Kapalua Bay beach has been routinely listed in the top ten beaches in the world.

The sand and water are great, and what’s below the water is also fantastic! Snorkeling is terrific or you can enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach. The coral and marine fish were beautiful.

The beach cove that fronts the Kapalua Bay hotel is the stuff of dreams: a golden crescent bordered by two palm-studded points. The sandy bottom slopes gently to deep water at the bay mouth; the water is so clear that you can see where the gold sands turn to green and then deep blue.

Protected from strong winds and currents by the lava-rock promontories, Kapalua’s calm waters are great for snorkelers and swimmers of all ages and abilities, and the bay is big enough to paddle a kayak around without getting into the more challenging channel that separates Maui from Molokai.

Waves come in just right for riding. Fish hang out by the rocks, making it great for snorkeling.

No winery more thoroughly embodies the timeless appeal and seductive flavor of Napa Valley than Beringer Vineyards. Located in St. Helena California, it’s Napa’s benchmark producer since its establishment in 1876.

Beringer Vineyards is Napa Valley’s oldest continuously-operating winery. The winery is famous for its award winning white zinfandel wine, and currently makes many wines with grapes sourced from different regions.

In 1876, Jacob and Frederick Beringer founded Beringer Vineyards in the modern-day St. Helena AVA. This was the result of their realization that the soils in St Helena were very similar to those in the vineyards of their home- the Rhine Valley.

The Beringer Brothers financed the incredibly difficult task of carving caves in the hills behind their winery.

The winery offers several tours – from the shorter, more family-friendly tour of the winery and aging tunnels, to more extensive wine-tasting tours. In any of the offered tours, you’ll see history play out and learn about the fascinating process of making wine.

Wine-tasting is a must. Both the neophyte wine enthusiast as well as the experienced connoisseur will find a tasting suited for them. Tastings range from newer wines to reserve wines and can include food or cheese for more nuance. The taste relationship between wine and food is, after all, an important one.

Beringer Vineyards
2000 Main Street
St. Helena, CA 94574
(707) 967-4412

Bobby’s Room, which is located in Las Vegas’ Bellagio Hotel and Casino, has long been home to the biggest poker games in the world.

But recently, those games have gotten even bigger as the world’s richest poker players like Phil Ivey, Howard Lederer, and Jennifer Harman are stepping their game up.

Most games held in this luxurious poker room feature $4,000/$8,000 blinds which are already big enough.

However, the players have recently been anteing up $8,000/$16,000 for blinds which means each hand is averaging $200,000 – $300,000 a pot. Seeing as how hands don’t take too long to play, that’s a lot of money being exchanged in a single hand.

Some of these card sharks will be heading off to major poker tournaments soon so it’s hard to see the blinds staying this high, but many predict the games will be much bigger in the future.

Only in Las Vegas. You can truly experience the Big Apple thrills of New York City along with the magical allure of Sin City Las Vegas. The best part is it’s all in one place at the New York New York Hotel & Casino.

There’s no need to travel to the Big Apple, when you can live and breathe it in the Nevada desert. What is so astonishing is that visiting the New York New York Hotel & Casino is quite possibly the closest one may ever get to actually seeing New York City in person.

An amazing resort it is, the New York New York Hotel Las Vegas is a themed hotel taken right from downtown New York City.

At the the New York New York Hotel & Casino, step back and experience the driving energy of New York City. Its excitement, its drive, its pulse. This incredible Las Vegas resort is one of the most unforgettable places in all of the world.

The New York New York features twelve small scale replicas of the 1930’s era New York City skyscrapers.

The New York New York Hotel & Casino also offers thrill seekers something to wet their appetite. The “Manhattan Express” roller coaster whips you through the mighty skyscrapers and runs along the famous Vegas Strip offering fantastic views of Sin City.

Visitors to the New York New York Hotel & Casino will view amazing recreations of many of the most famous New York City landmarks including Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and the impressive Manhattan Skyline.

For gamblers, there is something for everybody. Try your luck at various games such as Craps, Blackjack, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette,Big Six, slots, video poker, Wheel of Fortune, Keno and many more.

New York New York Hotel Las Vegas
3790 Las Vegas Boulevard South (The Strip)
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-740-6915

Courtesy of: New York New York Hotel & Casino.

For an experience you will never forget, take the Pali Highway to this spectacular lookout, one of the windiest spots on Oahu. From the lookout point high among the eerie spires of the Koolau Mountains, you can see an unbelievable panoramic view of Windward Oahu.

Nuʻuanu Pali is a section of the windward cliff (pali in Hawaiian) of the Koʻolau mountain located at the head of Nuʻuanu Valley on the island of Oʻahu. Today, it offers one of the best panoramic views of the windward (northeast) coast of Oʻahu. A main highway (Hawaii State Highway 61) connecting Kailua/Kāneʻohe with downtown Honolulu runs through tunnels bored into the cliffside.

The Nuʻuanu Pali State Wayside is a lookout above the tunnels where visitors are treated to a panoramic view of the Oahu’s windward side with sweeping views of Kāneʻohe, Kāneʻohe Bay, and Kailua. It is also well-known for strong Trade winds that blow through the pass, forming a sort of natural wind tunnel. Kaneohe Bay is the largest sheltered body of water in the main Hawaiian Islands.

The Nuʻuanu Pali was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history, in which Kamehameha I conquered the island of Oʻahu, bringing it under his rule. In 1795 Kamehameha I sailed from his home island of Hawaiʻi with an army of 10,000 soldiers.

After conquering the islands of Maui and Molokai, he moved on to Oahu. The pivotal battle for the island occurred in Nʻuanu Valley, where the defenders of Oʻahu, led by Kalanikupule, were driven back up into the valley where they were trapped above the cliff. Thousands of Kalanikupule’s soldiers were driven off the edge of the cliff to their deaths 1,000 feet below.

In 1898 a carriage road was built over the Nuʻuanu Pali to connect Windward Oʻahu with Honolulu. This road was later replaced by the Pali Highway and the Nuʻuanu Pali Tunnels in 1959.

Hawaiian folklore holds that one should never carry pork over Nuʻuanu Pali, especially at night. In olden days, motorists reported that their cars mysteriously stopped and would not start until the pork was removed from the car. Jimi Hendrix wrote a song with the title Pali Gap, a name he made up but presumably meant to refer to the Nuʻuanu Pali, which includes both a gap and a cliff (Pali).

Once a children’s paradise, TI (formerly Treasure Island) Las Vegas is now a playpen for adults. From the hottest nightclubs in town to a luxurious pool and party tub, TI is able to meet just about any decadent desire that may arise.

The British navy has left TI, which is now watched over by a bevy of beautiful sirens. In the fast-paced Sirens of TI show, visitors watch as the sirens protect their booty from a team of pirates with surprising ferocity.

Guest rooms integrate comfort, style and elegance as well as offer breathtaking views of the Las Vegas Strip through floor-to-ceiling windows.

A 95,000-square-foot casino is comprised of several thousand slot and video poker machines in addition to table games and a poker room.

TI has 2,885 rooms, which includes 220 suites.

Dining options are diverse at TI, consisting of Isla Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar, the enjoyable Kahunaville, The Buffet at TI, Social House and Canter’s Deli which is known for serving enormous portions.

Another popular spot at TI is Mist, the perfect place to have a few drinks, socialize and people-watch.

But perhaps the crowning glory of TI is Mystère, a Cirque du Soleil production now in its second decade at the resort.

Many of the pirates may have departed TI, but they have left countless treasures behind for guests to enjoy.  Source: LasVegas.com

Treasure Island – TI
3300 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Fremont Street in Las Vegas is one of the most famous – and most colorful – streets in the world.

Founded in 1905, it was named for American explorer, soldier, and Senator John Charles Fremont. Today the thoroughfare is closed to vehicles to encourage visitors to explore the many attractions there. Here is just a sampling of what you’ll find….

The Fremont Street Experience. The western-most five blocks of Fremont Street are covered by a 90-foot high, barrel-vaulted canopy, housing 12.5 LED display units. Every hour beginning at dusk and lasting under after midnight, the canopy erupts in light and sound. It’s one of the most popular attractions in Las Vegas…and it’s free.

Neon Museum. Where do the huge, dramatic, colorful signs of Las Vegas go when they retire? They go to the city’s Neon Museum, located just off of Fremont Street. Here you’ll find the horseman from the Hacienda Hotel, the original lamp sign from the original Aladdin’s Hotel and Casino, and the martini glass from outside of the Red Barn Restaurant.

The Casinos. Many of the Fremont casinos, such as the Golden Nugget and Binion’s, have been there for decades. These are the ones with the huge, neon signs and the gambler-friendly playing areas. Even if you’re not a gambler, it’s fun to see these Vegas icons.

Affordable Meals. Fremont Street is also home to a number of “Las Vegas” specials, those affordable steaks, seafood, and prime rib dinners for which the city has long been famous. The exact “deals” change frequently. Look for signs outside of the Fremont Street establishments.  Source: www.kathika.com

The amazing Wailua Falls is located at the south end of the Wailua River, near Lihue on Kauai.

The falls cascades down as two separate streams to a location at least 80 feet below. Luckily for visitors, Wailua Falls is near the road lookout for all to enjoy.

Back in the 1970′s, TV fans of the popular ABC show “Fantasy Island” will recognize Wailua Falls during the hit show’s opening scene. “Fantasy Island” made these falls popular.

The water flow of Wailua Falls can vary widely depending on local rainfall and river flow. The top of the falls is flat but you can see channels have been cut into the rock, from centuries of flowing water.

You can enjoy fantastic views during the early morning hours, as the sun’s rays shine directly on the impressive falls.

Legend states that back in ancient times, local warriors would jump from the top of Wailua Falls to prove their bravery. Please don’t try this because any leap or fall could likely be fatal.

To get there, take Highway 56 north out of Lihu’e to Ma’alo Road, Highway 583, on the right. The waterfall is found at the end of the road, and it’s only 5 minutes from the city of Lihu’e.

The Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel on Maui recently opened Ko restaurant, an eatery that offers updated versions of Hawaiian plantation food, such as the savory Filipino filled-pastry lumpia, and fresh, local fish such as sweet-fleshed ono.

Ko Restaurant emphasizes local ingredients with dishes like Maui Cattle Company “Paniolo” Rib Eye and Ahi on the Rock.

Food preparations are intended to represent the intermingled culinary traditions of local food, such as the incredible presentation of Ahi “On the Rock” sashimi spiced with orange ginger miso sauce served next to a hot rock on which you sear your own–and addictive lobster tempura served with a dipping sauce trio of spicy-sesame, pineapple sweet chili garlic, and grapefruit soy.

But you’ll also find Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese influences on the menu, including lumpia spring rolls–a classic Filipino dish that has been elevated in flavor and fashion (see below) and a big, juicy, locally raised steak.

Kō’s roots run deep beyond the food. Chef de Cuisine and Maui Culinary Academy graduate, Jake Belmonte’s father was a plantation worker in the early 1930s and his menu is a reflection of his own family traditions, customs, and experiences with the island’s delicious diversity.

And in true aloha style he enhanced his concept by incorporating the aid and influence of his ethnically diverse and very local staff.

Las Vegas now has offerings to meet those consumers’ varying tastes, from elite luxury to discount bargains. Sin City has it all for any need.

Here, then, are suggestions for the top spots for visitors wanting to splurge:

Luxe attractions: It may be 10 years old, but Bellagio still can’t be beat for spectacular sightseeing without leaving the property. The fountains out front continue to captivate visitors. Inside, the conservatory offers creative and whimsical floral displays.

Luxe casino: Wynn Las Vegas offers a large yet surprisingly subdued (read: quiet) casino environment. High-rollers regularly enjoy playing the ultra-pricey slot machine, a Double Diamond reel that costs $5,000 a spin. Three Double Diamonds means a jackpot of $2.5 million for the lucky player.

Luxe escape: For those suffering from a sense of been there, done that, there’s the Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas, an oasis 20 miles east of the Strip in suburban Henderson. The hotel is free of gambling, and grown-ups and kids will enjoy boat rides on the man-made lake and “Dive-In Movies” poolside on summer evenings.

Luxe service: With a staff of 24 concierges, the Signature at MGM Grand gets frequent accolades for its superior service. The bridesmaids’ dresses got lost in transit? The staff will quickly rustle up replacements. Want to rent a Lamborghini? No problem — it’ll be out front in 20 minutes.

Luxe shopping: Whether you’re window-shopping or actually spending, Wynn Las Vegas offers an incomparable experience. The Rolex store recently sold its most expensive watch, for $485,000. There’s even a Ferrari/Maserati dealership, with in-stock models starting at just $120,000.

Luxe view: The Four Seasons wins hands-down. This hotel occupies five upper floors of Mandalay Bay. The north-facing rooms’ floor-to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking vistas of the entire Strip, especially after dark.

Celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa took a short break in the middle of an interview yesterday to call saxophonist Kenny G, who is part owner of Nobu Malibu. “I’m in Hawaii right now,” Matsuhisa said before inviting Kenny G to join him for the upcoming sake ceremony. “I’m going to Mexico Tuesday morning. Call me on my cell.”

Japanese tourists account for about half of the 297-room Waikiki Parc Hotel guests, while the other half primarily hail from the mainland. But flat Japanese visitor numbers will have little influence on marketing strategy.

“We didn’t really change much of our game plan,” said managing partner Richard Notar. They’ll cater to luxury travelers in the Waikiki Beachwalk area, but they believe residents will dictate permutations.

All involved believe Nobu Waikiki will stimulate fresh ideas in Hawaii’s high-end restaurant circle. “We want to add to your already progressive culinary scene,” said Notar. It seems that Matsuhisa is already integrated into the group of top chefs here, hooking up for golf games with Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi when he’s in town.