Something free to do on Hawaii's Big Island

Mauna Kea, the world's tallest mountain (30,000 feet from its base in the ocean to its summit, which sits 14,000 feet above sea level), is home to many of the world's largest observatories. Guided tours to the top (including food and transportation) can run $200, but there is a  free alternatives.

 

Free stargazing programs are held nightly at the visitors center, located at 9,000 feet. It was somewhat cloudy the night that we attended, and while we waited for a break in the weather, we enjoyed hearing about research done on the mountain. When skies cleared, we looked through a telescope at Mars' polar ice cap and other celestial wonders. Amazing!!

www.thewaytogotravel.com

Hungry in Hawaii??

In my day to day activities of planning those perfect vacations, I often get asked for restaurant recommendation for those vacationing in Hawaii. Well here is a link to my favorite all around good food and fun kinda place in The Hawaiian Islands. LuLu's. With locations in Waikiki, Maui and Kona they are sure to become on of your favorites as well. So on your next sojourn to Hawaii give  them a try, breakfast, lunch and dinner......great bar too!!

Ron
http://lulushawaii.com/

Cruising Tips 101 part 2

More tips on how to $ave on your next cruise vacation...... after you email me of course.


Ron
rtimper@thewaytogotravel.com
www.thewaytogotravel.com

Don't feel obligated to take excursions at all.
Excursions are part of the appeal of a cruise ship vacation, but don't feel like you must book one for every port in which the ship stops. If there's nothing in the port-of-call that piques your interest, skip it. Sometimes walking around the port is an adventure itself.

Just say, "No!"
It's the simplest rule of all, but it can be the most difficult rule to follow when on vacation. The advertising spiels start the minute you board the ship -- from the loudspeaker announcements, to the advertisements in your daily newsletter, to the aggressive bartenders hawking pricey cocktails. You feel like you're being beaten over the head with a nonstop sales pitch, and it can be difficult to stand your ground.

Learn to say, "No thanks." Remember, you won't be the first to decline a sales pitch -- and you won't be the last.

Avoid the specialty restaurants.
Your cruise ship fare includes access to the dining room and the all-day buffet, but these aren't the only eateries on the ship. Several specialty restaurants are available -- for an extra charge -- and serve "premium meals," such as sushi or gourmet pizza.

These specialty restaurants offer a nice break from the dining room, and it's great to enjoy a meal with folks from your own party instead of eating dinner with strangers. These restaurants can get expensive, though, and often times the food isn't anything special, so use with caution.

Saving Money on a Cruise 101

I went on two cruises in 2010 one to Alaska and one to Hawaii. Surprisingly I didn't spend as much on-board the ship as i thought I would. In a few installments Ii would like to share with you some tips that will save you some cash on your next cruise.

Remember for the best vacation book with an agent!!

One of the biggest appeals of a cruise ship vacation is its "somewhat" all-inclusive aspect. Your meals, and on board activities are planned and available for your enjoyment, pretty much whenever you feel like enjoying them. Unfortunately, a cruise ship's "all-inclusive" element doesn't mean it's an on board free-for-all. All those port excursions, soda and alcoholic beverages, beauty services, and photos are made available for an extra charge.

Because your cabin key functions as an on board credit card, it is easy to go overboard with your spending. If you're not careful, you could end up with a hefty bill when your cruise ends. Here are a few tips to save money while on board a cruise ship.

Stay away from on board gift shops.
If you're trying to save money on the cruise ship, staying out of the ship's shops should be your first line of defense. Duty free shops are always tempting. After all, there's no sales tax!

It's easy to get carried away, but keep in mind that, while the items are tax-free, the prices may be inflated. A small-ish, inexpensive memento is fine, but if you go on an all-out shopping spree, you may get home and wonder, "Why did I buy this?"

Don't use the phone or Internet services.
Many of the convenient technologies we depend on in our normal, everyday lives are nearly nonexistent on a cruise ship. You're not going to have cell phone service while at sea, and Internet services are priced at a premium, by-the-minute fee, usually around $0.75 to $1.00 per minute. Instead of paying cruise prices, try using your cell phone while on land at a port-of-call -- chances are, you'll get reception. (Consider calling your cell carrier before leaving home and arranging for an international calling package, making these calls cheaper still.) Also, Internet cafes can be found in most ports and are often less expensive than the ship's service. If you're planning on emailing your friends or updating your blog, consider typing the text offline to save time. Finally, don't be afraid NOT to call or email home. Your friends and family know you're on vacation and probably don't need to hear from you.


More to come........

Why use a travel agent ? Why not!!

Any doubts about booking online?
Questions about Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska or The Caribbean?
All-inclusive or cruise? When to go? best Deals?
I have all the answers!!
Don't get venture out all alone.


Give me a call : 888-750-0825
rtrimper@thewaytogotravel.com
www.thewaytogotravel.com


Ron

Remember: Without an agent you on your own !!
NEVER a fee for my service.

More signs.......Hawaii style

Remember: If in Doubt Don't go Out!

It seem that every beach in Hawaii has these signs, well except maybe Waikiki Beach.

Ron

Helpful Travel Tips.....no charge :)

According to an article by CNN and agreed upon be me, I would like to offer you some great tips on booking airline travel. Whether you're traveling to Hawaii, Alaska on anywhere else in the world, use these tips to make your travel a bit easier and less costly. You can always call us @ The Way To Go Travel for more tips or to make reservations or get a free quote on your next vacation or cruise.

Aloha,

Ron

www.thewaytogotravel.com
rttimper@thewaytogotravel.com
888-750-0825

Buy on Tuesday afternoon

The best time to buy a ticket is at 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to analysis from Rick Seaney

Most airlines publish their sales on Tuesday afternoon and tend to pull them by Thursday. Buying a ticket from your laptop on Saturday afternoon virtually assures a higher fare.

Fly on Wednesday

The cheapest day to fly domestic is Wednesday. Tuesday and Saturday round out the top three cheapest days to fly. Friday and Sunday, no surprise, are the most expensive.

Be an early bird

Never take the last flight out. Better yet, fly as early as you can. As the day wears on, delays from weather and traffic build up, and flights are canceled. And for those of you who can get up before dawn, the first flights tend to be the cheapest.

Thanks, CNN

Riu Palace Puerto Vallarta!!

A nice view of the pool from the Riu Puerto Vallarta.....sweet!!

I Love.....The Outrigger Reef Hotel in Waikiki

I last stood at the Outrigger Reef in Waikiki two years ago during their renovation. Coming back to Waikiki to see it finished was a joy! The outdoor bar and stage area next to the pool was new. They had top notch local musicians every night. The Shorebird restaurant and Ocean House are so good! The rooms are fantastic and newly decorated. Free internet!! The staff was helpful and friendly. Being located on Waikiki Beach is always a plus. It is in the best location right on the Waikiki Beach Walk. Love it!!

Contact me for more information on this fabulous resort or other in Waikiki
rtrimper@thewaytogotravel.com
888-750-0825

More cool signs......California Style

Here are some pictures of some signs that I snapped on my recent trip to California and Disneyland. I love taking pictures of these, not sure why.....enjoy!

Ron

How To Work With A Travel Agent

A travel agent can be your best friend in building the vacation of a lifetime. For some reason, most people think that working with an agent is more expensive than just buying online.

100% Not true!

An agent can save you hundreds of dollars and several hours of frustration. If you’ve never worked with one before, here are some tips on how to get the most bang for your buck.

1. Do your homework 1st. Narrow down your travel dates within a couple of weeks. Never tell your agent: “I want to go somewhere, someday, somehow”!
2. Pick a couple of places you’d like to visit. Agents are bombarded with travel deals every hour of every day. If you mention a place, they’ve got a deal!
3. Use the internet for reference. Get a general idea of what it costs to spend a week at one of the places you like. If you’ve never traveled before, you might not know a good deal when you see it. Educate yourself on typical flight costs, the difference between and 3-star and a 5-star resort, etc... A good agent will help you increase your knowledge about travel.

Travel agents work on commissions paid by cruise lines and other trip suppliers. Some charge an additional fee for their time and expertise but it’s not like hiring a plumber and negotiating to a lower rate. A good agent is just as concerned about your happiness as you are. So if they offer you a balcony stateroom on a cruise, it’s probably because they’ve stayed in the regular rooms before, and know that they don't compare to the balcony!

Puerto Vallarta Mexico......amazing sunsets

I am speechless.....just enjoy these great shots that I took in October 2010. Puerto Vallarta has some amazing sunsets. Why not go and check a few out for yourself??

www.thewaytogotravel.com