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As honeymoon travel specialists we are frequently asked “How can I stretch my honeymoon budget?” or “What can I afford under $2K?”  The great news is that Hawaii is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world and offers many options for an affordable tropical vacation.  In fact some of our favorite honeymoon packages in Hawaii start under $2K including airfare and accommodations at a 4 star resort!

Each island in Hawaii has a full range of resorts and condominiums from budget to luxury, but there are some tips and tricks to stretching your honeymoon dollar -

1. Travel when the kids are in school.  Hawaii is a popular family vacation destination, so when kids go back to school, the prices go down!  Traveling in May or September - mid December is a fantastic way to stretch your honeymoon budget and enjoy Hawaii when the weather is beautiful and the beaches less crowded.

2. Travel Monday through Thursday to save weekend airfare surcharges.  This can save you more than $100.

3. Stay longer in one place!  Seeing more than one Hawaiian island is appealing but many resorts and condos offer free nights with a longer stay and you’ll save airfare if you choose one island for your honeymoon.

4. Honeymoon in Honolulu.  Oahu tends to be the least expensive island and Waikiki Beach, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head and North Shore are just a few popular tourist spots. A car rental is not necessary in Honolulu since public transportation is readily and inexpensively available and restaurants, shopping and entertainment are all within walking distance of the many resorts located on or near the beach.

Talk about value!  A honeymoon package at a 4 star resort such as the Outrigger Reef on the Beach starts under $2K for two people including airfare from the west coast to Hawaii and a 5 night stay.  This resort is newly renovated, located right on world famous Waikiki Beach and close to everything! I stayed a few nights recently and fell in love with the resort and location all over again.

5. Rent a car on the outer islands.  A car is an extravagance in Honolulu, but it’s a budget saver on the outer islands of Hawaii.  Not only will you need transportation from the airport but you can drive yourself to popular sights and beaches and take advantage of less expensive dining away from the major resorts.

If Maui is your style, you will love the beautiful beaches, relaxed atmosphere and fantastic restaurants.  The Sheraton Maui is one of several favorite resorts on Kaanapali Beach and is located at Black Rock which has the best off beach snorkeling in Hawaii!   In Lahaina, about 10 minutes from the resort, you will find lots of restaurants, shopping and entertainment.  Currently a honeymoon vacation package with airfare from the West Coast, accommodations and a rental car is under $2500.

The Big Island of Hawaii is known for Volcanoes, hiking, and sightseeing and a few great beaches.  The Hapuna Prince is on one of the best and a 5 night package starts just over $2K for air, accommodations and rental car

6. Book a condo rather than a resort and save on restaurant expenses.  Most condos in Hawaii have full kitchens and it’s particularly easy to save money by preparing breakfast, simple lunches, snacks and drinks.  For dinnertime you may wish to find a affordable restaurant or throw some burgers on the BBQ.  Your choice!

Kauai is known as the Garden Island with lush tropical foliage, waterfalls and canyons.  You’ll find a wide array of condos and resorts located on or near the beach and vacation packages starting just over $2K per couple with airfare, accommodations and car rental. Two of my favorites are the Aston Poipu Kai and Sheraton.

7. Travel light.  A bikini and flip flops won’t take much room so pack light and avoid baggage fees.  Most airlines allow a 20-21 inch rolling bag and one personal item per person, which provides plenty of space for shorts, bathing suits and sunglasses and most couples will save more than $100.

8. Rent your snorkel gear for the week. Outlets like Snorkel Bob’s in Maui will rent snorkel gear by the week for about the same that some resorts charge for a single day.

9. Book excursions last minute for a deep discount.  This isn’t the way to plan your whole trip because popular attractions sell out way in advance but a same day booking for an unsold helicopter flight may be available at ½ price.

10. Work with a honeymoon travel specialist and work with a Hawaii specialist.  Our goal is to help you find the best honeymoon for the lowest price possible.  When we put your wish list and our destination knowledge together you may be surprised by how far your honeymoon budget can go! Call or email sandi@totemtravel.com.

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Destination Weddings are fast becoming the norm rather than the exception.  Most couples are dreaming of a beach, sunset, and beautiful water when thinking of a wedding in Hawaii.  We can help you find the best setting for your wedding, as well as help you and your guests deal with flights and accommodations.  Once you decide on the island, which we will help you choose, the venue is next.  We have contacts at many of the venues, and can work with them to provide you the best possible experience.  .  Below are some ideas which hopefully will help you narrow down your options.

A wedding in Hawaii can include anything from a simple barefoot in the sand wedding with just the couple, to an opulent wedding, many guests, at ‘Iolani Palace in Honolulu.

Each of the main Islands of Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, Hawaii (The Big Island) and Kauai offer many beautiful venues.

Oahu, nicknamed The Gathering Place is the main island is the most populous and most commercial….in the Waikiki area.  However, Oahu is so much more than the 66 acres that make up Waikiki.  I recently toured Oahu with the specific purpose of visiting as many varied wedding venues as possible.  Surprisingly, most of the venues were miles away, both figuratively and literally, from Waikiki.

This is not to say that many of the hotels along Waikiki do not offer beautiful wedding venues and packages.  Most hotels offer wedding packages which can include all aspects of your wedding:  catering, photography and music.  A wedding coordinator is also available to help you plan everything, long distance!    Outdoor sunset weddings are very popular, with rooftop or beach receptions!

Since most couples think of sand and beach, when they think Hawaii Wedding, there are some legal aspects involving permits, which are not costly but can be confusing and complicated. However, a good wedding planner, which we help you find, will deal with all of this on your behalf. Since the use of chairs, tables, arches and other assorted decorative elements are not allowed on the beach, be sure that all of your guests are comfortable with standing on the beach for 30 minutes while you repeat your vows, Remember, even if you do not actually recite your vows on the beach, photographers, which we can also help you find, love to photograph you on the beach, on the cliffs, in the water, at sunset, or sunrise.  You will still have that beautiful beachfront wedding portfolio of pictures!

Many couples opt for a garden wedding overlooking the beach and ocean.  One of my favorite locations for a garden wedding was on the Windward side of Oahu.  There are garden & beach settings that make this venue particularly appealing.  A casual wedding on the beach is of course very special, but even more special is that it can be on a Secret Island site!  The Secret Island is actually private!  You and your guests will be transported by boat to the Island, for your ceremony on the beach.  You can have your reception on Secret Island, or in one of the gardens on the “mainland”.  Very private and very romantic!

In addition to the Secret Island, garden settings offer some of the most beautiful wedding locations on Oahu.  The staff will provide different decorative elements such as arches and flower arrangements, tables and chairs as are needed for your guests, and tents protection from the elements.   Nature provides the views:  Ocean, the small island, Chinaman’s Hat, and beautiful mountains all contribute to the ambiance!

Another of my favorite venues for a wedding is the Waimea Valley Park.  This Park is on the North Shore of Oahu and has some of the most beautiful garden settings for a wedding.  They do not have a beach, but they do have a beautiful waterfall!  The waterfall is a short walk down a beautiful pathway with tropical flowers everywhere!

Some couples do want to have a chapel wedding, and Oahu has some beautiful options.  Small privately owned chapels offer a beautiful setting in a tropical garden with sweeping ocean views. Many of the chapels have beautiful stained glass windows which contribute greatly to your photos, as well. The private chapels are generally non-denominational so they can provide your dream wedding regardless of religion.  Some of the settings also feature gardens with waterfalls or fountains, gazebos and lanais for wedding ceremonies and receptions. One of my favorites also includes a Romeo and Juliet balcony for throwing the bouquet!!

Chapels in the harbor offer the unique opportunity for the bride and groom to be married, celebrate with their guests and fly off to their honeymoon on a sea-plane!!

Another chapel that is very convenient for guest staying in Waikiki is the St. Augustine By-The-Sea Waikiki Roman Catholic Church.  The church is about 1 to 2 blocks off Kalakaua Avenue which is the main street in Waikiki.  For your wedding photos, this church, built in 1854, with Neo-gothic architecture and many stained glass windows are going to be amazing!

For the ultimate in convenience, one or two of the Waikiki hotels have chapels on site.  This can be particularly desirable if you are hosting a small wedding with all of the guests at the same hotel.  The Ocean Crystal Chapel, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, is a wonderful option.  The Chapel is beautiful, air conditioned, great sound system, with an all-white color scheme.  Since it is in the Hilton Hawaiian Village, there are many options your reception.  Or maybe, the Waikiki Starlight Luau, on the rooftop, would be a great choice for your reception?

On the far North Shore of Oahu lies Turtle Bay.  One of the most romantic settings on the island, this resort offers beautiful ocean views, gardens and an oceanfront chapel as wedding options.  The waves are some of the biggest & most picturesque anywhere, and make the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos.

I’m sure you will agree Oahu is much more than Waikiki!  But that’s fun, too!!

If you interested, please give me a call at (425) 821-4100 or send me an email at sandi@totemtravel.com!

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Maui is a beautiful island nicknamed the Magic Isle.  This probably comes from the ancient legend of the demigod Maui, who harnessed the sun from atop 10,000 foot Haleakala, and slowed its descent making a perfect day in Maui last a little bit longer.  And all days in Maui are perfect, as close to paradise as you will find anywhere.

As with Oahu, Maui is not just one area…..it is many.  You will find wonderfully expansive beaches in Wailea, Ma’alaea and Makena on the south coast. Beautiful mountains to the east with countless waterfalls.  On the hills below Haleakala’s summit are Makawao and Pa’ia, where you will find the grassy ranchlands and flower farms of upcountry Maui.  Cooler temperatures prevail in this area, and the views are spectacular.

On my recent visit to Maui, I was fortunate to meet with a local wedding planner who graciously offered to show me many of the wedding venues on the south coast of Maui.  Some of the most beautiful venues on the island are in Wailea and Makena.  Some of the most prestigious hotels are on this side of the island, with beautiful wedding venues, including beaches, gazebos, and gardens.  They also have many different reception areas:  ball rooms, restaurants, small roof top balconies, and of course, the gardens.  One of my favorite settings for a wedding features a waterfall in the back ground!

Also in the Wailea & Makena area are several golf courses, and surprisingly, these offer some of the most fantastic wedding venues.  They are also some of the most affordable options, with great views, reception in the gardens, on roof top terraces, as well as indoor alternatives in the case of rain!

After my wonderful tour of Wailea and Makena, I drove to the Kapalua area of Maui.  This is on the Northwest Coast, and has the most fantastic views imaginable.  There are several very beautiful hotels and condo properties with beautiful gardens, small chapels, and cliffside venues overlooking the beautiful Pacific.  Beaches are available, but they are quite rocky, which makes for beautiful pictures, but tend to be more difficult to traverse than soft white sand.  However, I did find one small beach that I particularly liked and many weddings are performed on this beach.  It is next door to one of the most well known restaurants in Maui, and to make it even more fantastic, they have facilities for your indoor or outdoor reception.

My next destination was west Maui, specifically the Kaanapali Beach area.  Again, there are many hotels which offer wedding packages, but also allow weddings at their properties which are arranged by an off-site coordinator.  Of course, you can have the traditional beach wedding on Kaanapali Beach, which is the most beautiful, swimmable beach on all of Maui.

Black Rock, on Kaanapali Beach is a beautiful setting for a sunset wedding.  Actually, anywhere along Kaanapali Beach is a beautiful sunset wedding venue!   Keep in mind that, as with Oahu, Maui requires permits for beach use.  No furniture, including chairs and tables, can be placed on the beach.  For this reason, make sure that your guests are ok with standing for ½ on the beach.  It would be a real shame to plan your wedding on the beach, and find that your Grandmother will be unable to witness your vows due to mobility concerns.  Remember a garden overlooking the ocean is a perfect compromise.

Lahaina is a quaint old whaling village.  Within the town there is a beautiful, very old, Catholic Church.  It is just about a block off the main street of Lahaina, and is one of the official historic sites in Hawaii.  It is a very short drive from the Kaanapali Beach hotels and condos, so quite convenient for your guests.  Also, in Lahaina is a great Luau…..wouldn’t that be great for your reception or your rehearsal dinner.  From Lahaina there are several cruise options for sunset dinner cruises.  What a great option for a rehearsal dinner, don’t you think?

If a Maui wedding is in your future, please give me a call or send an email and we can discuss all of your options.  Sandi Moore, (425) 821-4100 or sandi@totemtravel.com.

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Swim with the Dolphins on your next vacation in Hawaii, Mexico or the Caribbean

Has swimming with dolphins been one of your lifelong dreams?  Fulfilling that dream is easier than you think because many cruise ports and tropical vacation destinations offer dolphin programs.

A favorite experience is swimming with a baby dolphin and its mother!  This is an educational program as well as loads of fun.  You will learn about dolphin nursing, their anatomy, physiology, echolocation and the close relationship between the calf (baby) and its mom during the first 5 years.  You will also be able to throw hoops and balls to both mom and baby.  Kids 8 to 80 love this experience and the dolphins love it too!.

Is speed and action more to your liking?  How about swimming with dolphins in the Caribbean Sea?  This program affords you the opportunity to jump right in with the dolphins and let them pull you around the water!  What could be more fun?  Dolphins are very “people loving” and you will really experience the special bond between dolphins and humans while swimming in their world.  They love to kiss you, sing for you, and show off a bit by giving you a ride on their belly.

On Oahu in Hawaii, Sea Life Park has a great program for small children called Dolphin Encounter.  The Dolphin Encounter takes place in shallow water, but the kids still get to experience a kiss and handshake from their new friends.  A Royal Swim is also offered at Sea Life Park and during this swim the dolphins will pull you around by their dorsal fin or give the ultimate “foot push”. You can feel all the strength and energy the dolphin has to offer as they jet you across the water from the bottom of your feet.  Wow!

Dolphin Quest on the Big Island of Hawaii, offers many of the same programs as Sea Life Park plus older kids and adults will enjoy shadowing a trainer for a day.  Beside pool interaction with the dolphins, participants help prepare the dolphins meals, help with health exams and learn some basic training skills.  Dolphin Quest is housed at the Hilton Waikoloa and many rooms have views of the dolphins.

Popular vacation destinations and cruise itineraries include Jamaica, the Bahamas and Mexico and each has a swim with dolphins program.  Ocho Rios has Dolphin Cove.  Playa Del Carmen, about 1 hour south of Cancun, has a great Eco-Park and dolphin program at Xcaret.

And in the Bahamas head to Atlantis on Paradise Island.  Atlantis is a magical place with a fantastic water park, but there’s also a swim with the dolphins program right on property!  The Atlantis is home to the Katrina dolphins which were swept away from their home in Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina.  After being rescued and nursed back to health, all of the dolphins were eventually transported to Atlantis to fully recover and reside at Dolphin Cay’s new state-of-the-art habitat.

Wherever you vacation, I strongly recommend you make reservations prior to your arrival.  Swim with the dolphins programs are extremely popular and often sell out months in advance. Please give me a call at (425) 821-4100 or shoot me an email at sandi@totemtravel.com to book your Swim with Dolphins vacation!

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When you have children it is almost a necessity to have some time devoted to just having fun and reconnecting.  I’ve been told, and am a believer, that children will not remember that you remodeled the kitchen but they will remember that wonderful family vacation!  A destination that will create wonderful memories for both the adults and the children is Hawaii. What is to stop you from traveling now!  Rates are down for both hotels and air flights.  Below I will detail some great resorts for families, and hopefully encourage that traveling bug!

Honolulu is still a great destination. Yes, it is busier than the other islands, but it offers so many options for fun that it’s worth it!  However, if you really prefer to stay far from Waikiki, the North Shore of Oahu is home to a fantastic family resort called Turtle Bay Resort.  Your teen can take surf lessons, and the younger ones can go for a pony rides.  How about a clear-bottom Kayak, to experience the life under the sea.  The resort itself offers 2 championship golf courses, tennis courts, and 12 miles of hiking trails to accommodate every age group.  Accommodations range from standard Oceanview rooms to Oceanfront Beach Cottages.  And the Turtle Bay Resort is just a short drive to the Polynesian Cultural Center, where you can see the best Polynesian show on Oahu, maybe in Hawaii.

Another family friendly resort, outside the Waikiki area, is the Kahala Hotel & Resort.  This resort has a dedicated club for the keikis (Hawaiian for child) age 5-12.  They will be able to participate in many diverse activities and learn about Hawaiian culture.  Among these activities are reef walking, snorkeling, bamboo pole fishing, lei making, hula dancing and swimming with the dolphins.  Accommodations range from a garden view room to 2 bedroom beachfront suites.  Oh, and for mom and dad?  How about a couple’s massage at the spa!  Many packages include buffet breakfast, too!

Moving on to Kauai, the Garden Isle, we find the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa.  Complimentary activities abound for the kids:  a meandering river pool, a 150 foot waterslide, and basketball or volleyball in the pool!  There is also an expansive saltwater lagoon where children can swim, float or kayak together with other children.  Hiking opportunities include an easy hike along a sea cliff with spectacular views….you might even see endangered humpback whales, or monk seals.  Accommodations here run from the standard Gardenview room, to an expansive Oceanfront Suites.

On the big island of Hawaii, is the Hilton Waikoloa Village. I have stayed here and loved every minute!  There is something do all the time!  Dolphin Quest is right at the resort, so Swimming with the Dolphins will surely interest your kids!  Mom and Dad will love it too!  The resort has the most amazing water park…lazy river, swinging bridges, water slides, waterfalls…..Kings Golf Course is also offering Waikoloa Family Golf Days through the end of July.  Families will have the opportunity to play nine holes at a much discounted rate.  Accommodations at this resort include standard rooms, as well as 2 bedroom family units.

Let’s not forget Maui. Maui is quickly becoming the most popular island for families.  One of my favorite family resorts is the Hyatt Regency in Lahaina, on the beautiful Kaanapali Beach.  Small children, as well as the other ones, will have a great time at Camp Hyatt Kaanapali.  They love creating photo memories with their own camp-issued cameras.  I’m sure their favorite will be a photo t-shirt!  How about coconut bowling?  The Hyatt also includes a night program for the kids where they will learn about the Hawaiian night sky with the “Tour of the Stars” astronomy program.  Adults will love sitting around the pool, or playing a round or two of golf, since the kids are having so much fun at Camp Hyatt!

The hotels and resorts mentioned are just a few of the wonderful family properties available in Hawaii.  Many are offering reduced rates, or 3^rd or 4^th night free, buffet breakfasts, reduced rates for luaus or even a resort $ credit.  Now is the time for you plan your family vacation.  The memories you create will stay with you and your children forever!

Please call me to start the coconut rolling!  Sandi Moore, (425) 821-4100, or sandi@totemtravel.com