Hawai'i

The Big Island of Hawai'i is so magical. Its natural beauty and diverse landscape make it the ultimate stop when traveling to Hawai'i. Not only are there endless activities and some of the nicest hotels, but with that also comes the best Big Island restaurants, which in my opinion are some of the most important components to a fabulous trip!

One has to experience world-famous Waikiki, in my opinion, at least one in their lifetime. To see the iconic landmarks of Hawai'i — the outrigger canoe, Diamond Head, The Royal Hawaiian, Waikiki Beach (where some say surfing originated!), Pearl Harbor, etc. — will give you a story to tell. Waikiki is a perfect “pass-through” destination, whether you are planning to learn about US history at the National Memorial, planning to head up to Turtle Bay on the North Shore of Oahu or hopping via HawaiianAir to another Hawaiian Island…

Waikiki would be a fun and different add-on that you are not going to experience anywhere else on the islands. This is my list for a quick weekend in Waikiki to soak up the vibrancy of high-rise hotels, fine dining and the ever-popular beach full of sun and surf!

Maui is magic. There is so much natural wonder to explore, both above and below the water. Swim in waterfalls. Watch sunrise or sunset above the clouds. Snorkel in crystal clear water right off the beach. Play in the waves. Explore and swim in tide pools. Family adventure opportunities abound. At the same time, Maui has outstanding restaurants, shopping and resorts. You can enjoy active Maui days and then relax with a top notch dinner and sleep at a fantastic hotel. Create lasting family memories on Maui.

This guide is geared toward a West Maui stay, but staying in South Maui/Wailea is also amazingly beautiful, and may actually be a better choice if your priorities are Haleakala and the road to Hana. But we LOVED Ka’anapali, so West Maui is the focus of this guide. You really cannot go wrong as Maui has a seemingly endless string of perfect beaches.

The Big Island of Hawaii is my personal favorite! Whether you want to see the green lush Hawaii or the dryer Lava Rock side of Hawaii, you get both on the Big Island! I've been there a couple of times, one time staying for almost a month! Even with all of this time we still weren't able to explore all there is to see and all the places there are to eat! I did a lot of research to find the best places with amazing gluten-free food in Hawaii! This guide will help to narrow down some choices on where to stay and where to find some Gluten free treasures!

Hawaii's natural beauty is known far and wide, but planning a trip (especially your first) brings more questions than answers. Which island? Do I just stay at the resort or go on an adventure? Let's start with a 10-day food and fun-filled stay on Maui and Kauai.

I was fortunate to experience the Auberge’s Mauna Lani property.

I recently returned from a sublime seven-day vacation on Maui with my family, and had the opportunity to visit several of our partner resorts while there. While it’s hard to go wrong given the natural beauty of the island, there are some nuances that are helpful to keep in mind when choosing the right hotel for your needs.

Each resort offers many different room, suite, villa and residence types so booking through a travel advisor that knows the specifics and has relationships with the team on property can help make sure you book exactly what you need. And of course, it doesn’t hurt that booking through a Fora Advisor gets you free perks like daily breakfast, resort credits, upgrades and more.

Contact me to learn more about how to plan the perfect trip to Maui including the best places to stay, eat and things to do.

Personally, when I think of paradise, Hawai'i comes alive in my head. I’ve been five times to this wonderful archipelago, but I just can’t get enough: the nature is wild, the sea is powerful yet calm and the people... the Hawai'ians are just the most welcoming, caring and wonderful people you will ever meet.

If it’s your first time in Hawai'i and you only have a few days to spare, I would go and explore Oahu to make sure you’ll want to return and explore more and more and more of these amazing islands.

If you’re looking for the comfort of having everything at your fingertips, from department stores to world-class restaurants, look no further than Waikiki and stay at the Westin Moana Surfrider: it’s an icon in Waikiki, just steps away from Duke’s Statue, and has possibly the best restaurant in the area. For a more relaxed and cool vibe in Waikiki, Kaimana is a great choice.

My pick is, and will always be, the Four Seasons Ko’Olina: the impeccable service, the calm waters of the lagoon and the amazing spa make it the perfect stay in Oahu. If you’re on a romantic mission and want to splurge, however, head to the North Shore and stay at Turtle Bay!