Forget the kitschy song and dance show at the Hilton on Waikiki; it barely scratches the surface of the amazing richness and depth of Hawaiian natural and cultural history. Here are three recommended spots to wet your feet in what will hopefully be a lifelong interest in and admiration of this beautiful chain of islands.



Bishop Museum…

Continue

I usually travel on my own to the Keys, but this time, I was invited on a very lovely press trip with fellow bloggers.  Typically, I spend time on Duval Street, checking out restaurants, music, bars, museums and visiting Fort Zachary Taylor beach -- just a few of my favorite things to do in the lower Keys. But this time, I never left The Reach or Casa Marina resorts and for some very…

Continue

Chau's Fresh Fruit and Juice also serves fresh steamed corn and boiled peanuts. Located at Maunakea Market.



You'll surely wish you'd have a kitchen to cook in when you stroll around Chinatown on a busy Sunday morning. Shop after shop overflows with fresh produce, meats…

Continue

Sapient Nitro, an integrated marketing and technology company headquartered in Boston with a presence in Miami Beach, has recently partnered with Tourism Queensland for Million Dollar Memo, a…

Continue

I don't have kids and I haven't been a fan of Disney since I was wee little thing, but I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when Disney's Vero Beach Resort introduced me to their pirate-themed dining experience during a special preview. No doubt, the pirate dinners are fun for kids and the kid at heart in us grown-ups,… Continue

Alice Sutherland of Savory Faire not only serves up a delicious afternoon of good eats, but also shares historical knowledge in an entertaining way that isn't at all touristy or kitschy. You won't be bored but you'll definitely be full by the end of the tour.



Savory Faire is a a great deal for visitors… Continue

I'm back from Oahu and I miss it already! I'm so fortunate I got to stay with family because this way I could see Hawaii more like a local. Below are some tidbits you might enjoy if you're blessed with the opportunity to visit this beautiful island.

1. Eat shrimp in the…

Continue

View of Honolulu with Waikiki and Diamond Head in the background.



Drive to the top of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (also known as Punchbowl Crater), stroll uphill the Memorial Walk and you will be rewarded with not… Continue

Located inside the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, Kaneohe, the Byodo-In Temple is a scale replica of a 900 year-old Japanese temple and was established in 1968 to honor the first Japanese immigrants to Hawai'i. The temple is home to a unique golden Buddha sculpture, more than 18 feet tall. A three ton brass bell rings occasionally from the bell house… Continue

Halona Cove is where they filmed the 1953 film From Here to Eternity. It's a small cove right next to the Halona Blowhole, where water sprays up through an opening on the lava rock. The Halona beach area is on Kalanianole Highway (72) between Makapu'u Point and Koko Head and features a great lookout point toward the… Continue

Ho'oumaluhia Botanical Garden means "to make a place of peace and tranquility" and it surely lives up to its name. It's hard to believe the garden is located just shy of a residential and urban area.



The garden sprawls for 400-acres at the foot of the Ko'olau Mountains in Kaneohe, Oahu. With free admission, a scenic lake, picnic… Continue

The Kahuka area in Oahu, approaching the North Shore off the Kamehameha Highway, features food trucks and shacks that serve delicious locally farm-raised shrimp in variety of forms, from garlic and butter sauce to curried or with lemongrass. Don't be dissuaded by the rustic appearance of these eateries -- the freshness and quality is a steal at dishes all under $20 a plate. I promise you'll become instantly addicted to this rich but simple… Continue

Spotted today in Hawaii: two lovers relaxing in the afternoon sun in Kailua Beach, Oahu. Yes, it is idyllic ... perhaps they were inspired by the famous love scene From Here to Eternity. Can you guess where that was filmed?

Pierre's is quite possibly one of the most romantic places to dine in South Florida and a relatively short drive from Miami, well worth the "escape" from urban life. The restaurant and lounge is located on a private beach with gorgeous sunsets over tranquil Florida Bay.…

Continue

What with the movie Eat Pray Love coming out around the same time as my first press trip in years, I got to thinking about the value of traveling solo. Ladies, while it helps to get out of your comfort zone, you don't need to go to Italy, India or Bali to feel at peace with yourself. What you do need is an opportunity to get away from all the things that keep you from searching within, which is… Continue

Louie's Backyard on 700 Waddell Avenue in Key West has a waterfront bar called the "afterdeck" that while rustic in appearance, is quite possibly one of the best places to sip a mojito in peace and quiet on this island of motley residents and tourists -- just a few blocks away from the hustle and bustle of Duval Street. Trust me when I tell you, the drink was as good as the view.…

Continue

I recently traveled on a press trip to the Florida Keys. I stopped at Hawk's Cay first, followed by two blissful days in Key West, staying at the Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa. Here's a quick wrap-up of my trip, but more stories coming soon at Sex and the Beach.…

Continue