Archive for May, 2010

Engross Yourself in the World of Ancient Heiaus!

Posted on May 27, 2010 in: Hawaii

As far as most of us know, the beautiful Aloha State, Hawaii, is frequented for its great beaches, vivid green forests, amazing waterfalls, and fiery volcanoes. But there is one more area to explore on this tropical paradise, the Hawaiian temples, better known as the Heiaus.

In ancient Hawaii, people believed that pacifying God was the way to invoke peace, health, and also rewarding fishing and farming. As a result, Heauis were constructed as places of worship in diversified architectural styles on the basis of their purpose and location.

If visiting the Hawaiian temples is in your itinerary, then start your trip at the Pu’ukohola Heiau in North Kohala. The Pu’ukohola Heiau meaning, the Temple on the hill of the whale, will not only captivate you with its rich history, but also with its massive rock structure. One truly fascinating fact about this Heaui is that it is believed to be one of the last temple that was built by the ancient Hawaiians, before the traditional Hawaiian value system saw a drastic change. Take a short walk down a narrow cement path and you’ll be amazed at the view of the Heiau. The hill close to this Heiau also offers you an incredible spot for whale watching.

As you travel towards the Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the remains of Hikiau Heiau, which was built in favor of God Lono. Bonus would be the Captain Cook’s monument across the bay.

If you’re truly interested in history and archaeology, don’t miss to visit the Lapakahi State Historical Park in the north of Kawaihae, which offers you replicas of ruined Hawaiian temples.

To get yourself engrossed in the world of ancient Hawaiian temples, book your trip to Hawaii through Perillo Tours, who have been into the business of organizing worthwhile tours for three generations.

To Italy on a Sporting Holiday

Posted on May 25, 2010 in: Italy vacations

Italy apart from being a haven for travelers looking for a unique experience is a paradise for sports enthusiasts as well. One could easily guess the most famous sport in Italy from its five time win at the soccer world cup. Also known as calico Italians just adore their players and their weekends are truly devoted to the local soccer matches.

If you’re getting an idea that only soccer is predominant in Italy, then you are wrong. Italy is also home for many other sports that truly awakens the zeal for sports. There is a great deal of skiing, racing, surfing, fishing, yachting, sailing, and lots more to keep you lively on your vacation.

Italy is a great country to try your hand on the water sports. Water basketball is the recent contribution of Italians to water sports. Interestingly, this sport has become very popular in Italy and is played at a national level. Those who seek a break from the routine should try out water polo.

It wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that Italians are crazy about cycling. The Giro d’Italia held every May is one of the greatest cycling events in the world. Many won’t even think about skiing in Italy until they come experience it. The Settimana Bianca or the white week is the perfect time to travel to Italy on a skiing holiday. Italy’s northern and the Alpine regions provide an ideal backdrop for skiing and other winter sports.

Sports in Italy also include traditional games, such as Sferistici, Bocce, and certain other forms of cue sports even in the modern times. The world famous Palio di Siena, is a dedicated event for horse racing that is held twice in a year.

If you live by sports, then Italy is one country that you should never miss visiting. Have a great time in Italy with Perillo Tours, the pioneers in tours to Italy.

Travel Tips for Women traveling alone – For Your Safe and Enjoyable Trip!

Posted on May 24, 2010 in: Travel Tips

Traveling solo can be pleasing to most women as it evokes a sense of independence. But to make your vacation risk-free without any personal threat to your safety in a foreign land, there is always a need for that extra bit of precaution. These women travel tips will help you have an memorable travel experience.

It is wise to plan your activities before you arrive at your travel destination. Women travelers will indeed feel safe if they arrive during the day time in cities that they are unfamiliar with. Moreover, you’ll also find it more comfortable to adapt yourself to the new surroundings and also find a place to stay.

It is advisable to choose a safe and comfortable hotel. While you check in, try requesting for a room from which the elevator is easily accessible as this would probably avoid the need to walk a long way through ill-lit areas.

Always remain vigilant of your personal belongings and keep your important documents and extra money away from prying eyes. Money needed for your daily expenses can be secured in a purse or a bag and carried with you. To be on the safe side, it is also a great idea to have copies of your passport in a separate locked location.

While in foreign, it is advisable to dress conservatively. Ensure that your wardrobe is not filled with dresses that would attract attention. In advance check the type of dress worn in your travel destination and pack accordingly.

At times when you feel you are in danger of harassment, knowing few local phrases like “Help” can get you the needed attention from people around to help you. The primary key to your safety is confidence. Even when you are lost in the streets, just don’t panic. Seek the help of shopkeepers or walk into restaurants to get guidance.

To have a safe and secured trip, plan your vacation with Perillo Tours, a trustworthy tour company.

An Insight on Hawaiian Culture and their Beliefs

Posted on May 21, 2010 in: Hawaii

Native HawaiiansTo explore one’s beliefs and values, practices, and culture is really exciting. Many countries are still digging and searching for their significant history from their left out traces. Whereas, Hawaii, one of the popular tourists’ spots, has a lot of interesting beliefs and values followed even today. For native Hawaiians, family, community, and religion are their priorities.

There are no two separate words such as family and community in Hawaiian culture or beliefs. They define themselves by the relationship they share with one another, their ancestors, and lands. They believe that they are just incomplete without this “feeling of togetherness.”

Hawaiian CultureFor native Hawaiians, nothing can be more important than nurturing and honoring these ties. They strongly believe in Ohana, a group that shares nearly everything with one another, and go to great extents to benefit the entire group. Native Hawaiians avoid “individualism” and always like to express family as the basic unit of the community and believe that anything that is done should lift up the standards of the community.

Hawaiian religion is as old as its history. The land is filled with several sacred and historical places. These fragile sites are of great cultural significance to these native Hawaiians. People still offer prayers and conduct ceremonies in the places as they consider these places to be still filled with spiritual powers.

Though Hawaiian remains as the heart and soul of the language, English is also one of the two official languages. People have a strong feeling for Hawaiian language and they describe it as a swaying palm tree in a gentle wind. To sum up, no matter how many modern trends pop in, Hawaiian beliefs and values continue to flow like a quiet, peaceful stream throughout.

Are you making plans to visit Hawaii? Then, do it with Perillo Tours where you can explore and witness Hawaii at its best.

Plan Your Destination Wedding in Maui!

Posted on May 20, 2010 in: Hawaii

Wedding is one occasion that requires a lot of time and effort to plan. Most of us take great pains to make this Big Day an occasion that would be remembered for a long time to come. In the run to come up with unique wedding ideas, the concept of destination wedding seems to be drawing people’s attention to a great extent. Maui weddings, in particular are gaining immense popularity.

If you are hunting for the most romantic wedding destination, then your search should end here. The beautiful islands of Hawaii apart from being a primary vacation destination are also some of the most popular wedding destinations in the United States. Among the several exotic wedding locales that the Aloha State offers, Maui is probably the best.

The Hawaiian island of Maui offers numerous spots for a wedding ceremony. The Makena Cove, also known as the Secret Beach with great sunsets is the hottest spot for photographic experiments. The Kapalua beach that has been rated as one of the world’s top beaches, is a great place for couples to get married.

For those seeking a sacred yet magical place for their wedding, Makena, which is considered a sacred place by the Hawaiians, would be the ideal place. There are also many other spots such as the Fleming’s beach, the Sugarman’s Estate, the Mokapu beach, the Puamana beach, and much more, which most Maui wedding planners would recommend.

Arranging a wedding in a foreign land can be pretty intimidating. Hence, before you plan your Maui wedding, a visit to this truly splendid island will give you an idea on the best wedding and honeymoon spots and help you get your wedding planned there. And what better way to get started with your Maui wedding arrangements than booking your trip to Hawaii with Perillo Tours.

Health Care Tips for Travelers to Israel- Stay Healthy on Your trip!

Posted on May 18, 2010 in: Safety Tips

Travelling to the historical land of Israel can be viewed from different perspectives. For few it may be a holy trip to Jerusalem and for others it might be a visit to the Golan winery. Wherever you might travel your health conditions should support you without refraining you from having fun on your trip. While planning your trip to Israel, keeping in mind certain health care tips will make your trip very enjoyable.

You can take advantage of this Israel travel guide to gear up for your trip with full zeal. This travel health information gives you many useful tips on how you can plan for a safe and healthy trip to Israel.

Health issues are critical than even before while travelling. To be on the safer side, consult a health-care provider for medications if you have a medical condition. It is wise that you get vaccinated for vaccine- preventable diseases that you are more likely to get exposed to. Travelers to Israel are recommended to have a routine vaccination, a Hepatitis A and a Tetanus vaccination done. It would be great to act sensibly and get vaccinated at least 4-6 weeks ahead of your trip. To cover emergency medical costs, it’s a good idea to have a secured travel health insurance at hand.

If you are planning your trip from August to November, insect protection is vital since the transmission of West Nile virus by mosquitoes is prevalent during that period. Dehydration or sun burn might be a major problem you might face as the sun is very strong in Israel. Drinking plenty of water on the trip will help you overcome dehydration. It is better if you stay in at midday or rather use a sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.

With this travel health information in mind you can plan for a healthy trip to Israel. To have a safe and satisfactory trip, it is advisable that you book your trip with a well experienced tour company like Perillo Tours.

Experience Little Piece of Heaven, Right Here on Earth with Israeli street foods

Posted on May 17, 2010 in: Food, Israel

As the famous saying goes, one cannot think well, love well, and sleep well, if one has not dined well. Gastronomic tourism is widely gaining its popularity and it is not fair if we do not speak about a scrumptious concept called street food. Israel street food definitely needs a special mention for its wide spread of gourmet food.

The Israeli recipes that top the charts are falafel, shawarma, shakshouka, Jerusalem mixed grill, Jerusalem bagels, malabi, sabiḥ, and Tunisian sandwich.

Falafel one of the main attractions of the Israeli street food, could be easily identified as the national food of Israel. The Falafel has mashed chickpeas mixed with aromatic spices, deep fried into golden brown balls that taste heavenly. The perfect combination of falafel in a pita, accompanied by pickles, tahina, hummus, cut vegetable salad, and a dash of harif is a sure treat for your taste buds.

For those who love to indulge themselves in the extensive collection of Israeli food would unmistakably choose shawarma. Thinly cut layers of meat with added lamb fat are packed into a pita to make this sinful delight taste luscious with salads and an assortment of dressings to choose from.

The juicy blend of fried eggplants, delicately sliced boiled eggs, fresh salad, tehina, and pickles carefully stuffed in a pita gives you the mouthwatering sabich. The traditional food of Iraqi immigrants has now become the signature of Israeli streets.

Spoil yourself with the sumptuous selection of ice-creams displayed along the streets of Tel-Aviv. Choose from the alfajores, yogo, pavlova, honey yoghurt with pine nuts, and blueberry and port with raisins, and the collection is endless to have an extravagant treat. Relish Israeli street food to your heart’s content on your visit to Israel, by taking a tour to Israel only with Perillo Tours.

Hawaii Hiking Tips – For an Enjoyable and Secured Hiking Trip!

Posted on May 11, 2010 in: Hawaii

The picturesque islands of Hawaii, besides attracting you with its beautiful beaches also give you the chance to hike and discover the natural beauty of the islands. Hawaii hiking can be distinct from the rest and is definitely a feast for adventure lovers.

One of the most interesting trails that you can enjoy is the Hawaii volcano hiking. But as with everything else, you don’t want to take a second chance when it comes to your safety. To enjoy the adventure of hiking to the fullest, you can take help of this Hawaii hiking guide which gives you an insight of certain necessary safety precaution tips while hiking in Hawaii.

Hawaii hiking can be safe only if hikers don’t deviate from the trail that has actually been set up solely for hiking. Unlike mainland forests, the very dense forests of Hawaii pose a danger of getting the hikers befuddled. You won’t even have a clue as to what risk is waiting for you when you take a next step. For a safer hiking without suffering any serious injury or fall or even getting lost, you are advised to stay on the trail and stay together with your fellow hikers.

Hiking in Hawaii can be groovy only when your health condition supports you. Carrying 2 liters of water per person will keep you away from dehydration. Wearing dress in layers and use of sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen may help avoid heat exhaustion. Any enthusiastic hiker should also know the importance of a pair of comfortable hiking shoes. Nothing can change the mood of Hawaii hiking than an unexpected rain shower. Therefore, carrying a light rain gear is desirable. Also it is safe to have a first aid kit at hand.

Going on a hiking trip to Hawaii guided by a tour company like Perillo Tours which is well rooted in organizing tours is a sensible choice for any traveler.