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JETSETTING WITH JESS

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Welcome to My Blog!

Here’s a little inspiration for your next trip. 


  • October 2018 2
    • Oct 25, 2018 Aloha Part 2: Kapalua and Wailea Oct 25, 2018
    • Oct 23, 2018 Aloha Part 1: Waikiki and Pearl Harbor Oct 23, 2018
  • December 2017 1
    • Dec 31, 2017 Happy New Year from Key West! Dec 31, 2017
  • November 2017 1
    • Nov 21, 2017 Sintra, the land of Portuguese Castles Nov 21, 2017
  • October 2017 1
    • Oct 3, 2017 Andalucía Parte Dos: The Sizzling City of Sevilla Oct 3, 2017
  • September 2017 2
    • Sep 26, 2017 Andalucía Parte Uno: The Captivating Towns of Córdoba & Granada Sep 26, 2017
    • Sep 19, 2017 A Quick Stopover in Madrid Sep 19, 2017
  • June 2017 1
    • Jun 7, 2017 A Weekend Jaunt to La La Land Jun 7, 2017
  • May 2017 4
    • May 23, 2017 A Weekend Getaway in Martha's Vineyard May 23, 2017
    • May 16, 2017 Views, Views, Views in Trentino May 16, 2017
    • May 9, 2017 3 (other) Places to Visit in the Veneto May 9, 2017
    • May 2, 2017 How to Enjoy the Ever-So-Crowded Venice May 2, 2017
  • March 2017 1
    • Mar 7, 2017 Bye Bye Boston & Blogger Goes on Break Mar 7, 2017
  • February 2017 7
    • Feb 28, 2017 Seductive & Sizzling Saint-Tropez Feb 28, 2017
    • Feb 23, 2017 The Allure of the Côte d'Azur (Part Deux) Feb 23, 2017
    • Feb 21, 2017 The Allure of the Côte d'Azur Feb 21, 2017
    • Feb 16, 2017 La Joie de Vivre in Paris (Part Deux) Feb 16, 2017
    • Feb 14, 2017 La Joie de Vivre in Paris Feb 14, 2017
    • Feb 9, 2017 Eat & Drink like a Roman Feb 9, 2017
    • Feb 7, 2017 When in Rome... Feb 7, 2017
  • January 2017 7
    • Jan 31, 2017 The Small Towns You Can't Miss in Southern Tuscany Jan 31, 2017
    • Jan 26, 2017 Fantastic Food, Fizzy Wine & Fast Cars in Modena Jan 26, 2017
    • Jan 24, 2017 The Italian Foodie Region of Emilia Romagna Jan 24, 2017
    • Jan 19, 2017 Living La Dolce Vita on the Amalfi Coast (Part II) Jan 19, 2017
    • Jan 17, 2017 Living La Dolce Vita on the Amalfi Coast (Part I) Jan 17, 2017
    • Jan 9, 2017 Sunshine & Salsa in San Juan Jan 9, 2017
    • Jan 6, 2017 Benvenuto a Boston, Eataly! Jan 6, 2017
  • October 2016 2
    • Oct 10, 2016 Key West: My Guide to the Conch Republic Oct 10, 2016
    • Oct 4, 2016 The Low-Key yet Lovely Life of SoBe Oct 4, 2016
  • September 2016 1
    • Sep 27, 2016 I'm baaack & Luxe-for-Less in Miami Beach Sep 27, 2016
  • February 2016 2
    • Feb 23, 2016 Guadeloupe: the other French Caribbean (Part 2) Feb 23, 2016
    • Feb 16, 2016 Guadeloupe: The other French Caribbean (Part I) Feb 16, 2016
  • December 2015 8
    • Dec 28, 2015 Hotel Spotlight: the Captain Fairfield Inn Dec 28, 2015
    • Dec 22, 2015 Smart Packing Tips Dec 22, 2015
    • Dec 17, 2015 Ireland Day 4: Dingle & Limerick Dec 17, 2015
    • Dec 15, 2015 Ireland Day 3: Beara Peninsula & Killarney Dec 15, 2015
    • Dec 10, 2015 Ireland Day 2: Cork & Kinsale Dec 10, 2015
    • Dec 8, 2015 Ireland Day 1: County Clare & Galway Dec 8, 2015
    • Dec 4, 2015 10 Gifts for the Jetsetter Dec 4, 2015
    • Dec 1, 2015 Save on SPG Hotels Dec 1, 2015
  • November 2015 6
    • Nov 19, 2015 Essential Carry-On Items Nov 19, 2015
    • Nov 17, 2015 The Best Shoes for Traveling Nov 17, 2015
    • Nov 12, 2015 The BVI's Part Two: Island Hopping and Painkillers Nov 12, 2015
    • Nov 10, 2015 The BVI's: A Little Slice of Britain in the Caribbean Nov 10, 2015
    • Nov 5, 2015 The Airline Upgrade Worth Paying For Nov 5, 2015
    • Nov 3, 2015 007 Things I Fancy about London Nov 3, 2015
  • October 2015 8
    • Oct 29, 2015 Is Global Entry Worth It? Oct 29, 2015
    • Oct 22, 2015 Cheap Rates at the Chatham Bars Inn Oct 22, 2015
    • Oct 20, 2015 Amsterdam, the Land of Canals and Pancakes Oct 20, 2015
    • Oct 15, 2015 5 Tips on Traveling by Train in Europe Oct 15, 2015
    • Oct 13, 2015 There's More Than Beer in Bruges Oct 13, 2015
    • Oct 9, 2015 Awesome Alternative Accommodations in Italy: the Agriturismo Oct 9, 2015
    • Oct 7, 2015 7 Places to See in Tuscany Oct 7, 2015
    • Oct 4, 2015 A New Airline is Coming to Town Oct 4, 2015
  • September 2015 5
    • Sep 29, 2015 A Long Weekend in D.C. Sep 29, 2015
    • Sep 24, 2015 Caffè Cultura 101: Understanding Coffee in Italy Sep 24, 2015
    • Sep 21, 2015 Mangia! Mangia! Eating in Florence and Tuscany Sep 21, 2015
    • Sep 18, 2015 What to See in Florence, Italy Sep 18, 2015
    • Sep 17, 2015 Hello and Welcome to my Blog! Sep 17, 2015
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Aloha Part 1: Waikiki and Pearl Harbor

October 23, 2018 in Hawaii, USA, beaches

Hawaii has always been on my bucket list but living in Boston made it hard to justify traveling so far for the tropics when we could just hop on a short flight to the Caribbean. But as soon as my husband and I moved to the West Coast we made it a high priority to visit.

Before rushing to the Hawaiian Airlines website we had to figure out where exactly we were going. I admit we had little knowledge about this volcanic archipelago so we had to do our homework. One of the hardest parts of planning a trip to Hawaii is deciding which islands to visit since they each have their own vibe and landscape. Ultimately we landed on Oahu and Maui, which are great islands for a first time visit to the Aloha state.

Most flights to Hawaii land at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu which is on the island of Oahu. The city of Honolulu itself is pretty busy and might not be exactly what you’re looking for out of a Hawaiian getaway but Oahu is the island where you will also find famous Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor and the World War II Memorial, the big green dormant volcano that is Diamond Head, and the big surf of the North Shore. Go to Oahu if you want a beach city vibe with history, surf culture and convenience.

WHAT TO SEE & DO

  1. Waikiki Beach - It might not be the most remote or beautiful beach (though the view looking towards Diamond Head is pretty spectacular) but it is the most famous. Whether it’s from Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, Magnum P.I., or even Don Draper and Jessica Fletcher, we all know of this place thanks to pop culture. The beach is always too crowded and a bit touristy, but it’s wonderful to look at from the private lanai of your hotel room. It doesn’t hurt to take a stroll along the sand and stop for a mai tai at Duke’s either.

  2. Pearl Harbor - This place speaks for itself and is a must-do whether or not you are a history buff. There are several exhibits but the most famous is the USS Arizona which is the battleship that sunk on December 17, 1941 bringing down over 1,100 people with it. Tickets must be reserved in advance and are released 60 days prior at 7am Hawaiian Standard Time. If you are unable to snag tickets do not worry, they are released again 24 hours in advance. Tickets can be purchased online here or by calling 1-877-444-6777. If you still are having trouble, they release a bit more the day of but you must show up in person. Go early for the best chance because they sell out very quickly. Admission is free. NOTE: As of today, 10/23, the USS Arizona Memorial itself is closed due to repairs. It is currently unknown when it will reopen but in the meantime visitors are still able to watch the documentary and hop on a boat to the memorial, they just won’t be able to disembark. Updates can be found here.

  3. Diamond Head - Another popular activity is to hike to the summit of the Diamond Head crater. The journey is about 1 hour along a rugged trail but you’re rewarded at the top with beautiful panoramic views of the island. More information can be found here.

  4. North Shore - No trip to Hawaii would be complete without a little surfing. This part of the island is where world renown surfing competitions happen including the Billabong Pipeline Masters. But if you’re not a pro there are also surf schools located here as well so you can give it a go on the longboard.

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WHERE TO STAY

Dozens of hotels line touristy Waikiki Beach so you will have plenty to choose from depending on your budget. Wherever you stay, I recommend upgrading to an ocean view room which will have beautiful views of the beach and was the highlight of our stay at The Royal Hawaiian, one of the most historical hotels in the area.

The Pink Palace, as it is informally known, goes back to the days where people used to arrive by boat to Hawaii. Because these guests would have just spent days looking out at the ocean, most of the rooms were designed to face inwards into the beautiful gardens of the resort. Today, there is also the Mailani Tower which offers private lanais with ocean views overlooking Waikiki Beach. While the views from the Mailani Tower cannot be reckoned with, the rooms itself are a bit generic. For the most charm, opt for a room in the historical building but know that they do not have lanais.

If Oahu is the only island you will be visiting or if the crowds of Waikiki don’t appeal to you, the resort area known as Ko Olina located west of Honolulu is a great option. If the budget allows, the Four Seasons Oahu is the way to go.

Stay tuned for my next post about the island of Maui. Mahalo!

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Tags: Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Honolulu
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email: jetsettingwithjess@gmail.com
phone: (781) 801 2640