10 days in Hawaii Itinerary

An archipelago of hundreds of volcanic islands located in a geological hot spot in the middle of Pacific, Hawaii offers diverse natural scenery and a warm tropical climate. The six major islands open to tourism draw visitors with their sun-drenched public beaches and craggy natural trails. Thanks to their mid-Pacific location, the islands boast a vibrant native culture influenced by both North America and Asia. You can spend your vacation basking in the modern comforts of the big hotels, but to experience the true spirit of these islands, remember that real Hawaiians live outdoors. Encounter nature by surfing, swimming, fishing, and picnicking, or join a guided tour across the ancient lava flows to the top of Hawaii's rugged volcanic peaks.

The second largest of the eight major Hawaiian Islands, Maui features a rugged landscape ranging from high mountain peaks to deep valleys. Half of Maui lies within 8 km (5 mi) of the coastline, and most tourists come for the sandy beaches, many of them backed by fashionable resorts offering every modern convenience. Diversity of tourist attractions is Maui's major allure, with each of the island's shores offering a different set of vacation ideas. You can swim with dolphins, snorkel with sea turtles, or hike over the otherworldly landscapes of the world's biggest dormant volcano. A foodie paradise, the island also features dozens of small farms and gourmet restaurants.

Aptly nicknamed the "Big Island," the Island of Hawaii features sunny, black-sand beaches on the western side by Kona and a tropical rain forest on the eastern by Hilo. In between, the massive mountain Maunaloa covers half the island, and Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupts continuously. Twice as large as all the other Hawaiian Islands combined, this big chunk of land in the Pacific manages to retain a laid-back atmosphere despite its immense popularity with tourists. Instead of spending your entire vacation at one of the island's luxurious tourist resorts, go on tours of this Pacific haven's coffee and macadamia nut plantations and working ranches, or explore its nature reserves and rugged trails.

The northernmost of Hawaii's major islands, Kauai earned the nickname "Garden Island" because of its abundance of lush greenery and tropical plants, watered frequently with plentiful rainfall. Kauai's landscape continues to suffer from powerful erosion, resulting in natural attractions that include plunging canyons, tall mountain peaks, and the longest sandy coastline of all the Hawaiian islands. Offering a mild tropical climate and pristine wilderness areas largely unspoiled by mass tourism, Kauai is a great vacation destination for visitors eager to escape Hawaii's more crowded tourist resorts. For a genuine Kauai experience, join the locals for one of their famous traditional meat and vegetable feasts, prepared in underground pits lined with hot rocks.