Filming Location, Hiking, Travel, Tropical

Hawaii: Volcanoes, Waterfalls & Aloha

Each Hawaiian island we visited offered its own version of paradise, creating unforgettable memories at every turn. On the Big Island, we explored the otherworldly landscapes of Kilauea, hiked the Kilauea Iki Trail, wandered through lava tubes, and toured flavorful stops like Greenwell Farms and the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory—all topped off with a swim alongside wild spinner dolphins. Maui delivered the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation—from learning to surf at Goofy Foot Surf School and winding our way through the lush landscapes of the stunning Road to Hana, to celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks on a sunset dinner cruise and enjoying a traditional luau at The Feast at Lele. We ended our journey on a high note, watching the sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā and biking down the slopes of the volcano—an unforgettable finale to an incredible island experience. Oahu blended history and beauty with visits to Pearl Harbor, a UTV tour at Kualoa Ranch – the real-life Jurassic Park, and iconic sunsets on the North Shore at Sunset Beach and Banzai Pipeline. Kaua’i captivated us with its raw natural beauty, including a thrilling, doors-off helicopter tour over the Na Pali Coast, a bucket-list hike along the Kalalau Trail, and surfing along the golden beaches of Poipu. Every island had its own charm—and together, they left us completely enchanted by the spirit of aloha.

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Filming Location, Hiking, Travel, Tropical

Big Island: Lava Flows, Chocolate Dreams & Liquid Aloha

The Big Island welcomed us with open arms—and a bright red Mustang convertible! From the moment we landed, it felt like we were in for something unforgettable. We settled in at the peaceful Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, where mornings began with plumeria blossoms and ocean views. We celebrated our anniversary with the best breakfast we’ve ever had at Island Lava Java, explored the flavors of Kona coffee at Greenwell Farms, and learned how real chocolate is made at the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory. One day took us across the island to experience Kilauea, the Kilauea Iki Trail, and the surreal Thurston Lava Tube. Along the way, we swam with wild spinner dolphins, relaxed on black sand beaches, and witnessed a lively hula and fire show. The Big Island gave us a perfect balance of adventure, flavor, and Hawaiian spirit.

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Filming Location, Hiking, Travel, Tropical

Maui Magic: From Haleakalā Sunrises to Hana Waterfalls

Maui was pure magic—literally and figuratively. After a short flight, we checked into the Kaanapali Beach Resort, where nightly sunsets and the sound of the waves quickly made us feel at home. Our days were filled with memorable moments, from learning to surf at Goofy Foot Surf School (we both stood up on the first try!) to snorkeling with sea turtles at Honokeana Bay. We explored the legendary Road to Hana, hiked to waterfalls, and took in dramatic views at places like Waiʻanapanapa State Park and Wailua Falls. The Fourth of July brought an unforgettable dinner cruise with fireworks over Lahaina, and we even caught a magic show (Kupanaha) at our hotel.
The Feast at Lele was an unforgettable evening of gourmet island cuisine, mesmerizing Polynesian dance, and a breathtaking sunset right on the beach—an elevated take on the traditional luau experience.We greeted the sunrise from Haleakalā, biked down the volcano, and wrapped it all up with a beachfront meal at Mama’s Fish House. Every day in Maui brought a new adventure—from epic hikes to ocean breezes—and each one ended with the most breathtaking sunsets we’ve ever witnessed.

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Filming Location, Hiking, Travel, Tropical

O’ahu: From Pearl Harbor to Jurassic Valleys

Our 2021 Hawaiian journey began on the vibrant island of O’ahu, where we split our time between cultural landmarks, scenic beaches, and thrilling outdoor experiences. The highlight was exploring the land of dinosaurs on an epic UTV Raptor Tour at Kualoa Ranch, the legendary filming location for Jurassic Park and LOST. We paid our respects at Pearl Harbor and explored sacred sites like the Byodo-In Temple. The North Shore gave us a taste of island surf culture with stops at Turtle Bay, Sunset Beach, and Banzai Pipeline, where we watched pros ride massive waves. From scenic hikes like Diamond Head Crater and Manoa Falls to a relaxing afternoon at Kailua Beach, O’ahu gave us a perfect mix of cultural landmarks, cinematic landscapes, and natural beauty that surprised and inspired us at every turn.

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Filming Location, Hiking, Travel, Tropical

Kaua’i: Helicopters, Hikes & Hanalei Bay

Known as the Garden Isle, Kaua’i captivated us with its raw beauty, emerald cliffs, and hidden waterfalls—but getting there was half the journey. Between COVID delays and rental car shortages, this was the fourth time we tried to book this trip, and we were beyond excited to finally make it happen in 2021. At the top of our list? The legendary Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast—and yes, we finally hiked it, in perfect weather no less! From a doors-off helicopter ride over the island’s dramatic cliffs to exploring Waimea Canyon, snorkeling in Poipu, and sipping coffee at local spots like Imua, Kaua’i delivered everything we hoped for and more. It was the kind of trip that made every rebooking and delay totally worth it.

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Europe, Hiking, Italy, Travel, Wine Region

From Gondolas to the Colosseum: Our 17-Day Journey Through Italy

From rowing a boat through Venice’s quiet canals to sipping wine high above the cliffs of Vernazza, our 17-day Italy adventure was a whirlwind of breathtaking views, unforgettable flavors, and rich history. We hiked the cliffside trails of Cinque Terre, refueling with pesto pizza in the region where it was born, and wandered through Pisa, climbing the Leaning Tower. In Florence, we immersed ourselves in Renaissance brilliance—admiring Michelangelo’s David, exploring hidden passages in the Palazzo Vecchio, and ending our days with sunset gelato at Piazzale Michelangelo.We slowed down in Tuscany, tasting our way through Chianti and Val d’Orcia, where vineyard-covered hills and cypress-lined roads made every drive feel like a dream. Our agriturismo stays were the heart of this leg—from the cozy, cat-filled Castellinuzza in Chianti to the medieval Castello di Spedaletto near Pienza. We explored Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, Monticchiello, and Siena, sampling local wines (including Brunello), pecorino cheese, and plenty of pici pasta along the way. Before heading south, we made a quick stop in Orvieto, a stunning hill town perched on volcanic rock, where we enjoyed wine with views of the striped Gothic Duomo. Then it was on to Naples, where the chaotic energy of the city was no match for the pure pleasure of a pizza from the legendary L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele. The trip ended with a bang on the Amalfi Coast, where we ferried to Capri, (survived a scooter mishap), and soaked in the coastal views of Positano and Ravello, followed by a final few days in Rome. There, we walked in the footsteps of emperors at the Colosseum, took in the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica, and tossed a coin into the Trevi Fountain, hoping to return someday. Seventeen days, countless scoops of gelato, and one unforgettable journey through the heart of Italy.

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Cruises, Europe, Italy, Travel

🛶 Drifting Through Venice: Canals, Charm & Italian Magic

We’ve visited Venice twice now—and it keeps getting better. Our first time was part of a longer Italy adventure, while our second visit was a quick stop before boarding a Mediterranean cruise (just a few hours to soak it all in before a train to Trieste!). We kicked things off with a Vaporetto ride through the Grand Canal, grabbed espresso at the iconic Caffè Florian, and took in the golden glow of St. Mark’s Basilica. Instead of just the usual gondola ride, we took a Row Venice lesson and learned just how tricky (and fun) it is to steer a gondola ourselves. We have tried both a daytime and nighttime gondola ride and prefer the daytime for the better views (and it’s cheaper), though both have their charm. A trip to Venice should be on everyone’s bucket list!

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Europe, Hiking, Italy, Travel, Wine Region

Cinque Terre: Hikes, Hills & Heavenly Pesto

Our day in Cinque Terre was a beautiful blur of vineyard-covered hillsides, pesto-smothered everything, and panoramic seaside views that made every uphill climb totally worth it.
These five colorful villages—once isolated fishing communities carved into the rugged Ligurian cliffs—are now connected by trails, trains, and centuries of seafaring history. We started the adventure in Monterosso, hiking the steep, stone-lined trail to Vernazza—a leg-burner, but one that rewarded us with sweeping cliffside views and a well-earned pesto focaccia and pizza in the region where both pesto and focaccia were born. After exploring Vernazza, we continued on the scenic trail to Corniglia, pausing for fresh-squeezed orange juice and gelato. The route only got more beautiful as we made our way to Manarola, passing through vineyards so close you could touch the grapes, and finally on to Riomaggiore where we rewarded ourselves with a local wine tasting with a stunning seaside overlook. We stayed at agriturismo Buranco high above Monterosso, where the hosts—part of a multi-generational family—welcomed us with wine, fresh fruit, and a view that honestly made us question why we’d ever stay in a hotel again. With every sip, step, and slice of pesto pizza, Cinque Terre was a panoramic paradise on the Ligurian coast.

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Europe, Italy, Travel

Leaning into Pisa: Duomos and Dorky Photos

Our quick stop in Pisa as part of our 2016 Italy trip was all about making the most of a half-day in one of Italy’s most iconic spots—and yes, we fully embraced being dorky tourists. We made the short walk to the Field of Miracles, home to the famously lopsided Leaning Tower of Pisa and the stunning Pisa Duomo. Climbing the tower was a highlight—not just for the view, but for the surreal feeling of walking on worn, slanted marble stairs polished smooth by centuries of visitors. We snapped some final goofy tower pics with our travel buddy Eileen, and caught the train to Florence with just enough time to reflect on Pisa’s charm—and how gravity-defying photos are still irresistible.

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Europe, Italy, Travel, Wine Region

Florence: Renaissance Legends, Gelato Dreams & Hidden Thrills

Our time in Florence was a whirlwind of art, architecture, secret passageways, and world-class gelato—with sunset views sprinkled in for good measure. We dove straight into the city’s Renaissance heart, wandering the halls of the Museo Galileo, where we saw antique telescopes, ancient maps, and yes—three of Galileo’s fingers. That night, we took a private “Inferno” tour through the Palazzo Vecchio, exploring hidden chambers, rafters above the Hall of the Five Hundred, and even the secret room where Medici spies once eavesdropped on political dealings. Day two was packed with masterpieces, starting with Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, followed by close-up encounters with sculptures by Michelangelo and Donatello at the Bargello. We wandered the Boboli Gardens, stepped inside the Buontalenti Grotto (yes, the same one from Inferno), crossed the iconic Ponte Vecchio, and stood in awe at the Uffizi Gallery, face-to-face with Botticelli’s Birth of Venus—a moment that felt like stepping directly into the heart of the Renaissance. We capped it all with sunset views from Piazzale Michelangelo, gelato in hand from the Gelato Festival, including the best gelato we’ve ever tasted. Florence wasn’t just a city—it was an open-air museum, a thriller novel, and a full-on love letter to the Renaissance.

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