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 customers who return from vacations on multiple Hawaiian islands are often shocked to find that Kauai is their favorite of all the islands. “That’s because it’s the most beautiful island and the oldest island,” Lewis said.
Lewis shares with Travel Weekly readers his ideas for the perfect five-day vacation itinerary on Kauai.
Day 1
Guests begin their vacation at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. “I love hosting people at the Hyatt because of its location. It’s on the south shore of Poipu,” Lewis said. “There’s hiking, there’s kayaking. It’s phenomenal.”
After an active morning, spend the afternoon at the spa or splashing around in the resort’s lazy river. Poipu Beach is a short drive away, where you may see Hawaiian monk seals and Honu (green sea turtles). Brennecke’s Beach Broiler, a casual restaurant across from the beach, is a great place to enjoy burgers, sandwiches, and fish and chips.
2nd day
After breakfast, head to Kauai Coffee Company, home to the largest coffee plantation in the United States.
“We’re all very interested in coffee,” Lewis said. “We can also do self-guided tours there and give out free samples. It’s a fun way to start the day.”
Then, head to Waimea Canyon State Park, also known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” It’s a beautiful drive with lots of trails and lookouts.
“It’s really beautiful. If you’re older and just want to drive, there’s a point along the road where you can pull over and stay for a few minutes,” Lewis said.
From there, head east to the Wailua River to see the falls, then join the Smith Family Garden Luau along the river.
Enjoy the views of Waimea Canyon State Park, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Ben Ono
3rd day
A boat tour along the 27-mile Na Pali Coast is the perfect way to start your day.
“If they’re not an adventure seeker like me who doesn’t mind riding a Zodiac boat, then a catamaran is the way to go,” Lewis said.
This tour takes you to secluded beaches, secluded valleys, and waterfalls that are known for dolphin encounters. Depending on the customer’s preference, they may instead choose a helicopter tour of the Na Pali Coast or a hike to the beaches and waterfalls on the Kalalau Trail. In the evening, the Hyatt’s Tidepool Restaurant is one of Lewis’s favorite dinners.
Day 4
For breakfast, Country Kitchen serves “excellent pancakes,” Lewis said.
This restaurant in downtown Kapaa serves plate-sized macadamia nut pancakes. The menu also includes Kahlua Pork Eggs Benedict, omelets, waffles, and a selection of espresso drinks.
Drive north to the 240-acre Na Aina Kai Botanical Garden and Sculpture Park.
“It’s an area where nene birds congregate and a variety of tropical plants thrive, so it’s really beautiful,” says Lewis, who also recommends Allerton Gardens on the south shore. “It kind of changes itself over time,” she said of the gardens that have been shaped by a variety of people, including a Hawaiian queen.
Next stop is Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse. The latter was built in the early 1900s. Walking along the ocean bluffs, clients will see the thousands of seabirds that call the refuge home and have views of Kauapea Beach (also known as the “Secret Beach”).
Explore the North Shore towns of Princeville and Hanalei for unique gifts, delicious local cuisine, and big, beautiful bays.
Back at the Hyatt, unwind with an evening of sushi and cocktails at Stevenson’s Library.
Day 5
Lewis encourages his clients to take it easy in the morning. In the afternoon, head to Lihue’s Kilohana Plantation for a lamb safari tour. During the two-hour guided itinerary, visitors tour the farm and meet the farm animals while sipping Koloa rum.
“We did a rum safari and it was amazing,” Lewis said.
She suggests following up that experience with dinner at La Spezia, where the pasta is made from scratch. Located in picturesque Old Koloa Town.
Do you have more time?
If you’re staying for more than five days, Luis has a few other suggestions. Go mountain tubing with Kauai Backcountry Adventures, go off-roading on an ATV with Kipu Ranch Adventures, glide down Kauai’s longest zipline with Koloa Ziplines, hike No-Know Mountain (also known as “The Sleeping Giant”), and Koloa’s Beach House Restaurant. We dine at the oceanfront Blushed Restaurant on Kuhio Highway in Kapaa.
