> http://www.RealAdventures.com/listings/1023962_Oahu-The-Gathering-Place http://www.RealAdventures.com/listings/1023962_Oahu-The-Gathering-Place Articles Hawaii Tue, 27 Mar 2001 00:03:00 Oahu has long been host to the major assemblage of residents and guests, beginning with the ancient Hawaiian royalty and continuing with today&8217s cosmopolitan capital city of Honolulu. -
Oahu has long been host to the major assemblage of residents and guests, beginning with the ancient Hawaiian royalty and continuing with today&8217s cosmopolitan capital city of Honolulu.


Oahu, appropriately nicknamed "The Gathering Place", is not the largest of the Hawaiian Islands...it&8217s the third largest in fact, the Island of Hawaii (known as "The Big Island") covers more land than all of the other 6 major islands combined. However, Oahu has long been host to the major assemblage of residents and guests beginning with the ancient Hawaiian ali&8217i (royalty) and continuing with today&8217s cosmopolitan capital city of Honolulu and one of the world&8217s most famous beach playgrounds, Waikiki.

We&8217ve heard comments from some travelers that Oahu isn&8217t the "real" Hawaii that they only visit Maui or Kauai or The Big Island because Oahu is too crowded, too touristy, and has been "spoiled" by all of the development. Those who have read any of our "Jan&8217s Journeys" articles on Maui and Kauai know how we truly adore those island gems, and we do tend to relax a bit more there. Which is why we schedule Oahu at the beginning of our trip so we can ease into the vacation pace...or at the end of our visit so we can gear back up for the mainland, without as much culture shock when we reach reality at the airport back in San Francisco!
Details & Reservations: Oahu The Gathering Place
RealAdventures | Hawaii Articles

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