Articles for ‘Hawaii Vacation’ Category
Friday, November 20th, 2009
Kauai (Courtesy: Kauai Visitors Bureau)
By Lena Katz
When people say you may spot dolphins off the shore of Kauai, they don’t mean just one or two. Noisy, fun-loving, fearless spinner dolphins cruise the Na Pali coast in pods, swimming alongside the sailboats and wowing the humans with airborne antics and graceful waterborne power. Spinners can’t be trained, and they can’t survive beyond a few days once taken from their natural habitat. They’re one of many unforgettable Hawaii vacation experiences that can only be experienced with Mother Nature’s permission, and if you’re willing to go a little out of your comfort zone to reach them.
Kauai’s nickname is “The Garden Isle” but its gardens are not merely the pretty floral kind. It’s got thousands of acres of backcountry and jungle where bold visitors can hike or zip line, kayak to waterfalls or four-wheel through swamps — ALWAYS with a tour guide, of course — even the locals know better than to go running around the ancient jungle by themselves.
(more…)
Posted in Beach Vacation, Eco-Tourism, Family Travel, Hawaii Vacation, Romance, Sports Travel | No Comments »
Saturday, October 17th, 2009
By Lena Katz
South Pacific fire dancers spinning flaming batons around their bodies faster than the eye can see. Plates piled high with roast pork from the imu oven and fresh island catch. Girls in grass skirts and coconut shell tops swishing their hips hypnotically. Countless rum punches turning the evening to a pleasant blur. These are all critical elements in a typical Hawaiian luau today, and a Hawaii vacation isn’t complete till you experience one … if not all. But a lot of visitors wonder: What exactly is a luau and is it a real tradition or something cheesy just for tourists? Most important: Are all luaus created equal?
Aha Aina
A luau, a feast to mark an important celebratory occasion, is culturally rooted, festive and all about food, fun and family. Luaus have been part of Hawaiian culture since long before Westerners arrived to the islands. Up until about 150 years ago, Polynesians called their big celebratory feasts ‘aha ‘aina. These events were usually somewhat formal, with more ceremony and not such a party-down atmosphere. Just as the colloquial name gradually shifted to “luau”(which is actually the Polynesian word for taro leaf, an ubiquitous ingredient in traditional Polynesian cooking), the concept evolved to be more of an any-occasion celebration. (more…)
Posted in Food & Wine, Hawaii Vacation, Holidays & Events, Nightlife | No Comments »
Thursday, September 17th, 2009
A hula performance during Aloha Festivals.
By Lena Katz
When the rest of the world decides it’s time to go back to work, Hawaii throws a month-long party. Truth. The annual Aloha Festivals brings live performances, arts and crafts, traditional costumes and cultural pride to the islands. Not to mention, the biggest block party of the year (Saturday, September 19 at 7 p.m. on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki). The theme of Aloha Festivals 2009 is “Hula, Let the Story be Told.” And in keeping, the theme of this blog is “Hotels, Let the Story Be Told,” in honor of Hawaii’s hotel brands — their Aloha spirit, their hardworking staff, and the hospitality they show millions of visitors on Hawaii vacations each year.
(more…)
Posted in Beach Vacation, Family Travel, Hawaii Vacation, Romance | No Comments »
Monday, August 24th, 2009
If you want to ditch the backyard bbq and have a travel adventure this Labor Day weekend, we have good news. Average hotel rates are lower than last year, so pack your bags and take advantage of the top 10 Labor Day travel deals.
Labor Day in Las Vegas
If you’d rather spend money on the slots than on a place to rest your head, rejoice in knowing that Las Vegas hotels are number one on the 2009 Orbitz Insider Index. The average Las Vegas hotel rate this Labor Day is $108, down $28 from last year.
Labor Day is just another excuse to party in Las Vegas. For the best in the club scene, check out PURE, LAX and Christian Audigier. Labor Day weekend is also jam packed with performances. Check out Zumanity, the “sensual side of Cirque du Soleil,” or Lance Burton, a Las Vegas master of magic.
Labor Day in New York City
With New York hotels an average of $54 cheaper than last year, New York City is a great place to spend Labor Day weekend. The first Labor Day Parade was held in New York City on September 5, 1882, and the parade tradition continues today. This year the parade will held on September 12, 2009, and will feature trade union members, high school bands, politicians, police and fire departments, and more.
Looking for other Labor Day weekend vacation ideas? The Orbitz Insider Index highlights the busiest destinations based on hotel bookings on Orbitz for September 4-7.
|
Destination |
Avg. Daily Rate 2009 |
| 1. |
Las Vegas, NV |
$108 |
| 2. |
New York, NY |
$191 |
| 3. |
Cancun, Mexico |
$151 |
| 4. |
Honolulu, HI |
$111 |
| 5. |
Chicago, IL |
$127 |
| 6. |
Atlanta, GA |
$121 |
| 7. |
San Francisco, CA |
$142 |
| 8. |
Seattle, WA |
$118 |
| 9. |
San Diego, CA |
$195 |
| 10. |
Paris, France |
$164 |
Related Orbitz resources:
Posted in Beach Vacation, California Vacation, Chicago Vacation, Europe Vacation, Family Travel, Hawaii Vacation, Holidays & Events, Las Vegas Vacation, Mexico Vacation, New York Vacation, Top 10 Lists | No Comments »
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
(Courtesy: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson)
By Lena Katz
Six months ago a certain guy from Hawaii introduced the “Yes, we can!” mantra to the American public, and now we’re reprising it right in time for the end of summer. After too many months of denying yourself all things fun and sunshiney, the question as August rolls around is, “Can I somehow manage a Hawaii vacation after all, even on a shoestring budget?” And my answer is …YES YOU CAN…
…get a cheap meal in the islands
In Oahu, Haili’s Backyard Luau, the new lunch wagon at Ward Centers, serves the same great Hawaiian plate lunches that were popular at former neighborhood fave Haili’s Hawaiian Foods for more than 50 years. The Makai Market food court at Ala Moana Center offers everything from Japanese noodles and Korean BBQ to Hawaiian plate lunch and deli sandwiches. Diamond Head Market & Grill is especially well known for bakery items like the signature blueberry cream cheese scones, but later in the day it offers gourmet plate lunches, sandwiches, wraps, and desserts.
(more…)
Posted in Beach Vacation, Family Travel, Hawaii Vacation, Romance, Spa Vacation, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 21st, 2009
By Joe Brancatelli
NEED TO KNOW
On-the-Road Intelligence to Help You Travel Smarter:
- Here’s good news from US Airways: On December 17, the airline will launch a daily nonstop flight to Honolulu from its Charlotte hub. The only other East Coast nonstop to Hawaii is operated by Continental Airlines from its Newark hub.
- And here’s still more good news from US Airways: Effective immediately, 11 of its US Airways Club airport lounges offer free Wi-Fi. All other US Airways Clubs will will offer the free Internet access by the end of the summer.
- Southwest Airlines is testing in-flight Wi-Fi Internet on four aircraft and has now introduced a series of test prices, too. Access will range from $2 to $12, depending on flight length and whether you tap into the Wi-Fi with a laptop or a mobile phone.
- Boeing has delayed the first test flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner again. Best estimate is now November or December, which is cutting it close, since Boeing has promised the first deliveries of the aircraft next May. The plane is already two years behind schedule.
- At New York/Kennedy Airport, a branch of the well-known Manhattan steakhouse, Bobby Van’s, has opened at Terminal 8.
Related Orbitz resources:
Joe Brancatelli is editor and publisher of JoeSentMe.com, a non-commercial Web site for business travelers. Copyright 2009 by Joe Brancatelli. Licensed by contract for Orbitz use.
Posted in Business Travel, Flights, Hawaii Vacation, On the Road, Travel News | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
Sunset Beach on Oahu
By Lena Katz
Whether the Hawaii headline of the minute is a fancy food festival, a football game or a visit from The Bachelor, the real story is always the same: Beaches, beaches and more beaches. Hidden coves where you can cuddle in private with your sweetheart; epic scenescapes with 10-foot waves and world-class surfers; calm sunny hangouts where families picnic and splash around in lapping 2-footers… If you’re planning a beach vacation, here’s a few of Hawaii’s best, from legendary to the little-known.
When you’re on Oahu and you’ve got wheels, it’s practically a rule you’ve got to get out of Honolulu at least one day. A lot of people head to the North Shore to gawk at the surfers on Sunset Beach and Waimea. Impossibly buffed and bold in the face of walls of water twice a man’s height, the North Shore pros are quite a sight. And if you want to spend a few days of your Hawaii vacation exploring that side of the island, note that its most famous hotel, Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku, just added eco-friendly kayak tours to its daily schedule. Eco-tourism outfit Shaka Kayaks will run the tours, which feature plexiglass-bottomed PeekabooTM kayaks.
(more…)
Posted in Beach Vacation, Eco-Tourism, Family Travel, Hawaii Vacation, Romance, Spa Vacation | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
By Joe Brancatelli
ANNALS OF RECESSION I
More Charges for Comfy Coach Across the Pacific: Trans-Pacific premium-class traffic is plummeting, falling even faster than trans-Atlantic travel up front.
According to IATA, the airline trade group, premium-class travel fell by almost 30 percent in March compared to March, 2008. Qantas, the Australian carrier, has been among the hardest hit.
Besides the 30 percent traffic decline, Qantas says that those fliers still buying premium-class flights are paying just half of last year’s going rates. As a result, Qantas has simply stopped selling first-class tickets on at least three routes, including its San Francisco-Sydney service.
That means some lucky fliers will get business-class service, but be upgraded to the seats in the larger, plusher first-class seats. However, coach passengers who want to score a roomier exit-row seat will have to pay for the privilege. Qantas now charges a premium of $60 to $100 for an exit-row seat assignment. That essentially matches the exit-row premium imposed last fall by Singapore Airlines on many of its trans-Pacific flights.
(more…)
Tags: Flights, hotels
Posted in Business Travel, California Vacation, Flights, Florida Vacation, Hawaii Vacation, International Vacations, Las Vegas Vacation, On the Road, Travel News | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
By Joe Brancatelli
NET NEWS
The Cost of Internet on the Road Is Coming Down: Without much fanfare, Boingo, the global network of 100,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, has slashed its monthly price by more than 50 percent. The basic domestic plan has been cut to $9.95 a month, down from $21.95. The domestic Boingo service covers hotspots operated by AT&T, T-Mobile and others inside thousands of hotels, Starbucks, McDonalds and bookstores nationwide. Boingo's move comes as residential-oriented broadband firms have begun bundling remote Wi-Fi access with their own monthly fees. Cablevision, for example, offers its users in the New York metropolitan area some Wi-Fi access on the road. Verizon, which sells DSL and fiber-optic Internet to residential customers, is readying an announcement that would give them some free Wi-Fi hotspot access, too. And T-Mobile has joined other big cellphone companies in selling 3G modem sticks that allow laptops to surf the Internet using mobile-phone networks.
(more…)
Tags: Flights, hotels
Posted in Business Travel, Flights, Hawaii Vacation, On the Road, Travel News | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
(ORBITZ) — The National Park Service is making it easier for people to enjoy the natural beauty across the United States during this summer vacation.
The agency is offering three free weekends this summer:
- June 20-21
- July 18-19
- August 15-16
During the free weekends, more than 100 parks that usually charge entry fees will waive those fees. The free weekend offer doesn't include camping charges, tours or other concessions. However, some park vendors have listed special offers for savings during the free weekends.
Related Orbitz resources:
Tags: Family Travel, summer vacation
Posted in California Vacation, Family Travel, Florida Vacation, Freebies & Discounts, Hawaii Vacation, Sports Travel, Travel News | No Comments »
