Sailing the Tahitian Islands with Paul Gauguin........ It's not just for honeymooners!

Have you always dreamed of sailing around the the islands of French Polynesia? Scattered like emeralds across the turquoise waters of the South Pacific, the islands and atolls of French Polynesia are unmatched in their allure. Here await sun-kissed beaches, lush rain forests, and barrier reefs teeming with Technicolor sea life, as well as intriguing cultures immortalized by novelist James Michener, songwriters Rodgers and Hammerstein, and artist Paul Gauguin. The m/s Paul Gauguin takes its name from the French painter who spent the last years of his life in Tahiti. The intimate 332-guest vessel was specifically designed to cruise the South Pacific and sails these storied isles year-round, navigating shallow waters as nimbly as a yacht.

The ship's informal ambience reflects the relaxed nature of the region. A much-loved troop known as the Gauguines - Tahitians who serve as staff, entertainers and storytellers - add a uniquely South Pacific touch to life on board. Best of all, The Gauguin offers an all-inclusive experience, with airfare from Los Angeles, gratuities, 24-hour room service, bottled water, soft drinks, and select wines and spirits all included in the cruise fare.

All suites and staterooms feature ocean views, and nearly 70 percent have private balconies. Guests who book category B suites or higher receive in-suite bar service, an iPod® music system, and the service of a butler who can unpack your bags, make appointments for you at the spa, or arrange a private car or lunch reservation in port.
A crew-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1.5 ensures the highest level of personal attention. The maitre d' will remember your favorite table, and your stateroom stewardess will fill your fruit basket with the ripe fruits you prefer.

The exclusive treatment continues ashore. Guests enjoy a day on the cruise line's private isle, Motu Mahana, complete with snorkeling, full bar service, and a barbecue with Polynesian entertainment. The ship also features a retractable watersports marina from which you can kayak or windsurf. Or set out in the Zodiac� for an optional diving excursion; The Gauguin is the only luxury ship in French Polynesia to offer PADI certification onboard.

In 2012, Paris Chef Jean-Pierre Vigato, Chef Propriétaire of the world-renowned, two-star Michelin-rated Restaurant Apicius will continue to create signature dishes and menus to be featured aboard ship. The three dining venues range from elegant traditional to casual al fresco, and all offer open seating.

Nightly entertainment in Le Grand Salon draws upon the traditions of the South Pacific. Listen to acappella harmonies of himene,formal Tahitian choral songs,or watch a performance of the otea, a complex line dance accompanied by drums. Singers croon as couples take a spin on the dance floor in La Palette,while a casino and piano bar round out the options for the evening.

Voyages of seven to 14 nights are available aboard The Gauguin in 2012 and encompass the Society Islands of Tahiti, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, and the private island of Motu Mahana, as well as select islands in the Tuamotus, Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga, and Marquesas archipelagos.

Contact one of our South Pacific Specialists for more information and let us assist you in planning your dream vacation!

One town's strange journey from paranoia to pardon

With Halloween just a few weeks away, we thought we would take you to one of the most historical destinations, which promises to offer a scary, fun time! Salem, Massachusettes is one of the most talked about towns in our history! Between 1692 and 1693, this old colonial town in Massachusetts was buzzing with talk of more than 200 people being accused of practicing witchcraft, known as "the Devil's Magic" Ten percent of the original accused were tied and executed, but it wasn't until the end of 1693, the colony decided the trials were a mistake and the 20 people executed were unjustified. 



Salem Witch Museum

The Salem Witch Trials over 300 years ago is the reason this small town is so popular for tourists. Some of the most visited sites is the Salem Witch Museum, where they reenact the trials, or another popular site is the Peabody Essex Museum House, where you can see some of the original documents.  During the month of October every year, Salem hosts Haunted Happenings from October 1 to Oct 31st. No other town in America celebrates Halloween like Salem. 

So you might be asking where do I stay, what kind of restaurants are there, what else can I do? Well the list is endless. No matter what you want you will find it here.


House of the Seven Gables

Besides museums, there are haunted houses, ghostly candlelight tours through the the streets of Salem and some one of the most haunted houses in the area, or visit  one of the many psychics for a reading.  You might want to also try and make an appointment with Laurie Cabot, the only official witch in Sale for some potions or a reading. Just note, you do have to make appointments especially during the heigth of their season. One of my personal favorites is touring The House of the Seven Gables! Spend a couple of hours touring the house, walking along the gardens, or just sitting outside looking at the waterfront. The things to do lin Salem is endless. 

Capt's Waterfront for dinner!

One of the draws to New England is their seafood. Wow...where can you not get good seafood! Almost every restaurant carries seafood of some kind. Lobster rolls seem to be widely requested. Capt's Waterfront, Finz and the Lobster Shanty have awesome and different renditions of this classic New England fare. Capt's and Finz along with Victoria Station also have great steaks. At Capt's you can enjoy freshly cooked food on a charcoal grill. On a warm fall afternoon also all three places have outdoor seating.

Have you ever wanted to stay in a haunted inn? Well some of the most haunted inns are available for you to chose.  From the Historic Hawthrone Inn to The Salem Inn, you might actually experience an unexplained knock on the wall, the lights flickering, or even the bathroom tub water being turned on.

Salem is not just a destination to visit during Halloween.You can go there year round, but  main reason for going in October is the SPOOK you will ge to get into the Halloween spirit!

We hope we peaked your interest in visiting this historic town.  Please contact our vacation agents who will be happy to plan your Haunted Halloween Getaway! 

Family Fun in Hawaii!

Many people think Hawaii is for couples only. Little do they know, many families pick these amazing islands to vacation with their kids. That’s because Hawaii and her islands are so diverse, exciting, and breathtaking kids of all ages will enjoy a trip to this S. Pacific destination. 


When you arrive in Hawaii, one of the islands you might stop at first is Oahu, home to the famous Waikiki Beach, the USS Arizona, and the best surfing in the South Pacific. On Oahu, Hawaii’s beauty blends with the modern luxuries of today. Swim in the warm waters of world-famous Waikiki one moment, then enjoy the dramatic mountain views of the Nuuanu Pali Lookout another. Ohau offers so much for families from the Polynesian Cultural Center where you can learn what the S. Pacific Culture is like, to the Atlantis Submarine, which are two giant sunken ships that are remnants of two airliners and the Atlantis Reef. The highlight of the Waikiki dive is a giant World War II oil tanker that rests on the ocean floor serving as a home for schools of fish and other sea creatures.

Learning to Surf the North Shore

If surfing is what you want, the North Shore of Ohau is the spot for you! Watch the surfers on the legendary North Shore by day; then dance the night away in exciting nightlife spots around Honolulu. Get a taste of local flavors in Kapahulu one night; then dine at a Five Diamond restaurant the next. With so much to see and do, you’re never far away from just what you’re looking for on Oahu. Visit the Heart of Hawaii and find the island paradise you’ve been searching for.

Famous Kaanapali Beach

Next you definitely want to check out  Maui! This island certainly stands apart from the rest of the Hawaiian Islands. It offers adventure, romance, breathtaking scenery, snorkeling and some of the best beaches found anywhere in the islands. If you have only a week to spend in Hawaii, this is the place.


For such a small island, Maui is packed with “leisurely adventures.” Its landscape is incredibly diverse. It is often known as the Valley Island because of the large valley that extends between two volcanoes, Haleakala and Iao. On the Western side of the island there are acres of rainforest with spectacular waterfalls. The other side of the island offers many resorts, shopping, nightlife and so much more. Offshore, the marine life is the best on earth. The island reef is home to hundreds of species and makes this a paradise for divers and snorkelers. Traveling to Maui between December and April, definitely take a boat ride to see the humpback whales crowd the waters off the southern coast. There are so many beaches to explore. From the white sands in West Maui, to the Red Sand Beach (Kaihalulu) to the black sand beaches of Pa’iloa Beach. On the North Shore, Ho’okipa Beach Park is perhaps one of the best places in the world to wind surf, body board or kite surf. Definitely check out the Maui Ocean Center, which is the best aquarium in Hawaii! 

The Beautiful Road to Hana

The road to Hana is considered one of the most spectacular drives in all of the Islands. A slow, winding road through a lush paradise, you can go on your own self-guided island tour, at your own pace in a rented car, but be careful, your renter’s insurance might not cover you if you take your car on this route. Our suggestion is to book a tour. The tour will take you to the Hana Ranch, the Seven Sacred Pools; you’ll see the beauty of Haleakala and then stop at the winery.

Once you have explored Maui, take a short flight to the most beautiful island of all, Kauai. This island is the oldest of the four major Hawaiian Islands at more than 6 million years old. Known as “The Garden Island”, the southern and western shores have long, white beaches. There are the majestic, sweeping valleys, such as the Kalalau Valley on the Na Pali Coast and then the famous Fern Grotto, where Elvis filmed “Blue Hawaii”


The most well-known site to visit in Kauai includes the Waimea Canyon and the breathtaking cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. Waimea Canyon, known as “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” stretches 10 miles from Captain James Cook’s famous landing site, in 1778, to Koke’e State Park. This canyon has been the site for a number of movies including Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark. In fact, more than two dozen Hollywood movies have been filmed on Kauai!

Hiking trails in the park offer unbelievable views of the canyon and lush “forest” environment. The canyon itself is also accessible for hiking, fishing and camping. Kauai’s Na Pali Coast cliffs are pure, rugged beauty, featuring deep, narrow valleys ending sharply at the sea. Waterfalls, swift-flowing streams, and extensive stone-walled terraces remain on the valley bottoms where ancient, native Hawaiians once lived. To see the entire beauty of this island, we highly suggest you do a helicopter ride. You will never experience anything like it in the world. With its hidden waterfalls and canyons, a helicopter ride is the only way to see the beauty Mother Nature has made!


During the hight of the sun filled afternoons, take a trip with the kids to the Children's Discovery Museum, a permanent science, art, and cultural exploratory museum - a hands on touch, see, feel, and learn museum of experience or check out the Koke'e Natural History Museum. This museum  provides interpretive programs and exhibitions about Kaua'i' s ecology, geology and climatology. Kokee's Museum also provides basic information on trail conditions in Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Parks. You can even take a ride on the Kauai Plantation Railway, which runs 2.5 miles passing stands of original island crops, sugar cane and taro - the staple starch of ancient Hawaiians, and on past grooves of mango, banana, papaya, coffee, pineapple and then on to experimental plantings of longan, cashew, hybrid mango, noni, and atamoya. Along with these crops traditional Pacific islander vegetable gardens are being laid out side-by-side with plantings of exotic flowers and hardwood trees in an unequaled array representing both the past and future of tropical agriculture on Kauai

The Big Island of Hawaii offers some of the best natural landscape than any of the other islands/ Home to the most active volcano in the world, Kilauea, you can actually watch the lava flow at Volcanoes National Park in Kilauea. Of course the lava flow depends on the mood of “Madame Pele” who is the Fire Goddess of Hawaii. The best way to see the island and Mother Nature at work is again in a helicopter. The helicopter will take you right up to the edge of the crater for optimum viewing.


Believe it or not, Kilauea is not the tallest volcano, but it is the most active. If you love to hike, then you should definitely visit Mauna Kea. It is the highest point on the island at 13,796 feet above sea level. And, it is higher than 30,000 feet when measured from its rise on the ocean floor–making it one of the tallest mountains in the world from base to summit. Both the neighboring Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea and have some of the clearest air in the world. As a result, more than two dozen of the world’s finest telescopes are located there.


And, for families wanting a water experience, you can rent a kayak or go on a guided trip. Paddle atop the waves, skirting awesome cliffs and waterfalls, or snorkel and swim in a calm, protected cove — your choice. Perhaps you’ll see a few spinner dolphins as you paddle across Captain Cook monument. Never been in a submarine? Make this a dramatic first as a couple. Imagine exploring brilliant natural coral reefs, sunken ships, and even downed airplanes — all surrounded by sharks, eels, and exotic turtles. This is an experience you will never forget.

So now that we have given you a sense of what Hawaii and her beautiful islands have to offer, give us a call and let our Hawaii experts assist you with all of your planning. We can arrange all of your flights, hotel accommodations, tours, cruising, whatever you need, we’ll be happy to handle this for you.

Great Family Travel Ideas

Families with young children and teens are always looking for great travel ideas and as we head into a new year, there are many family fun vacation options waiting for you and your kids. With the current economic situation they way it is, families are often concerned with getting the best deal to a destination that is fun for everyone, safe, offers great accommodations, and great food. And while we understand many family vacations are planned around school vacations, there are other families with young children who should plan to travel during non-holiday periods in the fall and late spring. These are generally low seasons for most destinations, so the crowds are gone and the deals are great.
 Below are some of our family vacation suggestions and what seems to be the most requested.

Beach Vacations
According to a recent travel agent survey, beaches are the most popular destination for family vacations. When traveling with children, no matter what their ages, it's important to pick a beach destination that has calm waters, lots of clean sand for building sandcastles, great amenities, and attractions for all family members. Believe it or not, some families will opt for the all-inclusive resorts which offer 24 hour security, kids clubs for all ages, all meals, drinks, snacks, entertainment, and in some cases, full time nannies. Many families and friends rent large vacation homes at the beach to save money and provide built-in playmates and babysitters. Whatever beach location you pick, make sure the area is family friendly so everyone can enjoy themselves.

Cruises
Cruise lines have become so popular with families they are offering expansive indoor and outdoor play areas, children's programs, and a variety of fun-filled activities aboard their ships as well as great excursions off board as well. These floating cities are great vacation options for families of all ages. Parents appreciate the value cruises offer and the fact that most vacation costs are included, they know they are getting a good value. The key, however, is to determine which cruise lines and ships offer the amenities that will best meet your family's needs.

Theme ParksEverywhere you look there is a theme park of some sort or another. They provide a fun, affordable way for families with children to make great vacation memories and spend time together. There's a wide variety of options to match every budget, from some of the larger parks in Florida or California, to some of the smaller parks closer to home, where spending a few days to a week can be just a rewarding as going on a cruise or to the beach. As an added bonus, ,many of the theme parks have theme resorts, so if your child loves a particular TV channel or character, or perhaps they like a sport or are into music, there is a resort out there to suit your needs.


Ranch and Farm Vacations

A fan of dude ranches, we can recommend a range of Wild West vacations, from bare-bones to luxury, from Idaho to Colorado. The best part is the sun-up-to-sun-down activities, like horseback riding, hayrides, rodeos, and cookouts.


So whatever your family vacation needs are, let our specialists of Destinations Galore assist you with all of the planning. Having planned family vacations for 30 years allows us to share with you our knowledge of the best destinations around. Give us a call at 866-720-5435 or email us at info@destinationsgalore.net