Hawaii Vacations

Seeing as how our theme here at RealTravel this week is couple’s travel, I felt we would be remiss if we didn’t mention that one place, which quite possibly inspires more thoughts of relaxation and romance than anywhere else in the United States. I am, of course, talking about Hawaii. For couples around the world, a visit to this tiny archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean has long been the stuff of wistful dreams and fond memories, whether for vacations, honeymoons, anniversaries, or a simple romantic getaway.

Comprised of eight main islands, there really is something for every couple to experience in the Aloha State, from the ruggedness of camping to the ease of resort life. Regardless of your traveling preferences, however, one thing is absolutely certain: it will be beautiful and it will be memorable. Brightly colored exotic flowers, lush green ferns, sandy beaches in white, black and even green, and warm, blue waters are just the beginning. Of the state’s eight main islands, each has their own character, charm and attractions that make each a unique destination in and of themselves, but the three most visited are Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii (also known as the Big Island).

Oahu

Known as the Gathering Isle, Oahu contains the thriving metropolis of Honolulu, home to a vast majority of the state’s population. The third largest island in the chain, it is also by far the most popular destination for travelers, who flock to visit the famous, and often extremely crowded, Waikiki neighborhood. If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of this more popular tourist hangout, try taking a trip to Oahu’s North Shore, which has some of the best places to surf in the world. Other attractions on the island include Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay and the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Hawaii

The Big Island is the largest island in the United States and larger than all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined, as well as home to two of the largest mountains in the world, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. So you can bet with all this landmass, there’s plenty to see and do. The Volcanoes National Park is one of the state’s most popular attraction, where visitor’s can get up close to watch as actively flowing lava continues to make the island grow. The cities of Hilo and Kona are also located on the Big Island, and offer a great variety of activities and attractions for any visiting couple.

Maui

A very popular destination for American and Canadian travelers, the Valley Isle is a great spot for a more relaxing couple’s getaway. Visit Haleakala National Park, location of the Haleakala Crater, the largest dormant volcano on Earth, to see a vast array of gorgeous landscapes from tropical areas full of waterfalls and streams, to desolate deserts. For a truly romantic moment, visit early in the morning and watch the sunrise from the top of the crater.

But no trip to Maui would be complete without a drive down the Road to Hana. This 53-miles stretch of winding highway traverses the mountainous ridge along Maui’s eastern coastline, and offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the island. During their recent trip as a couple, Realtravelers E & A took the road, and had this to say about the incredibly scenic drive:

“Everyone told us, leave at 7 am, the road gets real crowded. We left at 9 am, with packed sandwiches and no idea of what to expect. We would soon see the most beautiful tropical rain forest we had ever seen. Maybe the Amazon basin has prettier places, maybe the jungles in Africa are greener or denser, but this was as beautiful as we had ever seen.

The drive starts closer to the airport, so about 30 minutes from Kihei. A small town at the beginning of the drive carries signs that these are the last facilities you will see for a long time. There are also shops selling packed lunches, we had our with us. Just beyond the town is a beautiful beach with a lot of surfers. This is where we unpacked the sandwiches and had a short break. Beyond that, the ocean becomes a more distant feature and is replaced in the foreground by lush greenery and trees loaded with fruit, beautiful birds. Its a curvy slow road with a lot of vistas and waterfalls. There are also a lot of secret side trails, but we didn’t find many. Though I don’t think we missed much, what we saw was stunning in itself.” (more…)

Really, when it comes down to it, I’d be hard-pressed to think of a better place for a couple’s vacation than Hawaii, and I’m willing to bet you would to. But there’s a good reason for that. Apart from all the activities, the sites, the sounds, the smells, there’s just something all at once soothing and comforting about the Aloha State. Here there’s a totality of experiences and sensations that combine to create all the ambiance necessary for a truly one-of-a-kind romantic getaway no matter which island you choose to visit.

Check out these useful resources to help you plan your trip:
Oahu Hotels
Maui Hotels

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