Archive for the ‘Hawaii Vacations’ Category
The Big Island of Hawaii, A Vacation Paradise
The Big Island of Hawaii, a Vacation Paradise
If you are looking for a lush tropical Hawaiian vacation, consider the Big Island of Hawaii, one of the newest islands in the Hawaiian chain of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Lanai, or even Molokai…
Jan Geiser of James TravelPOINTS recently visited the Big Island of Hawaii with her husband to re-visit and experience island paradise.
The Big Island of Hawaii, also known as the Orchid Isle, is the youngest and largest of the Hawaiian islands. Its land mass is twice as large as all the other main Hawaiian islands combined.
Here, there are always many new adventures to be had, with its diverse geological areas covering huge tracts of land. From fresh lava flows on the south end, to fertile fern forests on the Hilo side, and from cool upland northern side of the Kilauea Volcano area, the lush valleys on the Hamakua Coast, to the cool rolling ranch lands of Waimea and Hawaii and even to the snow-capped, winter mountain peaks and everything in between; the Big Island can’t be beat for its size and diversity.
The Big Island offers plenty of adventures and activities that will give you guaranteed thrills and lasting memories. It’s the only island where you can fly over an active volcano or watch lava flow into the sea from the land, sea or air (volcano permitting). At Kealakekua Bay you can kayak and snorkel in some of the island’s most pristine waters. There are many adventure options as well, such as waterfall hikes, a heap of ocean activities, one of the most popular is whale watch boat trips (in the winter). While enjoying a SNUBA or snorkel above reefs filled with colorful fish, you may spot the docile Honu (green sea turtles).
Try an ATV ride or horseback through tropical rain forests to hidden waterfalls.
The Kona Coast is known for its Technicolor sunsets, which when combined create the magical world of
“Manta Heaven”. Night time manta ray snorkel and dive excursions will give you an out-of-this-world experience, you’ll never forget. Kona is also known for its big game fishing and has acquired a well-deserved reputation as “blue marlin capital” of the world.
The Big Island is also home to the world’s most active volcanoes. A visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the biggest visitor destinations in the State and a must see destination. It is an extraordinary geological wonderland. You will experience an extraordinary showcase of Hawaii’s forces of creation and destruction from fresh barren lava flows to thick and earthy fern forests. You can even walk through the
Thurston Lava Tube. You can feel the heat and smell the sulphur emitting from steam vents bordering the Kilauea Crater. As a result of the current lava flows, the newest Hawaiian island, Loihi, is under construction 22 miles offshore to the southeast.
Resorts for every travel budget can be found on the island of Hawaii.
One resort recently completed its multi-million dollar repair and renovation.
Here, your deluxe ocean view accommodations offer beautiful furnishings and amenities including a rain shower with private views of the ocean. Exceptional cuisine is offered in its numerous dining venues.
This resort fronts a Kauna’oa Beach recognized by readers of Conde Nast as one of the best beaches in the world. Golf is available at reduced rates for its guests on its 18-hole, par 72 championship course.
Another premier resort in the Hualalai area has also just completed its renovations.
Deluxe accommodations with private lanais include an outdoor tropical shower complete with bamboo, orchids and ferns. Excellent dining is available ocean side.
This resort offers something for everyone — tennis, sports club and spa with lap pool, numerous pools including King’s Pond. Here you can actually swim with the fish and resident manta ray.
For adventure seekers there is even a rock climbing wall. For golfers, another world class course.
In fact, the island of Hawaii has a total of 25 golf courses.
Hawaii offers culture and history not found on the other islands. Hawaii was the birthplace of the great King Kamehameha I. Numerous heiaus (ancient Hawaiian shrines) dot the island. You can also view petroglyphs and wood carvings of gods. A week would be just an introduction to just some of the 101 Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii. To learn more about this island and other Hawaiian vacations, contact Jan at 303-442-2340 at James TravelPOINTS.
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On Oahu’s Hawaii, An Alternative Resort – Ko Olina
Ko Olina, Oahu’s Hawaii is a fairly new destination resort offers a fun alternative to Honolulu. In early October, Jan Geiser a 35 plus year travel consultant at James TravelPOINTS vacationed in Oahu Hawaii with her husband were they stayed at the luxury J.W. Marriott Resort and Spa.
Prior visits included the neighbor islands, so this trip we opted to stay solely on the island of Oahu, the “Heart of Hawaii”. In Denver, we boarded our nonstop flight to Honolulu. United Airlines offers daily wide-body service to Honolulu. Upon our early afternoon arrival in Honolulu, we rented our Hertz car. Our destination was Ko Olina. Ko Olina, Oahu’s newest destination resort, is just a short, easy 20 minute drive from the Honolulu Airport. “From secluded lagoons and exciting adventures to championship golf and undersea panoramas, Ko Olina offers a neighbor island-style getaway without leaving Oahu”. Our hotel was the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa. After brief check-in procedures, we were escorted to our partial ocean view room. Our accommodations were very spacious and well-appointed. The size of the room was the equivalent of a Jr. Suite in many hotels. Our room included a walk-in closet and over-size bathroom with an European-style bathtub. The lanai was furnished with a table and padded , adjustable chairs. The view of the ocean and subsequently, the sunsets, was magnificent.
The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa is regarded for its award-winning cuisine and amenities. We shared a romantic dinner for two at the Azul Restaurant. This restaurant has an excellent reputation and the food and service were exquisite. The Naupaka Terrace, an alternate dining venue, is open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, offers regional cuisine and also, themed buffets. We enjoyed many morning and evening walks skirting the 4 lagoons that comprise the resort of Ko Olina. The pristine lagoon surrounded by white sand directly in front of our hotel was complemented by an azure sky and view of the Wai’anae Mountains. The pool offered view of the oceans. The award-winning Ihilani Spa provides an oasis of tranquility. Its treatments aim to soothe your soul and experience harmony of mind, body, and spirit. A brochure of numerous services and treatments is available. My spa choice was the Deluxe Thalasso Therapy with color and aqua essences. It was, as promised, a sensory, therapeutic experience for the body, mind, and spirit. I was a new person in less than 30 minutes. Next time a half day of treatments sounds like heaven on earth! It was difficult to leave our resort, even for a day. We did take a drive to the North Shore one day. The beauty and quaintness of the “other” Oahu are definitely missed by many visitors to the island. We enjoyed lunch in Haleiwa at Jameson’s by the Sea. We returned to Ko Olina driving through fields of pineapples.
About Jan Geiser
Jan has been in the travel industry for 35+ years and is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC). She has extensive personal experience in both leisure and cruise travel. Jan has traveled all over the world and brings a wealth of experience and advice to our clients. She has been recognized by American Express as a World Cruise Specialist. She is also a graduate of advanced travel industry training offered by Holland America Line and has achieved the rank of Commodore status with both Princess and Cunard. Destination specialties include: Europe, South Pacific, Caribbean, Mexico (Master Agent for Secrets Resorts), USA – Alaska (Certified Expert) and Hawaii, and of course, Cruises. Call Jan at 303-442-2340X231.
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Mauna Lani Bay, Big Island, Hawaii
Mauna Lani Bay is a luxury resort located on the Big Island in Hawaii.
The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows are a mecca for golfers, a treat for the gourmets and wonderful hideaway to relax and a nature preserve for rare green sea turtles. The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows is an oceanfront paradise on the Big Island’s sunny Kohala Coast that has a list of accolades as long as its white-sand shoreline.
This AAA Five Diamond-rated property on the Big Island of Hawaii, is an award-winning combination of sophisticated luxury and Hawaiian style hospitality. Guestrooms are spacious and tastefully furnished all feature private lanais. Ninety percent of the rooms have magnificent ocean views, the other overlook lush tropical garden’s. The resort’s five restaurants include the widely hailed Canoe House. Its Pacific Rim fare has received recognition in such prestigious publications as Gourmet, GQ, Esquire, Bon Appetite and Departures.
Seafood specialties include Nor9-Wrapped Tempura Ahi with tomato-Ginger Relish and Fresh Seared Mahi Mahi with Chinese Black Bean Sauce. The resort is renowned for its cuisine. The Mauna Lani tradition of fine food began centuries ago when Hawaiian Ali’i (royalty) first settled on the Kohala Coast, creating the fishponds that are now the heart of this luxury destination.
If you’re seeking up to the minute, non-stop activity, you will find that the Mauna Lani features the award winning Tennis Garden and Racquet Club, a comprehensive sports center, a wide range of watersports and a picture-perfect 36 hole championship golf course. In 1991, golf course architects Nelson and Haworth reconfigured the 18-hole Francis H. I’I Brown Golf Course, doubling the number of holes and creating Mauna Lani’s now-famous North and South. The recipients of six “Golf Medal Awards” from Golf Magazine.
The North Course is built on an older and smoother pahoehoe lava bed. It features rolling terrain and kiawe tree forests. A 230-acre protected archaeological district lies on the northern boundary; consequently, herds of feral goats frequent the entire North Course, providing a unique neutral hazard. James TravelPOINTS 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com has the expertise to help you plan your next vacation to the Hawaiian islands. Give us a call, we look forward to helping you create the custom vacation to fit your needs.
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Lanai (Lana’i), Hawaii
Nestled in the Hawaiian Island Chain, is the tiny island of Lana’i. Remote, untouched and dramatically beautiful, this 16,000-acre island holds the mystery of old Hawaii. There are only 2,800 residents, and two world-class resorts on this beautiful island, top quality recreation is never crowded, and always convenient. And speaking of sports they’ve got it all–hunting, Sporting Clays, fishing, golf, tennis, horseback riding and hiking or of course everyone’s favorite sport–relaxation. This sleepy little island is also home to a cultural arts program that surpasses those offered in many metropolitan cities; the visiting arts program brings authors, chefs, filmmakers and other fine artists together with you in a personal, living room setting.
Here you will find miles of sand with no footprints on both the northern and eastern shores, pristine hideaways just as they were thousands of years ago. Experience incredible snorkeling at the Marine Preserve at Hulopo’e Bay and Manele Day with abundant tropical fish. Don’t be alarmed if the spinner dolphins break the stillness when they cruise past you in the blue waters, and leap playfully into the air. The clarity of the water, the fantastic lava tubes, and the underwater cathedrals provide the most dramatic diving in Hawaii.
A must see is Kanepu’u, where the Garden of the Gods is located. Described as eerie, beautiful, serene, and spiritual, these badlands were sculpted by the raging forces of nature.
Hiking throughout Lana’i is superb. The Munro Trail winds up from Koele though mountain grasslands, where rain forest of ohia lehua, pine, ironwood, and eucalyptus line the mountain’s backbone ridge to the summit of Lana’ihale. Lean about the ancient Hawaiians and hike around Kaunolu in southwest Lana’i. This area is the location of a deserted pre-contract Hawaiian village, which was once a fishing community.
Visitors can horseback ride around the uplands or take a horseback tour of the island’s many off-road trails. Keep your eyes open for wild game such as the axis deer, mouflon sheep and an abundance of game birds-pheasant, quail, chukar partridge, and wild turkey.
The Lana’i Pine Sporting Clays is the only resort course in Hawaii. The rustic 14-station course is situated within a 200-acre pine-wooded valley overlooking Molokai. There are different levels of play, challenging enough for the experienced and easy enough for those new to the sport.
If it’s time you got back to nature yet spent your nights in luxury it’s time you experienced the island of Lana’i, give the experts at James TravelPOINTS a call we will get you on your way 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com.
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