Kauai: The Garden Isle Retreat

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Discover Hawaii at its most authentic roots on this leisurely journey to Kauai—Hawaii’s lush, untamed Garden Isle. With emerald valleys, cascading waterfalls, charming small towns, and warm ocean breezes, Kauai invites us to slow down, savor the moment, and reconnect with beauty. Each day blends natural wonders, cultural gems, and time to rest, reflect, and breathe deeply. We’ll stay all six nights at an oceanfront resort in oceanview rooms, allowing for relaxed unpacking and full enjoyment of island life. In Kauai, Hawaii feels personal—rooted in nature, history, and deep cultural pride!

EXCLUSIVE VOYAGER 47 CLUB LOUNGE

Unlock a little extra aloha with the Voyager 47 Club Lounge including exclusive access to a spacious indoor and outdoor lounge with lush garden and pool views, plus daily breakfast and Sunset Tastings inspired by the islands!

Breakfast: Start your day with a relaxed breakfast spread of tropical juices, fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, yogurt and oats, plus rotating hot favorites like fluffy scrambled eggs, bacon, Portuguese sausage, pancakes, waffles or French toast with warm coconut and maple syrup.

Sunset Tastings: Unwind at sunset with domestic and imported beers, island-favorite drafts, signature Chardonnay and Cabernet and made-to-order cocktails, including a daily special. Pair your drink with island-inspired bites like charcuterie, crudites and fresh salads, plus rotating and satisfying favorites such as poke bowls, fish and chips, and teriyaki skewers.

Day 1 – Arrive in Paradise!

Get ready to trade in the winter blues for lush green landscapes and ocean breezes! Today we depart for the Garden Isle of Kauai, known for its unspoiled beauty and peaceful charm. Upon arrival, we’ll receive a traditional Hawaiian lei greeting, then make our way to the beautiful Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort, our home for the next six nights. Located on a quiet stretch of beach and surrounded by tropical gardens, this resort offers the perfect balance of comfort and island ambiance. Settle in and unpack, then take in the soft rhythm of the ocean from your oceanview room!

Hotel: Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort (6 Nights) (Oceanview Rooms!)

Day 2 – North Shore Beauty: Kilauea Lighthouse Overlook, Hanalei & Na ‘Ãina Kai

We’ll start the day with a leisurely breakfast before we journey to the lush North Shore of Kauai. First, we will make photo stops at the Kilauea Lighthouse Overlook and Waioli Huiia Church. Next, we’ll spend time in Hanalei Town, a postcard-perfect village surrounded by mountains and taro fields. Enjoy time to browse shops, galleries, and stop for lunch on your own in one of the local cafes. Our exploring continues with a guided tour at the magnificent Na ‘Ãina Kai Botanical Gardens, a magical blend of tropical flora, bronze sculptures, and serene landscapes. The Formal Gardens are graced by a Poinciana Maze, Shower Tree Park, the Ka‘ula Lagoon with its cascading waterfall and tropical island, a Japanese teahouse, the Desert Garden and the Palm Garden. Capturing the heart of Kauai, there are many fascinating things to see at this peaceful, inspiring place as we explore at a leisurely pace. We return to the resort in time for Sunset Tastings in the exclusive Voyager 47 Club Lounge. Tonight, we’ll also enjoy an included dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Sunset Tastings, Dinner

Day 3 – Coffee, Coastlines & Po‘ipû Beach

We begin with a visit to the Kaua‘i Coffee Company, where ocean breezes and fresh-roasted aromas welcome us to the largest coffee estate in the U.S. We’ll learn about the bean-to-cup process on a self-guided tour and enjoy complimentary tastings in this scenic setting. Next, we’ll make a photo stop at Spouting Horn, a dramatic natural blowhole on the South Shore. A stop is planned at Poipu Beach for lunch and shopping on our own. Grab a famous Puka Dog or some Shave Ice before heading over to the beach to encounter sea turtles sunning themselves on the sand. We head back to the resort after lunch for a relaxing afternoon and evening. Might be the perfect afternoon to enjoy the sparkling pools! Don’t forget to partake in the delicious Sunset Tastings. Plus this evening alongside the main pool there will be a E Komo Mai performance of powerful chanting, rhythmic drumming, and vibrant dancing!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Sunset Tastings

Day 4 – Waimea Canyon, Kõke‘e Park & Hanapêpê Town

After breakfast, we make our way west to the dramatic Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” to take in the sweeping views of rugged cliffs and colorful gorges. We’ll continue into Kõke‘e State Park, where cool mountain breezes and native forests offer peaceful beauty. Check out the park’s small museum, gift store, or take a short hike. Then a stop in Waimea Town, where Captain Cook first landed, allows time for lunch on your own and a glimpse of old Kauai. We’ll then make a quick stop in Hanapêpê, a small, creative town. Get your camera ready to photograph the many murals and take a walk on the swinging bridge that spans the Hanapepe River connecting the town of Hanapepe with its lush, tropical surroundings. Upon our return, enjoy the Sunset Tastings and our wonderful resort.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Sunset Tastings

Day 5 – A Free Day in Paradise

Today is yours to enjoy the full resort experience. Relax by the sand-bottom pool, unwind in the oceanfront hot tub, book a treatment at the full-service spa, or simply stroll the beach and tropical gardens. Whether you nap under a palm tree or explore on your own, today offers the freedom to move at island pace. Your Tour Director and hotel concierge will be available with ideas if you’d like something more active. As always, we’ll gather for evening cocktails and pupus at the Voyager 47 Club.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Sunset Tastings

Day 6 – Free Morning, ‘Õpaeka‘a Falls, Fern Grotto, Luau

This morning is yours to enjoy the resort at your own pace. Wake up slowly with a cup of island-grown coffee, take a dip in one of our resort’s four refreshing pools, or stroll along the quiet beach with the sound of waves in the background. This afternoon, we’ll depart for ‘Õpaeka‘a Falls, one of Kauai’s most photographed waterfalls, cascading gracefully into a hidden pool. Next, we’ll embark on an afternoon cruise along the scenic Wailua River, gliding through lush jungle landscapes to the famous Fern Grotto. This natural lava-rock cave, adorned with tropical ferns and cooled by misty breezes, is a peaceful and memorable stop, complete with live Hawaiian music. As the sun begins to set, we’ll arrive at the Smith Family Luau where a festive evening awaits! Through an amazing pa’ina (feast) and mele (songs & chants passed down by their ancestors), four generations of the Smith Family continue to honor the Hawaiian celebration of the traditional luau.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Luau Dinner

Day 7 – Train Ride, Local Flavor & Aloha Farewell

It’s our final day on the Garden Isle. We will enjoy a delicious breakfast together and then head to the Kilohana Plantation where we will step aboard an interactive ride on the Kauai Plantation Railway. We’ll also get to walk through an exotic fruit orchard, feed the animals, snuggle with alpacas, explore a banana patch, and have a gourmet picnic lunch from The Plantation House. For dessert, eat the fresh tropical fruits you’ve picked off the trees! Later we’ll return to the resort for the afternoon to rest, take one last swim, and pack before we head to dinner at the Coconut Marketplace and the airport for our evening flight home.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Sunset Tastings

Day 8 – Home

Arrive at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International airport today with hearts full from the peace, beauty, and aloha of Kauai!

OUTRIGGER KAUAI BEACH RESORT & SPA AMENITIES

This beautifully situated resort sits on 25 tropical acres along a secluded stretch of beach. We can unwind in multiple swimming pools – including a unique sand-bottom pool – or soak in the oceanfront hot tub. The full-service spa, lush gardens, walking paths, fitness center, and oceanfront dining options offer everything needed for a restful day in paradise. Hammocks under palm trees, sunrise beach walks, and soft Hawaiian music complete the tranquil experience.

HANALEI TOWN

Tucked in a lush valley on Kauai’s North Shore, Hanalei is a postcard-perfect town filled with bohemian charm and breathtaking scenery. The journey there, across a one-lane bridge and past taro fields, feels like entering a dream. Boutiques, art galleries, and beachside cafes welcome us to linger, while nearby Hanalei Bay stretches in a crescent of golden sand against towering green cliffs.

NA ‘ĀINA KAI BOTANICAL GARDENS

These world-renowned gardens span 240 acres of beautifully curated nature, sculpture, and landscape design. Stroll through rare tropical flowers, dramatic hardwood forests, and open meadows adorned with bronze statues. From a Japanese teahouse to a mossy canyon carved by waterfalls, every turn offers a new perspective on Hawaii’s unique flora and gentle beauty.

KAUA‘I COFFEE COMPANY

As the largest coffee estate in the United States, Kaua‘i Coffee offers a scenic and aromatic immersion into the island’s coffee culture. Learn how beans go from tree to cup on a self-guided walking tour and enjoy fresh-brewed samples. It’s a sensory delight where warm breezes carry the rich aroma of roasting coffee.

SPOUTING HORN

This dramatic blowhole on the South Shore shoots ocean spray up to 50 feet into the air through a lava tube. With each incoming wave, it hisses and roars like a natural geyser. Hawaiian legend says the sound comes from a trapped lizard god – one of the many myths tied to this striking coastal site.

PO‘IPŪ BEACH

This inviting stretch of coastline is ideal for relaxing, walking, or simply soaking up the sunshine. Po‘ipû is often named one of America’s top beaches, thanks to its gentle waves, golden sand, and resident sea turtles and monk seals. It’s a spot that feels both lively and serene—a true slice of island paradise.

WAIMEA CANYON

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon is one of Kauai’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Stretching 14 miles long and over 3,600 feet deep, its vivid layers of red, brown, and green rock tell the island’s volcanic story. From scenic lookouts, we’ll see sweeping views of jagged cliffs, hidden waterfalls, and dramatic valleys that shift color with the sun and clouds.

KŌKE‘E STATE PARK

Nestled high above the coastline, Kõke‘e State Park is a cool, misty retreat of native forests and incredible vistas. It’s home to native plants, wild chickens, and rare birds. Walking paths wind through towering trees and peaceful landscapes, inviting us to connect with Hawaii’s untouched interior beauty.

WAIMEA TOWN

A charming riverside town with deep roots in Hawaiian history, Waimea is where Captain James Cook first stepped ashore in 1778. Today, it offers a blend of local culture, mom-and-pop shops, historic landmarks, and breezy cafes. Strolling its main street is like stepping back in time – simple, sincere, and rich with island life.

HANAPĒPĒ TOWN

Step into “Kauai’s Biggest Little Town,” where time moves slower and creativity thrives. Hanapêpê is a haven for local artists, with galleries, artisan shops, and colorful murals lining the quaint streets. Plus, Hanapêpê was the inspiration for the movie “Lilo & Stitch!” A walk across its historic swinging bridge, a visit to a bakery, or a chat with a gallery owner captures the warm, authentic spirit of old Kauai.

ʻŌPAEKAʻA FALLS

One of the most accessible and picturesque waterfalls on Kauai, `Õpaeka`a Falls cascades 150 feet into a hidden pool surrounded by lush jungle. The roadside overlook provides a perfect photo opportunity with panoramic views of the Wailua River Valley and surrounding mountains. It’s a peaceful moment where nature’s artistry is fully on display.

SMITH’S FERN GROTTO

Accessible only by a peaceful Wailua River cruise, the Fern Grotto is a lava-rock cave overhung with tropical ferns and cooled by misty breezes. Musicians greet us with traditional Hawaiian love songs, creating a magical, almost spiritual experience in this naturally formed amphitheater.

SMITH FAMILY LUAU

The Hawaiian spirit of aloha comes alive in the sacred Wailua River Valley as the Smith Family shares the traditions of their island home and invites us to be part our their ‘ohana! The feast includes secret family recipes and speciality dishes. Food may be the heart of the luau, but music is the soul! The lyrical sway of the Hawaiian hula, the colorful precision of the Tahitian drum dances, and the fiery emotion of the Samoan fire knife dance all speak deeply of the people who call Hawaii home. And who knows – you may be up on the stage trying some hula moves too! What an authentic Hawaiian experience!

KILOHANA PLANTATION

The historic Kilohana Estate’s roots originate back to 1896 when it started out as a cattle ranch. Then in the 1930s the 16,000 sq. foot mansion was built, and the Plantation became the island’s largest sugar estate, complete with breathtaking gardens & orchards.