Archive for the ‘Hawaii’ Category
A Family Guide to Maui
October 19th, 2009 | 
Author: The tropical paradise of Maui offers something special for every visitor, but the outstanding offerings particularly well-suited to families surprises many.
Most resorts on Maui provide programs for young guests including planned beach activities. The Westin Maui at Kaanapali Beach Resort is particularly popular with families thanks to the tropical foliage, waterfalls and parrots. The aquatic playground featuring a 128-foot slide makes childhood fantasies come true. Maui hotels and resorts are about much more than a room and a beach and many include special touches to encourage family visitors.
Children love to explore the natural beauty of Maui. A trip to Haleakala National Park is a must-do for families. The diversity of ecosystems and the exposure to so many new and different tropical species is a learning experience not to be missed. While watching the sunrise from Haleakala is popular with Maui visitors, it is not generally well suited to younger children because of the early start time and amount of waiting time involved.
The Maui Ocean Center showcases Hawaii’s underwater environment. Voted Hawaii’s Top-Rated Family Attraction by Zagat Survey, the Maui Ocean Center should be on every family’s tour plan.
Children enjoy the tactile experience of feeling things like a sea cucumber in the touch pool. A particularly interesting feature of the Maui Ocean Center popular with adults as well as children is the glass tunnel that leads into a 750,000-gallon aquarium with sharks and other colorful tropical fish swimming overhead. The average visit to the Maui Ocean Center takes about two hours, but many visitors linger longer over exhibits and choose to dine in one of Maui Ocean Center’s two restaurants.
The Hawaii Nature Center located in the Iao Valley on Maui is especially popular with children ages 3 to 8. The Center includes more than 30 hands-on, interactive exhibits as well as guided rainforest walks. Exhibits feature species native to Maui including the world’s only carnivorous caterpillar.
Maui was once considered the capital of the whaling industry and is the winter home to migrating Pacific Humpback whales. The Whalers Village Museum located in the Kaanapali shopping complex is dedicated to teaching about this important creature. This Maui museum displays over seventy species of whales. The skeletal remains of a 40-foot Sperm Whale are amazing, and children are shocked to see the actual size of this ocean giant. Admission to this Maui attraction is free.
The Lahaina Kaanapali Railroad, better known as the Sugar Cane Train, will be a hit with young train fanatics. While this Maui attraction is often rated as boring by adults, it is perfectly suited to families with younger children.
Traveling in an open-air coach pulled by a steam-engine, visitors enjoy a leisurely six-mile journey through Maui. Crossing a 325-foot curved wooden trestle provides a panoramic view of the West Maui Mountains, as well as islands neighboring Maui. Storytellers share the history of Maui during the trip.
A Maui vacation is not complete until a luau is included. Most Maui resorts and hotels offer luaus. Among the most recommended non-resort luaus are the Old Lahaina Luau and The Feast at Lele, both located in the Maui village of Lahaina. Children will be captivated by the Hawaiian dance and music offered by these Maui performers and are certain to find something they enjoy eating among the many luau offerings.
Maui is considered a top choice for family vacations. Children and Adults alike with enjoy learning the history and culture of Maui at locations all over the island.
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Posted in Hawaii, North America, Travel Tips, Vacations & Holidays | 
Tags: family vacations, Hawaii, Hawaiian Islands, Hawaiian vacation, luau, Maui, Maui Hawaii, Maui vacation, the luau | 
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Vacations In Hawaii – Get The Best Hawaiian Travel Packages
A vacation in Hawaii can be the perfect destination: all the delights of an island paradise without leaving the USA. But how do you make sure you get the best Hawaiian vacation package?
Hawaiian Vacation Packages – What Do You Want?
There is not one best Hawaii vacation package that will suit everybody. There is so much to choose from in Hawaii, you can afford to be selective.
The internet is the best place to start your research. If you look online at sites like Orbitz and Expedia you can see the variety without any of the pressure that a telephone or face to face sales office may put on you. On the internet, nobody will be pushing you to pull out your credit card before you have explored all of the options.
You can choose whether to spend the whole of your Hawaiian vacation in one resort, or whether to divide your time between two or more locations. If your vacation is very brief it may be more relaxing to stay in one place, but if you have a week or more you may want to combine a few days at a Hawaiian beach with some time spent in an area where there is more to see or do. A split location can also be a great idea if you and your partner have very different ideas of how the perfect Hawaii travel vacation should be!
If you want to visit more than one Hawaiian island, consider a cruise for part or all of your vacation. There are many companies offering Hawaii island cruises that give you the chance to see all around the islands in congenial company with meals and entertainment provided. All you have to do is show up!
If you choose a Hawaii beach vacation, you will want to consider the activities that the resort offers. You may enjoy snorkeling, windsurfing or other sports. In some cases you can have these included in the package. Do you want car rental? A beach view? All meals provided, or the chance to eat out some nights? Or would you prefer an apartment where you can cook for yourself?
Are you planning a honeymoon in Hawaii? Then you probably want a package that will give you some privacy, and will not fill all of your time with sight seeing. Perhaps you even want to be married in Hawaii. Look for resorts that specialize in this.
Or maybe you are single and hoping to meet up with other people your age with similar interests. Check out the Hawaii singles vacation packages so that you don’t find yourself stuck in a family-friendly resort.
Hawaiian Vacation Packages – Shop Around
One thing is for sure, you can save money with a travel package versus arranging hotels and flights separately yourself – probably at least 25% and often more. You can save again if you look at all the options from different travel companies.
Don’t take the cheapest Hawaiian vacation deal without checking the small print. You may find restrictions and inconveniences. Maybe the flights are in the middle of the night, or there could be unexpected extra costs such as charges for baggage or meals.
If you find the ideal Hawaiian vacation package but it is a little more expensive than others, try bargaining with the travel agent. They may be able to get you better travel deals if you show that you can have almost the same thing cheaper elsewhere. Sometimes they can work something special with the company, and sometimes they will cut their own commission to get your business. In this way you can get the best package for the best price for your vacation in Hawaii.
For more information on Hawaiian vacation packages, visit the Hawaiian Travel Guide web site.
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