A trip to Hawaii is a dream vacation for many, but choosing the islands for a vacation is only the beginning.  Although the Hawaiian Islands is made up of many islands and atolls, along with smaller islets, when it comes to vacation, you’re probably talking about visiting one of the six main islands.
Depending on what you want out of your vacation, frenetic levels of activity, rocking night life, or peaceful sandy beaches, you’ll want to choose an island that fits your personal preferences.  While sharing the basics of beautiful sun, sand, and surf, each island has its own special ambience, …read more

On one of my first visits to San Francisco, I crossed the Golden Gate bridge to explore the Marin side of the Bay.  I stopped off for what I thought would be a short while to explore Sausalito, and had such a great time there, that I never went any further.
Due to its prime location at the end of the Golden Gate Bridge, much of Sausalito’s history has been playing a supporting role to nearby San Francisco.  The area has been a fishing village, transit hub, and a center for bootlegging during Prohibition, and during World War II was a …read more

Being stuck at an airport is never any fun, whether it’s long ground time between flights, or a flight cancellation and serious delay.  Wandering an airport can be fun. . . for the first couple of hours, at least.  But when you’ve checked out every last gift shop, book store, restaurant or bar, and what have you, it’s easy to become bored to tears.
So what are you going to do?  Well, at LAX, if you have enough time to get away, you can leave the hustle and bustle of the airport and head to the beach!

he Ocean Express trolley service …read more

I’ve been doing some research on island and their beaches, and Bermuda has cropped up in that research.  It’s one of those places that I forget about until I run across it, and then I think, “Oh yeah, why don’t I ever check out Bermuda?”
So check it out, I did, and boy – have I been missing a lot!
Turns out that Bermuda is not just one island, but 138 islands, although when someone says Bermuda chances are they are referring to the main island.  Bermuda is an affluent country, and although it has over 300 beaches, tourism ranks #2 behind …read more

Special events call for special trips and destinations.  And what could be more special than a vacation, with your closest family and friends, spent on a private island?  Not a hotel, not even an exclusive resort, but an entire island with luxurious accommodations that will celebrate a special life occasion in style.
You don’t have to be a celebrity, or come as part of their entourage, but you do have to have money.
Little Whale Cay, a private island in the Berry Islands in the Bahamas, is available for parties of up to 12 to rent out.  The 93-acres island has …read more

I’m trying to come up with a warm weather vacation spot for this fall.  Since it’s been awhile since I’ve been to the Caribbean, I thought this might be a good time to plan a return trip.  Barbados, an island that I’ve not yet visited, is looming at the top of a pretty short list.
Here are 10 reasons why I think visiting Barbados may be a good choice for me:

I haven’t been there before, and visiting a new country takes me a step closer to the Century Club.
It’s a small island, only about 14 by 21 miles, with over …read more

Ah, the place has been abuzz with talk about travel and swine flu.  Hopefully you read my post yesterday about my personal assessment of Cancun, and why I think it’s safe to visit.  In fact, I’ll be back there next week.
Today’s questions comes from Addison Schonland, a principal in IAG (Innovation Analysis Group), a consulting firm to the transportation and travel industry. 
Q.  Would you be willing to talk with me a little bit more about your experience in Cancun for a podcast?
A.  Sure!
Addison always has a good handle on what’s going on in the industry, and keeps up …read more

There are lots of reasons to that I love to travel, and one of those reasons is to enjoy the sand, surf, and sun of a Caribbean beach.  While the weather is improving here in Seattle, it’s still not shorts and t-shirt weather.  And those are just a couple reasons why I’ll be heading off to Mexico next week.
And here’s another:

I’m taking lots of common sense precautions, the kind that we should all take whether we’re traveling or at home, and heading off for a bit of a sun fix.  Besides, it’s time to take a few more photos to …read more

Today’s Matchbook Monday comes compliments of Kevin Crain, the reservation manager at Villa Verano.  I met Kevin at a trade show last year, and although I have not had the opportunity to visit his property, I’ve had my eye on it for awhile.
Villa Verano is a vacation rental located in the most elite residential neighborhood in Puerto Vallarta, on the beach in Conchas Chinas.  You’ll have a beautiful view of the Bay of Banderas, and a steps away from the beach.
The villa is privately owned, but is occasionally available for rental.  This is luxury at its finest, and you …read more

Tax day is here, and this always makes me think of those scofflaws who hide all sorts of money and assets in the Cayman Islands.  Maybe it’s because I’ve been watching too many movies, but some year on Tax Day I want to be in the Caymans. 
The Cayman Islands consist of three British Crown islands (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman) in the Caribbean Sea.  Grand Cayman is the more populated of the three islands, and is a popular stop for cruise ships.  Besides hiding assets, the Caymans are a popular spots for beach lovers, divers, and …read more