Travel Agent - June 9, 2008 - (Page 22)

DESTINATIONS HAWAII ACTIVE KAUAI EACH OF HAWAII' S ISLANDS HAS ITS OWN UNIQUE IDENTITY AND ABILITY TO SUMMON UP AN INSTANT MENTAL IMAGE. When it comes to Kauai, it' s impossible not to imagine people enjoying its natural attractions, such as exploring the Na Pali Coast by boat or helicopter, hiking the Waimea Canyon (known as the ª Grand Canyon of the Pacificº ) or kayaking one of the island' s gorgeous rivers. It isn' t called the Garden Isle for nothing. Kauai is cloaked in lush tropical foliage. It also has more than 40 sandy beaches, making Kauai an excellent choice for active vacationers in search of either land or water sports. State Parks across the island offer hiking geared for a variety of fitness levels. Prime hiking areas include the Na Pali Coast State Park, which has an 11-mile trail that usually takes several days to complete. Hikers also give high marks to the Waimea Canyon State Park' s 3,000-foot Waimea Canyon; the Alakai Wilderness Preserve, which includes the 10-mile long Alakai Swamp; and Kokee State Park, comprising 4,345 acres of pristine nature. Kauai-bound hikers should take the time to visit the Sierra Club, Kauai Group website (www.hi.sierraclub.org/kauai/kauai.html) where they'l l find useful information and tips for planning a successful hike. CampingÐw hich will be necessary on more extensive hikesÐi s by permit only. Permits for camping at county parks are issued for seven days, although it' s possible to camp for up to 60 days when combining all of Kauai' s country parks. Permits cost $3 per person, per night, free for children under 18. State Park permits are gratis, and allow camping for five consecutive days. Request permits as far in advance as possibleÐu p to a year ahead for popular parks like The Na Pali Coast State Park. Permit information can be obtained by calling Kauai' s Department of Parks and Recreation at 808-241-6660. BY MARK ROGERS Nature lovers with an urge to get out and move flock to the Garden Isle Na Pali Coast. The new craft is designed for groups of four to 12 passengers. Once onboard, passengers experience sea-cave exploration and the island' s coastal bays and shoreline areas, with an emphasis on viewing marine life, including whales in season. The Raft and Snorkel Adventure departs Port Allen Harbor at 8 a.m. for a 5½-hour tour of the Na Pali Coast, including lunch and snorkeling. The afternoon whale-watching tour, which runs in the winter, departs at 1:30 p.m. The company also operates 50-passenger sailing catamarans and provides scuba diving as part of its large-vessel tours. To make reservations, call 808-335-5553 or e-mail dolpin@aloha.net. While most visitors to Kauai will be familiar with its options for kayaking, they may not know they can enjoy Kauai by taking a tube excursion with Backcountry Adventures (www. kauaibackcountry.com) along the open ditches, tunnels and flumes of a sugar plantation' s irrigation canals. These waterways were engineered and hand-dug back in 1870, and ceased operation in 2000. Participants don headlamps and glide along the waterways and through tunnels on an inner tube. The three-hour tubing adventure culminates in a picnic lunch at a natural swimming hole. One of the pluses is the fact that the excursion is open to participants five and over, although children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $100. Call 808-821-1000 or e-mail lilikoi@ trykauai.com. Visitors enjoy gliding through waterways and tunnels on inner tubes, courtesy of Backcountry Adventures Wet and Active A peaceful and relatively easy way to appreciate Kauai' s natural beauty is by river kayaking. Beginners can opt for a gentle float on the Wailua River to the island' s celebrated Fern Grotto. Other popular kayaking excursions include the Huleia River from Nawiliwili Harbor to the Menehune Fishpond, and the Hanalei River, which takes kayakers through the island' s plains country. Ocean kayaking is another option, although a guide is recommended, because the ocean currents can be a tricky affair, especially along the Na Pali Coast. Operators that can help plan either guided or unaccompanied kayaking trips include Kayak Kauai (800-4373507), Outfitters Kauai (808-742-9667) and Napali Kayak Tours (808-826-8968). Kauai operator Blue Dolphin Charters (www.kauaiboats.com) recently added a 25-foot rigid-hull raft for raft-snorkel excursions of the 22 | TravelAgent June 9, 2008 A Break in the Action After a full day exploring Kauai, it' s nice to kick back in comfort at a resort that combines a beautiful island setting with a complete range of services and amenities. In April, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas (www.westinprinceville.com) opened as scheduled. On Kauai' s North Shore, the oceanfront property comprises 18.5 acres perched 200 feet above Anini Beach. This is Starwood Vacation Ownership' s third owner- http://www.hi.sierraclub.org/kauai/kauai.html http://www.kauaibackcountry.com http://www.kauaibackcountry.com http://www.westinprinceville.com http://www.kauaiboats.com

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Travel Agent - June 9, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Pacific/Asia: Hong Kong’s Kowloon District Honors Chinese Traditions while Brandishing Cutting-Edge Style Hawaii: Nature Lovers with an Urge to Get Out and Move Flock to Kauai - Hawaii's Garden Isle Pacific Northwest: Washington State has Become the Hot New Destination for Wine Lovers New Zealand: Two New Hotels Make Queenstown Even More Enticing Las Vegas: The Coolest Places to Beat the Heat are the Exclusive Pools at Las Vegas Hotels Central & South America: A Restored Railway Line Offers a New Way to Enjoy Quito Caribbean & Bahamas: Nikki Beach Hotels' Aggressive Expansion Continues Europe: Reporting Back from the German Travel Mart in Munich Cruises: Princess Cruises Introduces a Group Amenity Feature Cover Story: Costa Cruises Delta/Northwest: The Airline Merger that Could Change the Industry Hotels: Historic Hotels are Going Green Spas: Indulging Guests, with an Environmental Focus Agent Profile: Montrose Travel Shares its Secrets Passport Online: The New Website Supports Agents, Supplies and Consortia Agenda: From Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar China Continues to Welcome Visitors Alternative Fuel for Cruise Ships News from the Caribbean ARC Launches Accreditation Program In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - June 9, 2008

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