Photo of the Week: Kauai
Can you guess where this photo was taken?
If you guessed Kauai, then you are correct!
This particular photo was taken by our travel specialist Josh on a familiarization trip (FAM for short) with Funjet Vacations and the Hawaii Tourism Board last month. The photo overlooks the main pool and beach at the St. Regis Princeville Resort which is located in Kauai. Josh’s group spent a morning touring the resort and enjoying breakfast with this stunning view.
Highlights from Josh’s trip included views of the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, riding ATV’s, zip lining over half a mile, jumping off waterfalls, and tubing down rivers.
“The Garden Isle” as it is sometimes referred, has even more to offer than what we have listed here. In addition to natural beauty and adventure, Kauai has the charming and laid-back vibe of an old small town. Even with a population of about 70,000 and hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting each year, the island maintains a sleepy town feel with it’s restaurants, beaches, and locals.
Kauai is the oldest Hawaiian island. Many visit Kauai to explore its rich natural history. Josh witnessed this firsthand on his trip with an excursion to see Waimea Canyon, aka “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”.
The Na Pali Coast was also high on Josh’s list of can’t-miss sites in Kauai. This dramatic coastline may be the island’s most famous attraction, and for good reason! You can experience it by kayak, hike, or even a helicopter tour. Whatever you do, make sure to take plenty of photos! They won’t do the views justice, but it’s worth a try.
Want to book your own Hawaiian getaway? Call us today at 402-281-3022 to speak with Josh or any of our other Hawaii specialists.
Graci just returned from a stay at the Princeville Resort in Kauai to celebrate her Grandmother’s 94th birthday! Read on for more details, including a review of where she stayed and all of her favorite Hawaiian adventures.
North Shore Area of Kauai
“We loved the North Shore area of Kauai as it felt very authentic with a variety of things to do, including snorkeling, hiking and boutique shopping to name a few”, Graci told us. Although it rained nearly every day, most of the time it was just a light drizzle for a short amount of time – about 20 minutes. The rest of the time was sunshine! “The climate makes for beautiful views of rainbows and waterfalls that appear flowing down the mountains,” Graci explained.
Princeville Resort
Graci and her family stayed at the Princeville Resort, which is about a 50 minute drive from the airport.
It is just an 8-10 minute drive from the small surfing village of Hanalei (more on this later!). But first, check out the view from the drive between the airport and the resort (above). You’ll pass through the town of Kapa’a, where this photo was taken, on your way to the property. Kapa’a is right next to many authentic food trucks.
The best part about this resort was the gorgeous mountain views, seen above with Graci’s husband posing in front of the breathtaking environment. It’s hard to imagine that this place could be any more beautiful in person than it is in these pictures! Below is another photo of the spectacular mountain scenery in the evening:
In addition, Graci loved snorkeling for a view of the coral reef right off of the resort’s beach.
The mountain and water views aren’t the only aspects of this resort that embrace the beauty of nature. The entire property is full of gorgeous gardens.
The Princeville Resort is also home to the Princeville Makai Golf Course, pictured above. The course is located just one mile from the resort and was named one of the Top 5 Great Golf Settings in America by National Geographic Traveler. It is 27 holes total, made up of two separate courses: the 18-hole championship Princeville Makai Ocean Course and the nine-hole Woods Course. Princeville guests receive discounted green fees, preferred tee times, and shuttle service.
If for some reason gorgeous views, snorkeling, or golf aren’t your thing – there’s always the breakfast buffet stocked full of incredible dishes and the freshest fruit. The property has two restaurants, a cafe for pastries and coffee, and a lavish bar. In addition, in-room dining is available here.
Hanalei, Kauai
Hanalei is a small surfing village near Hanalei Bay and about 8-10 minutes from Princeville Resort.
As if it is any surprise at all, the drive from the resort to Hanalei is gorgeous as well (see above)!
Here you’ll find boutique shops, small restaurants and great food trucks.
Some of Graci’s favorite restaurants and food trucks include Bar Acuda for tapas and L&L BBQ. She also loved Hanalei Gourmet, a dive restaurant in a former schoolhouse with live local music. Trucking Delicious is a can’t-miss Hawaiian-style food truck that Graci also enjoyed. “Bar Acuda was probably our favorite restaurant in Hanalei as you get the chance to try unique tapas in a really quaint atmosphere. Eating at the food trucks is a great way to find cheap food that is some of the freshest you’ll find,” Graci said.
And of course, you cannot visit Hawaii without having as much shaved ice as your stomach can handle! This spot in Hanalei is not only adorable, but very delicious.
Kauai Sea Tours Napali Coast Cruise
“This was one of the highlights of our trip,” Graci explained, “The views of the Napali Coast are indescribable, especially from the vantage point of the water. The crew with Kauai Sea Tours was very laid back and knowledgeable!”
Kauai Sea Tours departs from Port Allen on the south side of the island. At Port Allen, Graci and her group boarded a catamaran cruise that took them up the west side of the island to see the dramatic Napali Coast.
This landscape was used for the Jurassic Park films as well as other movies and TV shows.
The cruise also gave them great views of Famous King’s Valley, or Valley of the Kings. King’s Valley is a 700-acre valley of pristine wetlands with side cliffs reaching almost 2,000 feet high. It’s also home to hundreds of cascading waterfalls and Hawaii’s most secluded surf spots on the beautiful black sand beach below.
Experience the unbeatable natural beauty of Kauai for yourself! Call us today at 402-390-9291 to speak with Graci or one of our other Enchanted Travel Hawaii Experts. You can also get started here and an agent will reach out to you.
The Hawaiian island of Kauai is a beautiful destination with tons of opportunities to explore the island’s mysterious caves and grottos, try local cuisine, and marvel at the legendary Hawaiian sunsets.
Here are a few things you absolutely cannot miss if you visit the beautiful Hawaiian island of Kauai!
Fern Grotto
Only accessible by boat (you can book a tour with Smith’s Kauai), Fern Grotto is one of Kauai’s most famous landmarks. It is located on the windward side of the island, which is known for being extraordinarily lush. Covered in an abundance of flourishing ferns, it’s easy to see why this lava rock grotto is an extremely popular spot for weddings and vow renewals.
While visitors are no longer permitted to climb up into the grotto due to new safety and environmental regulations in place, there is still an option to see the grotto by kayak for those seeking a little more adventure than the standard tour!
Waimea Canyon
Also known as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, Waimea Canyon offers a striking view of plant life, rust-colored soil, and a towering waterfall. It takes about 20-minutes to drive to the top, and the trip is completely worth it. Waimea Canyon is known for its ever-changing views, depending on the clouds and time of day you make your visit.
Napali Coast
Seeing the Napali Coast by boat is probably the most memorable experience you can have in Kauai. We suggest booking a tour hosted by Captain Andy’s.
Altogether the tour is about six hours long, and approximately 80 miles roundtrip. Throughout the cruise, you’ll spot pods of spinner dolphins, snorkel the beautiful coral reef, and see the coast’s dramatic spires. This is a tour that definitely lives up to all of the hype, so be sure to make it a priority during your stay.
Mountain Tubing in Hanamaulu
One of the most unique excursions on the island of Kauai is the mountain tubing tour in Hanamaulu with Kauai Back Country. This tour is a “lazy river” of sorts that winds through the irrigation canals of old sugar plantations, which also means passing through tunnels that are almost 60 feet below ground! This activity lasts about two hours total, with unforgettable glimpses of the Lihue area. We would recommend this excursion to anyone and everyone looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure while you’re there.
Kalamaku Luau
Of course, the list wouldn’t be complete without detailing our favorite luau on the island. Even the locals will tell you that the Kalamaku Luau is a must! This luau is a bit different than a standard luau, with more of a “Cirque du Soleil” vibe. The performance itself lasts about an hour and tells the story of how Kauai was first settled. You’ll get the chance to try Poi for the first time during this luau and highly recommend it to any foodies!
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Of course, there is much more to see than these 5 sites in Kauai. However, these 5 make for a great adventure. Want to start planning your own trip to beautiful Kauai. Contact us today at (402) 390-9291 to book your next getaway or get started here.
Kauai is an absolutely breathtaking Hawaiian wedding destination. Whether you are dreaming of a gorgeous resort to host all of your guests or an intimate and stylish restaurant for your wedding day, we’ve got you covered!
If you are dreaming of a wedding in Kauai, take a look at these stunning wedding venues for your big day.
5 Amazing Venues for your Wedding in Kauai
Sheraton Kauai Resort
The Sheraton Kauai Resort is located in Koloa on the South Shore. This resort is the perfect option for your destination wedding in Kauai if you are looking for a venue that offers everything in one place. The venue offers all-inclusive wedding packages which include customizable menus, a designated professional wedding coordinator, and more. The Sheraton Kauai Resort also has many event spaces available for your wedding ceremony and reception including private banquet rooms, gorgeous on-site restaurants, and outdoor options with breathtaking views.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
The Grand Hyatt Kauai is also located on the South Shore and offers all-inclusive-like wedding package options. This resort is a great option for those planning a wedding in Kauai with a large guest list. The Grand Hyatt Kauai offers five event spaces and can accommodate up to 1,0000 guests. Couples will swoon over the wedding ceremony venue option overlooking Keoneloa Bay. Your wedding party guests will love the five restaurants, full-service spa, fitness center, and gorgeous pool on the property.
The Beach House Restaurant
If you are looking to plan a destination wedding in Kauai that captures that laid-back aloha spirit, look no further than the Beach House Restaurant. This venue has six event spaces ranging from waterfront ceremony locations to intimate reception spaces. Every single venue on the property offers a gorgeous setting and stunning coastline views. The Beach House Restaurant offers wedding packages that include a wedding planner, decor, in-house bartending, and more.
Kauai Beach Resort and Spa
This resort is another great option for couples with a big wedding guest list. Kauai Beach Resort can accommodate up to 550 guests in its largest event space. If you aren’t planning a large wedding, there are several other venue spaces to choose from as well. Wedding packages at the Kauai Beach Resort include in-house catering, bartending services, sound and lighting equipment, and more.
Waimea Plantation Cottages
This secluded resort sits on 43 oceanfront acres of lush tropical landscaping. Couples can exchange vows on the 2-mile stretch of black-sand beach or under a 100-foot Banyan tree. Waimea Plantation Cottages is the perfect resort for couples looking for something unique for their big day. Guests will love having cocktails on the manicured grounds followed by an authentic and delectable BBQ feast reception.
Enchanted Honeymoons Travel | Destination Travel | Weddings in Kauai
Call us today to speak to one of our Hawaii destination wedding travel specialists. You can reach us at 402-390-9291. In addition, you can get started here.