Kauai’s ruggedly remote Na Pali Coast is teeming with outstanding scenery that’s practically indescribable. Jagged cliffs, waterfalls and lush valleys blend to create unforgettable views. Today, I want to share the different options of seeing the Na Pali Coast. I want to be able to give you a taste for each method to help you choose the best option for you. By Land Let’s start on land with a hike of the Kalalau Trail – a challenging 11-mile trail
Continue reading...Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Once you’ve planned you’re flights to Hawaii, then you’ve got to figure the logistics of getting around. Each island has some public transportation, but for the most part, they’re not designed to help tourists get around. So, most likely, you’re going to need a rental car for part or all of your vacation. You won’t have to spend a fortune on car rental if you use these 7 tips to help you save money on your car rental. A car of tourists explores Maui's famous Road to Hana. 1. Determine if you need a rental car for your stay. At first glance, that may sound like a silly idea, but you may not need a rental car at all. There are a couple of Hawaii vacation scenarios I can think of that will allow you to skip renting a car altogether. For example, if you are staying in Waikiki Beach, you can get away with not renting a car at all. And, when you don’t rent a car, you don’t have to pay for parking and gas. These two posts will help you determine if you need a rental car on your Hawaii vacation: Do I need a rental car if I stay in Waikiki Beach? Will You Need A Rental Car in Hawaii? (From Oahu, Maui, Kauai to the Big Island – Where a Rental Car is a Must.) 2. Rent the smallest car to suit your needs. Not only will the car rental cost less, but you’ll also save money on gas, which is good for your wallet and the environment. We’ve rented convertibles and Jeeps in Hawaii and they were kind of fun, but in our experience, they were not really worth the extra money. In addition, we discovered that Jeeps and convertibles are more likely to carry some unwanted “passengers” in Hawaii . We’ve had just as much fun in the economy cars as the fancier cars. 3. Use self-parking and avoid using valet services. Valets can be a convenience, especially at your resort check-in, but depending on the number of times you use the service, fees and tips can add up. After one of our our rental car was damaged by the Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch and Crab valet service in Honolulu in 2007, we’ve vowed to avoid valets when possible. That valet service ended up costing us an additional $250 that we didn’t bargain for. 4. Bring your own GPS. A GPS navigation system can really be a stress-saver on your Hawaii vacation . (Andy and I are convinced that our GPS navigation system has saved our marriage. ) The rental car companies will charge you $9.95 or more per day plus tax. 5. Snag a discount. It’s not too difficult to find discounts if you know where to look. Here are some ideas for getting the lowest rental prices: Use the bidding sites like Priceline.com and Hotwire.com. I’ve had friends that have gotten outstanding deals that way — like less than $20/day. Check your memberships for rental car discounts. For example, my alumni association passes along a rental car discount code. If you are a Costco, Sams Club, or BJs Warehouse member, definitely check their rates. I’ve gotten some great deals over the years through those memberships. Sometimes they’ll even add an extra perk like one extra driver at no additional cost. Before I share this next idea, I want to disclose that this company advertises on GoVisitHawaii.com. I check rates with Discount Hawaii Car Rental . As I’ve mentioned before , I don’t know how they do it, but they always seem to come up with the lowest rates to suit my personal preference . 6. Keep your belongings and your rental car safe. Avoid getting some unwanted and unexpected car damage with these strategies: Beware of falling coconuts , e.g., don’t park under palm trees. Make sure you are aware of Hawaii’s forbidden roads before you drive into a potentially dangerous situation. Never, never, ever leave anything valuable in your car. See A Friendly Reminder: Plan Ahead & Protect Your Valuables 7. Don’t wait until the last minute to book your car. Depending on when you visit Hawaii, demand for rental cars can be high. How high? Well, sometimes rental cars are completely sold out. See my article: Planning a Trip to Hawaii? Book Your Rental Car Early! —— What other tips have you used to save money on your Hawaii vacation car rental? © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Monday, May 24, 2010
I was surprised to discover that Oahu has some fantastic hiking trails. Most people tend to think the neighboring islands offer the sort of trails that get you “away from it all”, but Oahu certainly has its fair share of great trails. I want to share my top three favorite hiking trails that I recommend visitors try. These three trails are not only scenic and enjoyable, but they also offer very different environments and views that will help you get to know the island much better. 1. Diamond Head – this 1.6 mile hike will definitely get your heart rate up with a plethora of stairs to the top, but you won’t mind after you see the amazing view of Waikiki Beach and Honolulu. Read about my experience and tips for hiking Diamond Head . To get a glimpse of the sights from this trail, see this slideshow . 2. Manoa Falls – this 1.6 mile hike takes you through a lush green jungle to view a 100-foot waterfall. You’ll enjoy the journey as much as the viewing the waterfall on this hike. Before you hit this trail, be sure and read my tips for hiking to Manoa Falls. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy these scenes from the Manoa Falls trail. 3. Makapuu Lighthouse Trail – this 2.8-mile , ocean side hike is best enjoyed around sunrise, in my opinion. This gentle trail offers wonderful ocean views from several vantage points. Before you go, check out my experience and tips for hiking the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail . For a peek at Makapuu Trail, see this slideshow : So, these are my top three favorite Oahu hikes. Which hikes are your favorites? © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .
Continue reading...Monday, March 1, 2010
Did you know that on the Big Island of Hawaii. you can
Continue reading...Tuesday, February 16, 2010
www.cruise-tips.com Don't be fooled by the cruise companies. Get insider's the tips and secrets for your best deal possible on a cruise! Carnival Cruise Lines: cruise ship vacations, cruise deals. Great cruise ship rates & deals on Hawaii vacations, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska…
Continue reading...Saturday, January 23, 2010
Carnival cruises are the most popular cruise lines in the world. They offer amazing cruises to Alaska, Mexico, Caribbean, Bahamas, Europe and Hawaii. Guests are pampered with five star luxuries, and amenities, with spacious staterooms, gym, spas, casinos, swimming pool, bars and cafes. Many people go on carnival cruises as a part of a fun holiday. [...]
Continue reading...Friday, January 22, 2010
Are you about to to start planning your family’s summer holiday? In the past, this was an exciting period. However, the economy now has many Americans in a financial bind. If you are one of those Americans, planning your family vacation may no longer be as fun. In actuality, it is something you may dread. [...]
Continue reading...Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Florida is known as the sunshine state for a good reason. In fact, Florida, along with Hawaii, is the state that has one of the warmest average temperatures in the country. Florida is also literally having relatively more sun shines as compared to other state. In this case, truly, Florida has become a popular choice [...]
Continue reading...Sunday, January 17, 2010
Have you recently selected Maui, Hawaii as the destination for your wedding? If you have, you should know that you have a number of decisions to make. Destination weddings are often picture perfect, but they can be stressful to plan. The good news is that a few helpful tips are outlined below. [...]
Continue reading...Friday, January 15, 2010
Tips for Your Family Flight Anyone facing air travel today already has to content with reduced numbers of flights, long waits at security checks, and often unexplained delays. For people flying solo the ordeal can be stressful enough, but for families traveling together air travel is even more challenging. Using these tips can smooth your flight [...]
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Monday, April 11, 2011
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