Description:Book DescriptionThis all new fourth edition is the most comprehensive guidebook ever written for Maui. HawaiÂ’i resident and best-selling author, Andrew Doughty, actually hikes all the trails, rides the boats, scuba dives the reefs, dines in the restaurants, reviews all the resorts, snorkels the coastline, explores the hidden waterfalls and shares all the secrets that he finds. Everything is reviewed anonymously. This book and a rental car are all you need to discover what makes Maui so exciting. Reviews: A review by D. carmona Excellent book. Enjoyed the humor as much as the useful tips and information. However, one critique I would have, is that it would've been alot easier to locate the eateries recommended in the book. A number, or a symbol right there on the map would have made it much simplier to pinpoint a restaurants location, other than just the address and phone numbers.
David
Description:Book DescriptionThe finest guidebook ever written for Kauai. This brand new sixth edition has more useful information, the most up to date maps and scores of hidden gems listed nowhere else. This book and a rental car are all you need to discover what makes the Garden Islandso special.
Maps include beach access to even the most remote beaches, mile markers so you always know where you are, hiking trails and numerous details in an easy to follow format.
Symbols quickly identify recommended sights and companies. This book shows you which companies really are the bestÂ…and which to avoid.
Special expanded sections on Activities, Hiking and Adventures.
Clear, concise directions to get to those hard to find places.
Web site with links to every business, last minute updates, events calendar and more. Plus Web pages that expand on all accommodation reviews with aerial photos of all the resorts (so youÂ’ll know if oceanfront really means oceanfront).
Written by Kauai residents who know the island.
Frank, honest opinions from anonymous reviews—No advertisements.
They’ve covered it all—from the top of Wai‘ale‘ale to the sparkling underwater reefs.This is the best investment you can make for your trip to Kauai. Whether you are a first time visitor, or a long time kama‘aina, you will find out more about the Garden Island from this book than from any other source. Reviews: A review by Thomas J. Drexel Do NOT go to Kauai without this book!!! You will find it more than the typical guidebook as it gives you the "insiders" information to the island and how to make this trip virtually, flawlessly enjoyable!
Description:Book DescriptionMost travel titles are put together in a few weeks by visiting travel writers. Wizard guidebooks take over a year to compile and the writers are residents who personally and anonymously review every facet of the island. Their maps are the best you'll find. From restaurants to helicopter companies to scuba to beaches to trails. They see it all and show you the best the island has to offer. They also reveal who's the worst and who to stay away from. All told in a frank, humorous way that keeps the reading fun. Reviews: A review by ex-hoosier For an upcoming trip to Oahu, I recently purchased three guide books. My favorite is Oahu Revealed for the following reasons:
Written it a personable, entertaining style - more like advice from a friend.
Steers you away from sights and activities not worth the time or money.
Contains lots of fold-out maps and color photos.
Description:Product DescriptionYou'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go--they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exactprices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us!
Completely updated every year (unlike most of the competition), Frommer's Hawaii features gorgeous color photos of the stunning beaches and thrilling adventures that await you. Meticulously researched by one of Hawaii's most noted journalists, this is hands-down the most reliable, up-to-date, and comprehensive guide to the islands.
Each of our candid hotel reviews is based on a detailed personal inspection. You'll find lavish beachfront resorts, intimate rain-forest B&Bs, family-friendly condos, and much, much more. Our dining reviews are simply the best in the business, whether you crave cutting-edge Asian-fusion cuisine or a hearty, affordable plate lunch.
Our author makes sure that you'll truly experience the spirit of aloha, and she'll help you steer clear of anything that's overpriced, touristy, or inauthentic. With Frommer's in hand, you'll know where to find secluded beaches; secret spots for snorkeling; the best outfitters to choose for everything from diving to deep-sea fishing; and where to find the top galleries and shops.
Inside you'll find extensive coverage of family-friendly accommodations and activities; tips on how to get married in the islands; recommendations for the best honeymoon resorts; and valuable advice on finding the best airfares and package deals. Whether you want to watch the fiery spectacle at the Big Island's volcano, play a challenging round of golf, snorkel with sea turtles, or simply kick back with a mai tai to watch the sunset, you can design the perfect trip with Frommer's Hawaii. You'll even get a color fold-out map, and an online directory that makes trip-planning a snap!
Reviews: A review by Writer As one who grew up in Hawaii, I was asked by a friend who was going to go there for the first time what I thought of this guide. It is fine. I could recommend it.
Description:Book DescriptionThe latest edition of the Sprout's top-selling guide is packed with new and updatedactivities, dozens of fresh photos, and a special Trailblazer Kids section for families headed to Hawaii's "adventure island." Popular among independent and active travelers, Trailblazer guides are known for their user-friendly format, readability, and sharp graphics. You'll find all the mountain ridges, tropical gardens, beaches, coves and lagoons, jungles, rivers, historic landmarks and cultural sites, coral reefs, ancient ruins, and coastal bluffs-all the places to get wet, muddy, and have fun on Kaua'i. Less energetic visitors will appreciate the book's driving tours, which hit the headliners along with the island's out-of-the-way charms. The authors have spent years exploring Kaua'i, and it shows. A Resource Links section gives visitor information and cultural contacts, recommended recreational outfitters, museums and attractions, Hawaiiana shops and hula shows, as well as a! hand-picked list of restaurants and places to stay. Safety precautions and traveling tips are not to be overlooked, and a Best Of section lets you select among activities to suit your mood.
119 hikes and strolls to mountain ridges, tropical gardens, beaches, jungles, coves, reefs, historiclandmarks and ancient ruins, swamps, craters, forests, coastal bluffs and tide pools, towns, canyons, waterfalls and river valleys
- 68 beaches, including 22 reachable only by trail - 42 snorkeling pools, both the island favorites and hidden coves - 61 mountain bike rides along forest, coastal, and countryside trails - 27 kayaking waters: 13 rivers and streams, 14 bays and lagoons - 36 surfing spots - a special Trailblazer Kids section - 10 maps and 175 photographs - 4 driving tours, featuring heiaus, wildlife sanctuaries, cultural and historical sites,tourist attractions and natural wonders - Resource Links to recreational outfitters, stables, golf courses, camping, transportation, accommodations, local-style eats and shops - Appendices of Hawaiian words, place names, movie locations, hula performances, farmer's markets, weather, flora, history
Reviews: A review by Sandy Sigmund A must to throw into your backpack when heading out to the trails. All of the information you will need to plan a day of hiking, biking, or paddeling is in this one little book.
Description:Product DescriptionGet To The Heart of Your Destination Half of Hawaii's 8 million yearly tourists are first-timers, often unsure of which island to visit, where to stay, and what to choose to do. NO WORRIES HAWAII, a companion book to the Sprout's adventure guides for each of the islands, comes to the rescue. The book is also useful for repeat visitors or locals looking for new adventures. Readers first take an armchair voyage, in which they nail down their vacation style (a scouting expedition, a romantic getaway, a solo or group adventure, invigorating, relaxing, healing). These likings are matched with what Hawaii has to offer. A clever but simple self-test allows readers to sort through Hawaii's assets: beaches, nightlife, trails, gardens, attractions, cultural sites, surfing, snorkeling, 36 categories in all, to determine which are important and which island is best. In the second part of NO WORRIES HAWAII, readers take their decisions from part one and receive all the practical and money-saving advice needed to book a vacation that makes the armchair voyage become a real one. Included also is a complete list of what to pack. The third part of the book is full of tips on what to do and what not to do after arriving in the islands. Readers will deplane as kama'aina (locals), having the benefit of the Sprout's 20 years of exploration. Sections include how to plan days to maximize fun and avoid hassle, finding free entertainment, car rental and accommodation money-savers. Readers are advised on how to, and whether to, book tours (snorkeling, sailing, helicopter, horseback, etc.). The book's safety tips are a literal lifesaver, and the everyday advice on driving, hiking, and beach-going are essential forgetting the most fun out of every day. The meat of NO WORRIES HAWAII is its Best Of section, a listing of Hawaii's top attractions: museums, rainforest dayhikes, snorkeling coves, walk-around beach towns, surfing spots, places to watch surfers, mountain bike trails, people-watching beaches, botanical gardens, short strolls to views, cultural sites, luxury resorts, volcano hikes, bird-watching forests, waterfalls, churches, remote beaches, family beach parks, golf courses, and more. Taken together, the 50 categories neatly sum up the best of Hawaii. Readers can use these listings as a reference when they get to their chosen island. NO WORRIES HAWAII is beautifully designed, complimented by more than 100 color photographs, and also contains a "wikiwiki phonebook" with all the contact numbers needed to put a vacation together. Reviews: A review by Greg Hayes In my work at Guide to Travel Guides, we concentrate on finding excellent travel books from smaller publishers, books that travelers may not yet be familiar with. No Worries Hawaii, newly published in late 2007, is just such a book. Really a travel planning guide without peer. Its 160 pages are fabulous stuff, chocked full of helpful information and some of the loveliest color photos around. If you playball with the Sprouts, they'll help you zero in on the greatest island vacation you've ever had. The Sprouts are veterans of the Hawaii guidebook scene. Their deservedly much-praised Trailblazer series includes four titles on the islands of Hawaii: Kauai Trailblazer, Maui Trailblazer, Oahu Trailblazer, and Hawaii the Big Island Trailblazer, all of which focus on outdoor activities of every kind: walks, hikes, bicycle rides, snorkeling, driving tours and on and on. In No Worries Hawaii they use their expertise to help you decide the type of vacation you want, the setting you want, the activities you value most, and where best to find them. Moving from an armchair voyage in which you envision and clarify your wants and needs to a clever, simple self-test to help you prioritize your wish list, No Worries Hawaii then relates all this homework you've done to a highly detailed, 36-category Best of Hawaii section. If you spend the time, the system really works. If you are too lazy, just focusing on the Best of Hawaii section, plus a good look at the Best of Hawaii scoreboard to see which island ranks highest for your needs will take you a long way toward paradise. Practical informationabounds, with lots of money saving advice and a wonderfully detailed "Wiki Wiki Phonebook" for all the contact information you'll ever need. This is one great travel planning guide--if only other travel destinations had something this good.
Lounge at a decadent beachside spa, snorkel amid vibrant coral reefs, or walk on the rim of the world's most active volcano. Whatever you choose to do, exploring paradise has never been this much fun, or this easy!
LOOK INSIDE FOR AN INNOVATIVE, NEW TRAVEL GUIDE!
Comprehensive, up-to-date, and easy to use, Fodor’s Hawaii 2008 remains the best resource for organizing your trip to these rich and varied islands. Our 2008 edition also flaunts exclusive, new features including indispensable, customized tools for planning a tropical vacation, in addition to rich photography that illustrates the distinctive culture of each island. Plus, not only will you read the expert advice of our professional travel writers, but you’ll also review recommendations from everyday travelers like yourself, in our new “Word of Mouth” features throughout the book. Fodor's Hawaii 2008 is designed so that you spend less time researching and more time relishing what lies ahead on your dream vacation.
Plan a perfect island getaway, with these new features:
Find the perfect activity: Whether you want to spend your time boogie boarding, snorkeling, hiking, or biking, our guide features expert advice about what you need to hit the water or the trails. Our local experts give practical information and opinions about equipment, techniques, and the best spots for each activity. Plus, our all-new golf section includes complete reviews by a local golf writer, who has played 88 golf course in Hawaii, and gives insider advice such as the best places for whale-watching.
“Word of Mouth” from Fodors.com: Read what fellow travelers are saying about their favorite places to explore and unwind, featured throughout the book. Then, when you return from your trip, share your opinions onFodors.com and they may get published in our 2009 edition!
Beaches: Fodor's Hawaii 2008 features beach maps that highlight coastlines and what facilities are available from restrooms to what beaches are kid-friendly. These brand-new features complement incisive, opinionated beach reviews to make sure you find the perfect beach to soak up the sun.
Hotel Charts: Simple charts summarize prices, amenities, and the distinctive character of lodging on each island.
Where to Spa: A complete guide to Hawaii's ever-growingspa industry, with reviews of destination, resort, and day spas.
PhotosandMaps: Unique photos throughout illustrate the history and local activities, while brand-new topographical maps designate sights, beaches, dive sites, restaurants, island-to-island ferries, and more!
Always Up-to-date: Fodor’s Hawaii guide is updated EVERY year—it’s the most accurate book available!
Visit Fodors.com for travel bargains, information on local festivals, maps, vacation planning tips, more reviews and much more!
And, to view more insider secrets, visit “Travel Talk” and “Rants and Raves” at Fodors.com/forums for more recommendations from travelers like yourself.
Reviews: A review by C. Kliewer EXCELLENT service. Book arrived in a very timely manner and in perfect condition - very well packaged.
Packed with adventure and money-saving tips, the new 18th edition of the Kauai Underground Guide has been referred to as "the bible" by readers and reviewers alike for finding this gorgeous island’s best beaches, restaurants, tours, adventures, activities, and hidden beauty spots. With more than 225,000 copies of previous editions sold, this original guidebook to Kauai is a must for visitors and has everything travelers need to know to discover Kauai. This edition includes helpful maps and charts, thorough descriptions, “Don’t Miss” day plans, advice for navigating the island’s micro-climates in order to find the best weather, fun things to do with children, and a free bonus CD – the perfect rental car companion – of memorable island music by Hawaiian superstar Keali’I Reichel. Great for explorers — essential for families.
Reviews: A review by Brian Schenker This is an amazing travel guide. The authors cover every inch of the island, and their descriptions are spot-on accurate. We spent 12 days in Kauai and stayed at the Lihue Marriott as perfectly recommended by the book. We carried this book with us every where we went.
The book was simply an inexhaustible resource that steered us in the right direction time and time again. The book made our vacation even more stress free. I don't know how the vacation would have gone without it.
The only downside of the book is that the authors don't recommend their "overall favorite" beach for winter and summer, or their "overall favorite" restaurant.
The beaches are dramatically different during the winter and the summer. For example, you do not want to be on the north side of the island during the winter, where it rains all the time. In the winter, the best beaches by far can be found at Salt Pond Beach Park on the south side of the island, or at Polihale State Park on the west side of the island (make sure to rent a Jeep or SUV if you want to enjoy the Polihale State Park's spectacular mountainside beaches, which can only be accessed via a dirt road through sugar cane fields; we braved the trip in a Pontiac G6 but it was a white knuckle drive.).
Unfortunately, the authors' descriptions of the beaches are generally in a "best weather" format, and generally don't distinguish between the seasons. As a result, we spent one day driving around in rain on the north and east sides of the island looking for what were supposed to be great beaches. The beaches are great in the summer, but in the winter they were nothing but rough waves, wind, and rain. (We confirmed the first day's results when we frequently re-visited those sides of the island to dine.)
We also spent a few nights at restaurants that the authors described as good, and that were generally good. However, I wish we hadn't waited to dine at The Blossoming Lotus, which offers a dining experience unmatched by any other restaurant on the island, and can certainly compete with any mainland fine dining restaurant. In 2006, the restaurant was named the best on the island and is critically praised by many experts. The authors should just acknowledge what everyone else already knows and come out and call it the best restaurant on the island. Generally, all of the island's restaurants except the Mexican restaurants (try Mariachi's!) offer the same dishes, and, thus, are redundant. The Blossoming Lotus is truly a unique dining experience, and I will quickly add not just on the island. It literally blew us away!!!
Description:Book DescriptionA guide for families and outdoor adventurers alike, Maui Trailblazer 2006 covers all of the island, and includes day trips to the neighboring islands of Molokai, Lanai, and Molokini.
Clear directions and concise descriptions lead to all of Maui's well-known attractions, as well as to hidden discoveries that Trailblazer readers have come to expect.
137 different hikes and strolls to tropical rain forests and remote valleys, coastal bluffs and lava caves, Haleakala crater and the Hana Highway, cascading waterfalls, beaches, ridgetops, towns, whale-watching perches, historic sites, and archeological ruins.
Among the 44 snorkeling spots are hike-to coves and the secret places that tour boats go.
Kayakers can pick from about 20 put-ins.
Surfers can select from 38 beaches and decide whether to boogie, board, or body surf. Onlookers will find the best places to watch the surfers, windsurfers and kite-boarders ride the big ones.
The text is complimented by 10 maps and 240 photographs. Driving tours-nine of them-take readers to all the attractions, natural wonders, and historic sites.
A Resource Links section provides numbers for free visitor information and recreational outfitters, as well as hand-picked accommodations and local restaurants to suit every budget and taste bud.
A Best Of section lets you pick the right activity to suit your mood and the day. Appendices include free hula shows, farmer's markets, what to pack, climate, history, fauna, and a Hawaiian glossary.
This new and completely revised second edition for 2006 includes a Trailblazer Kids section for adventuring families.
Reviews: A review by Nan Neilsen All the fun stuff. My teenage boys loved it and wanted to try everything they listed. Our hikes were group affairs, waterfall destinations being first choice, Haleakala took second. This book is organized by region with all the activities linked to the highway mile markers and cross referenced on the interior maps. This saved us time and we also spent less on gas.
In six days we really covered ground. We drove the entire beautiful coast stopping here and there to snorkel where they indicated it was best for beginners. Excels when it comes to easily finding the snorkeling and hiking zones and wild beaches. We are big Trailblazer fans now.
Description:Book DescriptionA guide for families and outdoor adventurers alike, the new and completely revised 2007 Trailblazer takes you to all of the Big Island's famous attractions, as well as its hidden spots. Nearly twice the size of the rest of Hawaii combined, the Big Island presents a challenge to adventure travelers with limited time. Trailblazer comes to the rescue with its trademark organization and clear directions for . . .
156 hikesand strolls: the peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, the shores of Waipio Valley and Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, rain forests and tropical gardens, waterfalls, petroglyph fields, and the Kona Coast 75 snorkeling and swimming spots including remote hike-to specials 39 surfing spots: boards, bodyboarding, and body surfing 24 bike trails for adventure cyclists: mountain, coastal, forest, pasture 25 campgrounds and rustic cabin hideaways
Hawaii the Big Island Trailblazer also includes . . .
9 maps and more than 200 photographs A Trailblazer Kids section for adventuring famiies A Best Of section that lets you pick the right activity for the right day Resource Links with hand-picked accommodations and restaurants,recreational outfitters, transportation, and visitor information Hawaiian culture and history Museums, attractions and shopping Driving tours to the Parker Ranch and Kohala Coast, Hilo and the Heritage Coast, and Kona coffee country Safety tips and trip-planning advice
Reviews: A review by Liz Parker-Boehert Reading this guide was truly a breath of fresh Hawaiian air. The authors passion and knowledge of this island jumps off the pages. For our family it delivered so many fun little sidetrips since our 3 kidslove the water. What made it different from all the other travel guides was the intelligent way the sightseeing places were presented following along on the highway. It made picking and choosing the day's activities so easy.
There was always something to discover around every corner. It is concise, to the point and took us through fields of lava to white sandy beaches and reef pools where it was safe to swim. Turtle watching became a favorite pastime.
If you haven't yet been to the Big Island, you owe it yourself to get a copy before you go to see what's in store.
