The Toronto Sun

Kauai lovely, laid-back

August 17, 2003

By Anika Van Wyk-Sun Media

These days, travel destinations that are safe and homey are most sought after. Hawaii's island of Kauai is a perfect fit.

There are no language barriers, the tourism industry is well developed making getting around head-ache free, and it's a relatively safe destination.

While Maui is the most popular Hawaiian island for Canadian visitors, Kauai, known as the Garden Island, is quieter with a more rugged landscape.

However, more laid back doesn't mean there's a lack of things to do--quite the opposite. Here are a few suggestions:

RELAXATION: If beaches, pools and sunshine aren't enough for you, there's the Alexander Day Spa and Salon at the Marriott Resort and Beach Club.

Starting a trip with a massage is a fantastic way to get right into vacation mode.

SCENIC DRIVES: Mark Twain dubbed the Waimea Canyon the 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific." It's an apt name for this impressive canyon approximately 1,000 metres deep--which runs up the west side of the island.

Even the Waimea Canyon Drive (Hwy 550) is a treat with its curves and red earth terrain.

Make sure to stop at the Waimea Canyon, Kalalau and Pu'uo Kila Lookouts.

Wailua Falls near the Fern Grotto is also a detour worth making. The 27 metre drop waterfalls are picture perfect.

GUIDED TOURS: As a travel editor, I've been on my fair share of bus tours, and one of the very best is the Hawaii Movie Land Tour.

Sure, it's a little corny at times, but it's so well planned out, the bad jokes are easily forgiven.

After being picked up at our hotel--the lovely and relaxing Radisson Kauai Beach Resort--by the comfortable, air-conditioned mini-bus, we toured the many famous movie locations on the island.

What makes this tour so superb is that a television screen on board shows you the exact scene of the movie, moments before you step out of the bus to see it for yourself.

It's also well varied--the beaches and piers of South Pacific, the hotel where Elvis filmed Blue Hawaii, the mountain range and fields in Six Days, Seven Nights, the luxurious beachfront home from Honeymoon In Vegas and so much more.

FOOD: What's a trip to Hawaii without a luau?

Smith's Tropical Paradise Luau and International Pageant is a Disney-esque offering, which allows visitors to stroll around peacock-filled (one pair were given to them by the Fantasy Island crew) gardens before the Imu ceremony in which a pig is dug up after being cooked underground all day. After the traditional meal, visitors can relax and watch the pageant of cultural dances of the Pacific.

On the other end of the scale, there's the Lihue BBQ Inn. this hole-in-the-wall has been in the same family for four generations. their philosophy is to keep the decor to a minumum and put all the money into fantastic food and presentation. The added bonus is it's affordable.