Allerton GardenEnchanting is most accurate way to describe this “must-see” botanical garden on the south shore, located just across from Spouting Horn Park. A two-and-a-half-hour walking tour meanders through the gardens—ancient Moreton Bay fig trees, frangipani, heliconia and blue and red jade vines—fronting the house where the Allertons lived after purchasing the property in 1937 and then left in trust with an endowment for its upkeep. The most magical of sights is the bird’s-eye view of the 80-acre garden and the 1870s house, which once served as a retreat for Queen Emma, who started it all. The tram that transports visitors to the garden stops on a cliff above it, offering breathtaking views of the valley below. This is where Jurassic Park was filmed, and anyone who saw the movie will easily recollect the land where dinosaurs once roamed. Amazing, too, is the beach in front of Emma’s house, where sea turtles come to lay eggs each year (you can get to it only by boat).Anara SpaThe 45,000-square-foot Anara Spa in the Grand Hyatt is the second largest spa in Hawaii. Mostly open-air, with hale hut treatment rooms and private lava rock showers, the Anara is a wonderful diversion from the busyness of the grand resort. It has its own wing, with rooms for those who want to log a lot of spa hours. All on one level, the spa is surrounded by tropical gardens, with an open-air lap pool and a small café in the center as well as a 24-hour StayFit gym.BeachesWaikiki is busy but bustling, and the North Shore draws surfers and gawkers with its wild waves. Locals also recommend Kahala Beach to watch the sun rise and Waimea Bay for a chance to see a green flash.Best BeachesMaui is proud of its more than thirty miles of beaches, and with good reason. Most are pristine, with golden sand, crystal blue water and plenty of protected areas for swimming and snorkeling. One of the finest, but alas most crowded, is Kaanapali Beach, a four-mile stretch paralleling the channel between Maui and Lanai and featuring a beach walk that links the area’s hotels and restaurants. At its northernmost point, just in front of the Sheraton, is Black Rock, one of Maui’s premier snorkeling areas.The relatively flat Wailea Beach, which skirts the posh Wailea resorts, is a wonderful place not just for walking and people watching but also for spotting whales and gazing at sunsets. The beach at Makena Beach State Park, at the south end of Wailea, is a wild, seemingly endless expanse of gorgeous white sand favored by locals, including families, who bring picnic lunches or buy something from one of the food trucks at the entrance. It’s also a good place for swimming and bodysurfing.Best for body- and board surfers is D.T. Fleming Beach Park, a classic west Maui beach that’s also extremely popular with swimmers, just north of the Ritz-Carlton.The North Shore is windier than its western counterparts, but for people with kids, the lovelySpreckelsville Beach, aka Baby Beach, is a wonderful spot for whiling an afternoon away.It's protected by a reef, which makesfor low surf and tidepools.Editors' PicksBlue Hawaii HelicoptersHawaii’s largest helicopter tour company also offers tours on the island of Kauai. A one-hour helicopter tour (at over $200 per person) is one of the best ways to take in the stunning grandeur of the Na Pali Coast, the Mana Waiapuna “Jurassic Park” Falls, and the unforgettable Waimea Canyon.Editors' PicksBlue Hawaiian HelicoptersWhile there are several reputable helicopter companies on the Big Island, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters is the most popular.Day Trip: LanaiJust nine miles west of Maui but seemingly a world apart, low-key Lanai beckons with miles of unspoiled beaches, incredible hikes and two excellent resorts. From Maui, you can take the ferry from Lahaina harbor, which takes about 45 minutes. There are multiple ferries each day to and from Lahaina. You are riding with day trippers, backpackers and those coming from Lanai to grocery shop on Maui, so it’s a local scene. Also, during whale migration months (December – April), the scenic ferry crossing can turn into a mini whale watch. Once on Lanai, there are several great hikes and a gorgeous beach to explore. Lunch should be booked atViews at Manele Golf. Those wanting to spend the night should book at the Four Seasons Resort, which sits overlooking gorgeous Hulopoe Bay.Garden of the GodsThis barren expanse of red earth is strewn with boulders and strange, sculptural lava formations. It sits a forty-five minute drive from Lanai, on the northwest side of the island, and local legend says the otherworldly terrain is the result of a competition between two kahunas. Note that the area is accessible only by a four-wheel drive car.GolfWith two championship 18-hole golf courses - the Experience at Koele and the Challenge at Four Seasons Lanai- the islanddraws legendary golfers all year round. Both courses are challenging and have stunning, but very different landscapes.Haleakala National ParkHaleakala is a massive (dormant) shield volcano whose crater spans nearly the size of Manhattan and which forms nearly 75% of the entire island of Maui.Editors' PicksHawai’i Volcanoes National ParkPlan on a full day to visit Kilauea, the Big Island’s active volcano and the centerpiece of the 359-square-mile Volcanoes National Park. It is the most visited attraction in all of Hawaii, drawing about two million people annually. The current eruption began in 1983, and you’ll get a firsthand look at the devastation of entire towns and even some historical landmarks. If you go by car, stop by the Kiluea Visitor Center for up-to-the-minute lava-flow information and learn more about the volcano and its history. There are sixty miles of paved roads in the park, and it will take you more than a day to see it all (not including travel time from your resort). There are also 150 miles of hiking trails, many of which will take you through old lava fields and around crater edges. Tip: The best way to see the volcano in the shortest amount of time is by helicopter.Editors' PicksHikingThere are numerous trails on the island, from those that wind along the cliffs near the Manele Bay to the Munro trail, a twelve-mile dirt road that leads up to the highest lookout point on the island and offers views of Maui, Molokai, Kona and Oahu on a clear day.Two excellent trails to consider for a first-time visit:Holoiki Trail: This easy, five-mile hike starts right behind the Lodge at Koele (near the golf course clubhouse) and winds through beautiful forests filled with ironwood, eucalyptus and ginger trees. Unexpected, as there is hardly any incline, it opens up into incredible views at the top. When it’s clear, you can see Molokai and Maui. It’s not a loop, so you backtrack along the same path. Plan about 2 hours for the hike, and if you walk back into Lanai City, add another 15 minutes.Kapihaa Trail Hike (Fishermen's Trail): Once used by the ancient Hawaiians, this trail meanders along the coastline for the most part, making it a flat and appealing options for a light walk/hike. It starts right by the Four Seasons Resort Lanai and passes by the ruins of an ancient village and a large blowhole. The end is a bit of a climb up to the clubhouse of the golf course, where you can stop for lunch at Views at Manele. Tip: Set out early or later in the afternoon, as there is no shade along this hike and the rocky surfaces heat up midday.Editors' PicksHorseback RidingThe island’s stables offer trail rides as well as lessons with wranglers or private rides. Some of the staff are excellent ropers and know Hawaii’s ranch traditions well.Ihilani Spa At 35,000 square feet, this spa on Oahu’s west coast is one of the biggest on the island and one of the prettiest. It is spread over three floors with mosaic-tiled Roman-style pools and a needle shower pavilion. Hawaiian touches are everywhere, from the private hula-aerobics workout class with a personal trainer to thalasso hydrotherapies, lomi lomi massages and island flora herbal wraps. It’s well worth the half-hour drive from Honolulu.Indagare Tours: Na Pali Coast by BoatBesides a helicopter tour, the best way to see the Na Pali coast—the rugged and beautiful state park located along the northwest side of Kauai—is from the water. Board a catamaran, motorboat or kayak for a half or full day of exploring. Hawaiian monk seals, spinner dolphins and green sea turtles are commonly spotted, and December to April is peak whale-watching seasons. Boat trips only available in the summer months.Editors' PicksIolani PalaceAmerica’s only royal residence, the palace was built in 1882 for King Kalakaua. After the monarchy was overthrown in 1893, it became the capitol, first for the republic, then for the state of Hawaii. The building undergoes regular renovations, and now operates as a state museum. Don’t miss the throne room, where King Kalakaua’s and Queen Liliuokalani’s thrones are on display; the downstairs galleries hold the royal jewelry.Editors' PicksIsland Helicopter TourA helicopter tour is one of the best ways to take in the stunning grandeur of the Na Pali Coast, which contains the Mana Waiapuna “Jurassic Park” Falls and the Waimea Canyon.Editors' PicksKauai North Shore Surfing SchoolVisitors staying in Princeville or Hanalei will find many options for surf lessons, most of them geared towards individuals and small groups, and which include surfboards rental. Kuai North Shore Surfing School is one of the many surf schools on the North Shore.Kauai Surf SchoolThe Kauai Surf School offers group and private lessons, as well as multi-day surf clinics, on a gentle beginner surf break. Top surfers teach you the basics you need to know to get started in this ever more popular sport.Lanai CityThe sweetly named Lanai City, where most locals live, comprises just a few streets of residences and small businesses. The hub for visitors is the couple of blocks around Dole Park, where you can refuel at Coffee Works, grab lunch at Blue Ginger Café, watch longtime resident artist Mike Carrol in this colorful gallery. The vibe here is super laid-back – you immediately fantasize about renting a room at the quaint Lanai hotel and getting started on that novel you’ve had in your head for years — and it’s a great place to mingle with locals. Once the Lodge at Koele is open again, guests there can walk into the “city,” which takes about 15 minutes.Mandara SpaThe Marriott’s Mandara Spa is a 5,750-square-foot, two-level structure that fronts the hotel’s main swimming pool. It has seven treatment rooms and a menu of Balinese- and Hawaiian-inspired treatments, as well as a full-service hair, makeup and nail salon.Mauna Kea SummitOpen every day of the year from 9 am until 10 pm, the Mauna Kea Visitor’s Station during an evening visit will be an adventurous highlight of your Big Island stay. Mauna Kea – with its low humidity, dark skies and high elevation often reaching beyond the clouds–is one of the best places on earth for astronomical observations and is home to thirteen telescopes, operated by numerous countries.The Summit of Mauna Kea lies 13,803 feet (4,207 meters) above sea level. In fact, the gentle sloping volcano rises 33,100 feet (10,100 meters) from the ocean floor, reaching a greater height from its base than Mount Everest. You should only drive to the summit in a four-wheel drive vehicle with a low grade and a full tank of gas. Summit tours are available on weekends, but they are not for the faint of heart… literally. Pregnant women, kids and those in poor health are advised to stay at the 9,200-foot-high Visitor Information Station. Even those who want to reach the apex should first acclimate at the visitor center.But the Visitor Information Station will be exciting enough for most visitors, especially since the summit observatories are not open to the public. Arrive in the late afternoon, hopefully wearing a warm jacket, and enjoy the colors of the darkening sky. Every evening, the free stargazing program includes various telescope set up to point at fascinating astral objects. Once it’s dark enough, experts use lasers to point out constellations in the night sky.Na Pali KayakThis company has superb guides ready to lead fit visitors on a kayak trip along the 22-mile coastline of Na Pali. For those who’d rather have someone else do the exercise, it also offers rafting and sailing excursions along the north shore.Pearl Harbor MemorialIf you have time for only one side trip while on Oahu, this should be it. The site of Japan’s attack on the American naval fleet in Pearl Harbor in December 1941, propelling the U.S. into World War II, is memorialized with the U.S.S. Arizona monument, where the sunken ship—the tomb of 1,177 crewmen—is visible beneath forty feet of water. More than 1.6 million people each year (many of them Japanese) come to pay their respects. Also moving is the U.S.S. Missouri, the battleship where Japan surrendered in 1945. The Pearl Harbor Memorial contains two museums that recount the attack and US involvement in World War II. TIP: The lines to get into the memorial can be very long, particularly in summer. To escape the crowds and be assured of getting in, reserve tickets online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Visitors cannot bring in any bags whatsoever and you must check everything in rented lockers by the parking lot.Editors' PicksSpa Without WallsKeeping with its name, everything at the Spa Without Walls is open air or ocean-oriented, including ten outdoor waterfall treatment huts, five more right on the beach and, when the weather is chilly, three indoors. Just walking through the tropical flora that creates the backdrop of the spa is relaxing—banana trees, coconut palms and waterfalls. The signature treatment is a Big Island Kona Coffee exfoliation, which leaves you smelling like a latte.
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