Expert advice on family trips, girlfriend getaways & romantic escapes, plus travel tips, gear and giveaways.
January 18, 2012 | Author: SoCalGal
It's always at least a little breezy at Lapakahi State Historical Park, and the day I was there, it was so windy that my younger daughter almost got blown off her feet. This is on the dry, leeward side of Hawaii's Big Island, up north past all the luxury [Read more]
Posted in: Destinations, Family Travel | 11 comments
January 9, 2012 | Author: SoCalGal
There are many hotels and resorts to choose from for a vacation on Hawaii's Big Island. The best of the upscale resorts are all north of Kona, along the Kohala Coast. This is because "Kona side" is the most reliably sunny part of the Big Island (also called [Read more]
Posted in: Hotels | 8 comments
December 27, 2011 | Author: SoCalGal
The Big Island of Hawaii has many nature trails and hiking paths. One hiking path on the Big Island (also called Hawaii Island) is the most child-friendly leg of the Ala Kahakai Trail. This mile-and-a-half part of the trail connects two oceanfront hotels on [Read more]
Posted in: Family Travel, Hotels | 3 comments
December 7, 2011 | Author: SoCalGal
One of the great joys of a Hawaii vacation is the opportunity to see magnificent marine mammals in their natural setting. Swimming with wild dolphins and seeing Hawaiian monk seals frolic make for great travel experiences. A pinnacle for many, though, is [Read more]
Posted in: Family Travel | 1 comment
November 3, 2011 | Author: SoCalGal
Travelers familiar with the Hawaiian islands like to say that each island is special in its own way, and there's no doubt that this is true. Waikiki in Oahu, with its cosmopolitan glitz, upscale restaurants, and multiple shopping areas both high end and cheap, [Read more]
Posted in: Destinations, Family Travel | 3 comments
October 22, 2011 | Author: SoCalGal
Waikiki Beach Walk is an unavoidable neighborhood for anyone staying in Waikiki during a Hawaii vacation. High-end shops full of luxury goods line the streets, restaurants both chain and classy can be found, and hotels that strive to impart a sense of ohana [Read more]
Posted in: Destinations | 4 comments
October 14, 2011 | Author: SoCalGal
What makes an island vacation destination great? For the Vacation Gals, the best tropical islands have predictably terrific weather, are far enough from our homes (mainland United States) to feel like a true getaway, and have a large variety of activities to [Read more]
Posted in: Family Travel, Romantic Getaways, Travel News | 2 comments
October 7, 2011 | Author: SoCalGal
The Ko Olina resort area of western Oahu has long been renown for the wonderful, luxurious, and thoroughly appealing JW Marriott Ihilani Resort. Now, of course, Disney has stepped in and opened the Aulani Resort & Spa right next door (and by right next [Read more]
Posted in: Hotels | 10 comments
September 27, 2011 | Author: ColoradoGal
Aulani, the brand-new Disney Resort & Spa on Oahu, is not a cheap place to go for a family vacation. Disney spared little expense in creating an incredible destination resort for families, with its outstanding pools and water play area, Laniwai Spa, [Read more]
Posted in: Family Travel | 6 comments
September 23, 2011 | Author: ColoradoGal
The centerpiece of Aulani, Disney's newest resort on Oahu, is a huge water-play area called Waikalohe Valley. Here, guests float along a lazy river, whoop down two waterslides, frolic in a water-spray area and wade into a zero-depth entry pool. Also, Rainbow [Read more]
Posted in: Family Travel | 3 comments
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