getting ready
The pre-trip preparation is integral, so things like deciding on a rough itinerary (if you're interestd in more than just heading to the beach every day) and means of optimizing your stay in relation to your budget should not go unattended -- even if this is Hawaii, where things tend to go with the flow.Penny-pinching travelers can afford the journey if they are willing to rough it, but ideally, enough cash must be set aside to have a comfortable hotel room, eat out at restaurants and travel within the island chain. As one of the most touristy places on the planet, there are some unavoidable price hikes. One that you can work around, however, is the airplane ticket. Often the most expensive part of your trip considering the geographical location of Hawaii, a lot of shopping around online and through main carriers can produce good deals.
If you live in a part of the world where escaping winter is not a must, then traveling in the low season, April to December, could be a way to slash the vacation price, especially where hotel rooms are concerned. It's worth the effort of browsing through different flight scenarios to get the most for your money on what will most likely be a trip packed with incredible memories.
Accommodation-wise, there are a lot of options to choose from. While many opt for the all-in-one beach resort, condominium rentals, bed and breakfasts, and even cottages are offered. It is enticing to grab an inclusive vacation package, but if you're up for going against the grain, perhaps another choice is in order. Either way, you'll be setting yourself up real nice.
the constant: waikiki
It is on the main island of Oahu, containing the big city of Honolulu, where you'll no doubt be spending most of your time, especially if you're a Hawaii virgin. With scores of magnificent beaches just outside of the bustling city, many find their hands full trying to balance the days between swimming, sun tanning and the numerous beach activities that stimulate the senses (like seeing hot women playing beach volleyball).Southeast of downtown Honolulu lies the most popular destination in the whole archipelago: Waikiki. Simply a strip of prime white sand real estate, Waikiki has evolved into its own resort, with scores of hotels, restaurants and shops. Usually, I recommend avoiding these types of areas, which are often overhyped and overpopulated with tourists, but the scenic offerings are too great to ignore. In Hawaii, it's hard to find the seclusion you would get if you were visiting a less populous area anyway.
Waikiki is always a lock for a good time: Set in the backdrop is Diamond Head, a hill of volcanic ash that is one of the best-known geological landmarks in the Pacific (and known for providing a great hiking trail and views). Visually remarkable, often enjoying a beautiful sunrise along the beach is enough for you to mentally escape the masses of visitors. Opportunities to boogie board (ride the waves while lying on a surfboard), surf and swim abound, make Waikiki literally a one-stop shop for 24-hour enjoyment.
Getting a sense of the area is easy: The actual frequented part of the beach is two miles long and all nightclubs and bars surround the hotels, making a perimeter across the sand. Separate sections of Waikiki Beach are known for different things: The southern end is good for all types of nautical boarding activities while generally avid swimmers collect in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
When looking for a night out or a party, Waikiki is the spot. There are traditional places with live bands playing Hawaiian music and even modern clubs with all the trappings a big-city hotspot would have. Take your pick along the strip and sample some wicked tropical beverages, like a Blue Hawaii (a mix of rum, Blue Curacao, and pineapple juice) while you're at it.
maui the magnetic
No doubt the beauty of Waikiki and the area of Honolulu are hard to escape, but the island of Maui not only rivals, but even surpasses its bigger brother in terms of natural splendor and beach offerings. More than 60 inter-island flights make the 20-minute hop each day, so there is no excuse but to visit the island that has been voted the top island in the world by Condé Nast Traveler magazine's Readers' Choice Awards eight years in a row. As if you needed any convincing...With opportunities to snorkel or scuba-dive at Black Rock and Kapalua Bay, windsurf in Kahului and even hang-glide from Haleakala down to the coast, there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied. In Maui, you have the best conditions for all these things and more. The golf conditions on the island are world-renowned and there are even some courses that grace the PGA tour list. Many of the hotel resorts have 18-holes of golf and while time on the course may be hard to come by, reserving in advance and coming up with the cash to do so is definitely worth it.
With the multitude of activities at your disposal in Maui, it might be useful to organize everything you want to do beforehand, with the help of an activity planner or travel agent, who can also save you from choosing between whale watching (January-March is prime season to see humpbacks) and hiking through the world's largest dormant volcano, Haleakala.
This attitude applies to your whole trip in Hawaii: There are so many "world's best" things to do, that you might feel overwhelmed. Doing everything on your list takes some organization, but if you just want to relax, you're still in the right spot.
One thing that all tourists should partake in is a drive along the northeastern coast on Hana Highway, where you'll pass alongside waterfalls and drive through rainforest and rugged coastline. At a leisurely pace, you can make this an all-day affair, stopping on your way to swim in a mountain pool and take in the view. This may be the only driving you'll need to do on your whole trip, but it is definitely rewarding.
honolulu, a collection of cultures
With Western, Asian and Polynesian influences, the city of Honolulu offers a unique atmosphere that is a nice change from all the sand you've been seeing. Chinatown provides not only a peek into Chinese-Hawaiian culture, but also Filipino and Vietnamese as well. If all the skin at the beach wasn't enough to please you, there are even topless bars in the area. On a more serious note, I suggest you sample the original blends of food and check out the great Shinto shrine and Taoist temple.The city is vibrant all year round and exploring will often lead you to an interesting area, whether it be the Contemporary Museum, forest reserves or state parks. If you're visiting during Christmas and with college football lovers, a trip to the Aloha Bowl could be a great experience, that is, if you can score some tickets.
Of course, a trip to the historically sacred is a must. Pearl Harbor, outside of Honolulu, remains a World War II memorial that strikes a familiar chord, especially today. The attack of Japanese fighter planes on the 7th of December 1941 is commemorated with the preservation of the USS Arizona, which sunk in less than nine minutes after a direct hit. Shuttles from Waikiki bring you directly to the USS Arizona Memorial, which is beautifully preserved as a floating development, where 1.5 million visitors pay their respects each year.
more to satisfy
If all the beaches, beautiful scenery, culture, and women doing the hula don't pique your interest, chances are that you're already an experienced Hawaiian traveler. What remains to be seen is Hawaii's Big Island, where you can truly escape it all at Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. Ruins and ancient burial grounds dot the reserve and the peacefulness will be a nice break from the families with screaming children that swarm the beaches in the populated areas.By far the coolest part of the whole island is Kiholo Bay, a seemingly untouched lava-surrounded oasis of fresh and salt water, with an inlet of black sand. The swimming here can become even more memorable with sea turtles basking in the shallow waters. The whole area, connected to the highway by a two-mile trail, seems magical and almost surreal.
food galore
Some say that the quality of a trip depends on the food that was eaten. Hawaii's hotels and beachside restaurants have gone wild providing travelers from all over the world with native seafood cooking (Hawaiians like to use different flours as well as local fruits like mango and guava) and international cuisine. So the great dishes are sure to satisfy each of your five senses on your trip to the South Pacific.simply the best
Just touching the surface of what America's 50th state has to offer reveals that Hawaii really packs a (Hawaiian) punch. Those that don't even leave the comfort of their own hotel or resort will still come home raving. Adventurer or not, you can find your own fun and relax to your heart's content. From volcanoes and beaches to surfing and hiking, Hawaii is the definitive resort that will surely leave you breathless. And there's a reason why it's known as one of the premier honeymoon destinations of the world.tips for the trip:
Resources:
http://www.gohawaii.com/vacationplanning/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/north_america/hawaii/index.htm
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/north_america/honolulu/
http://www.visit-oahu.com/resources.asp
http://www.kauaivisitorsbureau.org/
http://www.visitmaui.com/index.html
Hawaii Travel Guide
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