Tours and hotels on Kauai

As a resident of Hawaii I get asked all the time, “where do you go on vacation?” The answer varies depending on the resident, but for me I normally enjoy my time relaxing on the beach somewhere here in Hawaii. Last week I had the privilege to be invited on the Kauai Visitor Bureau Master Specialist Program. This invitation only event is limited to a select few travel professionals from around the United States.

We started our trip by enjoying the beautiful sunset by the pool at the Courtyard Marriott in Kapaa. In addtion to this property being a great value it also has a wonderful pool, clean and comfortable rooms, and air conditioning!!! Many properties on the island of Kauai do not have a/c. You will find a/c mostly in deluxe or luxury properties such as the Grand Hyatt.

I have been to Kauai many times over the years, but this trip was a mixture of business and pleasure. Not only did we scout out great hotels and condos on the island, but we also experienced some the best tours Kauai has to offer.


Our tours ranged from the relaxing river boat tour with the Smith’s Fern Grotto, to the exciting mountain tubing with Kauai.


Mountain tubing is really fun for all ages. This ditch and tunnel system once irrigated vast sugar crops and has been unused since sugar was taken out of production in 2000. This water system runs through some of the most beautiful lush and remote land on the island of Kauai. The waters originate near the top of Mount Wai’ale’ale, one of the wettest spots in the world. These ditches were hand-dug by plantation workers over a century ago.


We also went on a fantastic dinner cruise off the Na Pali Coast line. This rugged coast line is an amazing sight of endless shades of green! The night I did this trip we had dolphins swimming right next to the boat. Just a side note. This trip is not for the folks who get sea sick. As the waters can get rough due to the winds and seas.

Kauai is full of fun things to do, or just relax and do nothing at all! Kauai is also known for her beautiful spas. Enjoy your romantic honeymoon on Kauai getting a couple massage, listening to a waterfall as colorful Koi fish swim by.

For a quote on your vacation to Hawaii contact the experts at  Travel to Maui http://www.traveltomaui.net

Kauai the island of Discovery. Written by Marie Glodt Hawaii Destination Specialist and Kauai Master certified with the Hawaii Visitor Bureau and travel agent at Travel to Maui located in Hawaii.

What type of tours are fun to do in Hawaii?

 Prior to working full time as a travel agent, I worked exclusively in the activity business here on Maui.

Part of my job is to qualify activities for my clients just as I do accommodations. This is done by personally staying at the properties we offer, going out on a tour or excursion, plus our valuable feed back from clients.

Recently I had a client booked on one of our preferred snorkel trips to Molokini. As it turned out I was in harbor at the same time they were getting off the boat. I asked them what they thought of the tour? Their reply was exactly what I wanted to hear. “We were so glad when we showed up and saw the boat you had booked us on.” “We saw many boats with countless people on board and thought I hope that isn’t the one we are going on!” They thanked me for booking them with a quality tour company with a great staff, personalized service and well maintained equipment.

Granted you may find cheaper snorkel sails, or dinner cruises online, but please keep in mind that cheaper seldom means better. It just means cheap!

I know your time is limited here in Hawaii, and I don’t want you to be disappointed with a tour that doesn’t live up to the highest of standards!

Here is a list of my favorite tours here on Hawaii:

Maui:

Love the water? Then a snorkel trip is a great idea for you. Swim with colorful tropical fish at a marine reserve or just right off the shore of Maui. Snorkel trips include a lesson how to snorkel, pastries for breakfast, deli lunch and drinks.

I think everyone should go to a luau at least once during their stay. If you have already been to a luau I suggest a more traditional luau with authetic Hawaiian hula. I believe Maui has the best luaus in the state!

One of my favorite is the Old Lahaina luau. Mahalo for these great photos.

 Never been to a luau or traveling with kids? Then a Polynesian revue would be your best bet.

Luaus last about 3 hours and will include the food, drinks and show.

A sunset cruise is a romantic way to spend the evening sipping beer, wine, and tropical drinks while enjoy the beauty of Maui from the sea!  Dinner cruises are also available.

Stand up board, kayak tours or surfing lessons are great water activities here on Maui.

These tours range from an hour to ½ day.

Are you a thrill seeker? You will love our zipline tours. They range from a couple of hours to a 5 zipline with lunch.

Whale watch tours are amazing! This tour is only available December-April.

Hawaii aka the big island: swim with a manta ray, helicopter over an active volcano, or dive in a submarine.

Oahu:

 Fly over Waikiki Beach in a sea plane, mountain bike tour, Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial, Polynesian Cultural Center.

Kauai:

 Enjoy the beauty of Kauai with these great activities: ATV adventure tour, kayak and hiking, and the Hawaii movie tour.

Written by Marie Glodt a Hawaiian Destination specialist and Maui travel agent at Travel to Maui.

Considering a vacation to Hawaii? Travel to Maui is your travel agent in Hawaii!

To schedule a consulting appointment with Marie Glodt contact us at http://www.traveltomaui.net/php/contact.php

http://www.traveltomaui.net/index.php

http://www.traveltomaui.net/php/hawaii-travel.php Hawaii vacations information

http://www.traveltomaui.net/php/travel-faq.php FAQ page

Photo credit to the Old Lahaina luau for their great luau photos. Other photos and videos from the Hawaii visitor bureau.

What to do in Hawaii in June

Aloha from Hawaii,

Todays blog is covering local events happening in Hawaii for the month of June 2012. Maui: June 8-10 Kapalua Wine and Food Festival will be celebrating their 31st year making wine and food magic on the island of Maui. 808-665-7231 www.kapalua.com

June 13-17 Wailea and Kahului will be hosting the annual Maui Film Festival. For times and locations contact 808-579-9244 www.mauifilmfestival.com

June 24 Kahului K Ho’alu Festival at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center from 2-7pm. FREE

Kauai: June 3-Kapa’a Tastes of Hawaii ultimate Sunday Brunch. Smith Tropical Paradise 11:30-3:30 www.tasteofhawaii.com

June 16-17-Hanalei American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Hanalei being held at Wai’oli Park 808-246-0695 www.relayforlife.org/hanaleihi

June 27-30-Lihue 5th Annual Red Clay Jazz Festival at the Kauai Lagoons Resort. 808-822-3148 www.redclayjazz.org or www.kauaifestivals.com

Ongoing on Kauai Kapa’a Slack Key Saturdays Na Keiki O Ka Aina Cultural Center 5pm $15-20 www.hawaiianslcakkeyguitar.com 808-826-1469 Lihue on Saturdays Larry Rivera aka “Mr. Coco Palms” sings songs, talks story and shares his memories at the Kauai Museum 808-245-6931

Big Island of Hawaii: June 2 In Waimea see the Brothers Cazimero in concert. Featuring chants, dances and Hawaiian music. Kahilu Theatre 808-885-6868

June 11 King Kamehameha Day Celebration being held in Kohala at the Kamehameha Park. FREE! Oahu: June 8-10 Honolulu and Waikiki will be a buzz with the Pan Pacific Festival. This will feature hula festival, parade and more!
June 9 Honolulu The King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade begins in downtown Honolulu and ends at Kapi’olani Park. FREE! www.hawaii.gov/dags/kamehameha
June 9 Honolulu will host the lei draping ceremony at the Statue of King Kamehameha . FREE! 3:30pm www.hawaii.gov/dags/kamehameha

Ongoing on Oahu: Saturdays and Sundays check at Art on the Zoo Fence. 9am-4pm FREE! www.artonthezoofence.com

For more information about Hawaiian vacations or to schedule a consulting appointment with one of our Hawaii Specialists contact us at http://www.traveltomaui.net Travel to Maui is a Hawaiian travel agency located on the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii.

We specialize in honeymoons, and destination weddings to Hawaii and Tahiti. Travel to Maui is a proud member of the Hawaii Visitor and Convention Bureau.

Fun things to do in Hawaii

Written by Marie Glodt at Travel to Maui

As a Hawaiian Destination Specialist, and travel agent at Travel to Maui I get asked all the time “What is fun to do in Hawaii?” Or “Can you tell me the things I can miss while I am there?”

Hawaii is blessed with wonderful year round weather. Our average temperature is 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows you as a visitor (and me as a resident) to enjoy the sunny outdoors year round!

Listed below are a few of my favorite things to do in the Hawaiian Islands. This includes: Maui, Molokai, Kauai, Oahu, and the Big Island of Hawaii.

Hawaii is filled with a rich heritage. The Native Hawaiian people ancestry can be found on all the islands in our museums, ancient fishponds, petroglyphs (fragile rock drawings), and on the island of Oahu the residence of royalty.

Oahu: The gathering Place Oahu is home to some of the finest museum and historical sites in the islands. Historical sites on Oahu would include the Arizona Memorial, Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace, Mission House Museum, or the Dole Plantation. Ride a Hawaiian canoe or learn how to surf on world famous Waikiki Beach.

Maui: The Magic Isle Maui is filled with wide variety of tours and activities. This includes everything from agricultural tours- zip line rides over lush green valleys. Maui also has also been noted more than once for having the best beaches and traditional Hawaiian luaus.

Kauai: The Garden Island
One of my favorite tours is the combination zip line tour with a 30 minute horseback ride on the north shore. A few more fun tours would be the mountain tubing, river kayaking or stand up paddling

Lanai: Hawaii’s Most Enticing Island Snorkel at Hulop’e Bay. This beautiful site was once an ancient Hawaiian village. It is known for the frequent sighting of the Hawaiian spinner dolphins

Lanai is home to 2 award winning golf courses. Both ranked the best in the country.
Sporting clays, archery and air rifles is another exciting adventure available on the island of Lanai.

Molokai: Hawaiian by Nature Ride a mule to Kalaupapa. This steep 3 mile trail to Kalaupapa Peninsula is Molokai most famous activity or tour.

Check out Molokai ancient fishpond dating back to the 13th century.

The big island of Hawaii: Hawaii’s Island of Adventure
The island of Hawaii is the only island in the state with an active volcano. I have flown over it by helicopter. I have seen the lava flowing into the sea while cruising by on my 7 day cruise of the islands. Both options were AMAZING! It is a must do when you are in Hawaii.

If you would like a quote or to schedule a consulting appointment with one of our Hawaii Destination Specialists contact us at http://www.traveltomaui.net
We specialize in honeymoons, destination wedding travel packages, and family vacations to Hawaii and Tahiti.

This video is courtesy the Hawaii Visitor Bureau http://www.gohawaii.com/stories/index.html?video=17

Travel to Maui is a Maui Master and  Hawaiian Destination Specialist with the Hawaii Visitor Bureau.

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