Historian Daniel Martinez shows us the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites as well as other places in Honolulu that were affected by the devastating attack on December 7th, 1941. Visit the USS Arizona Memorial, step on board the Battleship Missouri, and see the new USS Oklahoma Memorial.
Get up close and personal with Hawaii's manta rays as you go on a night dive with underwater photographer Wayne Levin. Explore the western waters off of Hawaii's Big Island and swim with Kona's otherworldly manta rays.
This is the time of year when the winter blues are setting in for many outside the Sun Belt, which always means big business for winter beach destinations. It’s usually not hard to spot those who’ve been sun-starved all winter, as they may be getting off airplanes in places like Boston, Detroit or Chicago in shorts when arriving home to February temperatures in the teens.
The question is where are beachgoers headed during the winter months? It’s no surprise the most popular domestic winter beach destinations are in Florida, California and Hawaii. After all, they offer the most coast line, a warm climate and post card images of sunshine, palm trees and ocean waters. Internationally, the same can be said for Mexico.
These locales annually boast many of the top beach destinations. However as travel levels rise and lodging construction continues, many are also aggressively marketing their destinations, and riding the wave of tourism to lure more travelers to what are already historically popular beach cities. As a result, there’s been continued growth in many top spots.
In fact, online travel agency Orbitz recently set out for the sandy beaches to determine which winter beach destinations are the fastest growing.
Topping the Orbitz list domestically is Maui, HI, which edged out a handful of popular beach cities in Florida, as the fastest growing winter beach destination. Hawaii’s Big Island also landed the third-ranked vacation spot in Kailua-Kona, which continues to rise in popularity.
Florida landed five of the top 10 on the list, which measured percentage growth in hotel bookings from late December through the end of February over a three-year period to compile its Index. The most popular Florida beaches include Daytona Beach, which is number two, as well as Key West, Fort Lauderdale/Miami, Sarasota and Fort Myers.
California beaches in San Diego and Santa Monica were also in the top 10, as was historic Charleston, SC.
In Mexico, Cozumel continues to be among its most popular beaches and now it also has the distinction of being its fastest growing internationally, Orbitz says. At number one, Cozumel was one of six Mexican beach destinations to make the list; the others included Riviera Maya/Playa Del Carmen (number two) as well as Cancun, Acapulco, Ixtapa and Mazatlan. Negril, Jamaica, Rio de Janeiro, Aruba and Bermuda rounded out the international top 10.
When planning a beach vacation, there are a myriad of options and some destinations are better than others depending on your needs and interests. For example, some are better for families, romance or a getaway with friends. Some tips to keep in mind when planning a winter beach getaway:
* Book a vacation package and book online. Combining air and hotel is a great way to save on trip costs. Online booking can also help you save.
* Be flexible with travel dates. Traveling at off-peak times will enable you to avoid some of the crowds and find better rates.
* Plan and book early. Generally, the further in advance you can book, the better your chances of finding a good deal.
* It’s never too late! While it’s always advisable to plan ahead and book early, it’s never too late to get away. If you’re still anxious to go but haven’t booked yet, keep your eye out for last-minute specials and you might be surprised by what you find.
* If flying out of a cold weather climate, take the earliest flight possible. Your chances of incurring a delay are much greater late in the day.
* If you can, leave the laptop and PDA behind. It’s much easier to unwind with sand between your toes if you leave your work at home.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Planning a family trip can be difficult because you want to find a way that everyone can have fun. Adventure travel is a popular option that has grown to become family-specific and offers a broad range of activities to suite everyone’s tastes. So say goodbye to boring family vacations and try something different. No matter what you choose, your kids will not be short of stories to tell their friends.
“The idea of the ‘family vacation’ is changing,” says Scott Seed, director of resort marketing, Hyatt Resorts. “Families don’t just travel for some rest and relaxation -- they now travel to create memories of unforgettable experiences. And with all their energy, they’re looking for something that will really knock their socks off.”
Want to have the perfect family vacation with a little adventure, but don’t know where to start? The best vacations allow travelers to develop their own adventure itineraries, with activities that best fit their families’ personality, but also allows them to experience the local culture and geography of a destination they are visiting. Several Internet sites, including HyattResorts.com, let would-be travelers get a firsthand look at some of the adventures that other families have enjoyed.
Consider some of these ideas:
A tropical getaway with a twist:
Kauai, Hawaii, is known as one of the most breathtaking of all the Hawaiian Islands. With its pristine scenery and warm, sandy beaches, Kauai offers a range of relaxation and adventure. Take the whole family and give hula dancing a try. Everyone can enjoy the traditional Hawaiian dance as they learn about the culture in the form of spirited exercise on a windswept beach.
A desert retreat seen from new heights:
New Mexico is one of the most treasured places to experience America’s unique desert scenery, including cacti and desert wildlife that your family might not typically see at home. For an unforgettable experience, take the family on a hot-air balloon ride. The spectacular views and refreshing breezes will quench your family’s thirst for adventure.
The view from the top of the mountains:
A true year-round destination, Nevada offers the best of the mountains and picturesque Lake Tahoe while retaining its notable historic character. High-energy, adventurous activities are virtually unlimited. Enjoy a hike on one of the popular mountain trails or perhaps try a round of horseback riding. Feeling even more adventurous? Enjoy an action-packed guided family excursion of rock climbing or white water rafting.
According to the Travel Industry Association, one-half of U.S. adults, or 98 million people, have taken an adventure trip in the past five years. Want to join the ranks? Visit HyattResorts.com and learn how you can make your next family vacation truly memorable.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Humpback Whales (or Kohola in Hawaiian) make their yearly winter migration to the warm Hawaiian waters, where they mate and give birth to their young. During their time in Hawaii, these incredible sea mammals can be seen breaching their 40 ton bodies out of the water or slapping their immense tails upon the ocean's surface. In the beauty of the Garden Island, Kauai whale watching season is here, offering a magnificent setting in which to witness Humpback activity. So grab your binoculars and follow these 5 tips to the best way to observe these awe-inspiring animals.
1. Be Where the Whales Are Whales are in Hawaiian waters as early as November and as late as May but the ideal time to catch a glimpse of them is in February and March. Up to 10,000 Humpbacks are expected to migrate from Alaska to Hawaii this year, where they will spend their time mating, birthing and raising their young in the waters surrounding the island chain. In this archipelago some islands see more whale activity than others. Though whales can be spotted on Oahu, whale-watching opportunities are in even more abundance off the coasts of Maui, the Big Island and Kauai. Kauai's Na Pali coastline is an ideal location for watching Humpbacks in action. This remote and pristine coastal region is accessible only via a rugged 11 mile hiking trail or by boat.
2. Take a Boat Tour The best way to see whales is on the water. Nothing compares to the experience of witnessing these massive creatures up close and in their element. Various boat companies on Kauai offer seasonal tours specifically aimed at whale watching. These excursions are available aboard powered, sailing catamarans or rigid hull inflatable rafts. The stability of a large catamaran vessel provides a smooth sail for those interested in cruising with a little more comfort. However, for those seeking some adventure, rafts bring passengers even closer to the action skimming low upon the water's surface with quick maneuverability.
3. Give Them Space Whatever kind of boat you choose, the captains of these vessels are highly skilled and trained in how to share the water with the whales and their babies. All companies adhere to strict whale watching guidelines that include Hawaii's standard "100 yard minimum" rule, keeping anyone (swimmers, kayakers, boaters) at least 100 yards away. This doesn't mean that boaters can't enjoy close encounters with these amazing animals. An experienced captain knows just the right way to respectfully position the boat so that the whales may come closer of their own accord.
4. Hear Their Songs Though Humpbacks don't have vocal chords, their songs can be heard more than 20 miles away as they pass air through their respiratory system producing sounds deep underwater. Scientists have discovered that though female Humpbacks create sounds, it is the male that has the capability to craft sophisticated melodies. At one time it was thought that these serenades were connected to a mating ritual, as the songs are almost always sounded in the breeding area. More recent finding conclude that the male's songs may actually be less amorous and more of a warning to perceived threats. You can experience these songs for yourself, as many of Kauai's boat tours provide special headphones designed to listen to these unique reverberations as they echo through the underwater world.
5. Help Protect Them The commercial whaling industry nearly drove the Humpback whale population to extinction in the first half of the 20th century. As a result, federal laws were put in place to protect the whales. It is estimated that the world's Humpback population is now somewhere between 30 and 40,000. Though their numbers are stabilizing, there are still threats to their health and wellbeing. You can support the preservation efforts for these remarkable sea creatures by learning more about Humpbacks and the programs designed to protect them. Support legislation that furthers this cause and patronize companies that employ environmentally responsible practices. Help keep oceans and beaches clean. You can even connect with Kauai's Surfrider Foundation, and participate in their monthly beach clean ups.
Viewing the massive Humpback whale in the wild is a memorable experience that is made even more incredible in the setting of Kauai's gorgeous natural beauty. It's an opportunity that only comes around once a year. So get your camera ready and scan the horizon. The whales have returned to Kauai.
For more information about Humpback Whales and how to view them visit http://www.napali.com/.
Source: PRWeb
