1)      Vacation rentals really are for everyone. When I first started at VacationRoost, I had a stereotype in my head that vacation rentals were all luxury homes that catered to the rich and famous. I never imagined that I, a poor college student, could purchase a vacation rental for my next trip. Very quickly my assumptions were put to rest as I learned that vacation rentals come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. Furthermore, I realized that with each vacation rental being so unique, it is easy to find the absolute perfect rental, no matter what your tastes or preferences might be. I also realized quickly that with the additional square footage and all of the extra amenities, vacation rentals are likely to be a better bang for your buck than any other lodging option. Needless to say, I was quickly converted to the vacation rental advantage.

Something for Everyone

2)      Destination Experts make all the difference. It didn’t take long for me to recognize the value behind VacationRoost’s Destination Experts. For someone that loves to travel, I do not love the planning and research that is often required for that perfect vacation.  Nor do I enjoy the stress of trying to find the perfect place to stay. For someone like me, a Destination Expert is a knight in shining armor. Being able to talk to someone who can speak from firsthand experience and has a local perspective on the location I am visiting  is simply priceless.

3)      Professionally managed matters. When I go on a vacation, I am all about a stress-free and relaxing experience. Booking a professionally managed rental means I get just that. With professionally managed properties, I don’t have to worry about showing up to a rental that looks completely different from the pictures I saw online, or worrying about contacting the owners if the shower is broken. For the vacationer that is looking for a completely worry-free trip, booking a professionally managed rental is a necessity.

4)      It’s all about the experience. I think the most important thing I learned about “The VacationRoost Advantage” is that it is really all about the experience. From being able to easily find your perfect rental, to working with a Destination Expert to plan the details of your trip, the experience of vacation planning should be easy and simple, plain as that. And then of course there is the experience while you are on your vacation. Staying at a rental allows for an experience that is very different from staying at a hotel. Travelers get to experience their vacation from a local’s perspective, and escape from the crowds of tourists you might find at a hotel. Staying at a rental also means total privacy, extra space, amazing amenities like personal kitchens and private pools, and an overall more relaxing and optimal vacation experience.

It’s all about the experience

Hopefully this short list provides you with some insight into what I have learned, and subsequently come to love, about VacationRoost. So as sad as I am to be leaving VacationRoost today, I know that I am not really leaving, as I have every intention of being a customer for years to come.

Kaitlin Jacobs

The VacationRoost Team

While in Belize, whether diving or just swimming in the ocean, I definitely recommend bringing a wetsuit! Despite the water looking warm, the water gets cold! Not only does it get cold, but you also experience random pinching stinging feelings. I had no idea why I was experiencing these little pinches, so I thought I would ask my dive master. He explained that the feeling I was experiencing was a result of little bugs in the water that bite you. If you wear a wetsuit, there is less skin they can pinch. So wet suits serve two purposes- warmth and bug protection!

Chumming with reef sharks in Belize

The majority of dives are only 15-20 minutes away from shore by boat. The first dive I took while in Belize happened to be the best dive of the whole trip. As soon as we submerged, we spotted a sea turtle and it swam right up to me (about 3 or 4 feet away)! It was one of the most surreal experiences I have ever had in my life. Not only did I do local dives close to the shore of Ambergris Caye, my family also took a dive trip to the famous Blue Hole. There’s really only one reason to go to The Blue Hole- to see bull sharks. While it was a two hour, extremely bumpy boat ride, it was well worth it. You must have an Advanced Diving Certification because you will reach depths of 140+ feet in 7 minutes. During our dive we saw three bull sharks. This was amazing because despite being in open water with sharks, you feel at peace with nature, and you don’t feel like you’re in danger. Another memorable dive experience I had with sharks was something called chumming, also known as bating. You would stuff a tube with meat, and bring it to the bottom of the reef. This would bring a swarm of small reef sharks, eels, and various types of large fish. What was so great about it was that you could pet the sharks. Never in my life before my trip to Belize, did I ever think I would touch a shark. All these different experiences left me with memories that I will never forget.

Putting a reef shark to sleep. Not recommended.

There’s more to do than diving on the island of Ambergris Caye. This small island is known for its famous Chicken Drop. There is a large board with a net-like fence around it. The board is separated into many squares, like a checker board, but each square has a number on it. You purchase a number for a dollar or two, and the chicken is put into the arena and you wait for the chicken to do its thing. Whichever tile the chicken poops on is the winner and they receive $100 BZD. It is held every Thursday night at 7, so you would need to make sure you don’t miss it, because it’s worth going to. Another popular activity to do on the island is renting a bike to ride around the island. My family did this and it was an interesting experience because you could see what the island looked like naturally. Belize is an exciting and worthwhile destination, and I would definitely go back again.

The Chicken Drop

The Chicken Drop draws crowds every Thursday night.

- Alaina Fister, VacationRoost guest blogger

I’ve been in the travel industry for 14 years and had yet to visit the Hawaiian Island of Maui. I was really excited about this trip. I had been reading a ton of books and visiting a bunch of websites and had it all planned out. Of course it never works out like you think it will. Sometimes it works out better than you could have ever planned. That was the case with this trip.

This Maui adventure was all about the local experience. I personally love to explore a new destination. I love to rent a vehicle and go 4-wheeling down a dirt road unsure of where I will end up. However, I always love to gather the wisdom of the locals as well. They can point you in the right direction and tell you which roads to avoid. During this trip I was luckily visiting a friend that lives on Maui 6 months out of the year. He works all summer on the Colorado River so that he can chill in Maui the other 6 months of the year. This meant he had plenty of time to show me around and give me the local perspective.

One of my first adventures in Maui was a quick shore dive near the city of Lahaina called Mala Ramp. On this 50 minute dive I was able to see 5 large turtles and 4 white tip reef sharks. The collapsed ramp was the perfect introduction dive on the island.

The following day we headed out on The Road to Hana. I’ve been to Oahu, The Big Island, and Lanai, but this 3 day adventure was the most spectacular Hawaiian experience of my life. The windy road wrapped around the most beautiful tropical views. The ocean was crashing on my left, while breathtaking views of lush green mountainside were to my right. We stopped along the way and took a few scenic hikes to some small waterfalls. Many books and CD’s are available with all of the details on where each of these hikes are located.

My favorite stop was at Waianapanapa State Park. We took the path that runs along the left hand side of the park and ended up at an underwater cave. We grabbed our snorkel gear and flashlight and jumped right in. We were able to find our way through the cave system and out to the beach. I would not recommend this without a local guide, but it was thrilling!

That night we camped at Kipahulu Campground, which is about 10 miles past the town of Hana. The cost was $10 per person per night.

We woke up the next morning and headed to The Seven Sacred Pools. It’s a very touristy spot, but worth the small crowds. We hiked up to the top pool and jumped off the small 20 ft. cliff into the pool below. Soon many in the crowd were doing the same.

Seven Sacred Pools

We then headed to the largest waterfall in Hana, Waimoku Falls, which drops 400 ft. Right before the falls we experienced the Bamboo Forest where you walk on a boardwalk through bamboo that are 50-60 ft. tall. Both the Bamboo Forest and waterfall were well worth the short 2 mile hike and visit to Hana. The hike was beginner and kid-friendly.

After two nights we made our way back to Kihei. We drove the back way through Kaupo and the views were completely different than the drive to Hana. I highly recommend taking this way home.

Click here for a complete list of tips and tricks to Maui and Lanai that I collected from all of my friends.

- Amy Ochoa

Snorkeling

It doesn’t matter whether the traveler is from Canada or Korea, LA or Santa Fe, seemingly everyone who visits the island is looking for a chance to see what’s beneath the water. One thing Maui visitors need to understand, however, is that the marine ecosystem here is different than those which are found elsewhere in the world. Maui isn’t in the Caribbean, nor is it in Southeast Asia, so the marine species you can expect to encounter are different than in other parts of the world. Just because you visited the Grand Caymans once, and were instantly surrounded by schools of fish when you jumped in the water, doesn’t mean that the same thing is going to be true in Maui. In fact, one of the biggest surprises for Maui snorkelers is they expected there would be more fish, and some snorkelers occasionally leave feeling a little bit disappointed.

What visitors need to understand, however, is that even though Hawaii might not have the sheer volume of fish found in other parts of the globe, over 20% of the species in Hawaiian waters are endemic to Hawaii, which means that you won’t find them anywhere else on Earth. Also, whereas the water can be colder than in places like the Caribbean, Maui water temperatures fluctuate between 74°F in the winter to about 79°F in the summer, so it’s still warmer than most other places in the world.

With those thoughts in mind, here are five places on Maui which offer great snorkeling from shore.

1: “Black Rock” at Ka’anapali Beach

Just because it’s easily accessible doesn’t mean that it isn’t going to be good. Located on the far northern end of Ka’anapali Beach (in front of the Sheraton resort), Black Rock offers what can sometimes be the best snorkeling on the island. When snorkeling Black Rock, the best time of day is in the morning hours before the afternoon wind has picked up, although be warned that on days when the surf is up the snorkeling isn’t going to be very good. Sea turtles are common at Black Rock, as are a whole host of tropical reef fish and the occasional spotted eagle ray. One common mistake that snorkelers make at Black Rock is that they only parallel the rock and never make it around to the other side. The water depth on the far tip of the rock is about 25 feet, and if it’s a calm day you can snorkel all the way around to the backside of the rock where it drops off to about 35 feet. There is a good chance of seeing turtles out here, and you are guaranteed to hear whale song during the winter months if you dive down just a couple of feet. Be careful of people jumping off of the front side of the rock, and in terms of consistency this is one of the best places to snorkel on the entire west side.

2: Honolua Bay

Arguably the best shore dive on the entire island, the biggest drawback about snorkeling Honolua Bay is that it can only be snorkeled during the summer. Large winter surf comes crashing into the bay during winter, and if you see a flotilla of surfers sitting out at the point it’s best to stay out of the water. Honolua Bay is another great place to see Hawaiian green sea turtles, and also keep an eye out for octopus, eels, and a wide variety of endemic reef fish. To reach Honolua Bay you must travel three miles past the turnoff for Kapalua and park along the side of the road in a lush, tropical valley. There is a small hiking trail that leads down to the shoreline, and a thin, rocky beach from where you will enter the water.

3: Olowalu

Often referred to as “Mile Marker 14” by most Maui guidebooks, the real name for this area is Olowalu, and it’s one of the healthiest reefs in all of Maui County. Situated on the road towards Lahaina, this area is very shallow when you first enter the water and you need to navigate around a couple of coral heads to reach the deeper water. Reef fish aren’t as plentiful on this reef as in a place like Black Rock or Honolua, but there is a large expanse of healthy and vibrant corals and a burgeoning population of Hawaiian green sea turtles. You need to swim a ways offshore if you plan on encountering a turtle, but this is a spot which is consistently beautiful, and the only times you can’t snorkel here are during periods of high winds, high surf, and at low tide in the days around the full moon (because it simply gets too shallow). Unfortunately, a plan is currently in the works to develop Olowalu, and it’s feared that the construction of homes along the shoreline will spell the death of the reef. If you plan on visiting Maui in the near future, be sure to snorkel this reef at least once since we don’t know how much longer it will remain in its current state.

4: Nahuna

Located on the southern coast of the island all the way down in Makena, this area is also known by the names “5 Caves”, “5 Graves”, as well as “Makena Landing”. Sea turtles are plentiful here, and there have been known to be sightings of eagle rays and manta rays in the deeper areas where the reef meets the sand. This area is very popular with charter boats, so if you want to have the place all to yourself you need to get out here before 9 a.m. To reach Nahuna, you can either park in the public lot off of Makena Road, or there is another small parking area with a blue “beach access” sign that passes by a small graveyard with 5 graves, hence the name. Entry from this point is difficult, however, so it’s best to enter the water by the main park and parking lot.

5: Mokapu/Ulua Beach

Finally, the point between Mokapu Beach and Ulua Beach in Wailea offers what’s consistently the best snorkeling in the entire Wailea area. Green sea turtles are abundant, and this is a large, rocky outcropping that is covered in reef fish and coral. You can enter the water from either beach, and one of the best ways to experience the area is to enter the water from one beach, snorkel around the point, and then exit the water on the neighboring beach, using the small walking trail which connects the two to get back to where you started from.

While there are far more spots to snorkel in Maui than simply the five listed above, these are a good primer to see what the reefs have to offer. Most importantly, remember to never, under any circumstances, step on the coral or feed the fish, because these are both detrimental to the health of the reef and will lead to its eventual demise. Also, be sure to assess your personal abilities, snorkel with a buddy, and if the conditions look too rough or you’re unsure of entering the water, just adhere to the old adage of “if in doubt, don’t go out”.

Kyle Ellison is a freelance writer based in Maui, Hawaii who frequently finds himself in obscure international destinations. Over the course of traveling through 60 different countries, he has taken part in everything from climbing mountains in Borneo to eating clams while scuba diving in an underwater Vietnamese cave. Despite his penchant for novelty and adventure, the beautiful island of Maui will always be the corner of the world where he calls home. All of Kyle’s writing and adventures can be found by visiting his website, kylethevagabond.com.  Kyle is also an ambassador and contributor to VacationRoost.

1) Riviera Maya, Mexico

Riveria Maya may be a popular tourist destination, but it also manages to maintain a small-town ambiance and local atmosphere. Not to mention, Riviera Maya is also equipped with gorgeous beaches, picturesque scenery, and Mayan ruins. With its natural beauty and variety of entertainment, including Xcaret theme park, Riviera Maya is sure to delight everyone in your family.

2) Park City, Utah

With three world-class resorts within 10 minutes of down town, Park City is the ideal ski vacation destination. Whether your family is full of expert skiers or you have never stepped foot on the slopes, the variety of resorts in Park City allows for every level of experience. When you need a break from skiing, head over to the Olympic Park and try a new adventure: Going up to 80 mph on a four person bobsled.

3) San Diego, California

San Diego has it all. With an incredible beach, great parks, museums, and the famous San Diego Zoo, there are plenty of activities for everyone in your family. Make sure to also check out the Wild Animal Park featuring 1,800 acres of wild animals in a natural setting. Don’t forget your camera!

4) Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria is a beautiful place for families who are looking for a mix of outdoor activities, beaches, rich history, and great shopping and dining. Victoria has many unique attractions including the Royal British Columbia Museum, Miniature World, Royal London Wax Museum, and the Victoria Butterfly Gardens.

5) Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Steamboat often experiences its best weather and ski conditions in March. If you are looking to head out to the ski slopes with your family and enjoy a bluebird powder day over Spring Break, then this is where you want to be. Steamboat also offers other fun family activities like the slingshot bungee jump and tubing.

Have you been to other Spring Break destinations that your family loved? Feel free to comment below and let us know!

Safe Travels,

The VacationRoost Team

6. Don’t: Drive to Hana without stopping along the way

As we mentioned in our article “Ten Tips for Driving the Road to Hana”, there is a decidedly “right” way and a decidedly “wrong” way to drive the famous Road to Hana. A 52-mile stomach churner which has no shortage of one-lane bridges and dramatic vistas, the best way to experience the road is to remember that it’s the journey—and not the destination—that makes this one of the most famous drives in America. The town of Hana itself is just a small, single stop-sign community with some nice beaches and a few stores. To break up the drive and get the most out of the excursion be sure to stop at fruit stands, hike to waterfalls, let others pass you, and take time to drink in the tropical beauty that oozes around every hairpin turn. As an added bonus, consider driving the “back road” to get back to your hotel, although do understand that it’s a one-lane road which is unpaved and bumpy, although the scenery afforded is on par with the ends of the Earth.

7. Do: Tip your activity staff

Tourism is Hawaii’s number one economy, yet despite the millions of tourism dollars which pass through the islands annually most activity staff are still dependent upon tip-income as a means of paying their bills. Sure, working outside in paradise is an enviable way to make a living, but remember that these “dream jobs” often come with little to no benefits (no 401k, no paid vacation, no sick leave, etc.), and oftentimes only pay just barely above minimum wage. In the same way that you would tip a waiter in a restaurant it’s standard to tip activity staff, particularly if you feel they’ve made an effort to show you an enjoyable outing.

8. Don’t: Schedule sunrise at Haleakala before a luau or after a scuba dive

Watching the sunrise from the top of Haleakala is something every Maui visitor should experience at least once, but the sleep-deprived reality is that you need to wake up at about 2:30am in order to see it. If you’ve traveled from the East Coast and are still jet-lagged there’s a chance you’re going to be waking up that early anyway, but most-likely by the time evening rolls around you’re going to be completely spent. Do yourself a favor and don’t stack up too many activities on top of each other, because it’s a shame to yawn your way through a luau performance simply because you’ve been up for so long. From a safety perspective, if you plan on doing any scuba diving during your stay in Maui you won’t be able to visit Haleakala for at least 24 hours. Due to the nature of breathing compressed air it isn’t safe to fly for a full day after diving, and seeing as Haleakala tops out at over 10,000 ft. in elevation this constitutes the same altitude as a low-flying airplane. Even seasoned divers who are aware of the flying restriction forget that—even though they aren’t stepping on an airplane—it’s still possible to ascend to potentially dangerous heights.

9. Do: Take a moment to learn about Hawaii’s cultural history

Much more than just a tropical vacation destination, Hawaii is unique in that it’s the only U.S. state which was once its own independent country. It’s important to remember that although Hawaii has only been a part of the United States for 114 years (it was annexed in 1898), historians date the arrival of the earliest Polynesians at somewhere between 400-600 AD. For nearly 1,300 years the Hawaiian people lived a culturally rich and sustainable lifestyle which is still very much alive for those who take the time to seek it out. Many museums around Maui such as Lahaina’s Hale Pa’i Musuem recount Hawaii’s fascinating history and detail the way in which the Hawaiian culture is making an encouraging resurgence.

10. Don’t: Leave without trying some of the local food

It’s often been said that the food of Hawaii is the perfect metaphor for the state’s “mixed-plate” of cultural diversity. Due to the arrival of sugar and pineapple plantation workers from Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Portugal, and Puerto Rico, Hawaii is one of the only state’s where there is no ethnic majority. Upon arriving in the islands many of these laborers brought their customs and their cuisine, and by piecing together a few items from each culture the Hawaiian islands have developed an array of famous foods which are rooted in cultures from across the globe. While foods such as ahi poke, haupia, and poi are of Polynesian origin, other dishes such as kalbi short ribs, banana lumpia, or sugary malasadas owe their existence to those who originally immigrated here. The fish in Hawaii is also some of the freshest on the planet, and between the copious amount of mahimahi and mixed plate lunches the food of Hawaii is a reason in itself for visiting time and again.

Kyle Ellison is a freelance writer based in Maui, Hawaii who frequently finds himself in obscure international destinations. Over the course of traveling through 60 different countries, he has taken part in everything from climbing mountains in Borneo to eating clams while scuba diving in an underwater Vietnamese cave. Despite his penchant for novelty and adventure, the beautiful island of Maui will always be the corner of the world where he calls home. All of Kyle’s writing and adventures can be found by visiting his website, kylethevagabond.com.  Kyle is also an ambassador and contributor to VacationRoost.

1. Do: Keep your eyes on the road

Of all the statistically unreasonable things to be afraid of when visiting Maui—being eaten by a shark, experiencing a volcanic eruption, angering Hawaiian spirits, etc.—the most dangerous thing on Maui for visitors is something that most of them do every day: simply driving down the road.

Granted, car accidents are statistically the highest way to hurt yourself in the majority of places in America, but in Maui there are constantly so many beautiful distractions off the side of the highway that many drivers find themselves looking anywhere but the road. True, the whales, the surfers, the sunsets, and the expansive views are undoubtedly photo-worthy, but just remember to pull over before attempting to take that photo. You’ll be much safer and actually be able to enjoy what you’re looking at.

2. Don’t: Honk

Other than roadside distractions such as breaching humpbacks and barreling surf, there are some other reasons why driving on Maui is a little bit different than back on the mainland. There are no freeways, and the maximum speed limit you’ll find on any road is 55 mph, although most are only 45. That doesn’t mean that the flow of traffic is cruising at 70 though. If anything, drivers in Maui are more apt to drive 10 mph under the speed limit as opposed to over it, because quite frankly, people are on island time. Not only are Maui drivers slow, but they’re also friendly. People let each other into traffic, drivers stop for pedestrians, and most importantly, they never, ever, honk. The only time you will hear a local person honking their horn on Maui is if they’re saying hi to their friend or passing through the tunnel on the way to Lahaina. Using your horn as a means to convey your annoyance is a surefire way to brand yourself as a tourist, and is an action guaranteed to be met with scornful “stink-eye” from everyone else on the road.

3. Do: Take a day to explore Upcountry

While most people’s image of Maui involves swaying palm-trees and sipping mai-tais at sunset, one of Maui’s least heralded regions has nothing to do with the beach at all. In fact, in Maui’s “Upcountry” region, surfing is replaced by ranching, and the fruity tropical drinks are replaced by Maui’s own wine.  Set between 1,500-4,000 feet in elevation on the slopes of Haleakala, Upcountry is a laidback, peaceful corner of the island where two-lane roads meander their way past protea farms, farmers markets, and mom-and pop coffee stores where most of the customers are on a first name basis. Ulupalakua is home to Tedeschi Winery, and in the old paniolo (cowboy) town of Makawao you’re more apt to see someone riding a horse past an art gallery than some kiosk slinging timeshare. Upcountry is a true local’s hangout where there are no hotels, hardly any chain stores, and only a smattering of stoplights. Take a morning to enjoy a coffee from Grandma’s Coffee House in Keokea, take a stroll on Thompson Road, stop and pick up some locally grown Kula produce, and poke your head into the galleries of funky Makawao town. The beaches of Paia may be only ten minutes away, but from the jacaranda-lined pastures of this rural farm country they may as well be on a separate island entirely.

4. Don’t: Step on the coral

While many visitors to Maui leave the island with a snorkeling experience to remember, the sad reality is that many of Maui’s reefs are in a rapid state of decline, much of which is attributable to people standing on the coral. Although coral may just look like a really colorful rock, coral reefs are actually living creatures which are hyper-sensitive to the pressure of human touch. Even just resting your hand on living coral can cause irreversible damage from which that part of the reef may never recover.  Seeing as these reefs support myriad species of marine life such as eels, reef fish, and legions of Hawaiian green sea turtles, protecting the island’s coral reefs is vital to the future of the entire marine ecosystem.

5. Do: Make an effort to visit Lana’i or Moloka’i

Even though the islands of Lana’i and Moloka’i are close enough to form the backdrop for Maui’s famous sunsets, only the smallest percentage of visitors ever take the time to visit the neighboring islands. With a population of only 3,300 people Lana’i has gone from being the world’s largest pineapple plantation to an adventure and luxury vacation destination where you can either play championship golf overlooking the Pacific or 4-wheel drive to deserted white sand beaches. Meanwhile, on Moloka’i, visitors can either take a mule ride down the world’s tallest sea cliffs to the former leper colony at Kalaupapa, or spend an entire day exploring the island’s lush valleys and windswept, empty shorelines. While staying a night or two on each island is preferable, both Lana’i and Moloka’i are doable as day-trips from Maui via ferries which depart out of Lahaina Harbor.

Kyle Ellison is a freelance writer based in Maui, Hawaii who frequently finds himself in obscure international destinations. Over the course of traveling through 60 different countries, he has taken part in everything from climbing mountains in Borneo to eating clams while scuba diving in an underwater Vietnamese cave. Despite his penchant for novelty and adventure, the beautiful island of Maui will always be the corner of the world where he calls home. All of Kyle’s writing and adventures can be found by visiting his website, kylethevagabond.com.  Kyle is also an ambassador and contributor to VacationRoost.

Despite the island’s popularity, however, there is one reason which constantly seems to pop up amongst visitors as to why Maui will always be a vacation destination instead of a permanent home:

“I absolutely love it here, but I just don’t think I could live without seasons.”

To be clear, just because children in Maui grow up learning that Santa Claus arrives in an outrigger canoe doesn’t mean that Maui doesn’t have four distinct seasons. I’ll repeat it again. Maui does have four seasons, and I’m not just talking about the hotel. Entirely noticeable, the only difference is that the four seasons of Maui are just a little different than those back on the Mainland.

Confused? Let’s compare.

Spring on the Mainland: Wildflowers and the first summer heat wave

Spring on Maui: Mangoes, Jacaranda, and the first south swell

Any Maui resident with a tin roof knows when mango season has suddenly arrived. It literally announces itself with a thud. Traditionally viewed as an indicator of summer, the first of Maui’s mangoes actually begin dropping to the ground sometime around early-April. By the time June rolls around the streets around Lahaina town are usually awash in squashed mango residue and every roadside stall from Kapalua to Kihei has a cardboard sign advertising fresh mangoes for sale.

Meanwhile, in the Upcountry areas of Makawao and Kula, the jacaranda trees during springtime begin to blossom with brilliant purple flowers and cover Haleakala highway in a blanket of violet. There are few things as relaxing as an early morning drive Upcountry when the sunlight hits the green of the pastures and the airy, purple flowers drift gently to the ground.

Finally, April or May is usually the time when the first waves begin to appear on the south shores of the island from Makena to Lahaina. Generated by hurricane-strength storms spinning east of New Zealand, the first of the Southern Hemisphere’s autumn storms create the waves which will become Maui’s first springtime waves.

Summer on the Mainland: BBQ, Beach, Long Days, Tubing on the lake

Summer On Maui: BBQ, Beach, Long(er) Days, Parasailing, Windsurfing

While Maui residents are known to hit the beach and BBQ during all seasons of the year, the arrival of the south swells seem to pack the roadside beach parks more than usual with informal gatherings awash in 12-packs, island tunes, and waxed up longboards. Although the days in Maui don’t fluctuate more than 1 ½ hours given its proximity to the equator, that extra hour is still enough to squeeze in a few more beers and a few more waves before the sun goes down.

Summer in Maui isn’t just seen onshore, however, as there’s also a marked difference as to what’s going on out in the water. On the west side of the island the most notable difference is the re-emergence of parasailing boats operating off of Lahaina and Kaanapali. Outlawed for five months of the year due to the arrival of the humpback whales, by the very first light of May 15 parasail canopies can be seen zipping up and down the coast in a circular whirlwind which will seemingly continue unabated until their legislatively-mandated departure on December 15.

Meanwhile, on the north shore of the island off of Paia and Kanaha Beach Park, the summer months bring a consistency in the northeasterly tradewinds which turn Maui into one of the premier windsurfing destinations on the entire planet. While the big wave windsurfing takes place during the winter months at nearby Ho’okipa Beach Park, windsurfers during the Maui summer can conceivably windsurf every day from May through October with little worry that the wind will fail to materialize during the warm afternoon hours.

Fall on the Mainland: College football and autumn leaves

Fall on Maui: College football and the first north swell at Honolua Bay

What? Just because we’re the most isolated archipelago in the world doesn’t mean we can’t follow college football. While the football action on the Mainland is still entertaining, the entire island instead rallies behind the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors who provide the closest thing to professional sports that the state will most likely ever have.

College athletics aside, what really ushers in fall is the arrival of the first north swell at Honolua Bay, an iconic right-point break which ranks as one of the top waves on the planet. When the first cold front of winter comes through sometime during October, the 10-15 ft. waves which arrive at Honolua are the result of the same cold front which will eventually drop snow on the Rockies and bring frost to the middle and eastern portions of the nation. In the same way that the first frost or dump of autumn leaves reminds you of what’s around the corner, surfers across the island see the first indicator of winter on the horizon and start waxing up their boards and strengthening their paddling muscles for the winter to come.

Winter on the Mainland: Snow and Skiing

Winter on Maui: Whale Watching and Tow-Surfing

Even though the first humpback whale of the season is usually spotted sometime during mid-October, whale season in Maui officially kicks off on December 15 and runs all the way until May 15. Despite the apparent length of this five-month long season, the peak months of prime whale watching season are the final two weeks of January through the end of March. During these ten weeks not only do hordes of whale watching boats shuttle a slew of visitors into the shallow waters of the Au’au Channel for a chance at glimpsing the protected species up close, but roadsides are also clogged with tourists and locals alike who pull over to get a glimpse of a mother and calf frolicking in the nearshore waters.

Meanwhile, over on the north shore, each winter the world’s best watermen flock to Maui for the chance to whip in to some of the largest waves on the planet at the big-wave, tow-surfing spot popularly known as “Jaws”. Even though there are only a handful of individuals on the island who are physically capable of undertaking such an extreme challenge, when a large north swell is looming on the horizon a buzz goes out throughout the island as to whether or not “Jaws” will be breaking. When it is, a crowd numbering in the hundreds can usually be found standing on top of a cliff in the middle of a pineapple field watching in awe as teams of professional surfers navigate the fury of the ocean.

With whales and waves dominating the winter in Hawaii, it’s only a matter of time before that first mango drops on your tin roof and you find yourself racing through the four seasons of Maui all over again.

Kyle Ellison is a freelance writer based in Maui, Hawaii who frequently finds himself in obscure international destinations. Over the course of traveling through 60 different countries, he has taken part in everything from climbing mountains in Borneo to eating clams while scuba diving in an underwater Vietnamese cave. Despite his penchant for novelty and adventure, the beautiful island of Maui will always be the corner of the world where he calls home. All of Kyle’s writing and adventures can be found by visiting his website, kylethevagabond.com.  Kyle is also an ambassador and contributor to VacationRoost.

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Santa Claus, Indiana. Well this one is a no brainer. With the town being named after the jolly man who visits us once a year with treats and toys for all, it is impossible for this town not to be overwhelmed with all things Christmas. The town has lived up to the Christmas spirit one would expect and has been dubbed “America’s Christmas Hometown.”

McAdenville, North Carolina. This tiny town may be small, but its Christmas spirit is anything but. McAdenville, which is also known as Christmas Town USA, celebrates the holidays by transforming into the largest holiday light display in the United States. The town also celebrates with over 375 decorated trees and 200 wreaths throughout the town, as well as a life-size Nativity display. Hundreds of thousands of visitors make the trek every year to witness the Christmas spirit of this tiny town.

New York City, New York. From the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree to the holiday performances by the Radio City Rockettes, the Christmas spirit is alive and well in New York City. The city is also known for its incredible window displays and the Christmas lights and decorations that seem to cover the city from head to toe.

Stan Honda/ AFP/ Getty Images

Branson, Missouri. Branson may be known for its entertainment, but during Christmas this town becomes even more alive than usual. The city is most well known for its Festival of Lights. Drawing in about a million and a half visitors every year, this six week festival features amazing parades, bands, musicals, fountain displays, and a unique Christmas cattle drive.

Woodstock, Vermont. If you picture a 19^th century Christmas with a horse and buggy trekking through the snow, then you also just happen to be picturing modern-day Christmas in Woodstock. This town is well known for its Wassail Weekend celebration that features Nordic-inspired culture and traditions with a strong emphasis on Christmas spirit.

Really no matter where you go, it is hard not to feel and witness the wonderful character of Christmas. However, if you are looking for a unique experience, take a vacation from your normal traditions and try celebrating the holidays in one of these Christmassy towns.

Safe Travels and Happy Holidays,

The VacationRoost Team

1) They can make it their own.  There is nothing harder than trying to find the perfect gift. Will they like this color? Will this size fit them? Do they already have this? One of the great things about giving someone a vacation is that they can still make it their own. They can customize their vacation so it is absolutely perfect for them. Whether they want to lie on the beach all day and read a book or spend hours hiking in the beautiful mountains, what they do on their vacation is completely up to them. When giving someone a vacation, you never have to wonder if they will like it.

2) They will always remember it. If there is one thing vacations are, it’s memorable. No matter where it is you go or what you do on your trip, you never forget a vacation. While I can’t tell you any physical presents I received for Christmas when I was fourteen, I can easily remember every detail of traveling to the Cayman Islands and swimming with the Sting Rays. If you want to give someone a present they will never forget, a vacation is definitely the way to go.

3) They will love it. Honestly, who doesn’t want to go on a vacation? There is nothing better than escaping from the daily grind and exploring a new part of the world. Vacations are the perfect way to relax and giving a vacation, is the perfect way to surprise someone with a gift they are sure to love.

So, if you are still looking for the perfect Christmas present to give, look no further and start booking a vacation.

Safe Travels,

The VacationRoost Team