Tag Archives: Hawaii

a heart made of coffee beans

Best of Bean Around The World

Some things we do just go hand-in-hand. Maybe you like to travel and sample different beers around the world. Maybe you travel and ride famous roller coasters or visit Disneyland around the world. For me, travelling and drinking coffee go hand-in-hand. I’m not telling you anything about me you don’t already know, given I write a series called Bean Around The World! I’m a coffee snob who never misses an opportunity to support local roasters, sample local coffee houses, and get to know local baristas and other coffee fanatics wherever I travel.  Since the high summer travel season is upon us, I wanted to bring together all the blog posts I’ve written about coffee so you’ll have easy access to use them when you’re planning a visit to these places. I’ve covered quite a bit of caffeinated ground :)

Newly added in October 2018:

When you head to Scandinavia, you’re in for a real treat. Here are my recommendations for Copenhagen and Stockholm.

Newly added in July 2018:

1. If you like a combo of great coffee and wonderful pastry, try this place in Boston.

2. Madrid is a coffee drinkers paradise. See for yourself.

In Europe, the two places I’ve written about so far both hold a special spot in my caffeinated heart. Both Lisbon and Slovenia are places I fell in love with after my first sip. When you visit these places, do not forget to enjoy the very unique coffee scenes. Read about the Lisbon coffee scene here. Slovenia’s local coffee scene required two articles!

a cup of coffee with a design in the foam

Cokl Flat White

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What to See / Do Around Honolulu, Hawaii

It’s natural when you live in Hawaii to have people visit you. After all, who doesn’t want a family member or friend to live in Hawaii so you can go visit them, right? So yes, I speak from experience when I say you do get lots of visitors :) Recently, three of my visitors asked me why I never wrote about their favorite things we did when I showed them around. Good question!

Here are some of the sites and activities that were most memorable for them.

My aunt and uncle came to visit for my aunt’s 70th birthday. My uncle had served in the military, so for him, a highlight was our time at Pearl Harbor. The USS Arizona Memorial is free, though reservations are required. We also saw the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, and the Pacific Aviation Museum. We also went to Punchbowl, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. It’s free to visit, and I’ve always liked Punchbowl not just for the view it offers, but for the maps and history about the World War ll battles in the Pacific.

a white bridge with a flag on it

Pearl Harbor Memorial. Image source: http://www.pearlharborhistoricsites.org/pearl-harbor/arizona-memorial

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Enter Hawaiian Airlines’ Relaxcation Sweepstakes: Win 140,000 Hawaiian Miles (Ends Tomorrow 2/28)

It’s fun when there’s a chance, even a slim one, of going to Hawaii on someone else’s dime. Going to Oahu AND staying at a beautiful hotel in the heart of Waikiki is even better! The Moana Surfrider is an icon in Waikiki. Over the years, it has gone through some renovations inside and out, and though I don’t care for some of the changes to the grounds and landscaping, I certainly wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to stay here. The Moana Surfrider has my favorite coffee place right next door, and many of my favorite places to eat on Oahu are within walking distance. So enter this contest and good luck, everyone!

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4 Amazing Things to See & Do on Kauai

Kauai is called the “Garden Isle” because it’s lush and full of natural beauty. It’s geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands and fourth largest in size. It seems to be the favorite island of people who visit Hawaii, and I believe the natural beauty is what ranks it so highly. My cousins are celebrating a very special wedding anniversary and flying from the East Coast to Kauai. Having lived in Hawaii, though not on Kauai, I have been a frequent visitor to the Garden Isle, so I was happy to suggest some of my favorite beautiful sites to see. I suggested four that would not only showcase Kauai’s beauty, but also take them to different parts of the island, as well.

Wailua Falls Overlook is a two-tiered waterfall. Almost every time I’ve been there, I’ve seen a rainbow in the falls. Spotting rainbows are one of the magical sites in Hawaii, and I never grow tired of seeing them. Early morning at the falls is a nice quiet time, though certainly it’s a special site no matter when you go.

a waterfall in a forest

Wailua Falls Overlook. Image source: https://www.hawaiidiscount.com/tours/kauai/island-sightseeing-tours/scenic-hanalei-tour.htm

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Hawaiian Airlines Announced New Routes from the West Coast

It’s NEVER the wrong time to think about booking a flight to Hawaii! And if Hawaiian Airlines has its way, we’ll be booking flights on their airline because they’ve just announced some new routes. I usually fly on Alaska Airlines when I go to Hawaii, but Hawaiian’s new routes have me looking more closely at their schedule. Especially if next Summer is an option for your Hawaii vacation plans, take a look at what they’re offering! And don’t forget to check out our Top Rewards cards to boost your points earning and travel more!

a map of islands with orange spots

Image source: https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/