karolina

Which would they be. I am having such a tough time deciding!! I dont have enough time to see 3 (I am only going for 10 days)!! Please help!

sam

That's easy. I'd pick Manhattan first and Cape Cod second.

Steinbrock

I assume you mean an island in the Caribbean, otherwise I'd pick Manhattan as one. For warm weather, swimming, good food, my husband and I have been going to Barbados. Ten days is fine. We usually spend 2 wks. The hotels are lovely. We just stayed at the Turtle Beach Resort which included 3 meals and the 2 wks ran about $7000, which isn't bad. Ten days would be less. The people are lovely, crime is very low, and Bridgetown is a free port where you can buy things without duty. Just remember to take your plane ticket & passport when you go shopping. The beaches are wonderful, particularly on the West side, which is the Caribbean. the East side is rougher as it's the Atlantic Ocean. Stay on the West side(if you go). We've been going there abt. 10 winters now and love it. Lots of Canadians, Brits and some Americans. It's low key, but if you're young there are discos in Bridgetown. Check it out on the internet.

Steinbrock

I don't particularly like island hopping as I don't think you really get the feel of it, but I just remembered that if you fly to Greece you can take a Greek Island cruise and see at least 4 islands. Hope I've been of help. When it comes to beach resorts, I'd rather stay in one place for 10 days and relax, eat, read, shop, swim, and anything else you can think of.

Well....

If you are talking about Hawaii, I would divide my time between Maui and Kaui. If you want to see the sites on Oahu, 2 days should do it. Next time be more specific in your posts.

karolina

Yes I am talking about Hawaii. I thought since I posted it in the Hawaii sub group it would be clear. Thanks

Dr. Bitterpants

Fodors never lists the subheadings, so since the majority of us are United States heading groupies, guess what you get?

A bunch of smarmy knowitalls.

With that in mind -- and to avoid which state you requested, to list what my recommendation would be, and to be a general annoyance -- I pick Isle Royale in Lake Superior and Mackinac Island in Lake Huron.

Maxine

Definitely Maui, without a doubt, and Kauai. They are both incredibly beautiful. Enjoy!

xyz

Even if you go in through one of the state-specific headings, all the posts end up in the US forum. Most people look at the whole US forum, which is not divided in any way. So no one knows what you're asking if you don't put it in your post.

anne

1. Hawaii - most variety & greatest range of things to see/do - Volcanos National, Kahala coast, Hilo side (great waterfall), southernmost point in US, etc, etc, etc
2. Maui - most developed for tourists. Don't miss Girard's restaurant in Lahaina for dinner on the porch
3. Kaiui - very pretty. Both wet & dry sides of island
Aloha!

karolina

thanks everyone! I had chosen Maui but it was a toss up between the Big Island and Kauai! I think I will end up in the Big Island!

N.R.

You are wise not to try to visit more than 2 islands in 10 days. The truth is that the Island of Hawaii (Big Island) is probably big enough (more than twice the size of all of the other islands combined) to occupy 10 days.

Which islands one chooses depend's on one's tastes and priorites. Questions like "Which island is best?" and "Which should I choose" are too vague. People should summarize their interests, tastes and priorites when asking such questions.

I suggest you learn a little about each island to enable you to make an informed decision.

There are many websites and guidebooks.

Kathy

Oh, such a decision!!!

My first vote would be Maui. We've been there twice in the last 6 yrs, and would always go back when in the vicinity (we're from New England). It's beautiful beyond belief, still in the USA, and very funky. We LOVE Lahaina.

Haleakala is a definite must, and don't miss wine country (maybe on the way down from Haleakala, it's early in the morning, but you can roam around the area until the Tesdesci Winery opens at @ 9:00am, samples of pineaple wine).

The road to Hana is a COMMITMENT (we went half way once.)

The other island we won't miss again is Kuaii. VERY beautiful, quiet, quaint, but with LOTS to see and experience.

We're in our 40's, and that's OUR opinion.

Our kids(m/f in mid 20"s) choose Mauii every time (once with us and once on their own). They are currently planning their next trip in September of this year with several of their friends and co-workers. Again they have chosen Mauii. This time they are planning to stay downtown Lahaina.

You can't go wrong, no matter which islands you choose.
]
GOOD LUCK, and ALOHA!!

mokihana

I live on O'ahu and I love my island. Despite what others may say, there is a lot to O'ahu if you just get away from Honolulu centre/Waikiki. That said, my favorite 2 islands are: Kaua'i and Maui. Maui has a bit more: Beautiful Hana, Haleakala, and (guardedly) Lahaina.

Jane Hoskin

OAHU and KAUAI for sure. The volcanoes at Maui and the Big Island were interesting to see but I's go for my two choices any day. More to see and not so touristy once you get outside Honolulu/Waikiki!!

Gerry

Again, it depends on your tastes. I vote for Oahu and Hawaii my personal favorites. On Oahu you get to see the urban life and lots to do and see: on Hawaii the varieties of island nature and rural life. Maui is a beautiful island but way too touristy for my tastes. If you like to mingle with lots of tourists and eat at overpriced and mediocre restaurants that would be the place. I do not plan to return there. I have not yet been to Kauai another beautiful and rural island. For a first trip, I would include Oahu as a must see and then you can decide on other islands for possible future trips.

Dayna

Maui and Kauai!!! I spent 10 days there a few years ago and loved it! I would do day island tours to others but stay in Maui and Kauai. We are going back to Maui this coming March and staying at the Ritz Carlton and extending our trip for an extra week to the big island. I want to take a helicopter tour(never did that and wish I would have).
Have fun and bring Sun Screen!!!

www

hawaiiweb.com explore different islands here plenty of photos. Don't base your likes on these casual conversations. We each have our own idea of spectacular. Identify your own interest by finding out what each island offers. Again www.hawaiiweb.com

Leilani

For me, Kauai was beautiful but a little slow after a while. We were there for a month, and by the end of our visit, we were going to the airport to watch the planes take off and land. Maui was pretty but seemed to have more tourists than locals.

Like Mokihana, I really love my home island of Oahu; there's a good balance of natural beauty and excitement. You can lie on the beach in the morning and have your choice of activities later in the day: museums, hiking, shopping. There are un-touristy things to do, too, like free Hawaiian music concerts. The last time I was there, I saw the Keiki Hula Show, an annual children's competition that was so lovely it brought tears to my eyes.

skm

I would suggest fly to Oahu and take a cruise to the islands. We flew to honolulu and took American Hawaii Cruise Lines and it was wonderful. Spent time on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Hawaii (two ports-Hilo and Kona). It was a floating hotel. The best trip ever and a great way to experience all the islands. Aloha!