Elite Traveler Summer 2020

57 elite traveler SUMMER 2020

ISLAND HOPPING HAWAII, USA

The Hawaiian Islands have a special magic, transporting you to a remote paradise just hours from the US’sWest Coast. Its dramatic landscapes range from the razor-sharp red cliffs emerging from the blue ocean on Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast to the Big Island’s black sand and lava flows, and there are picture-perfect beaches and lush jungles on every island. Instead of staying on just one, embark on the ultimate tour and see all five of the major islands. Each has a different culture, from cosmopolitan Honolulu on Oahu to sleepy Lanai, but the aloha spirit and the charming lilt of Hawaiianmusic and ukuleles are present wherever you go. Our exclusive itinerary showcases the best of nature on land, in the air and underwater. In Oahu, go scuba diving with a former US Navy Seal, who will show you lava tubes, brightly colored fish, turtles andmaybe spinner dolphins, if you’re lucky. ExploreMaui in a classic car as you drive all (or part) of the road to Hana, rewarding yourself afterward with a stellar meal at Mama’s Fish House. Take to the skies in Kauai and the Big Island to witness their majestic landscapes from above: the Nā Pali Coast and Kauai’s inaccessible rain forests and waterfalls are best seen from the air, and since the Big Island is true to its name—big! —an aerial tour is the best way to see ancient lava flows, idyllic farms and towering mountains. There’s no shortage of incredible sunset spots: Each hotel has a prime place for sunset watching, and there are plenty of excursions to take you away from the crowds, whether that’s driving to the top of Mauna Kea, where the sun dips below the cloudline instead of setting into the ocean, or a private charter on a 50-ft Gulfstar sloop to toast the sunset with a glass of champagne. For a truly unique experience, swap watching the sunset for sunrise atop Haleakala, where the sun slowly rises over the volcano’s crater. During your trip, you’ll stay in the best properties on each island, including Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Four Seasons Resort Maui atWailea, Kukui’ula on Kauai, and end your journey at the spectacular Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the island of Hawaii. -KS From$35,000 per person. Contact Kara Slater, travel agent, SmartFlyer, kara@karaslater.com, +1 310 493 5508, smartflyer.com

Photos Christopher Scholey, Neil Macbeth, Angola Image Bank, Hawaii Tourism Authority/Heather Goodman, Hawaii Tourism Authority/Vincent Lim