Whale Watching in California

Who says you have to travel to Hawaii to take in the breathtaking images of whales making their annual trek across the Pacific? From mid-December through mid-March the massive mammals pass the California coast giving visitors and residents there a chance to watch the majestic animals performing their trademark moves. Puffs of wet air rise dozens of feet in the air from the behemoths’ blowholes. That move is usually followed by breaching—-basically when a whale launches its body out of the water and returns to the sea with a dramatic bellyflop. You might also see “fluking,” when the whale’s tail … Continue reading

Hawaii: Dolphin Watching

I’ve written my share of blogs on whale watching adventures in paradise, but if you are traveling to Hawaii you should know that the massive mammals are not the only ones worth cruising the Pacific to watch frolic among the waves. A company based on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu offers daily (except Mondays) dolphin watch and lunch cruises. Star of Honolulu Cruises & Events runs the Hoku Naia — a 65-foot, 149-passenger twin-hull catamaran — specifically for its two-hour Wild Dolphin Watch & Lunch Cruises. The catamaran is also equipped with a dining area, bar, restroom, barbecue facility, a … Continue reading

Say “Aloha” To Whales in Hawaii this Winter

Many travelers head to Hawaii during the winter months to escape the subzero wind chills and snowy sidewalks. Others visit the “Aloha State” when the mercury plummets because they know that’s when some of the world’s largest tourists migrate to the waters off the Hawaiian Islands. Winter is peak season for whale watching. Each year, Humpback whales swim more than 3,500 miles from the North Pacific to Hawaii to breed, calve and nurse their young. Just in time for whale watching season Outrigger Hotels is offering guests a front-row seat to take in all the action. From December through March … Continue reading

East Coast Whale Watching Adventures

It’s no secret; whale watching tours abound in places such as Hawaii and Alaska, but watching a humpback whale breach from the murky depths of the Atlantic Ocean is not something travelers get to see everyday. Just ask vacationers who visit the waters off of Virginia Beach. The whale-watching season wraps up along the East Coast at the end of the month. Which means you still have a few weeks to gather the family and sign up for a tour. The Rudee Flipper, which departs from the Virginia Fishing Center at Rudee Inlet on the south end of Virginia Beach … Continue reading

Adventures in Whale Watching

Looking for a whale of a trip? Then load up the family and head to an area where you can get up close and personal with some of the largest creatures on Earth. My family enjoys whale watching off the Hawaiian Islands, but I recently learned about another group of islands where the whale watching has been hailed as some of the best in the world. The San Juan Islands, a group of small islands off the coast of Washington state, is considered by naturalists as a must-stop destination for whale watching enthusiasts. And the experts aren’t just referring to … Continue reading

Getting Away With Your Spouse

It has been a very long time since my husband and I have gotten away together…without kids. So a few months ago we began planning for our upcoming 20th wedding anniversary. Our destination was Maine. We looked at cottages to stay in, entertainment (such as whale watching) and thought about eating our favorite food, seafood (only much fresher). We dreamed about stepping into the ocean. It was going to be a very romantic getaway. We even planned the dates we would go and my husband began looking at airfare. But then as the months began to pass by, medical bills … Continue reading

Spring Travel Deals in Paradise

Spring break is fast approaching (in fact, some college coeds began their break last Friday), which means millions of families will be hitting the highways or jetting off to celebrate a week of school-free days. If your travel plans include a pit stop in a Hawaiian paradise there are some incredible bargains you should be aware of. For example: The Star of Honolulu is offering an Easter lunch cruise on March 23rd from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 23rd. The trip departs from Aloha Tower Marketplace, Pier 8 and caters to families who want to spend the holiday … Continue reading

Are You Planning to Visit Idaho or Virginia?

Who says there’s nothing to do in the state of Idaho? If the idea of propelling your body through the air at 55 mph 3,000 feet up gets your adrenaline flowing then you should be booking a trip to the “The Gem State” right now. That’s what the owner of a new motorized zipline is hoping you’ll do once word gets out that visitors can fly like a bird near the Snake River Canyon in Twin Falls. The adventure ride is part of a proposed thrill park. The new zipline is called the Flight Stimulator and is part of the … Continue reading

Another Educational Destination

How many times has this happened to you? You plan a family trip to an amusement park only to be left holding on to massive stuffed animals in the sweltering heat; being begged for money to buy just one more choco-taco; and listening to whiny kids complain about walking in wet shoes after getting soaked on the Roarin’ Rapids ride. Is it time for an education vacation? In previous blogs I’ve spotlighted several popular destinations around the nation that offer hands on learning experiences for children… and their parents. This time I’m turning my attention to Boonesboro, Kentucky. If you … Continue reading

More Educational Vacation Destinations

I grew up in a state that boasts several historically significant attractions from Pearl Harbor to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Hawaii is rich in history and a popular travel destination for people interested in learning more about the experiences of Americans during World War II. However, the island paradise is only one of many states in the country that actively preserves important aspects of life that occurred in the U.S. during World War II. Recently, the National Parks Conservation Association, a non-profit that works to protect and enhance the park system, compiled a list of National Parks … Continue reading