Can't make it to Caribbean. Is Maui a comparable alternative?
Jul 25th, 2012, 02:52 AM
#21
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Hello,
Thanks everyone so much for the valuable feedback. We have made reservations for...drum roll please...Maui! We will be there in the third week of August. I forgot mention we will be flying from Seattle. We will be in Maui for four nights. I wish we could visit Kaui as well but inter-island airfare of $200 a piece is a bit too much. Oh well. Next time perhaps.
We do a have a bit of hurdle on the way back. Our flight arrives in Sacramento at 7 AM in the morning but the next flight to Seattle is at 7 PM. This was the only available flight. What are we going to do for 12 hours
I could book a hotel near Sacramento airport and rest there but hotels dont check you in until 3PM and checkout time is usually 12PM so that doesnt seem to fit.
Thanks everyone so much for the valuable feedback. We have made reservations for...drum roll please...Maui! We will be there in the third week of August. I forgot mention we will be flying from Seattle. We will be in Maui for four nights. I wish we could visit Kaui as well but inter-island airfare of $200 a piece is a bit too much. Oh well. Next time perhaps.
We do a have a bit of hurdle on the way back. Our flight arrives in Sacramento at 7 AM in the morning but the next flight to Seattle is at 7 PM. This was the only available flight. What are we going to do for 12 hours
I could book a hotel near Sacramento airport and rest there but hotels dont check you in until 3PM and checkout time is usually 12PM so that doesnt seem to fit.
Jul 25th, 2012, 05:11 AM
#22
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Good choice. There is also pretty diving in/around Maui (do have to admit - there is more fauna in the Carib - but also big humidity in the summer there) - and/or good snorkeling. Y
ou could take the ferry from Lahaina over to Lanai and find the nice bay there for snorkeling, etc.
Where are you staying on Maui - North or South end?
ou could take the ferry from Lahaina over to Lanai and find the nice bay there for snorkeling, etc.
Where are you staying on Maui - North or South end?
Jul 25th, 2012, 08:55 AM
#25
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You have so much time in Sacramento, and really, you won't need to rest -- the flight just isn't that long -- if it were me, I'd consider renting a car and taking a drive somewhere -- maybe Gold Country, or Napa Valley, heck, you could even go to Lake Tahoe (about 2 hours from Sacramento)
Jul 25th, 2012, 01:48 PM
#29
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Just go for it. Better to spend some time in Paradise your fist time than worry about a long layover somewhere en route.
Guess as people get older - they tend to forget youthful excitement/wanderlust.
You might also be able to go standby on an earlier flight if they have one - but even if not - I would not venture that far from the Sacramento airport.
You could visit historic - old downtown Sacramento where they have some nice restaurants, as does historic/old town Folsom - about 20 minutes further (except during rush hour).
There are also parks along the American River that runs through Sacto - where you could go for a hike/have a picnic.
Guess as people get older - they tend to forget youthful excitement/wanderlust.
You might also be able to go standby on an earlier flight if they have one - but even if not - I would not venture that far from the Sacramento airport.
You could visit historic - old downtown Sacramento where they have some nice restaurants, as does historic/old town Folsom - about 20 minutes further (except during rush hour).
There are also parks along the American River that runs through Sacto - where you could go for a hike/have a picnic.
Jul 25th, 2012, 01:57 PM
#30
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Here are some webpages for Old Sacto, Historic Folsom and the 23 mile long park along the American River as it winds through greater Sacramento.
It's warm during the summer so you could have a picnic at one of the parks, go for a walk, take a nap, maybe dip in the river, rent a raft for a little float trip, whatever. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=497
http://www.folsom.ca.us/about/activi...old_folsom.asp
http://www.msa2.saccounty.net/parks/...FastFacts.aspx
It's warm during the summer so you could have a picnic at one of the parks, go for a walk, take a nap, maybe dip in the river, rent a raft for a little float trip, whatever. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=497
http://www.folsom.ca.us/about/activi...old_folsom.asp
http://www.msa2.saccounty.net/parks/...FastFacts.aspx
Jul 25th, 2012, 01:58 PM
#31
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>>
Why not - it's TWELVE HOURS. Even if they take two hours to get out of the airport on arrival and want to be back two hours before their flight (why they would, I don't know, but even if....), that still leaves EIGHT HOURS. (and you talk about youthful wanderlust
)
Why not - it's TWELVE HOURS. Even if they take two hours to get out of the airport on arrival and want to be back two hours before their flight (why they would, I don't know, but even if....), that still leaves EIGHT HOURS. (and you talk about youthful wanderlust
)
Jul 25th, 2012, 02:07 PM
#32
<Guess as people get older - they tend to forget youthful excitement/wanderlust.>
Nope, not really, I wouldn't have taken a 12 hour layover in my 20's either. Although I did sleep on the floor of the Miami airport overnight my first trip to Jamaica.
Nope, not really, I wouldn't have taken a 12 hour layover in my 20's either. Although I did sleep on the floor of the Miami airport overnight my first trip to Jamaica.
Jul 25th, 2012, 04:03 PM
#33
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Hello everyone!
We do have a direct flight to Maui to Seattle. The layover is on the way back only. Our flight would Sacramento would leave Maui after 10PM. We could try standby for a direct flight to Seattle leaving Maui at 12 PM. That option however would cut our stay in Maui by 10 hours (almost a day).
The whole reason we have such limited options for our flights is mileage space. The seats are very limited for folks using miles. I have done 12 hours layovers but only international flights when connections are limited. Never done such a long layover for domestic flight!
Tomsd, we will be staying in Kapalua area. My plan is to spend day 1 in Kapalua area, day 2 in Kanaapali and day 3 in Wailea. On day 4, we could some driving on road to Hana (perhaps not all the way) before returning to airport to catch our flight after 10 PM. Any other suggestions are welcomed
We do have a direct flight to Maui to Seattle. The layover is on the way back only. Our flight would Sacramento would leave Maui after 10PM. We could try standby for a direct flight to Seattle leaving Maui at 12 PM. That option however would cut our stay in Maui by 10 hours (almost a day).
The whole reason we have such limited options for our flights is mileage space. The seats are very limited for folks using miles. I have done 12 hours layovers but only international flights when connections are limited. Never done such a long layover for domestic flight!
Tomsd, we will be staying in Kapalua area. My plan is to spend day 1 in Kapalua area, day 2 in Kanaapali and day 3 in Wailea. On day 4, we could some driving on road to Hana (perhaps not all the way) before returning to airport to catch our flight after 10 PM. Any other suggestions are welcomed
Jul 25th, 2012, 05:58 PM
#35
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It's fun to drive even part way to Hana - and see the tropical rainforest, etc.
You should also drive around the north end of the island - where the road does narrow to one lane in places, and some think it's a bit scary - but it's very scenic.
And here is a page on tips for swimming/snorkeling up in Kanaapali and Kapalua and north of there. http://www.epinions.com/review/trvl-...709978756?sb=1
And as for layovers, hey - it really ain't no big deal. At the end of a great trip to Maui - you will be laid back - and not complaining about the small stuff - as some in here are wont to do.
You should also drive around the north end of the island - where the road does narrow to one lane in places, and some think it's a bit scary - but it's very scenic.
And here is a page on tips for swimming/snorkeling up in Kanaapali and Kapalua and north of there. http://www.epinions.com/review/trvl-...709978756?sb=1
And as for layovers, hey - it really ain't no big deal. At the end of a great trip to Maui - you will be laid back - and not complaining about the small stuff - as some in here are wont to do.
Jul 25th, 2012, 05:59 PM
#36
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And my reason for not venturing too far from an airport when you are between flights is very simple. You never know what crazy things can happen such as a car breakdown, accident on a freeway backing up traffic, etc.
Better safe than sorry.
Better safe than sorry.
Jul 26th, 2012, 07:26 AM
#37
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Ah, you are on the Alaska Airlines red eye. I live near Sacramento. If you let us know the ages of your family members and which day of the week, I can give you suggestions for your one day visit here.
Jul 26th, 2012, 08:15 AM
#38
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If you try RTH on your last day, don't leave your car unattended with anything of value in it. Thefts are something of a 'cottage industry' along there and at beaches. You will probably not see the thief when you park.
We always book an extra night to avoid being 'homeless' between a morning checkout and a late flight.
I wasn't questioning your unfortunate connection, just the major effort for only four nights Maui.
We always book an extra night to avoid being 'homeless' between a morning checkout and a late flight.
I wasn't questioning your unfortunate connection, just the major effort for only four nights Maui.
Jul 28th, 2012, 02:19 PM
#39
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qzseattle - Hawaii is probably a very good choice for your situation especially since you are West coast based. While we prefer the Carib to Hawaii (even tho we too are West Coast based), it is likely due to the fact that we don't have children and we are looking to get away from all of the conveniences of a modern city when we do a tropical island vacation. In fact, we go out of our way to find very remote, small resorts that are upscale and boutiquey and we want to do nothing more than water sports, beach, dining/wining - so Maui isn't a good fit for us. When we travel with our extended families, though, we do look for a place that has a broader appeal to kids as well as adults having different interests, ages, capabilities, etc...
My parents live in Maui and they have a place in Kapalua and in Kaanapali. I recommend Napili area if you are looking for a nice quiet beach that is very safe for swimming (might be important if your children are young). I've been to Maui many times and all the areas you mention. It really depends on your interests and the ages of your children as to where/how you spend your time. IF your family is active and adventurous, Hana is definitely the highlight of Maui, in my opinion. Waterfalls, hiking, beautiful drive, etc...BUT, if you are looking to just relax and take advantage of the beach, etc...and if your children are young - Hana probably wouldn't be worth it as the kids would be in the car for probably longer than they'd want to be.
That said, being West Coast based and free air - Maui will be a great family vacation. Enjoy!
My .02 worth.
My parents live in Maui and they have a place in Kapalua and in Kaanapali. I recommend Napili area if you are looking for a nice quiet beach that is very safe for swimming (might be important if your children are young). I've been to Maui many times and all the areas you mention. It really depends on your interests and the ages of your children as to where/how you spend your time. IF your family is active and adventurous, Hana is definitely the highlight of Maui, in my opinion. Waterfalls, hiking, beautiful drive, etc...BUT, if you are looking to just relax and take advantage of the beach, etc...and if your children are young - Hana probably wouldn't be worth it as the kids would be in the car for probably longer than they'd want to be.
That said, being West Coast based and free air - Maui will be a great family vacation. Enjoy!
My .02 worth.
Jul 28th, 2012, 05:04 PM
#40
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I prefer the Caribbean over Hawaii. To those that say that Hawaii has better beaches than the Caribbean, you have probably not been to Anguilla. Or the out islands of the Bahamas (not technically the Caribbean). Although I've enjoyed our trips to Hawaii, I prefer smaller hotels and those seem hard to come by in Hawaii.
But since the decision has been made to go to Maui, I'm sure you will have a wonderful time there.
As for your long layover, you might try calling some hotels near the airport and ask if they will offer you a day rate.
But since the decision has been made to go to Maui, I'm sure you will have a wonderful time there.
As for your long layover, you might try calling some hotels near the airport and ask if they will offer you a day rate.
