Big Island Itinerary
 

Hello all,
I have been lurking for a few months now and have gained so much knowledge. I am planning a surprise trip for our 15th anniversary next year and would love some feedback on my proposed itinerary. This will be for August 2007.
Day 1 - Travel and arrive at KOA at 8:40 pm - we will be staying at the Marriott (using points) - I know that this hotel has been taking alot of heat because of the remodel but I figure that by then the construction will be done and hopefully it will be beautiful. We are faithful Marriott travelers and usually receive very good service because of the nights per year my husband stays in them.
Day 2 - Spa and relax at the hotel - Dinner at Browns
Day 3 - going to drive up to Maune Kea - this is a sunday so we will be doing the ranger tour and will have rented the 4x4 thru Harper
Day 4 - Hang out at the beach/ snorkling at place of refuge and 2 step - dinner at Canoe House
Day 5 - Drive to VNP - get a picnic for dinner and hike as close as possibe to the lava display - will have all the right gear - staying at Kilauea Lodge
Day 6 - hiking and driving in VNP - we are generally in great shape and will do as much hiking that day as possible - anniversary dinner at Kilauea Lodge
Day 7 - Hilo day - Botanical Gardens - Akakaa Falls - 4 mile drive - boiling pots - hopefully sailing with captain Kiko for hawiian sailing - then probably staying at Hilo Hawaiian hotel (sounds like the best of the possibilities)- dinner at cafe pesto
Day 8 - Back to Marriott via the Northern route - stopping at Tex's drive in along the way and any other spots we see - hit the beach in the afternoon - dinner at Pahuia at the 4 Seasons
Day 9 - Spend day on the beach/ hit the spa for a last massage/ fly out at 930 at night
Please let me know what you think - any input will be appreciated
MrsGymRat

Ok so I am a newbie to this forum - how do I get this to show up under Hawaii in the US forum??? Thanks for the help
MrsGymRat

When you hit the post a new message, there is a box to the right that lets you scoll through the locations related to your message. Highlight Hawaii and that should do it. Now, I don't know if you can do that after you have actually posted. Maybe you could cut and paste your original post and post a "new" message under Hawaii. Good luck.

Actually there is no Hawaii section.

The only advantage in putting a new message under Hawaii is for the search function. It makes it much easier to find older messages that are for hawaii then.

When you are at Akaka Falls, do the short loop trail that includes Kahuna Falls.

Also in Hilo: Rainbow Falls & Liliuokalani Gardens

Looking forward to seeing the responses you receive. We are considering a visit to the Big Island in 2007 with Marriott points as well (just returned from KoOlina at Oahu and wish I was still there!). Would like to see night time lava flow and on a prior post most folks recommended we consider staying near VNP at least one night.