Search Results for: blog star gazing in hawaii

Old Fashioned Hawaiian Holiday

I know we haven’t even eaten our way through Thanksgiving yet, but it’s no secret most people already have their holiday travel plans set in stone. If you are one of the lucky ones who plan to spend the holidays in paradise you may to add the following traditional Hawaiian Christmas event to your to-do list. This year on the Big Island of Hawaii the H.N. Greenwell Store is set to revive some local holiday customs during a series of special events called “An English Christmas in the Hawaiian Kingdom.” Henry Nicholas (H.N.) built the 1,000-square-foot structure located in Kealakekua … Continue reading →

Star Gazing In Hawaii

In a previous blog I shared my opinions regarding the state of Hawaii’s helicopter tour operations. The blog came on the heels of a number of fatal helicopter crashes that took place over the Islands. Recently, the national news picked up another story originating from one of the “Aloha State’s” other star attractions—-Mauna Kea. Mauna Kea is a massive dormant volcano that towers nearly 14,000 feet above the Big Island of Hawaii. Its height makes it prime real estate for astronomers and scientists. In fact, Mauna Kea’s summit is home to the planet’s largest collection of astronomical observatories. This, of … Continue reading →

When Was the Last Time You Enjoyed a Shower Together?

I’m not talking about the kind of shower you take in your bathroom, but, rather, a meteor shower. The Perseids The question of when was the last time you enjoyed a shower together came to me because earlier this morning was supposedly the peak time for best viewing of the Perseids meteor shower. However, the shower activity period spans from July 17 through August 24. Depending on where you live, tonight might also be a prime viewing night, but even until August 24 there’s still a chance you can spot a “shooting star” or two. (In doing research for this … Continue reading →

Taking a Couple’s Cruise

With the amount of space given to pictures of happy couples gazing loving into each other’s eyes in cruise lines’ glossy magazine ads you would think that sea voyages are mainly aimed at newlyweds or lovers longing to recreate their honeymoon. Cruising can be one of the most romantic vacation options, and while it may seem as though all ships cater to couples there are some vessels within a fleet that can contribute to the feeling of “amore” more than others. Take a look: Princess Cruises Cruise experts say the best ships for romance on this line include the Crown … Continue reading →

Photo Workshops in Paradise

I’ve always maintained that if you are looking for photo inspiration you should book a trip to Hawaii. (Okay, so I am slightly biased.) And now more than ever the Big Island of Hawaii is the spot to be to capture nature at its finest. In an effort to keep avid photographers’ creative energy flowing the Fairmont Orchid Resort located on the South Kohala Coast is offering a new stargazing program every Friday evening. Famed local astronomer Wayne Fukunaga and his team from Star Gaze Hawaii will lead the sessions. In addition, crewmembers from the Hawaiian outrigger voyaging canoe Makali’i … Continue reading →

Saving Money on Your Next Vacation—Book Early

Timing is everything in life and that goes double when you are planning a vacation. I try to provide as many cost-saving travel tips as possible in this blog and regular readers know that high on the list of advice is to book early. Doing so almost always guarantees cheaper seats—whether by sea, air or land. To prove my point I found a great deal to the Greek Islands that allows you to skip the crowds and the sky-high prices. The catch: Book now travel later. The bargains are good now but you won’t be taking your trip until the … Continue reading →

Jammin’ Jamaica

The expedited delivery of the government’s economic stimulus package checks to working Americans has prompted several tour groups to unveil new deals to sunny locales. Tour operators are no doubt trying to lure sun worshippers to spend some of Uncle Sam’s dollars on fabulous trips to resorts bordered by cobalt blue waters and powder soft sand beaches. If you are looking for a way to spend your newly acquired cash and catch a tan for an unbeatable price you might consider this budget saver to Jamaica: For $839 per person (plus $100 in taxes) you will receive round-trip airfare from … Continue reading →

Affordable Accommodations in Exotic Locations

How do you spend your travel dollars? Do you pay big bucks flying off to exotic destinations and compensate by staying in budget hotels? Or do you try to find the cheapest means of travel and loosen your budget purse strings to pay for ultra-luxe accommodations? If you play your cards right in the days leading up to the busy summer travel season you could save on both. A number of airlines are offering great travel deals to exotic locations while hoteliers are aiding budget conscious jetsetters by providing package deals. Take a look: INDONESIA Bali’s Desa Seni opened less … Continue reading →

Celebrating Arbor Day in Asheville

If you are looking to go “green” this spring consider a trip to Asheville, North Carolina. The Blue Ridge beauty features majestic mountains that cut into the horizon and you can see them from all angles by taking one of a number of scenic drives that run through the region. Most travelers take in Asheville’s cool, clean mountain air from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The 469-mile recreational road connects Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks and offers visitors a reprieve from commercialism. The road is dotted with charming vintage farmhouses, tunnels carved into majestic mountains and steep climbs that … Continue reading →

Summer Road Trip: Cruising the Country

If your family enjoys spending the summer months cruising the countryside in search of unique attractions then you are in luck. Several popular travel destinations are bringing in one-of-kind treasures to their sites this summer in hopes of attracting a record number of tourists. For example, in St. Paul a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence is coming to the state as part of Minnesota’s 150th anniversary celebration. The document is the only one of its kind that travels the country. It is often referred to as the “Dunlap Broadsides” and was typed and printed shortly after the handwritten … Continue reading →