Hilton Hawaiian Village is one of my favorite properties in the world. When I was trying to decide my ultimate vacation spot for Thanksgiving, it topped the list. There are so many things about it that make it one of my favorite destinations including the endless array of activities, the amenities, the dining, and the views, but the sunsets are so truly magical that they make the flight worth it themselves. Continue reading
I’ve been talking about scuba diving for the entirety of Bucket List Publications. It was on my first bucket list when I created the site and it remained on the list year after year. The fear consumed me and took over. Failure after failure, I thought I’d never actually accomplish that one check mark. I tried and had a panic attack. I tried again and still couldn’t get over it. Well, hell yes! I finally went scuba diving and it was in one of the most beautiful places in the world – Hawaii. Thanks to Aqua Zone Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Center, I can finally say I crossed scuba diving off my list for the first time and I can guarantee it won’t be the last. Continue reading
Thirty-eight stories high and overlooking the emerald waters of Waikiki Beach, Trump Hotel Waikiki is a spectacular sight to behold. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Diamond Head, the Honolulu skyline, and the magnificent Ko`olau Mountains, Trump is 5 shades of awesome. Rather than trying to explain the views, I captured my favorites in photos. From sunrise to well beyond sunset, here are the views from Trump Waikiki. Continue reading
Oahu is filled with endless beauty around every turn and beneath every grain of sand. The perfect temperatures and friendly locals add to the attraction of this picturesque land. During my 11 day Oahu vacation, I explored the depths of the ocean floor with Reef Pirates, surfed the rolling waves that draw surfers from all over the world with Ty Gurney Surf School, and swam with the mysterious sharks that fill the deep waters with North Shore Shark Adventures. It’s this blend between serenity and aquatic adventure that truly captures my heart. Continue reading
We spend the better part of our lives making our bucket list dreams come true. Darren and I think about our wildest dreams and make them a reality. We try to include Athena in the process as well. I consider what would make her the happiest and include her in the bucket list planning process. Resorts like Windjammer Landing in St. Lucia, Atlantis in the Bahamas, and Kinderhotel in Germany were all part of incorporating the best family-friendly destinations on this year’s list. Similarly, activities like visiting Disneyland, Europa Park, and the San Diego Zoo were all Athena focused, although they, unquestionably, brought us great joy as well. There was one item on this year’s list that was entirely, 100% Athena’s idea. I didn’t come up with it and think she’d like it; nope, she decided it would be the greatest thing in the world all on her own. She wanted to hang out with Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii made it possible this weekend. She danced, sang, hugged and laughed with the most famous characters in her world at the Disney Character Breakfast. This is what dreams are made of. Continue reading
Regardless of having a child or not, Darren and I are just two big kids. We often choose our accommodations based on the pool, the water slide, water sports or other fun activities and the proximity to the beach. We are out enjoying the grounds and barely see the room unless it’s time for sleep. Unique adventures are the icing on the cake and we pack in as many as humanly possible. With 5 pools, a lagoon filled with water activities and local tours offered from the hotel grounds, Hilton Hawaiian Village is the ideal resort for our fun-loving family. Continue reading
We’ve arrived. After a short flight from LA, we landed in Oahu and spent the first day at Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki Beach. Exploring the grounds, we discovered two pools, a lagoon, the beach, and Bali Steak & Seafood. Today was just a taste of some of the amazing amenities here at Hilton, but stay tuned for a more in-depth look at what they have to offer. For now, I’ll show you some of the highlights. Continue reading
Most family vacations in Oahu include Pearl Harbor, Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, building sand castles on the beach, and splashing in the kid’s pool. Even with a toddler, that’s not how we do vacation. We’ve lined up three spectacular family-friendly resorts, tons of unique adventures, delectable dining with a twist, and fun cultural experiences. We’re doing Oahu bucket list style.
We have been shooting tons of video footage over the last few years, but it’s been wasting away on a hard drive, unseen and unedited. GoPro Studio is a quick and easy solution to the problem. We’ve gone through a few of our trips and used the GoPro Studio Templates to create short video reminders of the fun we’ve been having. Continue reading
You don’t have to fly to the other side of the world for an epic bucket list experience; there are plenty of unbelievable opportunities right here in the United States. From wilderness trekking to flying a jetpack, I’ve come up with a list of the 5 best bucket list adventures in the US. Most I’ve tried while the others are still extremely high on my list, these experiences will get your adrenaline pumping and keep you coming back for more. Continue reading
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