Vacation in Hawaii Like a Tourist or a Local: Part 1

Visiting Hawaii as a tourist and visiting Hawaii as a local are two completely different experiences. Although many of the activities you do will overlap, many of the spots you choose to do them will differ. There's a reason for that, and it's all about experience. If you are going to Hawaii for the first time, it is definitely recommended to go do all the tourist things the first couple of days you get there. Once you check all your tourist activities off your list, start diving into more exploration. If you are like most people, you will probably be traveling to Oahu or Maui. Here's our list for traveling like a tourist in Oahu and Maui:

Tourist Travel

Oahu

1. Diamond Head Crater: This natural phenomenon gives you awesome views of the island, gives you a pretty good workout, and will tell you how the islands were formed.
2. Get a surf lesson: When in Hawaii, try surfing. It seems pretty obvious, but it had to be on the list! Make sure to make time to lay on the beach with the turtles and catch some rays too!
3. Bishop Museum: Interested in history? This is a great museum to learn about Hawaii's natural and cultural history. 
4. Iolani Palace: See how the Hawaiian royalty used to live on the island. This palace is another great place to learn about the history of Hawaii.
5. Pearl Harbor: This is a true American monument. Most people know the story of Pearl Harbor, so go see where all the action happened and feast your eyes on the real artifacts. 
6. Hanauma Bay: This bay is a wildlife protected area of the island and is the best place for snorkeling. There is a fee to get into the bay but the money goes toward habitat rehabilitation and protection.
7. Polynesian Cultural Center: Learn about polynesian culture from all the polynesian islands, including Hawaii. Experience authentic food, dancing, canoeing, carving and more. 
8. Kualoa Ranch: This beautiful ranch sits in Ka'a'awa Valley and is used for many famous movie and TV show sites. Taking a tour of Kualoa allows you to learn Hawaii's history and culture. Go ATV-ing or ride horses, and drink in the natural beauty of Hawaii.
9. USS Arizona Memorial: If you like war history, this is a great landmark to include in your tour. It will tell you all about the attacks on Pearl Harbor and how the USS Arizona played an important role in the war. 
10. Dole Plantation: This is one of the most visited places on Oahu. Check out the plantation, the gardens, eat DoleWhip, and even take home a ripe Hawaiian pineapple. 

Maui

1. Maui Ocean Center: Learn about the marine life around Hawaii and watch fish and sharks swim around your head.
2. Haleakala Crater: Beautiful landscapes and views of the island. Go in the morning or late at night to watch sunrises and sunsets.
3. Road to Hana: This extreme winding road allows you to see some pretty beautiful waterfalls and views of the island.
4. Old Lahaina Luau: A traditional luau in full force! Watch amazing dancers while dining on Hawaiian food.
5. Maui Gold Pineapple Tour: Like the dole plantation, you can tour the grounds, taste, pineapple, and take some pineapple home with you.
6. Surf and Snorkel: These two are obvious must do activities, but make sure you take a surf lesson and swim with the fish and turtles!
7. Hike in Iao Valley: This valley has beautiful waterfalls and is lush green and perfect for some exercise. 
8. Lahaina Town: This little town is a must see place with lots of restaurants and shops. This is an old ocean town that has become a tourist destination. There are lots of tourist traps here but lots of cute little gems as well. 

So there are our tourist things to do in Oahu and Maui. There is so much to see and do in the Hawaiian islands, you should definitely take advantage of all of it! If you are interested in how to travel like a local in the islands then stay tuned for our blog post next week. When flying to the islands, don't forget to bring your TravelRest Pillow to sleep on!

French Riviera in Summertime

The French Riviera is a must see if you are touring around France. It has something to offer everyone, but is the most beautiful during the summer when the beaches are lined with picturesque blue and yellow umbrellas. A few of the most accessible and best towns to visit are Cannes, Nice, and Monaco. I visited all three but enjoyed Nice the most, so let me offer you my thoughts on Nice.

By far the largest tourist destination of the three cities I listed, Nice can often be portrayed as too commercial or overly crowded. In some areas, you may find that true. But Nice has authentic charm and can offer solitary relaxation if you know where to go. The old town of Nice will have you oohing and awing around every corner as you weave through narrow cobblestone streets lined with cafes, boutiques, and specialty shops. Much of the old town finds its charm in the mix of French and Italian history that you can find out more about if you take a guided tour. A tour is definitely recommended for Nice because the major sights don't have any plaque descriptions of their historical significance. Walking in the old town you may pass by a gelato stand called Fenocchio, which offers 100+ flavors and its definitely worth trying some of their unique ones like avocado or lavender. If you go during the height of summer then you'll see that a gelato break is a great way to cool off a bit.

A must see in Nice is the flower and fruit market in the old town that happens 6 days a week, and the other day is a flea market. Make sure to check out the lavender and soaps at the market. The region is known for lavender and you'll see it everywhere. Buy some fruit, bread, vegetables or whatever you'd like and then take a walk to the end of the old town where you'll find stone steps leading to the top of a hill. This spot is a great place for a picnic! It has the best panoramic views of Nice and has a beautiful waterfall just below the top. It's a great spot to take some photos!

If you're looking for a place to relax, then head past the hill beyond the old town to a smaller sandy beach in VilleFranche Sur Mer. You'll notice that the beaches in Nice are pebbles, and that's not always the most comfortable. Not to mention, few people venture toward this other beach. The best way is to get there is by taking the bus, which has a stop right behind the hill for the picnic and view of Nice. You can also arrive by train, and I believe it's only one stop away. Local tip: take an umbrella and beach mat, and your TravelRest Pillow! The TravelRest came in handy in the French Riviera because sandy or pebbly, the beaches were still uncomfortable. The TravelRest pillow gave a little bit of extra comfort to laying on such a stiff surface. 

The reason I preferred Nice to Cannes and Monaco is because there is much more to see and do. Cannes is a beautiful day trip, with big label shopping stores and cafes and a nice sandy beach. If you love to shop, then Cannes is definitely your spot. The beach is taken up mostly by hotels and private beach clubs, so public areas are limited. Monaco is also a wonderful day trip, and the number of mega yachts and expensive cars are enough to keep anyone wide eyed. If that doesn't thrill you then, there's a fun garden in the outskirts of Monaco that has a huge array of cactus and other plants. Some small museums and art exhibits are scattered throughout too. But be prepared for a larger budget in Monaco, because nothing is reasonable there.