For serious adventurers, there's no shortage of challenging activities on the islands – like big-wave surfing or mountain biking – but there are plenty of experiences here that everyone can enjoy, too. You don't have to be an expert to experience the wonder of hiking the pristine landscape, boogie boarding the warm waters or even taking an eco-tour adventure (I actually planned a fantastic four-island Hawaiian adventure with Pleasant Holidays).
On Oahu, some of the absolute "must-sees" include the Arizona Memorial and U.S.S. Missouri, anchored bow to bow in Pearl Harbor, and the Polynesian Cultural Center, on Oahu's North Shore, with its seven authentic Polynesian villages, award-winning Ali'i Luau and spectacular evening show.
Some of the things my vacation package allowed me to do on Maui were watch the sunrise from atop the Haleakala volcano, then bike down it (the outside, obviously), which meant I got some spectacular views – and pictures along the way. I also snorkeled the crystalline waters off Molokini, where the multi-colored tropical fish and other sea creatures swam right up to me, and caught an amazing Polynesian stage production called Ulalena at the Maui Myth & Magic Theatre in Lahaina.
On Kauai, my vacation package included the "Kauai Highlight" helicopter tour, which soared over Waimea Canyon and spectacular waterfalls, plus a half-day Na Pali Cliffs Raft Tour, which offered lots of sea-level excitement.
The vacation package I booked also included a stop on the "Big Island" of Hawaii, which offers a wide variety of exciting outings like the Grand Circle Island/Volcano Tour (featuring a trip through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Kilauea volcano). And if you're planning a visit to the "Big Island," make sure to bring your golf clubs and test your skills on one of the dozens of world-class courses for which the island is known.
Of course, there are other places to travel than the Hawaiian Islands, so if you're looking for adventure of a different sort, think about booking a vacation package to Mexico – our sunny neighbor to the south.
Here, the beach resorts are fantastic for relaxing, but there are also plenty of water sports and eco-adventures to keep you entertained and active.
One of my favorite places to unwind is Los Cabos. Anglers love it for its outstanding game fishing and the chance to land a prized black marlin, but I love it for the whale watching. In the winter I can sit back and watch the majestic grey whales frolic in the waters just outside my hotel or take a boat out and see them up close.
In the Mexican Caribbean, Xcaret Park is another favorite spot. It's an ecologically-focused waterpark that's a 45-minute drive from Cancun in the Riviera Maya. Here I can swim with the dolphins, explore ancient Mayan ruins and an underground river, and enjoy some of the spectacular evening celebrations the region is renowned for. And just offshore, the island of Cozumel has some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world.
If history and culture are what you're after, you'll definitely want to book a vacation package to Puerto Vallarta. The last time I was in the area I "discovered" an old mining town from the 1700s that is set in a lush valley surrounded by green hills. I also had the chance to visit a 100-year-old hacienda made famous by the Hollywood celebrities who frequented it in the 40s and 50s.
Just a short jaunt away from Puerto Vallarta, the town of Tequila is gorgeous! Surrounded by endless fields of blue agave (from which the popular drink is distilled), it's really a site to behold. And while you're there, learn how tequila is made and sample some of the town's finest for free.
So, if you're looking for a warm-weather vacation with plenty of opportunity for adventure and culture, find out more about the many vacation package options offered in Hawaii or Mexico. You're sure to love what you'll discover.