Air Travel: Is It Right for You?

 

Are you interested in taking a vacation?  If you are, you may be required to fly.  There are many popular vacation destinations, such as Hawaii, Europe, and the Caribbean, that cannot be reached any other way.  With that in mind, if you are looking to vacation within in the United States you may have more options.  For that reason, you may want to first decide if traveling by airplane is really right for you.

When it comes to determining if air travel is really right for you, for your next trip, you will first want to look at your destination.  Just because you do not have any oceans to cross, it does not mean that you don’t need to fly.  For example, if you are looking to travel from New York to California, it may be within your best interest to fly.  This is particularly true if you are limited on the amount of vacation time that you have available from your work. 

Your budget is another factor that you will want to take into consideration, when trying to determine if air travel is right for you.  For example, there are many other cheaper alternatives for those who must travel a short to medium distance.  For example, if you will be traveling from Texas to Nevada, you may be able to buy tickets for a bus or train.  There are many different options when you look for them.  For many individuals, riding a bus or a train is a much more affordable option.  Perhaps, the only downside to this approach is the time that you will spend on the road.  For many, it would just be convenient to drive their own car.

Speaking of driving your own car, if you are looking to avoid flying, you will want to examine your alternative option of driving yourself.  As previously stated, keep your location and distance in mind.  Also, it is important to take the cost of your trip into consideration.  Many of us automatically think of gasoline and the cost of it, but it is also important to take the cost of vehicle wear and tear into consideration.  For that reason, many end up renting a car for their trip.  However, it is important to return back to traveling by air.  For long distance trips, the cost of renting a car can be the same, if not more than hopping on a flight that only lasts a few hours

What does all of this mean for you?  It does mean that you will likely be better off traveling by airplane if you are looking to travel in the United States.  With that said, there are some exceptions to this rule.  For example, you should never fly if you can drive to your destination in an hour or two, as doing so can be considered a waste of money.  Also, if you are a motor home owner or if you can find an affordable rental nearby, you may want to drive to your destination instead, as doing so can sometimes be better than flying.

For the most part, the only individuals who should have trouble flying are those who suffer from claustrophobia or a fear of flying, even flying is safe.  Individuals with other disabilities, including the need of an oxygen tank or those who are wheel chair bound, can still fly to their destination, as many airlines will go out of their way to provide needed accommodations and services.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

Auto Rental When in a Maui Hawaii Vacation

 

You have the travel tickets and you have the accommodation. The problem is how you will get to the hotel from the airport and how you will get to the beach from the hotel. Well, you forgot something when planning a Maui Hawaii vacation, a auto rental.

Actually, you are not alone.

Most people who plan their vacations, whether in Hawaii or anywhere else in the world, always forget this small detail. Some do not even bother at all, rationalizing that the hotel can provide car service for them or that there are hundreds of cabs that can accommodate them. The problem with these two is the fact that they are limited in some ways.

Hiring a cab for example will never be as convenient as having a transportation that is all your own. If you rent an automobile, you can go whenever you want, wherever you want. You just need to start the engine. You don’t have to wait for a cab in the middle of nowhere. Hotel car service, on the other hand, can be pretty expensive, not to mention very hard to get by.

You see most people in the hotel will probably need a car service. And you have got to be at the first in line if you want to leave first. Otherwise, you have to wait for the other people to come back before you can leave or at the very least have the hotel tell you that there is no more cars available.

One down side though with having your own car while on vacation is the directions. This is especially true if this is the first time that you have visited Maui or Hawaii. And even if you have a map, nothing beats having a driver who already knows the way.

You can solve this problem by getting a car rental service that comes with a driver. Most auto car rentals will offer this because they know that tourists don’t have the patience to look at maps and follow road signs.

After all, this vacation is all about relaxing and not stressing over which way to turn to get to the beach! Having a driver is however more expensive than hiring just the car. So make sure first that you have the budget for it.

When you sum it up, renting a car from an auto rental service for the duration of your vacation is cheaper than hiring the hotel’s service.

But you have to take into account the number of times that you will actually use the car rental service. If you are just going to use it once or twice, then you are better off with the hotel’s car service. If however, you plan to tour the whole state, then a car just for you is better.

If you do not plan to go at all and you just plan to stay at the beach and do water sports all day long throughout your vacation time, then don’t anymore rent a car.

You can just book a hotel that is nearer and you all have to do is walk towards the beach. This will save you a lot of expenses for taxis. Auto rental when on a vacation in Maui Hawaii or in any other place is important but it all depends on how you plan to spend your vacation.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

4 Must Visit Big Island Hawaii Attractions

 

Are you in the process of planning a Big Island trip?  Hawaii’s Big Island is a popular vacation destination, partly due in fact to its size.  Why?  Because there is so much for you to do and see. 

Once your Big Island travel arrangements are made, you may want to shift for your focus to what you can do and see.  Creating an itinerary for your trip has a number of benefits.  It is important to remember that Big Island is filled with so much for you to do and see; so much that you may not have enough time to do so.  Familiarizing yourself with popular Big Island attractions before your vacation can help you make sure that you visit the mostly highly rated and recommended sites, a few of which are outlined below.

1 – Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a must see for all Big Island tourists.  This National Park is situated on 377 square miles of a vast array of landscaping.  Whether you are interested in traveling by car, foot, or bike, there is a large part of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that you can examine.

When traveling by car, you can visit the summit of the Kilauea volcano.  Chain of Craters Road is also a must visit in the park, as this is where lava once flowed over the road.  With so much to do and see in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, including guided tours and themed wilderness tours, you may want to stay onsite.  What better way to end your day than camping?  Camping is free as long as you paid admittance into the park.

2 – Waipio Valley

Waipio Valley is also known as “The Valley of the Kings.”  This Big Island attraction is a must visit if the history and culture of Hawaii is of interest to you.  Here, you will be able to explore an area that was once populated with native Hawaiians.  There are unlimited hidden treasures in the area, including beautiful waterfalls, rivers, and tara fields.

To learn the history of the Waipio Valley, not just see it, a guided tour is recommended.  Guided tours of “The Valley of Kings,” are available by way of car, horseback, and foot.

3 – Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is often referred to as “A Garden in the Valley of the Ocean.”  Due to close proximately, a visit to the gardens is advised either before or after a visit to “The Valley of the Kings.”

Guided garden tours are available for multiple trails, including the Onomea Falls and Palm Jungle Trail.

4  – Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park

If you are unable to visits the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park is a must visit for you. Situated on 180 acres of land, this National Historic Park is considered sacred ground.  It was once refuge and home to those who broke the law.

When visit the Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park, you can see the black lava rock, a sacred temple, wooden statutes of Hawaiian gods, and so much more!  The area is filled with beautiful fish ponds; therefore, you can enjoy a fishing adventure in addition to hiking and examining the historical background of Hawaii’s Big Island.

In addition to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park, and Waipio Valley, there are other popular and well-known attractions that you should place on your vacation itinerary.   Those visiting the North Side of Big Island will want to examine Parker Ranch.  Those visiting the South Side of the island should checkout the views at the Ka Lea South Point.

As you can see, there are a number of must visit attractions for your next Big Island vacation.  The above mentioned attractions are just a sample of what you will find on the island.  For that reason, you are encouraged to use the internet to your advantage or request free Big Island travel guides, which are relatively easy to find online.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations