Maui's Must See and Do

When travelers think of traveling to Hawaii, their image more often than not focuses on the stunning island of Maui.  A client of mine planning a week-long trip to the island recently asked what would be my top five things to do in Maui.  Though a challenging task, I narrowed down so many things to see and do to just five.

Go to the Top of Haleakala
An inactive volcano, it provides the perfect spot to stargaze or watch the sunrise.  The top of Haleakala is the highest point on Maui and the views are wonderful.  It works best to plan a sunrise visit to Haleakala the first or second morning of your vacation, particularly if you are coming from the mainland.  You'll be jet lagged and have no problems waking up early enough to catch some star gazing before sunrise.  With the elevation of Haleakala summit being over 10000 feet above sea level, temperatures are chilly compared to Maui's beaches.  Be prepared by bringing a jacket or sweater.

Spend a Day Touring the Road to Hana
This coastal road winds through a rain forest.  You'll see beautiful beaches, lava cliffs, and waterfalls.  Everyone calls this curvy drive "the road  to Hana", but don't stop in Hana.  You should actually drive 10 miles beyond Hana on Highway 31 to the Kipahulu area, which is also part of Haleakala National Park.  On you arrive at Kipahulu, you can do some short hikes along the coast and to the Oheo Gulch.  (Oheo Gulch is also known as the "seven sacred pools", but that's not the correct Hawaiian name and there is nothing sacred about them.)  If you have time (2.5 hours) and energy available, hike the Pipiwai Trail through a bamboo forest up to towering Waimoku Falls.

There are loads of great stops along the road.  As you return back to your resort from your drive to Hana, if you have time and daylight, take a few minutes to watch the windsurfers at Hookina Beach Park just east of Paia on Hana Highway.

Take a Snorkeling or Diving Cruise/Sail to Molokina
This crescent shaped to of an extinct volcano is a bird and marine sanctuary.  It is one of the top snorkeling spots in Hawaii.  In addition to the good snorkeling, taking the boat ride out to the crater offers wonderful views of Maui.  In winter months, the boat ride often ends up being an unofficial whale watching cruise, too.  I recommend booking this excursion for early morning when channel water is typically the smoothest.

See the Iao Valley State Park
The park is beautiful, impressive and rich with Hawaiian history.  The star of the park has to be the velvet Iao Needle, that stands 2250 feet high.

Watch for Humpback Whales
One of the most popular Maui seasonal activities; with peak months being January through March, but you may see the whales from around December through April.  You can either watch from shore or take a whale watching tour.

Preview of Carnival's Newest Ship: The Carnival Vista

Carnival Cruise Line is adding  and new ship in 2016, the Carnival Vista.  I have to say, the ship looks awesome!

Carnival sometimes gets a bad wrap but really it is a good line - especially for weeklong cruises.  I'm not a big fan of Carnival for short cruises; likely where Carnival got the "party ship" reputation.

Back to the Vista.  With this ship Carnival is really planning  to up its game.  Want an IMAX Theatre at at sea?  Yes please; Vista has one.  Stateroom specifically for families?  Why not!  Family Harbor staterooms and suites and the Family Harbor Lounge - where kids and parents can hang out, play games and help themselves to the cookie and snack bar.  Of course there is also an adult only area to escape to when the kids are entertained at the kid's clubs.  A record size 455-foot-long water tube ride, the largest water park at sea, and even an 800-foot-long sky ride will keep the entire family entertained for the entire cruise.  throw in on board sites like a pub with a working brewery on site, and it all sounds awesome!

 Check out the preview pictures of the Vista.  I am really excited about the launch of this ship.  The Vista is schedule to enter service in March of 2016 in Europe.  She will then come to New York for her US inaugural cruise, and then she will travel to Miami where she will launch year round Caribbean service.

Surprise European Cities You Need To See in 2016

There's far more to experience in Europe than its most popular (and most Instagrammed) cities.  or every Paris or London, there is a yet undiscovered city located off the beaten path.  And you can be the one to unlock its secrets.

Ahead, I've selected some cities you may not have considered for your next European jaunt - but should.  All are relatively affordable and worth a trip, even if it's just for a long weekend.  Sure, you can still go to Paris (and photograph the Eiffel Tower), but sometimes, it's good to try something new.

Naples, Italy

Rome and Florence are the typical tourist destinations in Italy, but for a different vibe, consider heading to Naples.  The nearby Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum are the first obvious must-visit stop, but Naples' historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its ancient architecture.  The city's many art museums are worth exploring, as are its streets, which you'll want to stroll for hours on end.  Of course, you're also in Italy for the food, and you will find plenty of it here.

Cork, Ireland

Located on the southern coast of Ireland, Cork was originally a monastic settlement in the 6th century.  It's changed a lot since then, and is now a great place to see a variety of historical sites and partake in cultural activities.  The English Market, a covered food market, offers a slew of local fare, including fresh seafood, and is the perfect spot to pick up souvenirs for all your friends and family.  For a stranger experience, the Cork Butter Museum details the history of the dairy industry.  When you're ready for a drink, head to the Franciscan Well Brewery to sample some local brews and then move to Sin E, an established pub that is the home of traditional Irish music in Cork.

San Sebastian, Spain

Just 12 miles south of the French border, San Sebastian is a seaside Spanish city that draws a lot of visitors, especially during summer.  It's a cultural hub, with numerous festivals and artistic events throughout the year, and was selected as the EU's European Capital of Culture for 2016.  San Sebastian is also a good choice for food lovers, especially as it's home to Basque cuisine.  If you have money to spare, check out Arzak, a three Michelin star restaurant that is considered on of the most innovative in the world.  Mostly, though, you'll want to head to one of the beaches, probably Playa de Gros or Playa de la Concha., and make your home in the sand.

Oslo, Norway

Norway's capital is one of Europe's fastest growing cities, and has so much to do, you may need an entire week to see it all.  Vigeland Museum and its neighboring Vigeland Park reveal the history of the acclaimed Norwegian sculptor, while the Viking Ship Museum displays several actual Viking ships,  Once your done exploring the tourist sites, check out Grunerlokka lufthavn, a cultural organization housed in an old school building, where you can check out out art and drink at the local cafe.  Lokk restaurant is known for its soups, and Mathallen is a massive indoor food market where you can find the best of Oslo's local food scene.  For cocktails, grab a stool at Sense or Baroque.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is slowly becoming one of the must-see cities in Europe, largely because of its historical architecture and artistic legacy.  The city, Austria's capital, stretches alongside the Danube River and is known as the "City of Music," thanks to its longtime contributions to art and its many theaters and opera houses.  If you're not inclined to spend your vacation at a classical opera, you can sightsee at the baroque Schonbrunn and Belvedere Palaces.  St. Stephen's Cathedral, and the 826-foot-high Danube Tower.  When it comes to nightlife, try to score an invite to Extrazimmer, a speakeasy cocktail bar that requires some digging to access.  Naschmarkt - Vienna's largest market, with over 120 stalls and a Saturday flea market - is also worth a visit.