In Two Weeks

Lucky travelers will get 2 weeks to totally relax on the Valley Isle. I'd suggest adding lots of naps, vegging out on the beach, and stopping to smell all the exotic flowers to the 1-week itinerary. Below are suggestions for your second week on Maui.

Day 1: Arrival & Kapalua Beach

Check in to your hotel, then head for Kapalua Beach. Don't overdo the sun on your first day. After an hour or two at the beach, drive to Lahaina and spend a couple of hours walking the historic old town. To really feel like you are in Hawaii, go to the Old Lahaina Luau at sunset to immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture.

Day 2: Up a 10,000-Foot Dormant Volcano & Down Again

You'll likely wake up early on your first day in Hawaii, so take advantage of it and head up to the 10,000-foot (dormant) volcano, Haleakala. You can hike in the crater, speed down the mountain on a bicycle, or just wander about Haleakala National Park. You don't have to be at the top for sunrise, but I have to tell you: It is a near-religious experience you'll never forget. On your way back down, stop and tour Upcountry Maui, particularly the communities of Kula, Makawao, and Paia. Plan for a sunset dinner in Paia or Kuau.

Day 3: Hana Highway

Pack a lunch and spend the entire day driving the scenic Hana Highway. Pull over often, get out to take photos, smell the flowers, and jump in the mountain-stream pools. Wave to everyone, move off the road for those speeding by, and breathe in Hawaii. Plan to spend at least 2 nights in Hana.

Day 4: A Day in Heavenly Hana

You have an entire day in paradise and plenty of things to see. Take an early-morning hike along the black sands of Waianapanapa State Park, then explore the tiny town of Hana, especially seeing the Hana Cultural Center and Museum, Hasegawa General Store, and Hana Coast Gallery. Get a picnic lunch and drive out to the Kipahulu end of Haleakala National Park at Oheo Gulch. Hike to the waterfalls, swim in the pools, take lots of photos. Splurge on dinner at the dining room at the Hotel Hana Maui. Spend another night in Hana.

Day 5: Wine, Food & (Hawaiian) Song

Check to see if the road beyond Hana, toward Kaupo, is open (it was temporarily closed after the Oct 2006 earthquake); if it is, continue driving around the island, past Kaupo and up to the Ulupalakua Ranch and the Tedeschi Winery. Stop at Grandma's Coffee House for a cup of java and head down the mountain, with a stop for lunch at Haliimaile General Store. Spend the afternoon at the Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea, checking out the marine life, especially the sharks. Have dinner in Lahaina and see the drama/dance/music show 'Ulalena. If the road past Hana is closed, go back along the Hana Highway the way you came, stopping for lunch at Haliimaile, then follow the rest of the itinerary from there.

Day 6: Sailing to Lanai

Trilogy is the best sailing/snorkeling trip in Hawaii, so don't miss it. You spend the day (breakfast and lunch included) sailing to the island of Lanai, snorkeling, touring the island, and sailing back to Lahaina. Plus you still have the afternoon to go shopping for souvenirs or take a nap.

Day 7: Relaxing & Shopping

Depending on how much time you have on your final day, you can choose from relaxing on the beach, being pampered in a spa, or shopping. Spa goers have a range of terrific spas from which to choose, and shopping aficionados should check out some of my favorite stores. If you have a late flight, you might want to check out Iao Valley.

Day 8: Fly or Ferry over to Molokai for the Mule Ride

If you have a spare day or two, head over to the "Friendly Isle" to experience the mule ride down into the Kalaupapa Peninsula. This is an all-day experience that you will remember the rest of your life. You can either take the ferry over or fly; either way, don't miss this opportunity.

Day 9: Snorkeling in an Old Volcanic Crater

Take a day to see the fish inside the Molokini Crater. Go in the morning before the wind comes up. If it's whale season and you're lucky, you may spot whales on the way over or back. You'll have to go as part of a tour.

Day 10: Glide over the Water in a Kayak

Kayaking is so easy that you will be paddling away within a few minutes of lessons. One of the best kayak places is in Makena -- it's calm, the water is so clear you can see the fish, and you are protected from the wind. After a couple of hours of kayaking and snorkeling, stop for a picnic lunch at Makena Landing, then explore this area. If you still have some energy to spare, hike over to La Pérouse Monument, along the rugged shoreline.

Day 11: Take a Tour

Plan at least one off-the-beaten-path tour while you're on Maui. If you love good food, book the farm tour of chef James McDonald, which includes a tour of his 8-acre farm and lunch. Cheese aficionados will love the Surfing Goat Dairy tour and the sampling of their cheeses. For a really exotic tour, take the garden and culinary tour of the Alii Kula Lavender farm, which includes a tour of the farm and lunch made with lavender products.

Day 12: See Maui from Above in a Helicopter

The feeling of suddenly lifting off straight up in the air and then floating over the island of Maui in a helicopter is a memory that will stay with you forever. Of all the helicopter companies, I recommend booking with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters for the most comfortable, informative, and fun tour in the air. After the tour take some time to explore old Wailuku town, wander through the shops, stop at the Bailey House, and then take in Waikapu, Kahului, and Puunene.

Day 13: Walk Back in History -- Spend a Day in Lahaina

Plan to arrive in this historic town early, before the crowds. Eat a big breakfast, then put on your walking shoes and take the self-guided historic walking tour of the old town. Plan to do some browsing in the quaint stores, watch the surfers skim the waves in front of the library, and pop over to Kaanapali to the Whale Center of the Pacific. Then drive around the head of the island on the Kahekili Highway, stopping to see the ancient Hawaiian village of Kahakuloa and the Halekii and Pihanakalani Heiau on the Wailuku side.

Day 14: Your Last Day

After 13 days of exploring Maui, spend your last day doing what you loved best: beachcombing, snorkeling, hiking, shopping, or whatever your favorite Maui activity is. Pick up a lei before you go to the airport so you will have a little bit of Maui with you as you say aloha.