At 2000-4000 feel elevation, on certain days you may feel like you are driving around New England on a glorious September afternoon. . well, except for that spectacular panoramic view of the entire island, the Pacific Ocean, and the islands of Lanai and Molokini. Kula is what most people think of when they talk about "up-country" in Maui. It sits on the west facing side of Mt. Haleakala and extends from Makawao to Ulupalakua. When driving across Kula you'll find yourself on narrow tree-lined roads looking over green and yellow rolling farmland dotted with horses and cows off in the distance. In Hawaiian "Kula" means "open meadows". You will notice a unique weather occurrence almost everyday explained as the Maui vortex. A wind vortex occurs when wind comes around the north-west part of Haleakala and sweeps down over the basin of Maui and then comes back up the mountain creating a ring of clouds in the later part of the morning over Kula. Luckily, just in time for the most magnificent sunset you will ever see in your life, the winds coming down Haleakala from the peak clears out these clouds. Kula does not have a town center but that does not mean there aren't things to see and do there. Do you like goat cheese, lavender and wine? Then you are in luck. You can sample many types of Maui gourmet goat cheeses and if traveling with kids, allow them to milk a goat, at Surfing Goat Dairy in Lower Kula; enjoy the gorgeous scenery on your way to sampling some wonderful pineapple or traditional wines at Tedeschi Winery; or visit Alii Lavender Farm, truly a unique beautiful experience with 55,000 lavender plants covering 45 different varieties of lavender. You can also buy, at their wonderful gift shop, everything from lavender soap, spritzers, creams, and candles to lavender scones, seasonings, tea, sugar, and jelly. If you can, call ahead to book the Lavender Garden Tea Tour from 10 - 12:30pm, it is a great way to experience this farm. Of course, if you are late getting up to Kula or have spent the whole day exploring up-country one of the highlights of your trip will be an evening cocktail and/or meal watching the sun set from the Kula Lodge. The sunset from up there is a show you shouldn't miss. Lastly, you can't talk about Kula without mentioning two very different restaurants; Grandma's Maui Coffee and La Provence. Grandma's is a local favorite with delicious baked goods, great breakfasts, and awesome organically grown coffee. There is also live music on the outside deck on Sunday mornings. Weather you think you like French food or not get to La Provence. It will be a meal you won't readily forget. Dinner is incredible, but so are the pastries. For a real treat try the ham and swiss croissant, there is some kind of special sauce on there that makes it out of this world. To experience a different side of Maui you can't go wrong with an excursion to Kula. .