Summer 2021 Travel Guide: Kauai

Kauai is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I actually lived on the island for several years as a kid and it's always had a special place in my heart. My family loves it too, so we try and visit as often as we can. Kauai is Hawaii's fourth-largest island and is often called the "Garden Island" for its lush greenery. The island is less touristy than other islands and most things shut down by 9 p.m., so you're forced to relax and enjoy the scenery. After a crazy year of working from home while also homeschooling the kids due to the pandemic, we desperately needed this recharge. Read on for my guide on all things Kauai. 

Best Place to Stay

We always stay at the Kauai Beach Resort when we visit the island. We've stayed there many times over the years and always had a great experience. The hotel is located in Lihue near the airport and has been a great home base for us when we visit. The rooms are spacious and if you can get a view with an ocean view, even better. 

One of the best things about this hotel is that there are four swimming pools, including one with a water slide. We also loved the convenience of the poolside outdoor bar. For littles, there's a super shallow, sandy pool that has a great water feature.  

The hotel also has a great gift shop/coffee bar that serves Starbucks coffee and pastries. It was a great way to start the day and pick up snacks before heading out on our daily adventures. The hotel also has a great bar and restaurant for dine-in or take-out. One of the things we loved about our recent visit was the fact that you can now order and pay remotely via your phone and pick up your food at the hostess stand once it's ready. Technology is the best. 

We found ourselves at Shutter's Lounge multiple times on our trip. They do great fish tacos and Kalbi beef bowls. They also have a great kids menu which was helpful since we have notoriously picky eaters. 

Best Beach for Kids

Kauai Beach Resort is less than 10 minutes away from Lydgate Beach Park, a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. This beach is protected from the ocean by a rock wall, making it a great choice for kids and for those who want to snorkel. There are also lifeguards on-site and a shaded playground nearby that is great for kids who need a break from the sun. There are also on-site facilities including picnic areas and restrooms. 

Best Beach on the Island

Hanalei Bay is the best beach on Kauai. Although it's not the easiest to get to at the moment due to recent andslides and subsequent construction, it's worth the drive. Located on Kauai's North shore just past Princeville, Hanalei offers clear blue water, white sand, and sweeping views of gorgeous green mountains. The historic pier was built in 1892 and still offers visitors a stunning backdrop for beach days and sunset picnics. 

Check Hawaii's DOT site for traffic info before heading out to stay up to date on lane closures and traffic revisions. 

Best Beach for Spotting Sea Turtles

Poipu Beach is a great place to spot sea turtles on Kauai. We spotted them several times surfing the waves when we visited the beach and each sighting was magical! The drive to Poipu Beach from Kapaa is about 40 minutes by car and you get to pass through a beautiful tree tunnel on the way. Poipu Beach has a great swimming area with lifeguards plus a playground for kids.  You can also get a legendary Puka Dog across the street from the beach. 

Best Place for Beach Rentals

There are many great places to rent beach equipment on Kauai including sun umbrellas, bodyboards, coolers, beach chairs, inflatables, and more. We rented from Kauai Snorkel Rentals located at Coconut Marketplace in Kauai. The prices are great, $15 for a week-long body board rental, and the process was super easy. We simply showed up, picked out our gear, and brought it back a week later. This is a WAY better alternative to buying gear and leaving it behind at the end of the trip. We talked to locals about this issue and it sounds like island tourists are notorious for this. Please be mindful of the environment and the footprint you leave behind when you visit Hawaii. 

Best Shave Ice

I could literally eat shave ice every day and I probably would if I lived in Hawaii. We loved Jojo's Shave Ice at the Coconut Marketplace in Kapaa and went back several times during our time. They offer so many delicious flavor combinations but our favorite was definitely the classic Rainbow (Strawerry, Banana, Vanilla) with Macadamia nut ice cream. Shave ice makes a great snack on a hot day and the small size was big enough to share. 

Best Poke Bowl

If you're a poke fan, don't miss the fresh fish at Foodland in Princeville. For less than $10 you can get a rice bowl topped with fresh poke. Voted Hawaii's best for 9 years in a row, I promise you, this poke bowl is well worth the drive. I like spicy poke, Shoyu (mixed with soy sauce), and Hawaiian-style (mixed with seaweed and sea salt). Honestly, they're all good and if you can buy a bag of Hawaiian taro chips, the experience is even better. If you're heading to Hanalei Bay for the day, stop by Foodland to pick up a poke bowl for lunch on the way. 

Best Date Night Restaurant

Every time we visit Kauai, we always make reservations at The Plantation House by Gaylords. This is a great restaurant for date nights, family dinners, and special occasions. The dinner menu includes fresh ahi poke, lobster gnocchi, sake short ribs, and truffle potatoes. The cocktails are good, too! If you head over for lunch, don't miss the Koloa Rum Tasting Room which is also located on-site. 

Car Rental Advice

There's a severe rental car shortage in Hawaii due to low inventory and increased demand, so if you want wheels on your trip (you'll need them), I recommend that you book early. We rented from Avis on this trip and had a great experience. Our 4-door Jeep Sahara was so much fun to drive!

How to Plan Your Itinerary

Driving around Kauai takes time, especially during the summer months, so it's best to plan your day by choosing one main area to explore or dividing the day into morning and afternoon activities. Hanalei Bay is a full-day activity when you consider drive time and traffic revisions. Here are some of our favorite things to explore on Kauai that should absolutely be on your itinerary:

Hanalei Bay

• Beach Park & Pier (the most gorgeous beach with white sand and clear blue water) 
• Hanalei Shopping Center - Lots of great local shops and restaurants 
• Bubba's Burgers
• Plan a full day and take a picnic lunch to the beach. Rain showers and clouds generally pass quickly, so don't be worried if you see a few clouds in the sky. 

Princeville 

• Princeville Center is a great place to shop and dine
• Foodland has THE best poke bowls on the island
• There's a great toy store for kids on-site
• Keep an eye out for the Princeville Night Market

Poipu Beach

• Beach Park & Playground
• Sea Turtle Spotting
• Puka Dogs
• Baby Beach
• Brennecke's Beach Broiler
• Old Koloa Town (Stop by on your way to Poipu Beach)
• The Shops at Kukui'ula (Located near Poipu Beach and a great place to stop for dinner after a day at the beach. The center also has Long's Drugs so you can stock up on anything you forgot at home)

Waimea Canyon

• Great scenic drive when you need a break from the sun
• The canyon is a 14-mile stretch with panoramic views
• The road ends at Kokee State Park

Coconut Marketplace

• Located in Kapaa with easy parking and plenty of gift shops
• Don't miss Jojo's Shave Ice
• Great dining options including Chicken in a Barrel, Bobby V's, and Island Country Market
• You can also get beach rentals including sun umbrellas, snorkel gear, and more at Coconut Marketplace

Final Thoughts

If you're heading to Kauai, take a deep breath, enjoy the experience, and don't forget to pack your patience. The summer months are peak season for tourists and in addition to increased traffic on the roads, you'll also experience long wait times at restaurants if you don't have advance reservations. Kauai is experiencing the same labor shortages we are on the mainland, so please remember to be patient and kind. If you're staying at a hotel, don't forget to take out cash to tip your housekeepers. They are working overtime this summer and want to help ensure that your trip to paradise is an amazing one. 

Last but not least, please note that masks are mandatory indoors in Kauai. It's a state law and businesses are doing their best to keep everyone safe. You can view Hawaii's latest pre-travel testing requirements here.

Related Reading:

The Disneyland Style Guide

Stylish Summer Travel Guide to SEA

 

5 Tips for Teaching Kids to Swim 

I Know A Place: Seattle Fashion Edition
 

12th Fan Guide: Where to Stay, Eat & Shop in London

London is one of my all-time favorite cities in the world. My husband and I spent our honeymoon there back in 2009 and we've made it a point to visit every year since. London is a city filled with art, history, and culture. Travelers will find that there's something for everyone to enjoy including music, food, historical tours, of course, shopping. For Seahawks fans heading to London for the game next week, here's our style guide on how to spend quality time in London.

Most travelers will spend excessive amounts of time trying to decide where to stay in London. If you prefer to be central to the city, stay in South Kensington where you'll be within walking distance to Hyde Park and have easy access to several London Underground stations.

We've stayed at several hotels in this neighborhood on various trips to London including the Radisson Blu Edwardian Vanderbilt and The Crowne Plaza, but our favorite by far has been The Kensington Hotel (shown above) because of the quality of the guest rooms and the service. They were also great with kids and spoiled our children with nightly cookies and milk during our stay. They even put up a small kids tent in our hotel room so that the kids would have a secret hideout.

It's easy to eat your way through London because nearly every department store has a food hall offering everything from light snacks to sweet treats and full meals. There's also street crepes, croissants at cafes, and traditional pub classics like mushy peas and fish and chips. Here are some of my favorite places to eat in London:

Kensington Crepes - This restaurant is my favorite in London because I'm obsessed with French crepes. Kensington Crepes is located just steps away from the Victoria & Albert Museum and they do both sweet and savory crepes. My favorite crepe is Le Complète with turkey, brie, and a free range egg.  My kids love the classic crepe with fresh whipped cream and strawberries. 

Garfunkels- If you check the reviews on TripAdvisor you'll find that many tourists stop here for their first meal in London. Why do people love it? Well for starters Garfunkels serves classic fish and chips, there's never a wait and it's completely family friendly. Yes, it's absolutely a tourist trap, but that's kind of the point. If you're hungover after the game, you should definitely stop by Garfunkels for a traditional English breakfast. 

Pret a Manger - These cafes are basically the "Starbucks of London" and serve coffee along with a variety of food options. They have a great assortment of sandwiches and soups that are easy to grab on-the-go or when you need a quick snack.

Best Burgers - If you're homesick and craving a burger, check out Honest Burger in South Kensington. Their classic cheeseburger pairs perfectly with rosemary fries and chipotle mayo. For those that like burgers but also want an expanded menu that includes salads, check out Byron Burger. 

Selfridges Rooftop Restaurant - If you like al fresco dining make time to visit the Selfridges rooftop restaurant. It features rotating themes and is currently serving traditional Italian food including crostini, scallops with white wine, fritto misto, and spaghetti carbonara. 

Hummingbird Bakery - Famous for its red velvet cupcakes, Hummingbird Bakery is an institution in Notting Hill and serves up delicious made-from-scratch cakes and cupcakes. If you visit the Portobello Market in Notting Hill stop by the bakery for a taste of heaven. 

Biscuiteers - If you love cookies and have "cookie monsters" at home, stop by Biscuiteers in Notting Hill. They do hand-iced cookies that are Instagram-worthy and delicious to eat. Biscuiteers offers single cookies and gift boxes for every occasion. They also do cookie icing workshops and private classes. 

Electric Diner - Located on Portobello Road in Notting Hill, Electric Diner is a great place for date night. In fact, my husband and I had dinner here on our honeymoon. The food is great and the desserts are not to be missed. This restaurant is next door to The Electric Cinema, the oldest working cinema in London. They also offer dining specials for guests going to see movies (terms and conditions apply). 

Pizzeria & Canti Prosecco Bar - Located in Harrods, this pizzeria is a great place to recharge after a day of shopping. They serve Neopolitan-style pizzas and also offer rocket (arugula) and parmesan salads and classic minestrone soup. 

Nag's Head - For a classic London pub experience while visiting Covent Garden stop by Nag's Head. They offer a modern take on traditional British classics. Everything on the menu is great! I loved the Beef & Rioja Pie with mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and red wine gravy. It's a hearty meal best served with a full-bodied wine.

There's amazing shopping in London any time of year, the question is, what kind of shopping experience best suits your style? For a classic London shopping experience head to Oxford Street to hit all the British faves. Start at Marble Arch near Hyde Park and work your way down the main shopping row. If you love more of an indie scene, head to Shoreditch to shop Boxpark. If you're looking for boutiques, head to Notting Hill. And for a great mix of art, fashion, and food, there's Covent Garden. Don't forget, there's also pretty incredible shopping at museums and art galleries if you exit through the gift shop. Here are some of the "can't miss" places to shop in London:

Primark - This store is crazy big and can be a bit overwhelming so go early if you can to avoid "black Friday" style lines and crowds. The deals are good, almost too good, so it's fairly easy to go crazy here. Primark carries everything from women's fashion to kids clothing, men's merchandise, and home goods. This is a great store to stock up on clothing for kids. They have fashion-forward styles and really, really good pricing for budget-friendly moms.

Harrods - It's natural to be at a loss for words when it comes to describing Harrods. After all, it's the world's most famous department store and occupies a 5-acre site, garnering more than 330 departments. At Harrods, you'll find everything from fashion to food, shoes, gifts, souvenirs, on-site restaurants, a champagne bar, a giant toy store called "Toy Kingdom", and even a spa. Up until 2014, there was even an on-site luxury pet store where you could purchase animals.

River Island - Fashion fans may be familiar with River Island because of its past capsule collections with singer Rihanna. The brand has stores across the UK and stocks bold, colorful merchandise for the entire family. River Island has great pricing and recently celebrated its 30th anniversary with a body positivity campaign for fall.

Selfridges - Hands down this my favorite department store in the world. Selfridges is fun, innovative, and always working on something new. The store was named the "Best Department Store" in the world by the Global Department Store Summit and also has a focus on sustainability. The Selfridges Oxford Street store occupies a full city block and has multiple restaurants, beauty departments, and a 35,000 square-foot shoe hall. Selfridges is also known for exclusive merchandise from cult brands, so if you love limited-edition merchandise you can't get anywhere else, chances are you'll find it at Selfridges.

Liberty of London - Best known for its signature floral graphic prints, Liberty of London is an iconic British department store that is well worth a visit. Located in a beautiful Tudor-style building in London's West End, Liberty carries fashion, jewelry, beauty, accessories, home goods, and gifts.

Miss Selfridge - UK high street brand Miss Selfridge has more than 250 stores worldwide and is also available through partners like Asos and Topshop. The store is aimed at teens looking for affordable, on-trend fashion and is fun to shop for seasonal must-haves. They also carry a full range of fashion in petite sizing.

Topshop Oxford Circus - The flagship Topshop store at Oxford Circus is three full floors of fashion including vintage pieces you won't find anywhere else. The store has a basement cafe, a Hershesons Blow Dry Bar, a nail salon, and even a piercing parlor. I usually go here multiple times on my trips to London either for blowouts or to shop the petites section. There's always a DJ spinning music on the main floor and a healthy line at the cupcake kiosk on level one.

Yes, this is a marathon blog post, but if you're still reading, chances are you're looking for a few things to do in London. I highly recommend visiting the Victoria & Albert Museum to see the current fashion exhibit "Fashioned from Nature". The Tate Modern is another great museum that is worthwhile if you have the time as is the National Portrait Gallery. If you only do one thing while in London, don't miss the Princess Diana fashion exhibit at Kensington Palace. It features her most iconic outfits and includes audio and video components to round out the fashion story.

Enjoy! Oh, and Go HAWKS!

Getaway Guide: 48 hours in Bellingham, Washington

Located just 90-minutes North of Seattle, Bellingham is a gorgeous place for a getaway any time of year. Our family just returned from our annual 4th of July visit and loved our time exploring the shops, parks, and restaurants in Whatcom County. Here's everything you need to know about spending 48 hours in Bellingham. GO!

Where to Stay

There are many hotel options in Bellingham but our favorite is Hotel Bellwether. It's located on Bellingham Bay and has beautiful views of the Cascade Mountains. The accommodations are spacious, perfect for families, and many of the rooms have jetted bathtubs and a natural gas fireplace.
The hotel also has a restaurant and does live music on the outdoor patio.
Good to know: Parking is free at this hotel and it's within walking distance of several restaurants including Loft at Latitude and Anthony's. Behind the hotel facing Bellingham bay, there's also a paved path, perfect for biking, that leads directly to Zuanich Point Park.

Where to Play

Whatcom Falls Park is well worth the visit, especially during the summer months. There are three and a half miles of trails that wind through the forest and a beautiful stone bridge that overlooks the waterfalls. Our kids loved exploring this park and if we had planned in advance, we would have packed our swimsuits. There are some great places to go for a dip in the river. The upper park features a playground for kids and a BMX track.

Historic Fairhaven has a great mix of local restaurants and charming boutiques. If you visit, you'll also want to stop by Village Books, which has been delighting bookworms since 1980. They have a great kids section that includes toys and sections dedicated to books written in the Pacific Northwest. For a full list of shops in Fairhaven, click here.

Where to Eat

Beer drinkers love Boundary Bay Brewing. Apparently, my husband used to come here in college after a big exam. Bellingham is, after all, a laid-back college town. Boundary Bay serves a mostly regional menu including steamer clams and salmon chowder, but you'll also find novelties like yam enchiladas and bahn mi sandwiches.

Anthony's is well-known in the Northwest for its seafood, so if you're an "out of towner" I would add this restaurant to your list, you know, for good measure. The fish and chips is delicious and they also have a prix fixe "Sunset Menu" available Monday through Friday until 6 p.m.
Good to know: The Squalicum location has outdoor seating with views of Bellingham Bay.

Mount Bakery Cafe is a great breakfast spot. The crepe menu is extensive and the Belgian chocolate crepe did not disappoint. The cafe also serves eggs benedict, freshly baked croissants, and breakfast sandwiches.

The summer season has arrived and Bellingham makes for a quick and easy weekend getaway. It's also a great option for a day trip if you're looking to get out of the city and explore the Northwest.

Getaway Guide: Shibuya, Japan

The only way to summarize our recent trip to Japan is to say that it was a total culture trip. We travel all over the world to crowded cities like London and New York, but none of those trips prepared us for the sea of humanity that is Tokyo. It was exhilarating and overwhelming, all at the same time. Japan has been on my personal travel list for a while now and I'm thankful that my family had the chance to experience the city and all that is has to offer. Here's everything you need to know about visiting Shibuya, Japan.

The Flight & Arrival: We took a 9-hour direct flight from Seattle to Narita on ANA Airlines. The service was great and the staff was kid-friendly. Once in Narita, we hopped in a taxi and took the 90-minute journey to Tokyo.

Best time to visit: We visited Japan at the end of March. The weather was perfect, in fact, it was in the mid-70's on most days, and it was cherry blossom season which was an added bonus. The spring season is an ideal time to visit as the summer months give way to high temperatures, rainy weather, and monsoons.

What to pack: We averaged walking about 6-8 miles per day in Japan because it was easier than trying to flag down a taxi or navigate public transit. Walking is the best way to see the city anyway, so be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes or sandals. I also recommend a light jacket for evening and clothing made from breathable fabrics to keep you cool during the day.

Good to know: Tokyo operates well into the early morning hours which is great if you love to party, but terrible if you are an early riser and want to get breakfast. Most restaurants, including those that serve breakfast, don't open until 11 or 11:30 a.m. so plan ahead if you're someone who loves a morning meal and do yourself a favor, make reservations. There's nothing worse than being hungry and then having to wait an hour for a table. On the bright side, if you're a night owl you'll be pleased to know that most places in Tokyo stay open until well past midnight. You can even live out your childhood video game fantasies by dressing up as your favorite character and driving around the city in a real-life Mario Kart.

The shopping in Shibuya is a colorful mix of fashion-forward apparel, adorable cartoon-inspired accessories, and beauty products for days. Get ready for large crowds and an overwhelming selection of just about everything in packaging that you probably won't be able to read. I recommend researching in advance if you have certain products you want to buy that are only available in Japan. This is especially important if you want beauty products because most of the ingredient lists and directions are not printed in English.

Loft - This top-rated lifestyle department store has everything you didn't realize you needed including home goods, magazines, stationery, beauty products, fitness equipment, and more. Loft is a great place to buy souvenirs on the trip and if you want to shop tax-free don't forget to bring your passport.

Shibuya 109 - Located just across from Shibuya Station, Shibuya 109 features ten floors of women's clothing boutiques and restaurants. Designed as a "fashion community", brands compete for pop-up space to sell and leases are extended based on revenue, making Shibuya 109 a popular place for young trendsetters to shop.

Dover Street Market - Located in Ginza, Dover Street Market is well worth the trip. It took us about 15 minutes on the train to get to Ginza from Shibuya Station. Featuring seven floors of fashion, Dover Street Market feels more like a shoppable art installation than a brick-and-mortar boutique. Famous for it's curated collections from cult brands like Comme des Garçon, Gucci, and Vetements, Dover Street Market is the perfect fusion of art and fashion. My son Liam (pictured below) got his first designer t-shirt at Dover Street market. Let's just call it a litsouvenirenir from the trip.
Seattle readers: Take note, Dover Street Market is coming to LA in the fall of 2018.

WEGO - Described by Vogue as "Japan's fast-fashion alternative to H&M" Wego is where the cool girls shop in Shibuya for on-trend clothing at low prices. The WEGO store is located inside Shibuya 109 (listed above) but there are also two other locations in the city.

Beauty Tip: Japanese drugstores carry a full array of beauty products and colored contacts. Take advantage and explore as many new products as you can. You may have to google ingredient lists and directions, but trust me, it's worth it. While in Shibuya I picked up the Kao Megurism Steam Warm Eye Masks in Lavender, a tube of Kiss Me Heroine Waterproof Curling Mascara, Yumi Mori Gel Blush, and the K-Palette 24 hour liquid eyeliner (all pictured above). I also stocked up on Bioré SPF 50 gel sunscreen.

One of the things I loved about our trip to Japan was experiencing the abundance of Hawaiian-inspired restaurants. I grew up on Kauai and have fond memories of eating pancakes with rich coconut syrup. For breakfast head to Harajuku to visit Eggs 'n Things. Their signature dish is a stack of buttermilk pancakes topped with a mountain of whipped cream. It's Instagram-worthy and insanely delicious. You'll also find other Hawaiian classics including spam and eggs and loco moco, plus a full "Keiki" kids menu. Foodie tip: Arrive early, even on weekdays. The line usually wraps around the block.

For a culinary adventure, check out Uogashi Nihonichi Tachigui Sushi, a stand-up sushi bar located in the heart of Shibuya. You won't find many mainstream rolls here, but that's all part of the fun. We enjoyed delicious handrolls, fresh sashimi, tuna, maguro, and amazing miso soup. Our kids loved it too!

For those with a serious sweet tooth, make time for Santa Monica Crepes. It's a total sugar rush and so worth it. We tried the strawberry chocolate crepe but you can also add cake, yes, cake or even scoops of ice cream. It's a delicious excuse for a cheat day. Santa Monica Crepes is located near the entrance of Harajuku's main shopping row.

During our trip to Tokyo, we stayed at Centurion Hotel Grand. It's located just across the street from the famous Shibuya Station and a 10-minute walk from Harajuku. The rooms were modern, clean, and spacious. We also loved the sweeping views of the city, especially at night. This hotel is a 90-minute cab ride from Narita Airport. The taxi fee was around 25,000 yen, or approximately $225. This hotel also features several restaurants and bars. Pictured below, one of the many alcohol-infused drinks we picked up from the street-side vending machines sprinkled around Tokyo. The peach flavor was my favorite.

Tokyo is famous for its cat cafes and for good reason, it proves to be a nice excuse to get out of the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, even if just for 30- minutes. We visited the Bengal Cat Forest in Harajuku and paid a small fee for a half hour session with cats. They stretched out on artificial tree limbs and played with each other while my daughter tried to lure them over with a cat toy.

For visitors looking to check out local theme parks, I highly recommend planning a day (or two) at DisneySea. Opened in 2001 by The Oriental Land Company, DisneySea is the fifth most visited theme park in the world. It's not operated by the Disney company so although there is a crossover with characters and themes, it's a unique experience that you can't get anywhere else. Attractions include Toy Story Mania, Nemo and Friends, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, The Tower of Terror, Venetian Gondola Rides, Steam Ship cruises, and train rides. There's something for everyone at the 176-acre park including the usual parades and shows you would expect from a Disney experience. Tickets were around $66 USD for adults and slightly less for children. We purchased in advance at the Disney store in Shibuya to avoid waiting in line on arrival at the park.

New York has Central Park, London has Hyde Park, and Tokyo has Yoyogi Park. It's a beautiful park that is the perfect place to take a relaxing walk when you need to slow down and get back to nature. Located within the park is Meiji Jingu Shrine, which is dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. The original shrine was destroyed during World War II and was later re-built in 1958 through public fundraising. It's a beautiful park and worth the visit.

Tokyo is one of the coolest cities in the world. It's rich in history and perfect for travelers looking to balance historical sightseeing with shopping, dining, and entertainment. We can't wait to go back again soon.