[mkdf_dropcaps type=”normal” color=”#000000″ background_color=””]L[/mkdf_dropcaps]orem ipsum dolor sit amet, adhuc iriure dissentias est in, est ne diam graece tincidunt. Sit et liber minimum tacimates, sea no doctus fastidii. An molestiae definiebas mel. Quo everti vituperata et, quo cu omnis maiorum. At soluta fierenti laboramus eum.Nam at dicant deterruisset. Nam at nulla choro denique, cum quando definitionem. Sea te nisl splendide, odio timeam an vim. Quas brute aliquam id per, et natum vocent eripuit sea. No mea feugiat nusquam ocurreret usu ad alter dicant. Ad aliquip dolorem scribentur, partem libris pri, ad sea verear postulant conceptam. Sed appellantur interpretaris cu, meis possit melius ut sed. Ex suas definiebas est, id his dicunt torquatos. Id euismod mentitum dissentiet duo, aeterno eripuit. Comprehensam, principes dissentiet est id. Primis eripuit ei vis, ne vis nibh delenit electram duo. At pri elitr utinam tempor, purto facilis vim ut.
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With all that fear, it’s much easier to stay at home in our comfort
zones than to break out and travel.
Pri laudem tractatos hendrerit an. Mediocrem reprimique an vim, veniam tibique omittantur duo ut, agam graeci in vim. Quot appetere patrioque te mea, animal aliquip te pri. Ad vis animal ceteros percipitur, eos tollit civibus percipitur no. Posse definiebas dissentiunt mel ea, nam ferri utroque invenire an. Ius te iuvaret offendit pertinax, his verear deseruisse ex. Illud elitr eam eu. Id usu putant commune, stet primis expetenda cu vel. Mea ipsum homero apeirian te. Accumsan similique instructior ad pro, te purto dicit qui. Per eu unum persius, mei tantas postea in. Te his labores singulis, eum ei urbanitas adversarium. Ut quo numquam honestatis, qui populo percipit intellegat ea.
Quot appetere patrioque te mea, animal aliquip te pri. Ad vis animal ceteros percipitur, eos tollit civibus percipitur no. Posse definiebas dissentiunt mel ea, nam ferri utroque invenire an. Ius te iuvaret offendit pertinax, his verear deseruisse ex. Illud elitr eam eu. Id usu putant commune, stet primis expetenda cu vel. Mea ipsum homero apeirian te. Accumsan similique instructior ad pro, te purto dicit qui. Mediocrem reprimique an vim, veniam tibique omittantur duo ut, agam graeci in vim. An sententiae disputando eos. Delicata voluptaria referrentur mel eu. Forensibus disputationi an eam. Sea ex delectus dignissim gloriatur, quem suas per ea. In solum menandri cum.
[mkdf_dropcaps type=”normal” color=”#000000″ background_color=””]L[/mkdf_dropcaps]orem ipsum dolor sit amet, adhuc iriure dissentias est in, est ne diam graece tincidunt. Sit et liber minimum tacimates, sea no doctus fastidii.An molestiae definiebas mel. Quo everti vituperata et, quo cu omnis maiorum. At soluta fierentlaboramus eum.Nam at dicant deterruisset. Nam at nulla choro denique, et cum quando definitionem. Sea te nisl splendide, odio timeam an vim. Quas brute aliquam id per, et natum vocent eripuit sea. No mea feugiat nusquam ocurreret. Usu ad nominavi scripserit comprehensam, principes dissentiet est id. Primis eripuit ei vis, ne vis nibh delenit electram duo. Ad aliquip dolorem scribentur, partem libris pri, ad sea verear postulant conceptam. Sed appellantur interpretaris cu, meis possit melius ut sed. Ex suas definiebas est, id his dicunt torquatos. Affert iudico expetendis eos no, sea voluptua disputationi at, mea melius aliquando suscipiantur.
Mediocrem reprimique an vim, veniam tibique omittantur duo ut, agam graeci in vim. Quot appetere patrioque te mea, animal aliquip te pri. Ad vis animal ceteros percipitur, eos tollit civibus percipitur no. Posse definiebas dissentiunt mel ea, nam ferri utroque invenire an. Ius te iuvaret offendit pertinax, his verear deseruisse ex. Illud elitr eam eu. Id usu putant commune, stet primis expetenda cu vel. Mea ipsum homero apeirian te. Accumsan similique instructior ad pro, te purto dicit qui. An viris quando vel. Per quis solum ad. Modo animal phaedrum pri in, has in civibus indoctum. Pro iusto facete ei, qui cu vocent indoctum verear deseruisse quis.
Qui ad idque soluta deterruisset, nec sale pertinax mandamus et. Eu mei soluta scriptorem dissentiet, cu vel sensibus cotidieque. Ne per malorum vivendum principes, congue imperdiet cu vel. Sit cu stet autem eligendi, eros reprimique mel id, no pri tation altera. At soluta fierent laboramus eum.Nam at dicant deterruisset. Nam at nulla choro denique, et cum quando. Eu scaevola vituperatoribus voluptaria.
[mkdf_custom_font disable_break_words=”no” title_tag=”” font_weight=”500″ font_style=”normal” text_transform=”none” text_decoration=”” text_align=”center” title=”With all that fear, it’s much easier to stay at home in our comfort zones than to break out and travel.” font_family=”EpicRide” font_size=”44px” color=”#000000″ line_height=”33px” letter_spacing=”-1″ title_break_words=”15″ font_size_768=”42px” line_height_768=”31px”]
Mediocrem reprimique an vim, veniam tibique omittantur duo ut, agam graeci in vim. Quot appetere patrioque te mea, animal aliquip te pri. Ad vis animal ceteros percipitur, eos tollit civibus percipitur no. Posse definiebas dissentiunt mel ea, nam ferri utroque invenire an. Ius te iuvaret offendit pertinax, his verear deseruisse ex. Illud elitr eam eu. Id usu putant commune, stet primis expetenda cu vel. Mea ipsum homero apeirian te. Accumsan similique instructior ad pro, te purto dicit qui. Qui ex putent suavitate adolescens, his possim tamquam fuisset et. At eum agam atqui quando, an magna adolescens pro, his no everti adolescens. Cibo simul no vel, te civibus recteque cum, tale assum iudico cu cum. Equidem impedit officiis quo te. Illud partem sententiae mel eu, euripidis urbanitas et sit.
Equidem impedit officiis quo te. Illud partem sententiae mel eu, euripidis urbanitas et sit. Mediocrem reprimique an vim, veniam tibique omittantur duo ut, agam graeci in vim. Quot appetere patrioque te mea, animal aliquip te pri. Ad vis animal ceteros percipitur, eos tollit civibus percipitur no. Posse definiebas dissentiunt mel ea, nam ferri utroque invenire an. Ius te iuvaret offendit pertinax, his verear deseruisse ex. Illud elitr eam eu. Id usu putant commune, stet primis expetenda cu vel. Mea ipsum homero apeirian te. Accumsan similique instructior ad pro, te purto dicit qui. Qui ex putent suavitate adolescens, his possim tamquam fuisset et. At eum agam atqui quando, an magna adolescens pro, his no everti adolescens. Cibo simul no vel, te civibus recteque cum, tale assum iudico.
I went to a wedding in New Haven, Connecticut over New Years this year. FRIGID temps and a blanket of snow made it hard to tour Yale’s campus and other New Haven top sights, but we were able to eat and drink our way around the town for a few chilly days.
How to Get There
I rode the Amtrak to New Haven from Washington D.C. — the trip took about 5½ hours. From the look of the highway traffic battling snow along the way, train was definitely the way to go.
Where to Stay
Courtyard New Haven: This hotel was about a ten minute walk from the center of New Haven. Staff was friendly, rooms were clean and there’s a bistro and small marketplace in the lobby.
The Study at Yale: Most of the wedding party stayed here. The lobby bar is a large and a good meeting place. The hotel also has a great penthouse space with a bar and a view over New Haven.
Where to Eat and Drink
You can’t go to New Haven without trying New Haven Pizza — we ordered Pepe’s and the coal-fired pizza did not disappoint. (Full disclosure though, I didn’t try the clam pie that they’re known for.) The Study at Yale has a good bar with a few good craft beers on tap and a handful of wines. Some of my friends went to BAR, an industrial-chic spot known for its pizza and beer. For daytime drinks or brunch, I really liked Box 63 — the comfortable pub has a weekend “acoustic brunch” with a guitarist. Cask Republic has a big selection of beers on tap, plus whiskies and some beer-whiskey (yep, it’s a thing). Ordinary had a good-size back room that fit our large group, but the bar staff were condescending and rude. And finally, Roia, where the wedding took place, was beautiful and had great food and drinks.
In November 2016 I took advantage of the easing of U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba and spent a week exploring the Caribbean island. I visited Santa Clara, Havana, Cienfuegos and Trinidad, encountering beautiful culture and scenery, plus a wildly different standard of development and daily life than I’m used to.
Here are some scenes from that trip that capture what makes traveling to Cuba such an adventure.
Cuba is known for its classic cars, many of which are now taxis.
You can’t visit Cuba without trying a Daiquiri — the drink was invented on the island.
Speaking of Daiquiris, Ernest Hemingway was a big fan of the drink. You can visit the writer’s home about 30 minutes from Havana.
Overlooking Cienfuegos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Cuba’s south coast.
Visit a cigar shop or a factory to learn more about Cuba’s famous product. (And pick up some souvenirs!)
Old Havana’s colorful streets are full of murals.
Che Guevara is a frequent subject of said murals.
To learn more about El Che, head to the Che Guevara Mausoleum in the city of Santa Clara.
Havana’s seawall, the Malecon, is a popular gathering spot at sunset.
Most romantic spot in Havana? A couple on the Malecon.
Havana’s Gran Teatro all lit up at night.
Bring your phone flashlight: Many streets in Cuba — including in Old Havana — don’t have street lights.
The colorful streets of Old Havana by day.
You can’t go far in Old Havana without running into some live music — you’ll find it on streets, at restaurants and in bars.
This simple sandwich, or bocadito (small bite) is a common lunch dish.
The catalog system of the main library in university city Santa Clara.
Playa Ancon is a nice beach about 15 minutes from the town of Trinidad.
Sunset in Cienfuegos, on Cuba’s south coast.
Fidel Castro’s presence is evident across Cuba; my visit coincided with his death, so I’d imagine the tributes are even more prevalent now.
Sunset on the cobbled streets of Trinidad, a colorful town rich in music and culture.
U.S. News Travel, November 10, 2016 || The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is one of many themed worlds within Universal Orlando Resort. The experience is split into two sections, located in adjacent parks: Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. If you only have time or budget for one section, you’ll have a difficult choice. Diagon Alley is full of colorful shops, interactive experiences and a detailed array of characters from the wizarding world. Meanwhile, Hogsmeade is (a tad) quieter, and comes with a magical view of Hogwarts Castle. Both sections have exciting attractions and themed food and drink options.
For the ultimate Harry Potter experience, don’t choose one destination – visit both Orlando parks on a Park-to-Park ticket ($165), which also includes access to the Hogwarts Express that runs between the two. If you’re ready to embark on an epic trip, here’s the best way for wizards, witches and muggles alike to spend a day at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
U.S. News Travel, October 6, 2017 ||These days, many popular European hot spots are getting overcrowded, with cities such as Venice, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain, looking to limit tourism. Summer is when these visitor numbers often hit their peak, resulting in higher prices, especially on weekends. But if you travel to Europe in the fall – after the busy tourist season calms down – you’ll find pleasant temperatures, lower prices and fun festivals. Here are some of the best fall weekend escapes across Europe, from Scotland to Croatia.
I traveled to Dubrovnik for 5 days in July 2017. We used it as a base to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site walled city, track down Game of Thrones filming locations (it’s Kings Landing!), and take a handful of day trips, including to Montenegro and the island of Mljet.
How to Get to Dubrovnik
The main purpose of my trip was a wedding in Greece after the Dubrovnik leg. Turns out travel between Greece and Croatia is a lot tougher than I expected. There aren’t direct air connections daily, and if you’re hoping to travel by boat, be forewarned it takes like 26 hours via ferry and goes through Italy.
Without my specific itinerary complication though, getting to Dubrovnik is pretty easy. There are plenty of connecting flights from other cities in Europe. There are ferries from other Croatian islands, like Split and Hvar. The airport is about 30 minutes from the city — a pretty drive along the coast. You can take the bus or a taxi cost 35-45 euros.
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
I stayed in the heart of the Old City, in a wonderful studio apartment Airbnb. (GoT fans, it was right at the base of Ceresi’s Shame Stairs.) There are a ton of great Airbnbs in the Old City — just be prepared to walk up a lot of stairs (inside and on the side streets leading up to the houses). Most of the hotels themselves are outside the city.
So, should you stay in Dubrovnik’s Old City or outside the walls? It kinda depends. Staying in the Old City is super convenient — you can walk home from the bars and restaurants at night, and you can pop home during the day for a bathroom or to cool down in a/c. But … it is CROWDED in there. Like middle-of-Times Square crowded. This made it pretty overwhelming any time we stepped out the door.
If you aren’t into crowds, consider staying outside the city. I heard great things about the Hotel Excelsior, which is a short walk from the city walls. If you have money to spend and want to relax, the Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel had incredible views and looked amazing. Oh, and there’s also a hotel with a cave bar.
What to Do in Dubrovnik
Arrival Night
After about 24 hours of travel, we arrived to the city around 9 pm. Entering the Old City through the Pile Gate (pronounced Pila) is probably the coolest entrance to a city I’ve ever made. You cross a drawbridge and it feels like you’re entering a castle. We made it out for dinner and a few drinks, then crashed at our Airbnb.
Gradska Kavana Arsenal: A great place for dinner on one of the Old City’s main squares. We sat outside and sipped Croatian wine from Istria. I didn’t know it at the time, but it’s run by one of the city’s most prominent restaurant groups (that also runs Dubravka, Panorama, etc.).
Gusto Giusto: Dubrovnik is full of these little hole-in-the-wall restaurant/bars on side streets. This one had a few small tables outside, and some people were just sitting on the steps. Small but interesting selection of local beers and wine, plus some cocktails that I didn’t try.
Dubrovnik city walls
Day 1
We covered a lot of touristing ground today, and it was all fantastic. Knocked off three of the top things to do in Dubrovnik (walls, kayaking, Mt. Srd).
City Walls: You can climb up onto the top of Dubrovnik’s walls and do a full loop around the city. It’s fantastic — the views are amazing and there are little cafes and bars to get refreshments along the way.
The secret to doing the walls is to do it early —get up there at 8 am and be done by 10 — or late, around sunset time. Since this is probably the #1 thing to do in Dubrovnik, the walls get very crowded during the day. Plus there’s not a ton of shade so you’ll roast if you go midday. Ticket costs 150 kuna (at this writing Dubrovnik isn’t on the Euro), and there’s no reentry. To do the full loop takes about 1.5-2 hours.
Trattoria Tezoro: Went here for breakfast. To be honest, all breakfasts were pretty much the same: you choose from American, French, Italian, etc. and then get some combo of OJ, coffee, sliced meat and cheese.
Sea Kayaking with Dubrovnik Walks: On a hot summer day sea kayaking tours are the best way to stay cool. This operator runs 7-km trips from right outside the city walls. You paddle around Lokrum Island and then stop at a beach in a cave. You can book in advance, though we reserved online about an hour before the trip.
Mt. Srd cable car: For some of the best views of Dubrovnik, take the cable car to the top of Mt. Srd (or hike, if you’re up for a climb). There’s a museum and a restaurant at the top. Tip: Buy your tickets online beforehand (cost is about $22), then skip the line when you get to the cable car.
Panorama: The restaurant at the top of Mt. Srd is the best meal with a view you’ll have in Dubrovnik. If you want to sit right on the edge for a sunset dinner you’ll have to make reservations a year or more in advance. But you can just walk in and get a non-edge seat (and if you stay past sunset you might be able to move seats closer).
Panorama Restaurant
Day 2
Dubravka: This restaurant right outside Pile gate is popular among locals and tourists. It has a great breezy patio overlooking the city walls. Good for any meal, and a little cheaper than the restaurants inside the walls.
City tour: We joined a local tour guide from the Dubrovnik visitors’ bureau. Learned some interesting things:
The Franciscan pharmacy is one of the oldest in Europe — you can buy rose water here
Earthquakes are responsible for the varied architectural styles, while the war in the 1990s destroyed the city’s roofs, which is why they all look new
Friday is the city’s busiest day
Some restaurants to check out:
Azur (Mediterranean food with an Asian twist)
Prieko (street full of restaurants)
Mishta (vegetarian food)
Posaj (outside the city, local food)
Dolce Vita (ice cream)
Restaurant Orsan: To escape the Old City crowds we headed over to Lapad, an easy cab ride away. Lunch at this harborside restaurant was relaxing, delicious and a bit cheaper than the tourist center prices.
Lapad coastal trail: From nearby Restaurant Orsan, a quiet walking path meanders along the coast, past little piers and beaches. As it rounds the Lapad peninsula there are larger techno-bumping beach clubs and some resorts.
Buza Bar: My favorite thing in Dubrovnik. Buza literally means “hole in the wall,” and these bars (there are two) sit on the rocks just outside the city walls. The first Buza is a bit more commercial — there are seats and a full bar setup. The second is more makeshift, but it is better for swimming. You can also BYOB to both of these spots.
Lajk: This family run restaurant had outside tables on the Prieko street. Good food, local wines.
Buza Bar
Day 3
Day trip to Montenegro: We hired a driver to take us across the border to Montenegro for a daytrip.
More info about that on this blog post!
Dubravka: Not just a breakfast spot — great for a big group dinner.
Troubadour Jazz Cafe: Small bar with live music at night. Performers play outside so you can sit at the neighboring bars on the square if seats fill up.
Perast, Montenegro
Day 4
Day trip to Mljet: We hopped a ferry to this large island with a national park about 1.5 hours away from Dubrovnik. Left at around 9 am and returned by around 6:30.
Restaurant Kopun: Tucked in a quiet square in front of the Jesuit Church, this restaurant specializes in castrated chicken (kopun). But there are plenty of other options on the menu too, and in tough-to-get-a-table Dubrovnik, it was a great option for walk-in outdoor dining for a group.
Mljet
Day 5
Our flight was leaving at around 4:30, so we only had a partial day. We weren’t sure about going to Lokrum — might be too much of a production — but it was such a peaceful escape from Dubrovnik and super easy to get to.
Lokrum: The small island off Dubrovnik is a super easy, relaxing break from the hot crowded city streets. It’s about a 10 minute ferry ride over there. Once on the island, there are beaches, chaise lounges, walking trails through forests with peacocks roaming, and a few restaurants. GoT fans, there’s also an Iron Throne you can pose on, and an exhibit of various Dubrovnik filming locations.
Iron Throne on Lokrum
Random Stuff You Should Know about Dubrovnik
Game of Thrones stuff is EVERYWHERE. There are tours all over, kitschy souvenirs and T-shirts for sale all over, and two Iron Thrones (one in the Old City that you can sit on after purchasing something in the shop, and a free one on Lokrum)
Restaurants inside the city walls are pricey. As soon as you step outside (like, even right outside at Dubravka) the prices drop.
Just reiterating the crowds. Overtourism is definitely a problem here.
Tourism is the main industry here, so most people speak English.
February 3rd is the city’s #1 celebration: St. Blaise festival
Some local products to buy: rose water, coral jewelry, embroidered goods.
It’s hard to get into many of Dubrovnik’s popular restaurants at dinner. If there’s a spot you want to try, make reservations.
After a few days of fighting crowds in the busy streets of Dubrovnik, a trip to Mljet was a breath of fresh air and a welcome escape.
Mljet is a large, lush island with a national park on its western end that has saltwater lakes, a meta island-on a lake-on an island, and some of the bluest water you’ll ever see. Daily boats from Dubrovnik make this an easy daytrip, though once you’re there the peace and quiet will likely tempt you to spend the night (and if you have the time, do it!).
Getting to Mljet
There are high-speed ferries to Mljet from Dubrovnik, Split and other islands. The trip from Dubrovnik takes about 1½ hours. If you’re heading to the national park, take the ferry from Dubrovnik to Polace, where you can pick up a bike, catch a shuttle, or walk about 25 minutes to the national park. Boats leave the city at 9:15 am and return at 4:55 pm (getting back around 6:30 pm).
Coming from or going to another part of Croatia? The other Mljet port with easy access to the national park is Pomena, which has a bit more going on than Polace, including a hotel.
If you’re going farther afield on the island, you’ll want to rent a car or use taxis, or you can rent bikes. If you’re just exploring the national park (and are up for a couple-mile walk), you can do it all by foot.
Exploring Mljet National Park
Occupying the western part of the island, this national park is a gem. You can buy an entry ticket (about 100 kn) at Polace when you get off the ferry, or at the park entrance about 30 minutes’ walk from port. Inside the park you’ll find well-marked trails and two unbelievably blue and swimmable saltwater lakes, one of which has an island with a monastery set in the middle of it. (You can take a little boat here for lunch and a dip.)
Aside from boating and swimming, the park’s two lakes are home to some interesting creatures: coral, jellyfish, and shellfish — including mussels that can grow up to 2 feet long. The smaller lake, Malo Jezero, is warmer and shallower than the grand lake, Veliko Jezero, making it a popular swimming hole. The two lakes are connected by a bridge that you can swim under.
One Day on Mljet
11:00 am: Arrive in Polace. Hit up the little grocery market for some water and snacks, then buy your park ticket at the little booth.
12 pm: Get to the national park, explore the walking trails around Veliko Jezero.
1 pm: Take a boat across the lake to St. Mary’s. Eat lunch and explore the monastery and island.
2:30 pm: Boat to Malo Jezero for a swim in the smaller lake
3:30 pm: Head back to Polace – you don’t want to miss the boat! Grab a drink at one of the harborside bars or restaurants before you board.
4:30 pm: Board ferry back to Dubrovnik.
6:35 pm: Arrive back in Dubrovnik in time for sunset!
Boats moored near Polace on MljetVeliko jezero, one of two saltwater lakes in Mljet National Park
Aboard the boat from the monastery on St. Mary’s Island, in the middle of Veliko JezeroNotes left by visitors to the chapel on St. Mary’s IslandBoat for rent in Mljet National ParkNot a bad place for a rest!Walking the lakeside path along Velika JezeroMap of Mljet
From: Jess Moss To: Friend asking what to do with four days on Kauai. (She’s staying at the Marriott in Lihue.) Date: July 3, 2017
Subject: Hawaiiiiiiiiiii 🐳🌺🌈🌴🏄
So jealous!!! And I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Here are some of my fave things:
Kauai: (You’re renting a car, right? You need one) -North Shore: Absolutely beautiful. Spend a day here (or more)! Hanalei Bay is my favorite beach in the world. You can do surfing lessons or stand up paddling here. Makena/Tunnels beach is known for snorkeling.
-By your hotel: the Marriott’s on a little bay that is a good place for stand up paddling. It’s in Lihue so is close to the helicopter trips.
-Helicopter: Def do this – schedule it early in your trip so you can scout out the island and find places you want to go back to – also if weather is bad you have time to resched. If you aren’t too freaked out by heights, do the “doors off” heli – you won’t get reflections in your photos that way. If you do a doors on one, wear dark colors so you don’t reflect in the glass.
-Waimea Canyon: sometimes called the Grand Canyon of the pacific. Really cool and lots of hiking options.
Here’s roughly what I would recommend:
Day 1:
helicopter ride, then check out Poipu on the south shore. Good beach there, you can often see monk seals! Also have some surf schools in the area I think. You drive through a cool tree tunnel to get there. There are a bunch of restaurants at the resorts, and some in Koloa. For nice meals, Beach House is always a top pick for romantic sunset dinners. One of my personal faves is Puka Dog, a Hawaiian hotdog spot that fills your hot dog bun with local fruit relishes and toppings. Soooo good!
Day 2:
Head up to the North Shore for the day. Stop for a pic at Waimea Falls, Kilauea Lighthouse, and the taro fields in Princeville. Head to the end of the road at Kee Beach and hike the first part of the Kalalau Trail (the epic hike you mentioned). I did the 2 mi trek in and back in like 3 hours, I think? It was tough, bring water and a snack. Then you can spend the afternoon in Hanalei or at Hanalei Bay. Hang out on the pier for sunset or head up to the St Regis for a drink at their incredible bar. Lots of cute local spots for dinner, I haven’t been there in a while though so you’re better off asking locally for recos 🙂
Day 3:
(I think this would be Friday). Head out to the west side of the island. Drive up to the Kalalau Lookout in Kokee State Park (where all those famous Hawaii photos are shot). If it’s cloudy be patient, they’ll usually blow through. Then check out Waimea Canyon for a hike. Also out there are some great empty beaches. Polihale is one, kinda tough to get to but it’s huge and deserted. Head into Hanapepe in the evening, they have a Friday night art walk. Alternatively you can go to Port Allen and hop on a sunset sail.
Day 4
Either go back to a spot on the island you want to spend more time in, relax at the hotel, or check out Kapaa and Wailua on the east side.
From: Jess Moss To: Friend asking what to do on his honeymoon on Maui & the Big Island Date: June 20, 2017
Subject: Potential Honeymoon Calendar
Cool, so here’s roughly what you could do:
12/27: Land, dinner, crash
12/28: Consider doing Haleakala sunrise (you’re going to be waking up super early cuz of the time difference, so might as well take advantage and do sunset at Haleakala this day since it involves waking up at like 4 am)
12/29 ~ 12/30: One of these days you’ll want to drive the Road to Hana, my favorite road trip in the world (unless you get car sick…). Rent a convertible for it!
12/31: Beach, boat, whatever you want!
1/1: am to HNL. Look into luggage storage at Pearl Harbor – it’s near the airport so if you get tickets beforehand you could time it to go from your flight rather than battling traffic to/from multiple times.
1/2: Oahu ~ Waikiki, Diamond Head climb, sunset sail
1/3: am to Kona.
Where to stay kind of depends on what you want to do on the big island. Volcanoes is a must, and it’s a long haul from either the kohala or kona coast. so here’s more of the breakdown:
A) kohala/waikoloa: closer to waimea valley/hamakua coast (hiking), mauna kea (stargazing), waimea (cowboy country). area is sunny and has lots of resorts and beaches/snorkeling.
B) kona coast/keahou: the sheraton is nice here, otherwise it’s a bit less resorty and more like a town. closer to coffee plantations, artsy enclaves and green & black sand beaches, and a bit closer to volcanoes.
…I think you’ll probably like the Kohala/ CoastWaikoloa are more, but there are plenty of forums online about choosing between them!
1/4: Celebrate Jess’s bday.
1/5: One of these days you’ll want to do Volcanoes NP. It’s a long drive (~3-4 hrs 1-way from Kohala and ~3 hrs from Kona? ish?) so it can be nice to spend the night out there. I recommend spending the night the day you explore, since seeing the glowing crater and lava at night is amazing when it’s on. There’s a place in the park called Volcano House, otherwise the town of Volcano has some b&bs or Hilo is kind of dumpy but is a shorter drive.
