Many of us are truly in need of a vacation. We find ourselves daydreaming of a long, relaxing week in paradise. But, 9 out of 10 take excuse after excuse from the never-ending, tedious list of “to-dos” like pay the rent, manage a career, raise your family, and sustain a spicy sex life all simultaneously while keeping your sanity. This may be a bit of an exaggeration, but, if you are like most of us in the 21st century, life consists of one big mass of chaos—which is controlled mainly by two things—cocktails and couture. And, while the weekly retail therapy might do wonders for your wardrobe and inner Victoria Beckham, you are in need of some serious R&R. You are the classic case of the over-worked and under-paid, trying to make something of yourself go-getter who is long overdue for a Blackberry-free Hawaiian get away. Lucky for you, these recommendations are sending you to a place where there is little cell phone reception at all. So, if anything else, you will be forced to ignore deadlines, meetings, and rush hour traffic for your stay.
Everyone has heard of Hawaii. It is one of the few places in North America where you get a sultry, summery feel year round coupled with breath-taking coastlines and intimate beaches. The 8 main islands, which are enclosed by an abundance of mini isles, extend for over 1500 miles into the Pacific Coast. Most tourists visit the main island, Maui. The best kept secret, however, and my personal favorite vacay spot is Kauai. It is the oldest and most preserved of the Hawaiian Islands, which is why it is nicknamed the Garden Isle. If you really want to get away—mind, body and soul—this is a great place to retreat. From morning yoga on the beach, to exploring the local market treasures, or even zip-lining through the lush valley and landscape, Kauai offers something for everyone….
Dramatic North Shore (Na Pali Coast, Princeville & Kilauea)—The north point of the island is postcard perfect with its unbelievable sites such as the historic lighthouse at Kilauea. This is a must-see while you are on the island; the lighthouse overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is perfect for watching sunrises. Note to self: this is an unbelievably romantic spot…ideal for smooching your beau while taking in the amazing ocean view (try not to get too hot & heavy, this tends to be a “family friendly” tourist point). The luxurious and upscale St. Regis Princeville Resort is an alternative for vacationers who want an “everything under one roof” option. I would definitely spend quality time at Halele’s Spa which offers hot stone massage treatments and deep-cleansing seaweed facials. If the fellas protest your spa escapade, send them for 45 holes of golf on two Championship courses, the Makai and the Prince. This should keep them entertained for a couple hours while you are pampered from head to toe. Get your shop on at the Ching Young Village which is known to the locals as the “heart of Hanalei." This shopping center is a mix of local flare with commercial appeal. Be sure to check out Savage Pearls--an eclectic shop where you can find Tahitian Black Pearls. These extremely rare beauties put A-lister’s jewelers to shame! If you need a great workout to burn off all those Pina Coladas you’ll be downing, the Na Pali Coast State Park offers adventure. Whether you venture out by yourself or take the tour guide route, make sure to wear a great pair of walking shoes. Comfortable walking wear is recommended along with a bathing suit—all your hiking in the lush terrain will be rewarded with cool dips into gorgeous waterfalls and natural pools!
**Must haves in your backpack or fannypack for hiking/boat excursions are:
• Extra socks
• Plenty of H2O (unless it’s a booze cruise and then you should be good on keeping hydrated!)
• Lip balm (I adore Shiseido Sun Protection Lip Treatment SPF 36)
• Sun Tan Lotion with at least SPF 20
• Water-proof disposable camera
South Shore (Poipu Beach, Koloa Landing & Kai Bay)—This section of Kauai is known for being Hawaii’s first sugar plantation. You completely get lost in the homey, small town feel with the historic buildings and 19th century cathedrals. After spending an afternoon catching rays and relaxing on the private Poipu beaches, you can head to Spouting Horn Blowhole, a beautiful whale and dolphin watch point, located along the coastline. The Poipu beach is the safest and most popular in all of Kauai, yet it still gives you the intimacy of your own private beach (a far cry from the Jersey Shore). Don’t be alarmed if a 500 pound Monk Seal swims up to shore. They are completely harmless and just want to sunbathe like the rest of us! One of the best experiences in my life was the Kauai ATV tour—expert guides (sexy, rugged local boys) take you through a tropical paradise. Don’t worry about your attire because everything is included like riding boots, helmets, goggles, lunch, and more. But, if you are totally against the hideous hunting-onesy-get-up they make you wear, I opted for my good ol’ Levi 501 Boyfriend Jeans which worked perfectly fine for the occasion. For an open-air, easy going shopping trip head to Old Koloa Town. Not only can you get Kauai-artist-only-crafts, but it is also a Farmer’s Market where you can buy exotic fruits such as papaya, rambutan, and lychee. These locally grown fruits are fabulous; stock up for your hotel room or to bring back as goodies for your loved ones and friends. You would be on a scavenger hunt to find a “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service” sign anywhere throughout the extremely laid back atmosphere of the South Shore.
**Dress Code: Keep it Simple….
• People won’t do a double-take if you are walking around in your Havianas and swimsuit (but please, no thong bikinis)
• If you are feeling modest, grab your favorite romper to throw on (Don’t own one? You’re in luck! Raid Mom’s closet—she is bound to own one from the 70’s, and, if not, Free People has some great colors on their website)
• Waterproof Mascara (don’t get carried away with your MAC force-field, you are on vacation—remember less is more)
• Comfortable pair of flip flops (Havianas = Heavenly for your feet)
The Royal Coconut East Coast (Anahola, Kapaa & Wailua)—you absolutely cannot visit Kauai without a traditional luau performance. The best one (not to mention all you can drink Mai Tai’s) is the ResortQuest Kauai Beach at Makaiwa Luau, located in Kapaa. Make sure to book a reservation in advance for the best seats and ask for possible discount offers through your hotel or travel agent. Since luau’s are performed between 5pm-10pm, the recommended attire is laid-back casual. Save your cut-off Daisy Duke’s for the beach and put on a simple cotton dress or your beloved LBD, with T-strap sandals paired with minimal jewelry. At night it can get breezy and cool down a couple notches, so bring along a light cashmere cardigan or snag your man’s sport jacket. For the guys, khakis, a polo, and leather sandals will work fine. If you have a strong urge to put on a Tommy Bahama look-a-like shirt—confine yourself to dark corners for the rest of the evening, or you will have the unofficial fashion police come and arrest you. Lydgate Beach Park in Wailua has a natural swimming lagoon, which is perfect for beginning snorkelers, and is ideal for having a lazy beach day. Afterwards, try the Voyager Grille which specializes in Pacific Rim cuisine—this place is favored by the locals, so you know it's got to be pretty darn good.
**Don’t Forget to Pack These/Did You Know:
• Your good manners (Did you know…Among a recent world-wide poll, Americans were voted to be the rudest tourists towards local accommodations? Let’s change that! A fabulous outfit is worth nothing without a smile and a thank you—in Kauai, a “Mahalo” will keep you in everyone’s good graces.
• Wide-brimmed hat (you can either buy them locally or did you know…Eric Javits makes FABULOUS styles that are suitcase friendly. They are pricey, but won’t break or tear like straw, and will last for several years)
• Face moisturizer + SPF (Murad Waterproof Sunblock SPF 30 is my skin savior! Did you know that the #1 cause of aging is the sun? Take care of your face!)
West Side (Kokee, Polihale & Waimea)—this side of the island is my favorite due to the fact that it has the least amount of mainland activity. Although there are no 5-Star spas or restaurants with world-renowned chefs, this is the place to be if you want to dress-down and throw a couple back with your buddies. The vibe the area sets off is unbelievably relaxing with constant live music and a hustle-bustle of activity—giving it a block-party feel. There are no “tourists” on the west side, everyone is family, and the locals show you plenty of love. Every Friday night is Art Night @ the Eleele Shopping Center in Hanapepe with live demonstrations and local music artists. One thing you don’t want to mingle with is a local rooster. They are natural inhabitants of Kauai and run around like bunnies, but they are far from our furry friends on the mainland. These roosters are evil if you approach them!
**Dress Code: Anything Goes….
• Bob Marley attitude suggested (think “Don’t Worry, Be Happy)
• Tacky Hawaiian shirts are okay here
• Casual dress (light-weight jersey wrap dress or halter maxi dress)
• Tank tops (the racerback and scoop neck are my go-to styles)
• Linen beach pant (Target & J. Crew offer great options)
If you are feeling super overwhelmed with all that Kauai has to offer, just remember it is only a small island that you could encircle in approximately 6 hours with your rental car. While visiting the island, remember to relax! Don’t try to pack too much in on one trip because you will arrive back to the mainland with jet lag and the feeling you didn’t really get a break from reality. From surf to sunset, Kauai is the best place to show off your new swim suit, mix with the locals, and enjoy the view. Mark Twain once said “Hawaii is the place of happy contentment,” so what are you waiting for? Get on Travelocity to book a flight now! A-A-A-LOHA!
Written By: Lauren Folland
