Vacations MAX Blog

When I was asked to contribute to a article about a Hawaii (Big Island) vacation for nurses, I thought to myself; How can I specifically target nurses over any other demographic? While it’s true that nurses are in one of the most important professions, they are pretty much like everybody else when it comes to taking a vacation and having fun and as such, have the same needs/budgets and any vacationers.
If you don’t have some pre-arranged accommodations planned through your organization you’re probably looking for some hotel/condo advice.
On the Big Island, Kona is the place for deal seekers. You’ll find a lot a budget hotels and also some really great affordable condos that are quite nice. For those on a budget I often recommend that families get a condo. If you really need to strech your dollar, a family of four can easily fit in a one-bedroom but keep in […]

Original post by Funjet Vacations and software by Elliott Back

Summertime is near and Americans are heading to the beach for some much need relaxation and fun in the sun. Choosing where to go this summer is tough with the cost of gas changing peoples plans greatly. With the cost of driving cross country increased many are finding it just as reasonable to fly somewhere different to really “get away” this year. Hawaii has always been a favored beach destination and this year is no different with Hawaiian beach rentals a popular package for travel agents nationwide. Bookings for Hawaiian vacations are hot and top spots such as Kona are ready with great Kona vacation rentals for much more than just honeymoon couples.

Hawaii really is a family destination with a variety of activities for everyone. Beyond the miles of beautiful beaches the Big Island and Kona offer splendid views and amazing mountain adventures with the great dormant volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa creating breathtaking scenery seen only in the Hawaiian islands.

Mauna Kea as viewed from Kohala Mountains.

Mauna Loa as seen from from Saddle Road

Kona offers more than just natural beauty and the laid back beach lifestyle offers many restful adventures including some great deep sea fishing, sea kayaking and snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean and Whale watching are all available from the Big Island and Kona. If you want to take a relaxing fun filled vacation to Hawaii then consider Kona vacation rentals from HawaiianBeachRentals.com and unwind in the lush tropical paradise of the Hawaiian Islands.

I was recently asked to contribute to a article for a major travel magazine in which I was asked to recommend a “dream honeymoon” for couples with a unlimited budget and for those on a budget. While there many ways to do this, I offered the following advise:
I have done a lot of dream honeymoons which included splitting the time between 2 distinct points on the same Island. For example on Maui I often recommend 3 days in Hana at the Hotel Hana (South side of the Island) in a Sea Ranch Cottage and then 4 days in Wailea (West side of the island) at the Four Seasons in a Oceanfront Room. One fun split I recently did had the bride and groom flown via a helicopter down to Hana. After the 3 day stay, I arranged a convertible so they take a romantic drive up the scenic coast […]

Original post by Funjet Vacations and software by Elliott Back

UNITED AND ALOHA AIRLINES plan to expand their code-share agreement. United has also taken a minority stake in Aloha and now occupies a seat on Aloha’s board of directors. Neither airline indicated how large United’s stake is, but United said it “could expand over time.” The current code-sharing between the airlines consists solely of United placing its code on Aloha’s interisland flights. Under an expanded agreement, each carrier would be able to place its code on the other’s flights between Hawaii and the mainland U.S. and on flights to Japan.

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Original post by Funjet Vacations and software by Elliott Back

Jamaica is a tropical paradise with some of the most luscious and beautiful natural attractions in the Caribbean. Many visitors to Jamaica have a great time on the beaches and the nightlife in most major Jamaica cities is vibrant and alive. Sadly many travelers to Jamaica never get to see much of the real natuiral beauty the island has to offer because they rarely leave the manicured safety of the all inclusive resorts.

A trip to the Negril area would not be the same if you failed to visit at least one of the great natural attractions such as spending the day relaxing in the soothing waters at Mayfields Falls which is only an hours drive away and well worth the trip. The day can be spent viewing the 22 mini cascades and numerous swimming hoes that make up the Mayfield Falls site. The natural waterpark is covered with lush local foliage including bamboo, colorful flowers, hanging vines, large trees and wild shrubbery. The adventuroius can take a swim into the underwater cave and dive from the cliffs into natural pools of cool invigorating water. Bring your water shoes, bug repellent and heavy sunblock for a great day in the one of Jamaicas most beautiful natural waterfalls.

Mayfields Falls in Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica West Indies

If you enjoy yourself at Mayfiled Falls and want to upgrade to a more scenic falls then consider a trip over to YS Falls which is said to be a bit nicer but kinda far from Negril. YSfalls are unspoilt and uncommercialized, and a relaxed day of bathing almost alone is possible in the less visited crystal-clear greenish pools. This location is abit further from things and it is suggested you pack a picnic for the day as their are no real food establishments in the area. A set of Tarzan style  ropes allows the brave amongst us to swing out onto the river and into the cool waiting waters. Beware as this is an unstaffed swimming location and you are on your own in the these waters.

Natural Pool at YS Falls in Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica W.I.

If you’re considering a Jamaican vacation and looking for something a little different then  try some of the natural wonders of Jamaica and visit the “other falls” besides the world famous Dunns River falls outside of Ocho Rios which has become the dumping grounds for 100’s of tourists at a time in some mad dash to the top that most call a death ride. .

Jamaica Overview | Jamaica Tour Guide | iExplore.com

Jamaica was inhabited by Arawak Indians prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1494. Although Columbus was in the habit of declaring that each new island he chanced upon was more beautiful than the last, he seems to have maintained a lifelong enthusiasm for the beauty of Jamaica.

A few years later, it was formally colonized by the Spanish whose rule lasted until 1655. They were displaced by the British who turned Jamaica into the most important of the British Caribbean slaving colonies. Within 100 years, virtually the whole island had been divided up into large plantations owned by absentee landlords and worked by forced labor imported from West Africa.

By Nina Wu
nwu@starbulletin.com vacationsmax
Honolulu - Aloha Airlines and United Airlines announced a new partnership yesterday in which the larger carrier would become a minority equity partner in Aloha, with a seat on the isle firm’s board of directors.
Chicago-based United Airlines will now share flight codes with Aloha Airlines on all of its mainland-Hawaii and Japan-Hawaii flights. Both companies declined to disclose United’s actual stake in Aloha.
United also partners with Arizona-based Mesa Air Group, which is in a legal battle with Aloha over the startup of Mesa’s low-fare interisland airline, go! Mesa shares codes on some United flights and operates commuter service as United Express.
David Banmiller, Aloha’s president and CEO, said the new deal is separate from the Aloha-Mesa legal dispute. Rather, he said, the deal represents the culmination of a longtime marketing partnership with United that goes back to the early 1990s. But he added that the agreement “sends […]

Original post by Funjet Vacations and software by Elliott Back

Using a Hawaii Based travel agent can make your arrival to Hawaii much more memorable. Since we are right here in Hawaii we can add special touches to ensure your trip is a unforgettable. For example, using the various hotel amenity programs that are available we can have a special gift waiting for you when you arrive. Additionally some of these hotels offer free upgrades for honeymooners and wedding couples.
To add a special touch when you arrive, arrange for a lei greeting but don’t just do a regular lei greeting go for a premium one which will only be a few more dollars but will be more impressive, they use a nicer floral arrangement and also greet you with a sign when you arrive to the islands. If you want to go all out arrange for a round trip stretch limousine service to the hotel. We can […]

Original post by Funjet Vacations and software by Elliott Back