kpritch12

Hi,

My fiance and I are looking to book our honeymoon for late October. Our ideal scenario is to spend 2-3 days in Napa and then the remainder of the two weeks in Hawaii exploring the islands. We haven't done much research on our end since the wedding planning itself has been overwhelming and we're looking for a travel agent that can help. We'd prefer someone who specializes in Hawaii, but are open to any travel agent that people love working with. Any and all recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

nytraveler

It would help to know where you are - so you can find a local agent. (Assume you don't want one of the travel chains that do noting but book Disney and cruises.)

Are you looking for an expert agent who can get you better deals at luxury properties or a more basic agent that you pay by the hour?

logandog

Although main office in Budapest I am still knowing Hawaii protocol.
Booking flight threw Warsaw make good value.
Main travel agent I am special in Hawaii.

suze

Where do you live?

Planning Hawaii is really easy to do. I'm not sure why you'd need or want a travel agent.

I'm also not sure why you'd add 2 days in California, unless you need to stop in San Francisco because of airline routing?

NewbE

kpritch12, everyone who posts here regularly does his/her own trip planning, so it's unlikely anyone will have an agent to recommend. Also, as the others have said, you should find an agent near where you live, and since you haven't said where you live...

Yes, planning this trip would be really easy, but I understand being overwhelmed and wanting someone to do it for you. OTOH, you'd probably have a better trip if you could find the time to do research (here, for example) and book things for yourself.

sf7307

I'm not sure what you would need a travel agent FOR. You need air reservations from California to Hawaii, and hotel and car in Hawaii. What else are you looking for?

There are many many posts on this forum regarding traveling among the islands, hotels, restaurants etc.

Each of the islands is different from the others, so a good starting point is to figure out where you want to go. If you have 10 days, 2 islands would likely be your best bet. Do you want nature/hiking/lush beauty, historical sightseeing, best beaches, most choice of fine dining?

FaceInTheCrowd

You sure you want to hand off your honeymoon planning to a travel agent? I ask because I used to be one. With just a few bits of info, we can collectively advise you waaayyyy better than almost any travel agent ever could. So tell us:
Why Hawaii, and what do you hope to do and see there?
What's your budget for nightly lodging?
Are you looking to be pampered in a resort, or would you prefer a cottage on a beach? (How about a condo?)

suze

Between here and Trip Advisor I could plan your honeymoon for you in an afternoon ;-)

I actually checked out hard-copy guidebooks from my library my first trip to Hawaii, to look at the photos and see what the different islands were like, what each had to offer.

DebitNM

"everyone who posts here regularly does his/her own trip planning,"

Everyone?? I doubt that but a local TA would be a good idea if you can find one.

If you belong to Costco or AAA they have good deals and packages.

Airlines also have some really good packages and deals. Check out Alaska Air.

jamie99

You don't need an agent, you can book this yourself. First pick an island (with 10 days you can do 2 smaller islands or the whole time on Big Island).
Then decide if you want a hotel or condo.
Then book, air, lodging and rental car (I use this outfit)
discounthawaiicarrental.com
There are no all inclusives in Hawaii except one on Maui which is pricey and remote. There are no adults only either. There are hotels which are more adult oriented and others which are kid magnets (usually those with fancy pools).

suze

If we knew where these people lived, we could be more helpful.

Shar

I can understand her need for a TA with all the planning that goes on in a wedding. Try AAA if you are a member and see if they can help you. If you are interested at all in in just picking a place and going for it like a condo than VRBO.com you can pick from many islands. I always go for OCEAN front or seriously OCEAN view. COSTCO travel does have good prices as we have used them several times.

Good luck in finding what you need.

cruzrmomma

Well-I'm a Travel Agent, and you are definetly better off with a TA. There is usuallly NO fee-, and you get professsional advice, and they can offer discount rates in most cases. I have helped hundreds of honeymooners guide them to the best place for their budget and activity level. Suggesting restarautns, hikes, excursions, etc.

Unfortuanlly, I do not beleive I can give you my contact here-but go into any agency and find someone you like. You will be so happy you did.

congratulations!

Here is what I would suggest-with 2 weeks-
Day one-fly into Hilo. overnight at Volcanoes national Park (it's great to have it at night and in the a.m. all to yourselves!)
Fly from Hilo to Oahu. 4 nights at Marriott Ko Olina
fly to Kauau=4 nights at the Grand Hyatt or if that's too $$ go for Sheraton-but you must book ocean Front or you are accross the street.
fly to Maui-end at the Sheraton Maui

suze

See that is a travel agent's idea. No way would I send honeymooners to all 4 islands when they only have 2 weeks' time. Way to much time in taxis, cars, planes, going here and there... when you could be on the beach or enjoying the island you are ON!

Jean

We booked our 2-week honeymoon to Hawaii ourselves before the internet was invented!!

We spent 6 days on Maui, 6 days on Kauai, 2 days on Oahu. The Oahu stop was because we had to fly to/from Honolulu but also so we could see Pearl Harbor and the North Shore.

cruzrmomma

I do agree with you suze-I think doing all four is a lot-however, since I can not communicate and have the conversation I usually have with my clients, I can only assume they wanted to do all of the islands, since they said 'Hawaii' for two weeks

I would personally do two islands-October can be rainy in Kauai on north shore, that's why I chose Poipu area, and Maui will be perfect weather. Many people really want to see the Volcano, and Hilo is an easy inexpensive stop.

starrs

Surely the OP has found a TA by now. She hasn't returned to her thread

Inakauaidavidababy

Well if the OP does return I sincerely hope they disregard the self described travel agent aboves ludicrous itinerary and subsequent back peddling. She clearly failed to read the given details and failed to deduct the days in Napa. The OP was looking for a Specialist that knows the islands. Even suze who has only visited Waikiki and rarely leaves the city limits, and Lahaina once and has no first hand knowledge of the rest of Hawaii could come up with a better plan.

matnikstym

You don't need a TA and I disagree 100% with the above TA's recommendations!
Only one night in Hilo? That's crazy, you need a whole day at Volcano and at least another day to see what this island has to offer.
Ko Olina? They're not going to a convention, they're on their honeymoon. Stay at the Royal Hawaiian.
Sheraton Maui? No way, head down to Wailea and enjoy the romantic setting there.
Enjoy your honeymoon. Congratulations

suze

<Even suze who has only visited Waikiki and rarely leaves the city limits, and Lahaina once and has no first hand knowledge of the rest of Hawaii could come up with a better plan.>

That's all correct.