What I Thought I Knew About Vacationing In Maui
I have something to confess…
So we were trying to decide where to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary and Zak was pushing for Hawaii. In all honesty, I felt a little deflated at the thought of sitting on a beach for a week. That’s right, I didn’t want to go to Hawaii. Blasphemous, I know! I can almost hear the chanting now... “Shame! Shame! Shame!” (Did you catch that Game of Thrones reference?) I know that makes me sound like a snob, especially to all you beach lovers out there, but hear me out.
When you think of a Hawaiian vacation, what comes to mind?
The beach, right? Listening to the waves, soaking up some sun, sipping something fruity with a little umbrella in it. Well, that’s exactly what I imagined too! See, in my day-to-day life, I’m a homebody and a mega introvert, but when I travel, I come out of my box. I can only sit and stare at the same view for so long. I want to hike something! I want history and culture; I want to marvel at architecture, try local foods and connect with the people. I want to explore! In the end, I acquiesced to my husband’s want of a beach vacation and resigned myself to some R&R and plenty of reading.
Boy, was I in for a surprise!
It was love at first sight! The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is one of the most stunning hotels I have ever seen! I’ve since tried to replicate its “Awapuhi Pākē”, sweet water made with lemon, ginger, and mint, and I’ve never come close. Rows and rows of cabanas, an open-air lobby, spacious rooms, and a seaside spa.
On second thought, I think I’ll just stay right here after all!
And we could have, but there was far too much to experience! You can do it all in Maui! Hike into the clouds (literally), get a history lesson in the Iao Valley; marvel at the volcanic, black pebble beaches and bamboo forests along the famed Road to Hana; see the sunrise from atop Mount Haleakala before hiking into its crater. Tour pineapple, coffee, and lavender farms in Up Country, and admire exotic flowers you’ve never seen before! Not to mention whale watching, helicopter tours, snorkeling, shopping, beach hopping, and the food, my goodness… the food!
We did anything but lay on the beach all day!
In fact, by the end, I wished we’d had just one more day to lay on the beach. I never did get much reading time in. So mahalo, Maui, for the life lesson. You taught me that stereotypes aren’t always accurate, an open mind breeds possibility, and macadamia nuts are delicious. Looking back, Maui has been one of my favorite trips! If you haven’t been, I highly recommend you move it to the top of your list. Whether you’re planning a romantic honeymoon, a family vacation, or a pampering girl’s getaway, Maui is the answer!
Does the anxiety of travel planning keep you from booking that Hawaiian vacation you’ve been dreaming about?
If the idea of travel planning stresses you out, or the thought of spending hours online researching makes you cringe, then maybe it’s time you consider working with a professional. You’ll be amazed how simple the process really is. Easy as pi-napple! Visit the Travel with Elizabeth home page to learn how we can help!
The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is a favorite here at Travel with Elizabeth!
TWE clients may be eligible to receive complimentary upgrades, $100 of food and beverage credit and more! Click here to start planning your luxurious getaway today!
Wouldn’t it be nice to just show up
with your bags packed?
Hi, I’m Elizabeth Dyer, owner of Travel with Elizabeth, a travel agency dedicated to building memorable vacations for people like you. We provide planning and booking services to the U.S. Canada, and Europe, saving you time, energy and a whole lot of stress. Sound too good to be true? Click here to learn how easy it really is!
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