Source: Arising Images

Waking up at 5:15 AM is not my idea of a vacation, but the sights that are experienced on this Trilogy snorkeling catamaran are unbelievable. You board the boat while it is still dark and enjoy cinnamon rolls and coffee to wake up.  One great part of Trilogy specifically is that you are on a sailboat with less than 40 people and it feels intimate.  You are able to see everyone’s faces and interact as a group.  Many of the other snorkeling boats seem a bit like they are herding cattle with 100 plus people trying to move around a double-decker boat.  The small staff of 3 sailing the boat are very entertaining and fun to sail the seas with.

You begin by heading over to Lanai or Molokini to snorkel, if you are traveling during the winter months, November – January, you sail right through a large area for whales.  Whales pop up everywhere around your boat.  The law is you must stay 100 feet away from the whales, apparently the whales aren’t aware so they will pop up a few feet away and all we can do on the boat is kill the motor, watch and wait. After a relaxing sail across the water, you come to the island of Molokini and jump into the blue water to see some of the most unbelievable tropical fish you can ever imagine. After swimming for an hour with the unique fish of Hawaii, you are whisked off to Turtle Town where you swim with turtles as big as you.  These turtles will swim right up to you and say hello.

The trip home is relaxing and exciting all at the same time.  Soak up the sun, enjoy the whales and the calming sounds of the water while eating a delicious BBQ lunch on the boat.

Ready…..Set…. FLY!

Flyin’ Hawaiian Zipline is a brand new course offering eight different lines to zip on, including the longest and most amazing ride in Hawaii.  The final line on your trip is 3600 feet in length, which ends up leaving you nowhere near land for about a minute! This course starts at Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu and ends in Maalaea… two completely different towns!

When you first arrive, your guides for the trip get you set up in the equipment and give you the standard safety rundown.  You learn the two moves that will help you glide gracefully and stop when necessary. After a very rocky and rugged 4-wheel drive up a hill, you begin a short hike to the first practice line.  Once you have perfected the moves – they send you on the second longest line right away.  The guide lifts you up and lets you fly – your first thought is ‘I can’t believe I am doing this,’ followed by a tremendous appreciation for the untouched scenery around you. You are able to sit back, enjoy the ride and take a moment to savor the greenery.

While on the tour you learn a bit of history about the land.  In order to make money off of the land the owner was looking to sell it, and in an act to save it from being developed a friend of the owners came up with this zipline adventure.  To help reduce their mark on the land the guides take with them a new state flower plant on each trip to add to the land.  Once you get to the side of the mountain they have designated for planting, you plant and water your team’s new flower and than you use water bottles and help water the flowers planted on past trips.

This is not a scary, adrenaline pumping ride, you will be surprised how relaxing and almost peaceful this trip is.  You are able to sit and glide through untouched beauty and look over views that not a lot of tourists or locals get to see. ** This is a must do when you visit Maui!**

In keeping up with technology in 2010, follow Jeff & Erin’s lead with a YouTube trailer to send your guests:

How would your story be told on the big screen?

Step One : Rent a convertible, simply to have fun with the drive.  Since there are a lot of twists and turns and so much beautiful scenery to see, it’s only fair for the driver to have a convertible to enhance the experience.

Step Two: Drive safely. There are a lot of one way bridges and curves on the drive, you never know when to expect another driver around the next turn.

Step Three: Make sure you stop and enjoy the scenery.  There are designated places to pull over and I highly suggest you take advantage of each one!  Hidden waterfalls, deep valleys and coastal views await you!

Step Four: Plan ahead.  It is a long drive and while you will love every bit of scenery, there are only a few restrooms and restaurants.  Bring food because when you finally get to Hana you have about three choices of places to eat, none are too enticing.  Bring a packed lunch with you and pull over at one of the stops and eat while taking in the beauty.  Also, it is around a 6 hour round trip drive three hours each way. So don’t expect to be back before lunch.

Most recently I moved from Indianapolis where the entire city circles around and supports the Colts.  On game days you can’t go anywhere without seeing the blue worn proudly by its fans!  Today we are hosting a 2010 Superbowl Party which includes Blue Rice Krispie treats, blue jello jigglers and cookies in the shape of footballs are among a few of the blue accessories we have pulled together for this festive night.

If you grow tired of lounging on the beach on Oahu, grab your tennis shoes and head for a simple yet beautiful hike up Diamond Head Crater, a worldwide recognized symbol for the Hawaiian Islands. Everyone I know that has made the hike says making it to the top is 100% worth the climb!  The best views of the ocean and across the island are to be had at the top.

Diamond Head has always been a defining feature of the view known to Waikiki. The volcanic cone is a United States State Monument in that part of it serves as a platform for antennas used by the U.S. government and is closed to the public.   The crater’s proximity to Honolulu’s resort hotels and beaches makes the rest of it a popular destination for tourists.

A .75 mile hike leads to the edge of the crater’s rim. Signs at the beginning of the trail say that the hike takes 1.5-2 hours round-trip, and recommends that hikers bring water and flashlights. Although not difficult, most of the walk up is on unpaved trails winding over uneven rock in addition to two steep uphill climbs on stairs, each set is 75 – 99 steps up!  This is a great change from Waikiki beaches and crowds.  You get a chance to see untouched beauty on Oahu and truly appreciate the land you are spending your honeymoon on.

If you are traveling to Hawaii during the winter months, the North Shore of Oahu is the place you are going to want to make sure you spend a day.  The spot of Ehukai Beach, commonly known as the Banzai Pipeline, is the most notable surfing spot on the North Shore.  The waves can reach up to 20 feet during winter.

You will find what is called the ‘Seven Mile Miracle’ stretch of beach that begins in Haleiwa, a famous surf town, and ends in Turtle Bay.  If you are lucky you will come on a day when The North Shore is host to one of the numerous surfing competitions that take on these massive waves.  Grab a plate lunch from one of the many roadside stops and sit out on the beach and watch the brave souls ride these treacherous pipelines.  My only requirement is that you drive to Matsumoto’s and order Shave Ice (NOT shaved ice)!  I can’t put my finger on it, but this is the best shave ice you will experience on the island – and it is located here on the North Shore in Haleiwa!

If you are a beginner and are interested in trying the waves yourself there are areas on the beach where they can give surf lessons.  You might not be hitting up the 20 foot waves quite yet, but soon enough you will get the swing of it!  Be careful not to get in over your head, most of the main beaches do have lifeguards and if they think you aren’t prepared to handle the level of waves they will get on the loud speaker and call you in.  This is for your own safety and the safety of the surfers around you – those waves can have a mind of their own sometimes.

Research costs.

Plan for a Long Trip.

Pack Lightly.

Expect to be tired.

These are the few flying laws of going to Hawaii.  Start early and sign up for the travel deal websites such as Airfare Watchdog, Priceline and Travel Zoo.  They will send you weekly updates and help you find the right time to book.  Once you get a feel for the general prices, when you see a good deal JUMP ON IT!  If you want a good price on your ticket, I would expect a layover in LA or Seattle.  If you want to spend the money and not deal with the travel hassle, than you can get a direct flight (but it will cost you!).  From Chicago the flight takes about 9 – 10 hours typically with an hour layover.

My favorite way to get to and from Hawaii is to fly the red eye.  Leave Hawaii at 11 PM and fly overnight to your destination.  This is only best if you can sleep on a plane.  Expect a long trip!  No one enjoys sitting on an airplane for 6+ hours (especially if you are the lucky one with the middle seat), bring books – update your iPod – or take sleeping pills!  One of the three will get you through the flight.  I encourage you to take advantage of the layover to stretch your legs.  Walk around and get some food because the airlines no longer offer you a bite to eat more than some peanuts or pretzels on the flight.

Above all – pack light!  If you are hopping islands from Oahu to Maui and Kauai, you will be going through security numerous times and the chance of something happening to your luggage only increases!  What more do you need in Hawaii than a few dresses, flip flops and 2 or 3 bathing suits.  Wear anything bulky such as a sweater or tennis shoes on the plane with you to save more room in the carry on. Especially on your honeymoon you won’t be thinking about the stilettos  in your closet, when you are spending quality time  in the sunshine.

Expect for the both of you to be tired after traveling 10+ hours.  Be careful, although you will be still on a high on your honeymoon, I personally get cranky after not sleeping and having to sit in a small seat for a long period of time.  Even though I don’t want to take things personally, every comment and movement is heightened – so be patient with one another.  Especially focus on each other’s needs, and every now and then give your new wife/husband a kiss to make sure they are still smiling.

Spend the month of February traveling the islands with me as I discover new and exciting adventures for the two of you in Hawaii. Good Luck and Happy Travels!!