Big Island Anniversary Trip

Hello all,

I have been lurking for a few months now and have gained so much knowledge. I am planning a surprise trip for our 15th anniversary next year and would love some feedback on my proposed itinerary. This will be for August 2007.

Day 1 - Travel and arrive at KOA at 8:40 pm - we will be staying at the Marriott (using points) - I know that this hotel has been taking alot of heat because of the remodel but I figure that by then the construction will be done and hopefully it will be beautiful. We are faithful Marriott travelers and usually receive very good service because of the nights per year my husband stays in them.

Day 2 - Spa and relax at the hotel - Dinner at Browns

Day 3 - going to drive up to Maune Kea - this is a sunday so we will be doing the ranger tour and will have rented the 4x4 thru Harper

Day 4 - Hang out at the beach/ snorkling at place of refuge and 2 step - dinner at Canoe House

Day 5 - Drive to VNP - get a picnic for dinner and hike as close as possibe to the lava display - will have all the right gear - staying at Kilauea Lodge

Day 6 - hiking and driving in VNP - we are generally in great shape and will do as much hiking that day as possible - anniversary dinner at Kilauea Lodge

Day 7 - Hilo day - Botanical Gardens - Akakaa Falls - 4 mile drive - boiling pots - hopefully sailing with captain Kiko for hawiian sailing - then probably staying at Hilo Hawaiian hotel (sounds like the best of the possibilities)- dinner at cafe pesto

Day 8 - Back to Marriott via the Northern route - stopping at Tex%26#39;s drive in along the way and any other spots we see - hit the beach in the afternoon - dinner at Pahuia at the 4 Seasons

Day 9 - Spend day on the beach/ hit the spa for a last massage/ fly out at 930 at night

Please let me know what you think - any input will be appreciated

MrsGymRat

Big Island Anniversary Trip

My husband and I are going there for our 10yr, next month. I have a helicopter tour planned that he knows nothing about. SURPRISE!

I splurged and got the expensive, 2 hour whole island tour with Blue Hawaiian. it%26#39;s gonna cost me 800 bucks...but I think it%26#39;s worth it.

My last name is not Trump, by any means....but this is a special occassion.

go to http://www.bluehawaiian.com/bigisland/ and see the different tours avaialable

have fun!

Big Island Anniversary Trip

I too am a faithfull Marriott devote and on their good boy list........ that said, this Marriott was before the remodel, not very good and not up to anything neag anyother marriott I ever stayed at.....If the change managment along with the paint, then it may improve. It still is managed by Outrigger folks who put a marriott name on an outrigger hotel.

Hawaiian Sailing ? Out of Hilo ? I never heard of it and its not a listed business. I would check to see if he has a Coast Guard licence and Captains Licence .

I hope you like sailing in 20 to 30 Kt winds as the eastern side is known as a very '; hard cheese'; place to sail. This is why there are no ongoing ocean activities on the eastern side except Matson container ships, Cruise Liners and long range fishing vessels..

Mrs. Gym Rat,

That sounds like an excellent trip. A few things I%26#39;d like to point out though...

Your day 5 trip to Volcano will be a long one especially if you%26#39;re planning a trip out to the lava that night. It%26#39;s been a long hike lately. I%26#39;m not saying it%26#39;s not a doable day, but just be prepared for a long one.

Day 6. Good for you scheduling another day in the park. Too many don%26#39;t do it justice. There%26#39;s a lot to see.

Day 7. The Hilo Hawaiian is NOT your only option in Hilo. There are a number of bed and breakfasts and it%26#39;s worth checking into over the hotel.

The Shipman House

Waterfalls Inn Bed and Breakfast

The Inn At Kulaniapia Falls

Day 8. One spot to include on your drive back is Waipio Valley. At the very least take the short drive from Honokaa to the overlook. If you still have the 4x4 you could also drive down. Waipio is a very special place and it sounds from your itinerary like it might be your best chance to hit a black sand beach.

Have fun

Wow- You%26#39;re going next August and you already have every day planned ?? No , I%26#39;m not bashing this post but...I wonder... just wonder.... we%26#39;re going to Maui and the BI for 16 days late Oct / early Nov and other than our hotel/car/air reservations, I%26#39;ve yet to make any plans or reservations for any excursions or dinner reservations. I really plan on taking it one day at a time. We booked hotel rooms in back in January - and sure I%26#39;ve done a lot of research and read the posts here but I really don%26#39;t want to tie myself down.

What happens if on ( let%26#39;s say ) day 4 you%26#39;re planninga beach day and it%26#39;s a total washout. How can u re- schedule it ?

Fellow Posters... am I crazy ? Anyone else do their vacation this way... not scheduling every day ?? Let me know how your vacay was...

Doubleo, a planned schedule worked well for us when we went in June. It is not set in stone, but at least you have an itinerary and idea of what you are doing and where you are going daily from your hotel, and how long to get from one place to another, etc. - also, to make reservations for activities like snorkeling, luau, and the overnight stay/lodging at VNP. Of course, a beach day is like a flex day wherein you can do other things that you see fit. I think an itinerary is a must in the Big Island because it IS ';big'; and it would be difficult to just ';wing it'; when you get there. But that%26#39;s just us. What are other peoples%26#39; thoughts, I wonder?

double

to each his own. My wife and I made 46 this year. Our typical travel is I make reservations, air, room, car etc. we get there she plans our days.

If i was to do a detailed plan. it would be tossed by time airplane sits down. I do try to suggest possible highlights cause I am a planner. but she has great instincts for what is best. though does need help with timing.

On BI we get up in morn have a Hawaiian breakfast and decide what today. this is hawaii. though if VNP we do decide before because full day.

I have to agree... When in Hawaii, which ever island you visit, all that matters is where you have lunch and where you will be to watch the sunset. Hawaii is the place to kick back and relax. Watch the turtles, snorkle a bit and walk the beaches.

Enjoy!!

I think everyone is different when it comes to planning trips. Personally, my boyfriend would kill me if I had every day planned out. We usually just book the air, car, hotel and one or two major activities (i.e. snorkel cruise, helicopter tour, etc.) and leave the rest of the days open to see what we feel like doing when we wake up. Of course we have ideas of things we want to be sure we squeeze in before we leave, but we don%26#39;t necessarily have to plan which day we%26#39;re doing what. I know we%26#39;ll have a few beach days, a few driving days, a few activity days, etc. But we just figure out which fits where once we%26#39;re in the moment.

Some people really like structure though, and they like to know what is going on the following day and what they have to look forward to. There are some people on this site who even plan where they are going to eat each and every meal each day! To me, that%26#39;s a bit extreme since I never really know what kind of food I%26#39;m in the mood for until I get hungry.

From my experience, I find that things NEVER go as planned, so it%26#39;s best just to have a general idea of what you%26#39;d like to do, but if things don%26#39;t go exactly according to plan, nobody is too disappointed.

I%26#39;d love to hear other%26#39;s thoughts as well!