I just returned from a delightful trip to Hawaii, visiting the two islands of Maui and Kauai, and I traveled with Monograms Vacations. A Globus company, all Monograms programs offer three night hotel accommodations with a choice of hotels, a local host at each hotel, and a rental car for the “road trip” tours. Starting the tour on the island of Maui, we were so pleased with our accommodations at the Royal Lahaina Resort & Spa, located right on legendary Kaanapali Beach. Read on to learn more!
e spent our first day on the beautiful beach, frolicking in the surf and watching the flotilla of sailboats breeze past. In the afternoon we donned snorkel gear and delighted at the kaleidoscope of colorful fish just below the surface. A rental car comes with the Monograms package, so that evening we drove over to Lahaina to engage with the locals and experience delightful dinner and entertainment at the Old Lahaina Luau. Flickering tiki torches and thatched roofs enhance the setting for this traditional look at the culture and history of the Hawaiian islands.
Next day we were off to experience the famed Road to Hana, a three-hour drive along a squiggle of a road that only covers 80 miles or so. Along the way, marvel at beautiful waterfalls in mysterious rainforests as you wind your way to the black sand beaches of Hana. Named as one of the most beautiful drives in the world, this memorable journey was a highlight of the entire trip.
Legend has it that each of the islands of Hawaii are a child of the gods. Formed by volcanic eruptions eons ago, the oldest island, geologically speaking is Kauai, and on day four we flew from Maui to Kauai’s Lihue airport, picked up another car, and checked into the Courtyard by Marriott on Coconut Beach, again located right on a stunning beach. Kauai is a magical place, with a seemingly effortless ability to make the mystical seem routine. Kauai gives her visitors a real taste of the old Hawaii, the romantic retreat of song and story, and boasts some of the most diverse topography imaginable for a 551 square mile area.
During our three days on Kauai we enjoyed beautiful beaches in the Poipu area, and admired the famous “Spouting Horn,” a blowhole that spews water over 30 feet into the air when a wave crashes onto the lava rocks below. Traveling north from Poipu toward Princeville one encounters Hanalei Bay, where the film version of South Pacific was filmed. This part of the island is the gateway to the wild Na Pali Coast, one of the most spectacular stretches of scenery in the world.
A friend recommended we do the 4-hour zodiac raft adventure, which was so much fun, and a great way to see the Na Pali cliffs above. Speeding along the base of the cliffs we were accompanied by a huge school of dolphins en route to the famous “Tunnels”—underwater lava formations. We pulled into one of these tunnels and donned our snorkel gear to be delighted by the thousands of brilliantly colored fish who make their home in this perfect habitat.
Our final “wow” experience occurred when we ventured west to Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” The canyon is stunning: it’s over a mile wide and 14 miles long, and more than 3,600 feet deep. Beautiful vistas present themselves from the various lookout points to reveal Kauai’s grand, scenic vistas as far as the eye can see. Hawaii is one of the most friendly places on earth, and offers her visitors unmatched natural beauty.
Click here to learn more about this vacation!
About the Author
Debbie Kelly is a Travel Consultant at AffordableTours.com
Contact Information:
Tel: 800.935.2620 Ext 138
Email: [email protected]