scott2081

I am planning my honeymoon just now with Hawaii, San Francisco and Las Vegas in mind. We will be leaving a cold and wet Scotland in early February for sunny and warm climes (I know not peak time but still a lot sunnier and warmer than Scotland!).

Before I start I’d like to speak a little about Anne and I so you can get an idea of what we are like and what we like from a holiday...

Since meeting in 2009 we have holidayed in the Mediterranean including a cruise of Italy and South France, island breaks to tripadvisors number 2 hotel in the world (Anastasis Apartments) in Santorini, Greece (amazing!!!!), a city break to Barcelona (I’m not a fan) and cities throughout the UK including London, York, Manchester and Chester.

Previous to that Anne has been to San Diego, Toronto, New York and various places throughout eastern and western Europe. I’ve been to Santiago, Buenos Aires, New York, golf and beach holidays in Spain and various cities throughout Europe as well as ski holidays in Europe.

So hopefully now you have an idea of the kind of holiday we like, from our honeymoon I would like a start that is as relaxed as possible, sun, sea, spa, cocktails and generally relaxing in an exotic location then follow it with a city break. Anne would be devastated at the thought of us going to Las Vegas for our honeymoon but I’m taking her there for her favourite show (Phantom of the Opera) and we’ll see Cirque du Soleil while we’re there.

Anne is not at all in to hiking, climbing, biking or any other sort of mountain or trecking activities.


For the sunny part I’m sure my fiancée (Anne) will love Hawaii therefore I’ve come up with the following itinerary

Maui, Hawaii – 5 nights
West side of Big Island, Hawaii – 5 nights
Waikiki beach, Oahu, Hawaii – 5 nights
Union Square, San Francisco – 6 nights
Las Vegas – 2 nights

What do people think about that?


I originally had Maui and Kauai for ultimate relaxation. Then I thought I should really go to Oahu since I’m travelling to the other side of the world and then added the Big Island.



As you’ll see I’ve dropped Kauai for the Big Island, I have also considered dropping Maui and spending more time on the Big Island so it doesn’t feel like we’re constantly on the move. Given the fact we’d probably take a drive/trip to the Volcano and national park to see what I’m sure would be an incredible sight is it worth it if we no interest in climbing or walking? Also I don’t want to be based on the east of the Big Island since it’s wet. We get enough rain in Scotland!

Your thoughts are welcome.

scott2081

Also, we love good food so that could influence us

scott2081

Maybe Maui, Kauai and Oahu would be a better itinerary for us? I have read so much on all the islands that I've become totally indecisive!

tomfuller

I won't comment on your Hawaii plans.
Do you intend to see things outside San Francisco? 6 days might be too much unless you want to rent a car and see Monterey and/or Yosemite National Park. You might get snowed out of Yosemite.
If you cut back on the days in SF you could add a quick visit to Hoover Dam and Death Valley NP from Las Vegas

brooklyn815

Went to Las Vegas on my honeymoon. Not the most relaxing place but there's lots to see and do - even if you aren't a gambler (which we are not). While in Vegas, skip the buffets and save your money for a really great dinner out. A lot of the famous chefs (from Food Network and others) have restaurants in Vegas. We ate at Mesa (Bobby Flay's restaurant) and it was the best meal I've ever had. Ever! Well worth the price.

We took a day trip to the Hoover Dam, which was amazing. You can even walk across (15-20 minutes) into Arizona. You can arrange this side trip with a lot of various travel companies - and most hotels can help, so you don't necessarily need a car.

The Grand Canyon isn't far either (a day trip), so that might be worth checking out. We didn't have time, but I wish we would have made the time. Even if you're not into hiking or other outdoor pursuits the Grand Canyon is so beautiful and you don't have to be overly adventurous to enjoy it.

Regardless of what you end up doing, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time! Congratulations and best wishes to you and your bride!

Placename

Neither San Francisco nor Las Vegas can be considered sunny or warm in February.

I'd do them before going to Hawaii. Save the best for last.

janisj

Actually I like your original order of things. HI, then SF then Vegas. Flying in to Las Vegas for just two days and doing shows will be very hectic after the wedding and looooong flight. So I'd hit Hawaii first and decompress, relax beforeSF and finally Vegas.

I don't think 6 days is ever too long in San Francisco - it is such a beautiful city w/ the most amazing dining choices. I live 90 miles from there and would go 10 times a year if I could. But you could cut some time off of SF if you wanted to add more to Hawaii. It will be the rainy season in SF, but you might not get any rain at all- no way to tell.

(Where in Scotland? Its just about my favorite place on Earth - except maybe Yosemite. I try to get there at least every year or two and in fact am heading there next month to scatter my Mom's and Dad's ashes)

scott2081

Thank you all for your replies so far. I definitely want to keep the order, we both have very busy jobs, I work 45-50 hours a week when quiet and 12 hours a day 7 days a week when busy so that along with planning a wedding is going to make us a stressed and tired couple!! Also, we'll be looking forward to sunny and warm weather and much more likely to get that in Hawaii than San Fran or Vegas so the sooner the better.

All of my friends who have been to San Francisco have absolutely loved it, hence the reason I'd like almost a week there. a few days doing touristy things and a few more just being there, people watching etc.

Anne has been to the Grand Canyon before (from Toronto) so we might not do that but we will fit in touristy things out of San Fran and Vegas.

It's more Hawaii I am confused / undecided on.

JanisJ: Anne is originally from Fraserburgh and I am originally from Leven in Fife, about 25 minutes from St Andrews and 40 minutes from Edinburgh. We live in Aberdeen now. We do both love Scotland and miss it when away. Good luck with your next trip to Scotland and sorry to hear about your parents.

janisj

Hi, Have been to all those places - best friend is a Fraser so she insisted I take her up to Fraserburgh. And I've stayed in Crail and Kilconquhar 6 or 7 times between them and eaten at the Peat Inn a few times, so I know your neck of the woods pretty well. Met a crazy man on the island in Loch Leven who kept following me around saying he was seeing Mary QoS's ghost around every corner of the castle. He jumped out of one stairway and said "Shhh, you just missed her and maybe she'll come back" And there was no one else anywhere around to save me.

As for Hawaii. You really (honestly) can't choose wrong. 5 days on either Kauai or Maui, the Big Island, and Oahu would be a good mix. Many will suggest skipping Oahu but I really like it myself. If it was my honeymoon, I'd probably choose Kauai, Hawaii and Oahu. But then again, Maui is the favorite island for many. I'd maybe decide based on which resorts you prefer.

You might want to start a new thread just for specific questions about the Hawaii bits.

sassy_cat

Congratulations!
I'd suggest Big Island and Maui for a week each or better 8 days each and steal a day from San Francisco.
Big Island is the warmest island and Waikoloa is the driest part so it's ideal for the warmer weather and guaranteed sunshine you crave. It has an active volcano which you don't get to see everyday. It's also big and with only 5 days you will struggle to hit the highlights and find time to relax.
Go to Maui in February for the whales. The weather is better on the south side of the island at that time of year (Wailea).
Both islands have golf courses if you're allowed to play on your honeymoon!
I think any honeymoon that includes Hawaii will be fantastic but slowing down at the start and less island hopping will be perfect.

Tomsd

I think your original plan is fine - and five days per island is plenty. They are not that big, but I would suggest you try to fly into Hilo on the Big Island - and explore over there (Akaka Falls, beautiful gardens, authentic Hawaiian restaurants, etc) - and stay up the Volcano area for a couple nights (half hour? from Hilo) - and then end up on the sunny west side at Kona.

And if you want to see the Grand Canyon - you can take a tour from Las Vegas - either by helicopter or tour bus. If it was me - I would shave a day from SF (even though I/we used to live there and loved it) - and add it to Vegas where there is plenty to see, shows to go to, drives to Red Rock Canyon http://www.vegas.com/attractions/out...s/redrock.html or take a tour down into the big Hoover dam, http://www.vegas.com/attractions/ and also enjoy some fine dining.

If it was me - I would get a Lake/Fountain view room at the Bellagio - and be mezmirized by the incredible fountains. http://tinyurl.com/77lmukf,

I also absolutely loved Scotland - getting to Edinburgh for a few days, and to St. Andrews - and then up to Inverness and over to Skye for another memorable stay - at Eilean Iarmain resort - http://www.eilean-iarmain.co.uk/ - and then on the pretty train ride - thru Glascow and spent a night at the great Poet Robert Burn''s town (Ayr)- before taking the ferry over to Ireland.

Tomsd

BTW - the north Shore of Kauai - http://tinyurl.com/7gnt3yb , with it's Bali Hai view - is our favorite place in Paradise, followed by the Big Island - but all the islands have something beautiful to offer.

suze

I like your original plan!! I think it's a good amount of time for each place and the perfect order for doing them

You could substitute Kauai instead of Big Island or even skip both and just split the Hawaii time just between Maui and Oahu, giving you a full week each island (which would easier allow for condo rentals if that is of interest).

Dayenu

Sorry if you think of San Francisco as of sunny, warm and cuddly California - we are not! Usually February is the rainiest, windiest month. It's still OK to visit, just be prepared.

Tomsd

Actually - if it were me - I would cut out Oahu this time - as you can get (future) package deals (flight/room/car) there much more easily/less expensive than to the outer islands. I would try to do the outer islands this time (Kauai, Maui and Big Island) if you could. The outer island flights are short - no more than 45 minutes - the one to Kauai only taking 20 minutes (just about the time you get your drink order - the Captain says - prepare to descend ) - and the Inter-Island terminal on Oahu is easy to manuver - and the outer island terminals are right by the rental car places, or very close. If we have checked bags - one of us waits for the bags while the other goes to get the rental car and then we are off in no time.

Tomsd

Fooey - lost a post. Anywhoooo - if it were moi - I would fly into Hono - and then walk over to the Inter Island terminal (you could wait for the wiki wiki - but walking is usually just as fast) and hop on a short flight to Kauai - and then rent a car and drive the 30 plus minutes up to the incredibly beautiful North Shore - and kick back there for 5 days.

Then - fly into Hilo and stay up at Volcano Village (Volcano Village Lodge is great) for a couple of nights (in a rain forest) while exploring the Hilo side - Akaka Falls, botanical gardens, Hawaii's 2nd largest city, - which is only about 30 minutes from the Volcano - which also has a great visitor's center.

From there, enjoy a beautiful 2 hour plus drive over to Kona and enjoy the beaches there for a few days - and wind up on North Maui - around Kapalua/Napili for your last 5 or so days - and really enjoy your beach time. http://www.expedia.com/Kapalua-Maui-...-Filter-Hotels

Tomsd

Here's the page for the Volcano Village Lodge. I didn't want to lose a post again while looking it up. http://volcanovillagelodge.com/lodge.shtml

Tomsd

And for Big Island - the Volcano is a HUGE attraction. http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm Hey - it's about the easiest place on earth to get up close and personal and see a Volcano - and there is a great drive around the rim of an older cauldron.

(On our honeymoon - which we also split time - going to Kauai for the 2nd week - after spending two days on Molokai) - We enjoyed hiking down and across the nearby/little volcano - Ke Iki Hale - or whatever they call it now.

You park and then walk a bit through a section of rain forest - down and across the floor of the small volcano - all the time telling yourself - hey - it hasn't blown here since 1959 - and yet - as the steam hisses up from the vents - you pick up your step a bit to finish the mile or so across the floor of the cauldron and up and out the other side.

They also have great movies at the Visitor center - IMAX - and good Ranger talks, etc.

scott2081

aaarrrgghhhhh... I just wrote a massive reply and lost it all clicking on a link!!

scott2081

I'm sorry but I don't have the time to write it all out again, thank you all very much for your thoughts... when I decide what I do I'll let you know.

Tomsd: Why do you suggest North Maui and Kauai, I thought north Kauai is more wet and windy at that time of year? Are we not better in Poipu? and Wailea?

Right now I'm thinking 6 nights Maui, 2-3 nights Volcano Village, 5 nights Kona, 3 nights Oahu, 6 nights San Fran and 2nights Vegas. My honeymoon is getting longer...