Archive for March, 2008
Are you finalizing your travel plans for your trip to London, England? If so, you may soon start researching area attractions online. This is when you are likely to come across guided London tours. Guided tours of London are popular, but are they best choice for you?
The greatest benefit of opting for a guided tour of London is the history and knowledge you receive. Professional tour companies do more than just drive you around the city. They pair you with an experienced and knowledgeable tour guide. That guide is familiar with the history of London, England, as well as each attraction you visit. Many are content on simply just viewing these famous landmarks, such as the Tower Bridge, but you may want more. Instead of just reading unique facts and the history of area landmarks, hear it from a real person.
You should never miss witnessing a Kauai luau when visiting Hawaii. A luau is an authentic Hawaiian feast featuring entertainment like original Hawaiian music, hula presentations, games, local delicacies like poi, kalua and opihi and other fun-filled activities. Types of the event may also vary depending on the occasion such as birthday luaus, ceremonial luaus and wedding luaus. Find out where to see one.
Oceanfront Luaus
The Surf to Sunset Luau is held every Monday and Friday evenings beginning at 6:00 p.m. just a few steps from the crescent-shaped white beach of Kauai. This is the perfect ceremony for families and couples featuring world-class entertainment that boasts the island's culture and traditions plus a wide array of authentic Hawaiian dishes. Here you can enjoy fresh sweet pineapple, lomi salmon, pipikaula, kalua pig, poi, poke and tempting desserts like coconut coated haupia, chocolate macadamia nut cake and guava chiffon pie.
Other delicacies included in the extensive banquet are Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. You get to choose between the Traditional package and The Golden Circle package.
Are you planning a trip to London, England? If so, you will find no shortage of activities and attractions. In fact, there is so much for you to do and see that you may be unsure where to go. One of the many stops you will want to make is to the historical landmark known as the Tower of London.
The Tower of London is located on Tower Hill. Not to be confused due to their similar names, this is not the London Tower Bridge, but a completely separate landmark well worth the visit. The Tower of London is also known as just the Tower and Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress.
The various names of the London Tower will bring you to its doorsteps. After all, who doesn't want to visit a landmark that is known as a palace and a fortress? Not only that, but if you want to know more about the history of London and the impact it had on today's society, a visit to this landmark is a must.
Kauai life is truly magnificent, exciting and pleasurable which undoubtedly explains why hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the island every year. There are several natural and man-made attractions and sites that have existed for thousands of years leading to a solid cultural heritage. Before visiting, you need to have the answers to some FAQs to determine which locations and activities suit your trip best.
Learning More about the Island
1. Why is Kauai called the "Garden Isle"?
Kauai got its name because of its rich tropical life filled with green valleys, deep jungles and beautiful gardens. Mt. Wai'ale'ale is home to the wettest spot on the planet, receiving around 400 inches of rain annually. 3 of the 5 National Tropical Botanical Gardens are located in the island namely Allerton, McBryde and Limahuli. Kauai life actually stemmed from abundant sugarcane fields, vegetable plantations and farms. A lot of plants you see today were originally brought by Polynesian explorers who intended to enhance agriculture and herbal methods.
2. What attractions should I look forward to?
Are you in the middle of planning your wedding? Although the ceremony and reception may take center stage, you will need to start planning your honeymoon soon. If you have yet to decide on a destination, consider London England. After all, what wouldn't be romantic about an overseas honeymoon?
If you have selected London, England as your next honeymoon destination, have you traveled there before? If not, continue reading on for a few helpful planning and preparation tips.
If you are traveling to England from the United States, a valid passport is needed. In fact, it is required. To enter the country, you and your new spouse must have valid passports. If you do not already, order them as soon as possible. It can take up to one or two months for your passport to arrive. Do not wait until the last minute, as your dream honeymoon may suddenly become a nightmare.
Aside from the many natural beauties that sprout all over the island, the towns and cities in Kauai are also bustling with modern structures and developments. Kauai shopping is a very fun and exciting experience since you get a vast selection of authentic Hawaiian goods and other well-known international brands. You get to enjoy different atmospheres with varying themes that truly depict the Hawaiian lifestyle.
Shopper's Paradise
You will find a variety of good shopping places ranging from small shops to boutiques to department centers to malls. There are plenty of specialty shops and boutiques carrying unique souvenir items and vintage accessories and clothing on the north shore.
Antiques are also sold coming from different lands like Polynesia, Tibet and India. Jewelry, Oriental rugs, necklaces, leis, bracelets, anklets and pearls can be purchased in Hanalei and Princeville. Other great home items like candles, soaps, tablecloths, napkins with exotic designs, plates and aloha shirts are found in factories and outlets in these areas as well.
Art collectors will enjoy the many fine art shops and galleries at Lihue and Kalapaki. Several authentic Kauai crafts and original Hawaiian pieces like woodwork, lauhala weavings, Niihau shell leis, coconut products and other tropical collectibles can be found at the Kauai Museum as well as other farmer's markets, also known as Sunshine Markets.
Only 3% of Kauai is inhabited while the rest is conserved and kept in its natural form to maintain the beauty and essence of the Hawaiian culture and tradition. You will find several miles of shores that are either private or open to the public. Kauai beach destinations are very exciting to look for since the environment can change depending on the preference and level of visitors. Here are some of the best.
The Favorite Choices
Kalapaki Beach on Rice Road, Lihue, East Kauai is considered as the best beach in all of the island's east coastal region. Residential spots on the area are among the most expensive in the county. The beach resembles a half moon of golden sand that leads to the Kauai Marriot Resort & Beach Club.
Kalapaki Beach is 50 yards wide and almost half a kilometre long. This place is ideal for swimmers, surfing, bodysurfing, boogie boarding, surfing for beginners and windsurfing and also has a jetty for protection. The Haupu Ridge rises at 2,200 feet nearby protecting Nawiliwili Bay.
Kauai is called the "Garden Isle" because of its vast tropical treasures and plant life. You get to see some very rare flora in different spots of the island as well as the most important ones in famous parks and tended gardens. 3 of the 5 national botanical gardens are actually located in the island containing indigenous and ancient vegetation dating back since its earliest days. Here are the best Kauai gardens.
The National Tropical Botanical Gardens
The 3 national tropical botanical gardens are namely Limahuli Garden & Preserve, Allerton Garden and McBryde Garden. Limahuli Garden & Preserve features about 1,000 acres of gardens in the Limahuli Valley on the north shore of the island. Allerton Garden features over 100 acres of oceanfront gardens in the Lawai Valley on the south shore of the island. McBryde Garden several endangered Hawaiian plant and animal species.
Limahuli Garden & Preserve is open all week from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except on Monday and Saturday. You get to see the high peaks created by thousands of years of rain and wind.