Finding A Suitable Hawaii Vacation Rental
Once your flight is booked, you are going to need a place to stay. There are sites that let you book air, car, and hotel together, but you might find a wider selection of vacation rentals if you do a little digging on your own. For affordable Hawaii condos, www.alohacondos.com has a great selection on all of the islands. Hawaiian Beach Rentals also covers all the islands and has some great Maui luxury accommodations, and villas on the Big Island, Kauai and Oahu. If an online site doesn’t offer photos of the rental you are interested in, keep looking. There are plenty of places that have listings with photos, and it is true, a picture is worth a thousand words. You can get a good idea about the size of a rental through photos, the condition it is in and even if the ocean views are really ocean views - not peek-a-boos. Another online explosion that is taking place is social networking. You can often find comments and reviews about rentals from other travelers that have experienced them firsthand.
Going to Hawaii
Across the world, Hawaii is still a beacon of paradise and all things sunny. Throughout the United States, people still save their whole lives for their Hawaiian getaway. They dream of lying on the beaches, getting surf lessons from the beach boys, playing 18 holes on world class courses, and creating memories to last a lifetime. While we wish we could just jump on a jet and do it, it does take a little forethought before you just show up.
Getting to Hawaii
The most common way that people get to Hawaii is by plane. There are a few alternatives, but most people fly their way here. Because Hawaii is the hub of the Pacific it is much easier to get here than it used to be. The Honolulu International airport is serviced by almost all the big players in the airline business. The local Hawaiian Airlines, which started as just a connector between the islands, has grown into one of the larger airlines that has daily flights throughout the Pacific. Most people have personal preferences for airlines, but it usually comes down to who has the best rates on the best dates. With the boom of online travel planning came several great services that compare prices and allow you to book tickets on their sites, assuring you the price you selected and the dates you requested. Some of these include, www.sidestep.com, www.orbitz.com, and priceline.com .
Activities in Hawaii
It is not hard to fill your days while on a Hawaiian vacation. For many, they are content just lying around on the beach. But there are those who like to “see the sights” as well. Again, since so many businesses are now online, you can find several sources that will give you lists of things to do on all of the islands. A word of caution about many of these sites and the many concierge desks you will find all around the islands - Most of these agents make their money on commissions and will try to book the priciest tours or the activities that bring them the largest commission; This does not always equal the best activities and tours. So, try to find highly recommended things-to-do and look for reviews on the different options.
Helicopter Tours
If you can afford to get up in one of these birds, you won’t regret it - unless you get airsick or hate to fly. For everyone else a Hawaii helicopter tour is usually the highlight of their trip. On many flights you will see spectacular sights that most people will never see and are often times inaccessible any other way. You can fly over the volcano on the big island, see awesome lava formations, and if you are luck see active flows. On Kauai you can cruise the Na Pali Coast and feel like you have flown back in time. Ancient cliff lines that tower to the sky and valleys and waterfalls that seem only likely in fantasy.
Boat Tours and Sailing Trips
Once you get your sea legs you will be doing a little jig of joy. The fresh ocean breezes and the perspective of the islands you get while cruising offshore and very life affirming. Dec. through April you will most likely be treated to a whale show, and all year round you might be lucky enough to get a dolphin escort. It is a very competitive business, so most boat companies step up their game; You can get great catered meals, adult beverages, live music, knowledgeable and experienced staff. There are several different kinds of ocean experiences you can have: adventurous Na Pali Coast rafting trips, classy Poipu sunset dinner tours, Maui snorkel sailing adventures, Big Island fishing trips and Oahu luxury sailing. With the right conditions, these tours can easily sale you on the open seas!