Let's go to Hawaii!! *updated April 2018
Image courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority
We recently had the privilege of a number of Hawaiian operators come to Auckland with the Hawaiian Tourism board to give us more insight as to Hawaii as a destination.
Travel to Hawaii can give you many different and diverse experiences. In fact, you can return multiple times and create completely different memories. It’s so much more than the white sandy beaches, surfing and shopping that we know and love.
Image courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority
Tourism Boards:
Here are some links to information about the different regions. I won’t repeat their information here, but these websites will help you plan your trip in a lot of detail.
Oahu - The Heart of Hawaii
Kaua’i - Hawaii’s island of Discovery
Hawaii, the Big Island
Maui - The Magic Isle
Molokai - Hawaiian By Nature
Lanai - Hawaii’s Most Enticing Island
If you're wanting some experiences here's a few. Obviously each island offers something different and you can tailor your trip accordingly.
Still, you can’t visit Hawaii and not experience a Luau.
Image courtesy of Germaine's Luau
Germaine’s Luau This is the original traditional backyard-style family luau experience. They offer a free escorted shuttle from Waikiki to the West side of the island from where you’ll see beautiful sunsets. You’ll meet generations of family members on staff, and they’ll make sure you’re taken care of.
Diamondhead Luau is Waikiki’s only beachfront luau. You can partake in lei-making, hula/ukelele lessons and more.
You want to shop? Well, you can definitely do that in Hawaii!!
Ala Moana Centre This is Hawaii’s largest shopping centre and also is the World’s largest open-air mall, offering premium shopping and dining. It currently is home to 340+ stores and restaurants. They offer free WiFi throughout the centre. Opening hours 9:30am - 9:00pm Monday - Saturday. Note that it is closed on Sundays.
Waikele Premium Outlet (a Simon Centre) This is the only outlet shopping centre on O’ahu. Fantastic savings of 25%-65% every day. It boasts many popular designer and name brands so you really do need to visit to stock up on clothes for the next New Zealand season!
What other experiences could you have?
Polynesian Cultural Centre This is where you must visit if you want to learn the history of Polynesia. Explore 42 acres with 5 authentic island villages and exhibits. Check out their website for more information on everything you can experience here. It’s great!
Kualoa Private Nature Reserve This amazing location encompasses 2,000 hectares on O’ahu, only 38 kms from Waikiki. This is where you go to see film locations (from Elvis in ‘Paradise Hawaiian Style’ through to Jurassic World. ATV tours, Ziplines and mores. A must-visit.
Battleship Missouri Memorial This is an absolute must-see. There is so much history in this region. Combine a tour of this ship with your Pearl Harbour exploration.
Sea Life Park Hawaii See the dolphin show, spend quality time with penguins and sea lions. If you enjoy getting to know about Marine life, this is a cool destination.
If you need a bit of help getting around and seeing what you want to see, have a look at Discover Hawaii Tours or Roberts Hawaii. Check out their websites as they’ll put together an interesting package for you. Book through us for savings.
*updated April 2018
Our friends at Your RV Lifestyle have compiled a list of 100 things to do in Hawaii. Check it out here.
Transport:
Here are two vendors that came by. If you book before you travel, you’ll get less expensive rates. Let us help you with this!
Alamo Rent A Car
Arthurs Limousine
Accomodation:
Aqua-Aston Hotels and Resorts Aqua is present on four of the six islands. A great range of options for any traveller.
Courtyard Kaua’i at Coconut Beach. This property offers the amenities and convenience of a full-scale resort in an intimate beachfront setting.
Courtyard Oahu North Shore This brand new hotel offers large and spacious rooms, with either King or two Queen beds and a comfortable pull-out sofa sleeper. It’s located just steps away from the Polynesian Cultural Centre.
Royal Lahaina Resort and Royal Kona Resort. Hawaiian Hotels and Resorts can accomodate you on both Maui and the Big Island. They don’t have Resort Fees, plus Laihana has complimentary WiFi.
Hyatt Resorts & Spas in Hawaii Always reliable accomodation with large rooms and authentic hospitality.
Ka’anapali Beach Hotel is located on the world-famous Ka’anapali beach and is walking distance from shipping and championship golfing. Again, no resort fee and complimentary WiFi. This hotel is officially recognised as Hawaii’s most Hawaiian Hotel. You’ll definitely get a Hawaii experience here.
Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Stay at an Outrigger property and visit the world famous beaches, taste the regional cuisines and enjoy the hospitality of your joyful hosts. Whether you’re there with your family or on business, Outrigger has something for you.
Pacific Beach Hotel Situated on the main strip in Waikiki and currently undergoing renovations. It’ll be awesome when the work is completed. It’s within walking distance from the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Hawaii You have options on four of the islands, located in some of the most desirable settings. The resorts offer lavish luxuries and signature amenities. World-class internationally-renowned restaurants serve up culinary experiences that you’ll have to Instagram.
The Kahala Hotel and Resort is O’ahu’s premier luxury property, located just 10 minutes outside Waikiki. It has 6 dining options with choices ranging from casual to fine dining. The Kahala is a favourite with Presidents, International Royalty and Celebrities. Why not you?
Turtle Bay Resort This resort has 850 acres of lush tropical land for you to enjoy and explore. A championship golf course, surf school, 2 swimming pools and a hot tub to relax. You can ride horses, play tennis, enjoy waterspouts, off-road Segway tours, eco-kayak tours and helicopter tours. Mountain biking is new on the list of things to do.
We'd like to acknowledge and thank these companies for taking the time to visit us here in New Zealand. It's great to be able to put a face to the name - that personal touch is so important.
Give us a call to talk about Hawaii as your next destination.
^sd
South America is Calling
The Target Travel team recently attended a South America promotion event out on by our partners at Viva Expeditions/Chimu Adventures. Viva/Chimu are the Latin America and Antarctica specialists. They have longstanding relationships with operators on the ground so know how to get you the trip you want, without the hassle traveling in these areas can create.
It was great meeting some of the vendors Viva/Chimu works with, and learning about the experiences they have on offer.
My personal highlight? I loved learning about the treks that The Mountain Lodges of Peru offer. They are feet-on-the-ground walking tours which take you through the villages all the way to Machu Picchu. It's the full experience of the region.
Check out this video of their Lares Adventure:
I enjoyed the Latin Trails presentation. South America tours have been designed by Latin Trails for more than 20 years to give you the opportunity to listen, see, feel, smell, and taste South America as a destination. Galapagos yachts and Amazon expedition travel ships. Inca trail hikes to Machu Picchu. Eco lodges in a rainforest.
RUTAS showcased an Amazon adventure on the Delfin I or Delfin II. These luxury cruises navigate their way through the PacayaSamiria National Reserve, and you will get to experience and discover the Amazonian Rainforest in its pristine, untouched state.
We learned about The Singular - Patagonia. An astonishing hotel. and the Australis Patagonia Cruises. Guests are taken ashore daily on board Zodiacs and are accompanied by expert naturalist guides. As well as the spectacular landscapes, Australis itineraries showcase the regional flora and fauna including elephant seals, cormorants, Magellan penguins and dolphins. Our partners at MOH Collection have a number of properties that they market here in New Zealand. A guaranteed luxury vacation.
If you want a very different experience perhaps booking a volunteer tour that not only showcases South America, but supports the work in the orphanages run by NPH would be perfect. A percentage of your package cost goes directly to the work and you get to spend time in the orphanage with the kids you're supporting. For more information visit them at this link.
Check out all the offerings available to you at Viva or Chimu and contact us at Target Travel for brochures and your dream holiday package.
Air New Zealand to introduce Dreamliner on Buenos Aires services and increases frequency
Air New Zealand is pleased to announce it will begin flying the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the Auckland-Buenos Aires route from 30 October 2016.
The airline will also step up frequency over the peak summer period offering an additional weekly service between Auckland and Buenos Aires from 12 December 2016 to 27 February 2017, bringing the total to four weekly return flights.
The updated schedule from 30 October is as follows:
NZ30 Auckland to Buenos Aires :
30 Oct – 11 Dec 2016, on Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
12 Dec 2016 - 27 Feb 2017 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
NZ31 Buenos Aires to Auckland:
30 Oct – 11 Dec 2016 on Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
12 Dec 2016 – 27 Feb 2017 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
From 28 February 2017, the service will return to three times per week (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday).
Call us at Target Travel for more information.
Let Target Travel help you visit the Gold Coast!
We had the recent privilege to attend an event put on by Gold Coast Tourism. The purpose was to introduce us to a number of vendors that have come over to New Zealand to update us on what’s going on in their part of the world.
The Gold Coast is the favourite destination for Kiwis by a huge margin. 300 sunshine days annually means you’re pretty much guaranteed a good time.
We'd like to thank the vendors for taking the time to talk to us. At Target Travel we'd love to put together a fun and relaxing holiday for you. Give us a call.
Here are some snippets of information to tease you!
Shopping:
Harbourtown Outlet Shopping Centre - This shopping destination is undergoing a refurbishment and development for more stores. They offer a free shuttle to and from the centre and can create an amazing shopping experience for you. It's an absolute must-visit when you're in town.
Accomodation:
The Breakers. Beachfront holiday apartments in Broadbeach. 1-2 bedroom apartments and also larger sized cabanas if you want to get a group together. Situated close to the bowling club (which is also the venue for the 2018 Commonwealth Games bowls competition).
Islander Resort Hotel. This is a three star hotel set in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Ideally located just one block from the beach and a short walk to Cavill Avenue’s restaurants, shopping and nightlife.
Ramada Hotel Hope Harbour. This hotel is located just 40 minutes from the Gold Coast Airport and is central to the Theme Parks and is close to golf courses. This peaceful retreat offers guests stylish accomodation with stunning waterfront views.
The Tryp in Brisbane. This hotel really caught my eye. It’s located in the heart of Brisbane’s entertainment and cultural hub, and boasts evocative street art and decor. It reflects the vibrant rhythm of of the city and is home to one of Brisbane’s largest rooftop bars.
Beach Haven on Broadbeach and Turtle Beach. These are two of Dreamtime Resorts most popular properties. They really are set up with families in mind. Close to the beach and shopping, and come with everything you’d expect. Turtle Beach in particular has extensive facilities, including their own water park, saunas, a floodlit tennis court and a kid’s club.
Paradise Resort - This resort is a phenomenal family holiday destination. Something for everybody! It boasts an extensive daily activity and entertainment programme. It’s the only resort in Australia with a kid’s club that looks after children 0-12 years of age, is open daily and offers every child 4 hours of fully supervised fun each day, FREE of charge! How good is that??
Theme Parks and Attractions:
Dreamworld. Whitewater World. Skypoint. It’s your world of thrill rides, your world of Dreamworks, your world of Tigers… really it’s your world of family fun. You know the destinations. Check out their websites for current attractions.
The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has long been one of the most popular attractions in south-east Queensland. Get up close to amazing native Australian and exotic wildlife at the many interactive displays and wide-open enclosures while walking amongst the lush eucalyptus and rainforest. And yes, you can cuddle a koala!
The Village Roadshow Theme Parks - Warner Bros Movie World, Sea World, Paradise Country Aussie Farm Tour, Australian Outback Spectacular and Wet ’n’ Wild. All very well-known and very popular. We recommend that you purchase your passes from us before you go. The 7 day Holiday Pass is the most popular - access to Movie World, Sea World and Wet ’N’ Wild, all on your own timetable.
Draculas. This is Australia’s longest running and most popular dinner theatre experience. It’s a Gold Coast institution of comedy, horror, burlesque, music and a three-course dinner. What a night out!
Jupiters Gold Coast. This famous casino boasts a terrific location and is a premiere entertainment venue. Check out their website for currently running shows. They also have a selection of fine-dining restaurants including the award-winning Kiyomi. If you like Japanese food, you must book ahead!
To help you get from the airport and to all these fabulous places, we suggest you make use of Con-X-Ion Services. This company has a fleet of shuttles that make getting around easy. Check out their Roo Passes - these are 1 to 7 day passes including return airport transfers from Brisbane or Gold Coast airports and most of the local Theme Park attractions. Look at their website for details.
Oh My Goodness!! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!!!
"The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™"| Image Courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood
HOGWARTS IS COMING TO HOLLYWOOD!
The countdown to “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” has begun as Universal Studios Hollywood announces April 7, 2016 as the opening date of the West Coast’s most anticipated entertainment experience and the introduction of the land’s signature attraction, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” in hyper-realistic 3D-HD.
More than five years in the making, and inspired by J. K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters and the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood is expected to attract Harry Potter fans and visitors from all over the globe for decades to come! Read more:
Call us for current deals to get you to Los Angeles! They're currently from ~$799 return!
^sd
10 Free Things to do in Noumea!
Our friends at New Caledonia Tourism sent this through. Like most travelers, I quite like not spending huge amounts of money on unnecessary things when I go abroad. Here's a handy guide of 10 things you can do in Noumea that won't cost you anything!
I LOVE that they've highlighted Geocaching. This is a super-fun activity for all the family! I definitely recommend you try it!
Philadelphia? What is there to do in Philadelphia???
At a recent Roadshow we learned about Philadelphia, and were pleasantly surprised to see that one can easily fill three days there, in a city that isalso known as the Birthplace of America and recently was named the first and only World Heritage City in the USA. Plus, the city lures visitors with a range of affordable and nice accommodation options in the city’s walkable, very lively, and safe downtown.
Philadelphia is undergoing a dramatic renaissance that spurred urban renewal over the last 15 years, which truly makes it a one-of-a-kind destination in the USA that won’t disappoint travelers. Millennials are moving into Philadelphia’s Center City at sky-high rates to study (Philly has over 300,000 students) and to pursue their entrepreneurial interests, making the city a very young, vibrant and hip place to live and explore.
It’s easy getting to Philadelphia with two major international airports located within 25 to 60 minutes by train from Philadelphia’s Center City. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is the largest One World Hub in the Northeastern USA, while Newark International Airport (EWR) is a major Star Alliance hub for the Northeast. Plus, the Amtrak train from New York’s Penn Station to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station takes only 80 minutes with multiple trains departing every hour.
The PHLCVB (The official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia) generally recommend incorporating Philadelphia into the itineraries of travelers in two ways: either, use Philadelphia as a hub for exploring the Northeast of the USA due to its central location and affordability, or make it an overnight stop on route from New York City to Washington D.C. If travelers stay in Philadelphia’s Center City, they easily can take daytrips by train to New York, Washington D.C, Baltimore, Atlantic City, the Lancaster Amish Countryside, Hershey, or even King of Prussia, where the largest retail mall of America awaits them with over 450 shops. Each destination can be reached by train within 60 to 90 minutes.
But even within Philadelphia’s compact, walkable and vibrant Center City that’s filled with more than 2,500 restaurants and bars, 67 national historic landmarks, tax-free shopping, world-famous universities, performing arts venues and a never-ending schedule of seasonal events, visitors will be entertained plenty. If one spends three full days in Philadelphia, they suggest the following itinerary:
Day 1: Historic Sights of Old City & Society Hill
Start off your exploration of Philadelphia in a neighborhood called Old City along the banks of the Delaware River, where America’s Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and later on the US Constitution to start a new, independent country. This is where George Washington held his presidency before Washington DC was built.
Walk the cobblestone streets of Old City and Society Hill, a charming colonial town filled with Georgian-style red brick buildings, narrow alleys, green squares, and many firsts for America. This includes the first White House, Capitol Building (Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage site), hospital, US Mint, bank, stock exchange, and many others. See Christ Church and Carpenters Hall, the Betsy Ross House, where the first American flag was stitched, and don’t forget to view the Liberty Bell. Society Hill also is home to City Tavern, the oldest restaurant in the USA where George Washington met with the Founding Fathers routinely to discuss the future of what is to become America.
At the Southern tip of Society Hill, visitors will encounter colorful South Street with its mix of funky bars, restaurants, tattoo parlors, concert venues and unusual boutiques. One can also try a Philly Cheesesteak at Jim’s Steak or head into South Philly to see the traditional outdoor Italian Market and do the ultimate Philly Cheesesteak taste test – Pat’s King of Steaks versus Geno’s Steaks.
The Old City and Society Hill neighborhoods are also the starting points for many of Philadelphia’s sightseeing excursions, including hop-on hop-off buses, Segway tours, walking tours, Ride the Ducks, and scenic lunch and dinner cruises on the Delaware River. Many of the city’s more than 3,800 mural arts paintings can be toured here, and explored in fascinating detail. Museums in this area of the city include the National Constitution Center, National Liberty Museum, the Independence Seaport Museum with its historic vessels, and the Museum of American Revolution will open its doors in 2017. You also can hop on a ferry to cross the Delaware River for a visit to the Adventure Aquarium and the historic Battleship New Jersey.
Day 2: Arts and Culture on Broad Street, Benjamin Franklin Parkway & University City
Philadelphia also is a treasure chest for art enthusiasts. The first art school of America, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, can still be visited today and is located just to the north of Philly’s impressive City Hall, the largest and tallest masonry building in the world. City Hall allows travelers to take a tiny elevator to the top of its clock tower for amazing views of the skyline. Just south of City Hall, visitors can catch live theatre performances, see the Philadelphia Orchestra or tap their toes to musicals along Broad Street, also known as the Avenue of the Arts. The Walnut Theatre, the oldest theatre in the United States, is only a few blocks away in the vibrant Washington Square neighborhood with its many bars and restaurants, boutique shops and lively Gayborhood.
To the west of City Hall, one quickly finds himself on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, referred to as Philadelphia’s Museum Mile. There, one will find the Drexel Academy of Natural Sciences and the Franklin Institute on beautiful Logan Square, two of the city’s premier scientific museums with exhibits for visitors of all ages. Just steps away, purveyors of French impressionists will not want to miss The Barnes Foundation, featuring the world’s largest private collection of works by Renoir, Cezanne and Matisse. Overall, more than 1,000 works of art can be viewed here. Next door, the Rodin Museum is home to the largest collection of sculptures by Rodin outside of Paris. A 10-minute walk away from the Rodin Museum, travelers can walk the eerie hallways of abandoned Eastern State Penitentiary, the first federal penitentiary in the USA. We like to think of it as the original Alcatraz, and one definitely should take the time to participate in guided tours of this unique attraction.
The grand dame of Philadelphia’s museums awaits visitors at the far end of Benjamin Franklin Parkway – the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This museum, considered to be the third largest art museum in the USA, is known around the world for being the location of the Rocky Steps. Hundreds of visitors stop there every day to take pictures at the statue of fictional character “Rocky Balboa” and race up the stairs of the museum for a breathtaking view of the city’s skyline. We recommend not missing the spectacular interiors of this spectacular building that houses more than 200 galleries with art from around the world.
Just west of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, one can overlook Philadelphia’s second river, the Schuylkill, with its famous Boathouse Row along the green riverbanks of beautiful Fairmont Park. It’s quite likely that you will see a balloon rise more than 300 feet into the air along the horizon; that’s an adventure you can have at the Philadelphia Zoo, the oldest zoo in the United States. The hop-on hop-off bus tours can easily take you there.
West of the Schuylkill River, especially young travelers will want to head to University City where the campuses of Drexel University and Ivy-league University of Pennsylvania (think “Wharton School of Business”) await with tree-lined streets and walking paths. The Penn Museum should definitely be on your list of places to see, as this anthropological museum showcases a stunning collection of artifacts from around the world. Be sure to visit the Egyptian, Chinese, Japanese, and African collections.
Day 3: Tax-free Shopping & City Life on Rittenhouse Square, Walnut Street & Market Street
After two eventful days filled with museums, historic landmarks, and sightseeing, don’t forget to take advantage of Philadelphia’s tax-free shopping program. Clothing and shoes do not require payment of taxes in the State of Pennsylvania, as they are considered essentials. So be sure to visit the many boutiques along upscale Rittenhouse Row and Walnut Street for unique Philadelphia fashion items. Or visit Liberty Place, a mall that features the new Bloomingdale Outlets and is the starting point for rides to the One Liberty Observation Deck on the 57th floor of this building complex. You’ll get a bird’s eyes view over Philadelphia’s Center City and can learn about the city’s history and landmarks on state-of-the-art, interactive, digital displays.
Next to City Hall, on the east side of Market Street, visitors can continue their shopping adventure at Macy’s inside the historic Wannamaker Building, the oldest department store in the USA, where one can see the world’s largest pipe organ in the building’s massive atrium. Macy’s provides 10% savings coupons to international travelers, so be sure to take advantage of this great offer. Four blocks walk away one can find the new Century 21 department store, featuring luxury brands at discount prices.
Head across the street head into Reading Terminal Market for a real Philadelphia treat. This old indoor food market features more than 80 different vendors. Try local delicacies such as Scrapple, juicy pork sandwiches, apple dumplings, or cheesesteaks from Amish and Mennonite vendors who bring in their foods from the nearby Pennsylvania Dutch countryside. Or take a culinary trip around the globe when sampling the food of Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern or Mediterranean vendors. Inside this market one can try ice cream from Bassett’s, the oldest ice cream place in the USA. It’s an experience a great place for lunch.
Above Reading Terminal Market, business travelers will find the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC), the largest convention center in the Northeast of the United States. Stretching over four city blocks, this massive venue boasts one million square feet of meeting space. The Hard Rock Café is located within the same building. More than 12,000 hotel rooms are located within a 25-minute walking radius from the PCC, which makes it a convenient choice for hosting conventions, as attendees can easily walk to and from the venue and enjoy the area’s many restaurants, shopping and attractions. Parallel to the convention center, you’ll be able to explore the third largest China Town in the USA. From dim sum, hot pot, to Cantonese cuisine, one can enjoy a culinary trip around China or marvel at the stunning Friendship Arch gifted by Philadelphia’s sister city Tianjin.
There’s a lot more to discover in Philadelphia. Give us a call and let us help.
Air New Zealand to resume Osaka flights
Air New Zealand is pleased to announce it will resume a non-stop seasonal service between Auckland and Osaka, Japan from November 2016.
Using Boeing 767-300 aircraft, the airline will operate three return services per week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays between November 2016 and March 2017, subject to government and regulatory approvals.
With a flight time around 11 hours, the outbound service will depart Auckland at 10.25am and arrive at Kansai International Airport in Osaka at 6.00pm, the same day. The inbound flight will depart Osaka at 9.00pm and arrive in Auckland at 12.05pm the following day.
In 2013 Air New Zealand consolidated its services to Japan, suspending the Osaka route and refocusing on growing its Tokyo Narita services. Since that time, Air New Zealand has significantly grown traffic between New Zealand and Japan, creating new demand for a seasonal Osaka service.
Tickets will go on sale soon.
A South American Honeymoon
One of our clients, Nitika, recently got married and is currently experiencing an extraordinary adventure for her honeymoon. Destination: South America by way of Hawaii.
We are following her journey and were quite taken with her photos of Treehouse Lodge.
This place looks amazing and she’s told us that sleeping 65’ above ground was fantastic but a little disconcerting at first.
They flew LAN from Lima to Iquitos and then traveled by car for 1 1/2 hours to Nauta. From Nauta there was a 45 minute boat ride to the lodge. A definited scene-setting commute. There is plenty to do there and it’s a terrific place from which to explore the Amazon and its unique flora and fauna.
She's also sent us photos of Cascada El Pailon Del Diablo (the Devils Waterfall) just inspires more wanderlust.
We'll be updating this post as more stories and pictures are sent through. And of course we with her and her husband all the best for their future life together!
Give us a call to help you plan your next experience! And/or honeymoon!
Check back often for updates