My fiance and I are planning our 7/01 honeymoon to Hawaii. We're aiming for 10-14 days and wondering what islands to hit. Most people I know recommend Maui and Kauai. Do you agree? We are looking for a mix of relaxation (i.e., beach) and outdoor activities (hiking, snorkeling, etc.). How many days would you spend in each place?

Also is July high season (is there even one)? Finally, am I going to have to pay $1000/plane ticket (from Boston)--about the best fare I've seen in the 4 mos. I've been watching. Thanks in advance for your help!

Kristin-

Congrats! I just went to Maui and Kauai on my honeymoon. My husband and I loved it!!! We were looking for the same thing you are relaxation and outdoor activities. We stayed at the Hyatt on both islands. Both hotels were great! We stayed 6 days in Maui and 4 in Kauai. We snorkeled on both islands and loved it too!! More tourist things to see and do in Maui where in Kauai it is not as built up. You are right coming from the east coast is pricey but worth it. We flew out of NJ but traveled on a package. Best of luck!

Message: Congradulations in advance! My wife and I went to Hawaii 2 yrs. ago on a tour package(2 weeks-4 isles), and are going again in March. Now it's 2 weeks, 2 islands. Maui has night life, Kauai is relaxing. Do the downhill bike ride on Maui. Take a day trip to Pearl Harbor and go see the Arizona Memorial. It'll give you some perspective on what started WWII for the US. Waikiki Beach is also only 9 miles away. You can hike to the top of Diamond Head. Have a great trip.

Kristin,
My boyfriend and I are flying out of Providence in May and I went through the same flight expense problems. After checking the fares daily for two months, $1000 was the cheapest I could get if booking myself, so I finally broke down and booked a package deal through a travel agent. The hotel was the same price and they threw in a rental care for free. That way I was able to get the airfare down to $750 each. I just got tired of checking the airlines every day and didn't want to end up changing planes three times (we change only once). So good luck.

Hi Kristin, I am planning our family vacation for June 200l and found that I got the the best airfare tickets through lowestfare.com. For a family of 5 the tickets were 840.00 roundtrip flying from Raleigh, NC (only one stop in St. Louis for l hour). I then went on the Aloha Air website and got our tickets from Honolulu to Keno, on the Big Island, where we will be staying 7 days and then fly on to Maui for another 3 days. According to both Aloha and Hawaiian Air, they have these "ticket book packages" that are like coupons that you can use flying between the islands. I believe there are 6 coupons per book, so you might want to check into that. Congrats on the upcoming wedding!!

Sorry about that after posting it, I then read what I typed. That was about 840 per person!! sorry!! But I have checked a couple of days ago and the price had already gone up. So I am glad I purchased them in October.

try aa.com american airlines site you can work up a package deal there or just air but it will be cheaper if you book air/hotel &/or car package.We booked a 3 wk pkg but the 1st wk with air @ the outrigger reef on oahu with pov was only 21-2200 for 2 people,our total pkg 3 isles 2 cars all interisle flights hotels 2 outriggers & 1 marriott was appx 5400 2 people. Oh by the way july is off season but more kids, hawaii season is from mid dec-mid apr we usually try to go off season during the school year. we flew from chicago by the way& just returned nov 22.

I just returned from 8 days on Maui and Oahu. I think the advice you've received about Maui and Kauai is perfect. To go along with that, I'd recommend the books "Maui Revealed" and "Ultimate Kauai" by Doughty & Friedman. Fun reading and excellent hiking information.

Congrats Kristin on your wedding. My husband and I were married in July 2000 and went to Kauai for one week and then spent a cruise traveling to the other islands for the second week. We found our airfare through our cruising agent - R/T from Newark for $499. I think the travel agents may get deals for cruising people.

Kauai is the best! Pick up "The Ultimate Kauai Handbook". The best travel guide!

I agree with Jennifer the "The Ultimate Kaua'i Guidebook" is a must. We have been to Kauai 2 times and are going back Febr. We love it there. The beauty is just breathtaking. The North shore has the most tropical look its almost as close to true paradise as you can get. Make sure you take a helicopter ride or you will miss some of the most unbelievable scenery. You will also want to see Waimea Canyon, it's the grand canyon of the Pacific. You might want to try Cheap Tickets for you're airfare. We have used them and have had real great luck finding cheap fares. Congratulations on you're upcoming marriage. Have a great Honeymoon. You couldn't have picked a better place to go.

My Husband and I will be going to Maui and the B.I. in Jan. and we found our plane fares in Best Fares. We are flying out of Detroit and the price is for 1st. class for $1179. Out of NY or Boston it is $1249, that is for flying into Kona, Maui is a little more. We figured for the long flight it would be worth the extra money and now seeing the prices that everyone is quoting, it will be worth it. Of course coach is even cheaper, so take a look at Best Fares.

if you fly from toronto, the airfare is usually way cheaper.