Travel agency owner Aggie Lewis visits Hawaii every year and calls Kauai a “truly magical” place. She founded Aggie's Travel in Oak Lawn, Illinois, in 2009, but has been a travel professional for 32 years.
Aggie Lewis
Lewis said guests returning from multi-island vacations in Hawaii are often shocked to find that, of all the islands, Kauai turned out to be their favorite. “It’s because it’s the most beautiful of the islands, because it’s the oldest,” Lewis said.
Lewis shares with Travel Weekly readers his idea for a perfect five-day Kauai vacation itinerary.
Day 1
Guests start their vacation at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. “I love hosting people at the Hyatt because of the location. It's on the South Shore of Poipu,” Lewis said. “There's hiking. There's kayaking. It's phenomenal.”
After an active morning, you can spend the afternoon at the spa or wade in the resort's lazy river. Poipu Beach is a short drive away, where visitors may see a Hawaiian monk seal or honu (green sea turtle). The casual restaurant Brennecke's Beach Chickenright opposite the beach, is the perfect place to enjoy burgers, sandwiches and fish and chips.
Day 2
After breakfast, guests should head to the Kauai Café Co.who owns the largest coffee farm in the United States
“We’re all very into coffee,” Lewis said. “You can take a self-guided tour there and get free samples; it's something fun to start your day.”
They can then continue Waimea Canyon State Parkoften described as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”. It is a scenic drive with many trails and lookouts.
“It's absolutely beautiful. Even if you're older and you just want to drive, there are places along the road where you can stop and stay for a few minutes,” Lewis said.
From there, guests should head east to the Wailua River to take a look at the waterfalls and then watch the show. Smith's Family Luau Gardenwhich is located directly by the river.
Admire views of Waimea Canyon State Park, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Photo credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Ben Ono
Day 3
A 17-mile-long boat trip Napali Coast is a great way to start the day.
“If they're not adventurers (who would be comfortable taking) the Zodiac boat like I would, then a catamaran would be nice,” Lewis said.
The tour takes visitors past secluded beaches, secluded valleys and waterfalls – and dolphins have been known to make an appearance. If the client prefers, he can opt for a helicopter tour of the Napali Coast or a hike on the Kalalau Trail to a beach and a waterfall. In the evening, the Hyatt's Tidepools restaurant is one of Lewis' favorites for dinner.
Day 4
For breakfast, Country kitchen serves “crepes to die for,” Lewis said.
The restaurant, located in downtown Kapaa, serves macadamia nut pancakes on a plate. The menu also includes kalua pork eggs Benedict, omelets, waffles and a long list of espresso drinks.
A route to the north brings guests to Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens and Sculpture Parkwhich covers 240 acres.
“It’s an area where nene birds congregate, and all the tropical and different plant life — I mean, it’s so beautiful,” said Lewis, who also recommends Allerton Garden on the South Shore. “It’s kind of like you’re transformed over time,” she said, referring to the garden shaped by different people, including a Hawaiian queen.
The next stop should be Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthousethe latter having been built in the early 1900s. As they wander the ocean cliff, guests will see the thousands of seabirds that inhabit the refuge and admire views of Kauapea Beach (aka “Secret Beach”).
In the North Shore towns of Princeville and Hanalei, guests can explore the unique gift shops, great local foods, and the large, beautiful bay.
Back at the Hyatt, they can relax with sushi and evening cocktails at the Stevenson Library.
Day 5
Lewis recommends that guests spend the morning free. In the afternoon, they can go to the Kilohana Plantation to Lihue, where there is a Rum Safari Tour. The two-hour guided route takes visitors around the plantation while sipping Koloa rum and meeting farm animals.
“We did the rum safari and it was fabulous,” Lewis said.
She suggests continuing this experience with a dinner at La Speziawhere pasta is made from scratch. It is located in the picturesque old town of Koloa.
Do you have more time?
If you're staying more than five days, Lewis has several other suggestions: mountain tubing with Kauai Backcountry Adventuresoff-road in an ATV with Adventures at Kipu Ranchsoaring down Kauai's longest zipline on a Koloa Ziplinehiking in the Mountain Nanny (aka “The Sleeping Giant”) and eat at Beach House Restaurant in Koloa and by the ocean Bull Shed Restaurant along the Kuhio Highway in Kapaa.
