Part four of Brand USA’s Agents on the Open Road: RoadTrips USA Edition, in partnership with Travel Gossip and Gold Medal, features the Hawaiian Islands, showcasing lush landscapes, history and the state’s aloha spirit.
Read the feature, then answer the question at the bottom of the page and you could win a £50 One4All voucher and enter a grand prize draw to win a £5,000 Gold Medal voucher that can be redeemed against any 2025 Gold Medal USA package holiday.
Full details of the trip can be found here and below is a day-by-day snapshot of what to expect.
Diamond Head, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i
Hike around the rim of Diamond Head State Monument, a 300,000-year-old crater, for views of the Pacific Ocean and the city. Browse historical exhibits at the USS Arizona Memorial, the historic vessel commemorating the lives lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor and scuba dive in Hanauma Bay.
O‘ahu’s North Shore is known as the ‘surfing capital of the world’ with more than seven miles of beaches and waves regularly reaching 30 feet or more. For smaller waves, visit Waikīkī Beach. Also see the 19th century home of Hawai‘i’s monarchy and the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Waikīkī Beach, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i
A 15-minute plane ride from Honolulu, is a six-million-year-old ‘Garden Island’. Hike in Waimea Canyon State Park and Kōke‘e State Park; Kayak through Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park or take a 10.5-mile coastal hike along Kalalau Trail, one of the world’s most scenic.
Po‘ipū Beach Park on the southern coast is a paradise for surfers, swimmers and snorkellers.
Swim with turtles in Hawai‘i
On the archipelago’s largest island visitors can snorkel with sea turtles, go horse riding in ‘cowboy country’ Waimea, then hike in Waipi‘o Valley. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is home to Mauna Loa, the biggest volcano in the world. Drive over lava on Chain of Craters Road before visiting the park’s Jaggar Museum and Volcano Art Center.
Sunrise above Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawai‘i
The second largest island, Maui, offers whale-watching, watersports, waterfalls and pristine sand beaches. On the Road to Hana visitors can swim at secluded waterfalls, bathe on a black sand beach at Wai‘ānapanapa State Park and explore ocean caves. In Haleakalā State Park there are waterfalls, the chance to swim in the Seven Sacred Pools and hike among ancient Hawaiian ruins. Sunrise at Haleakalā is a must-see experience, as is experiencing a luau, where visitors can taste native Hawaiian dishes, listen to local music and watch the famous hula dancers.
Nine miles from Maui, Lāna‘i is the smallest inhabited island in Hawai‘i, with luxury accommodations, world-class golf, horseback riding, back country off-road adventures, stunning beaches, lush rain forests and spectacular nature preserves.
With 2,000-foot cliffs to white sand beaches, Moloka‘i is a haven for outdoors enthusiasts.
Agents’ views
Linda Mahoney, travel agent at Charter Travel and a Hawaiian specialist, knows the islands inside out
Linda at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi
“Waikīkī on O‘ahu is a vibrant and exciting city with a beach, which doesn’t detract from the ‘aloha’ that Hawai‘i is famous for. Pearl Harbor is the island’s most famous site, but a trip to O‘ahu is not complete unless you have visited Leonard’s Bakery and a shrimp truck.
Kaua‘i, known as the garden island, is easy to drive around. It’s all about the scenery. It’s got three wonderful botanical gardens and a Hindu temple, as well as beautiful beaches and plenty for adrenalin junkies, including cliff jumping and the slightly more relaxed ziplining. Elvis Presley had his own hotel here, Coco Palms, yet sadly it is no longer there. A visit to Hanapepe, Kaua‘i ‘Biggest Little Town’, and maybe some rum tasting at Koloa Rum company would hit the spot.
Hawai‘i has 11 of the world’s 13 different climates and is the home of Kona coffee – plantations on the volcanic slopes that you can visit and grind your own beans. Who knew coffee started life as a fruit! One of my favourite tours was taking the Circle of Fire Helicopter Tour from Hilo. This is 50 minutes of all things volcanic, including Kilauea’s active crater. It’s a truly memorable adventure, ascending to the theme tune to Hawaii 5-0. It’s corny but fun.
Maui is the valley island. The Road to Hana is a trip of 55 miles of coastal hair-pin bends on a single lane road, but worth it for the views and wonderful waterfalls. We stayed at Hana-Maui resort and experienced what I like to call the ‘real Hawai‘i. I encourage my clients to book the wonderful Mama’s Fish House on the return from Hana, near Paia. It’s got the most wonderful food and ambience.”
Nicola Szymanowski, agent at Blue Bay Travel, based in Bury
Nicola Szymanowski and family
“O‘ahu is my favourite island. My top tip is to hire a Mustang and drive with the roof down. Waikīkī is a mix of fancy shops and laid-back lifestyle – driving the strip is like being in LA and driving through it at night is like a party.
Head through the Dole Plantations to the North Shore, where you might see a surfing competition. The drive there is amazing, you can stop at beaches along the way, and grab something to eat from the little food carts.
Head on the coastal road to Hanauma Bay in the south, to the Halona Blowhole, a natural oceanic geyser. On the way you’ll pass lots of beaches that you’ll have seen on Hawaii 5-0. Lanikai Beach is incredible – very picture postcard, very affluent.
Drive further up the highway on the same coast past Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i on K-Bay, and then pass the famous landmark, the island known as Chinaman’s Hat because of the way it looks. For a change of scenery, drive back inland through the mountains. It’s so lush.”
There are plenty more road trip suggestions on the USA Itineraries section of the Brand USA website.
Also check out the newly refreshed Brand USA training platform, USA Discovery Program.
Gold Medal offers 18 nights, including international and internal flights, hotel accommodation and car hire (Mitsubishi Mirage or similar) from £4,239 per person, in March 2025. Quote ref 42214020.
To book this or any USA RoadTrip itinerary, call 0800 014 7777 or visit goldmedal.co.uk
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name the historic vessel that can be seen in Oahu and commemorates the lives lost in the attack on Pearl Harbour.
Name *
First
Last
Job Title *
Company Name *
Work Email *
Do you currently use any of these Brand USA tools? (tick all that apply)
The closing date to enter this month’s draw is 5 September 2024. View the competition Terms & Conditions.
The post Agents on the Open Road: RoadTrips USA Edition – Island Discovery Series – Hawaiian Islands appeared first on Travel Gossip.
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Read the feature, then answer the question at the bottom of the page and you could win a £50 One4All voucher and enter a grand prize draw to win a £5,000 Gold Medal voucher that can be redeemed against any 2025 Gold Medal USA package holiday.
Full details of the trip can be found here and below is a day-by-day snapshot of what to expect.
Days 1-3 O‘ahu, Hawai‘i
Diamond Head, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i
Hike around the rim of Diamond Head State Monument, a 300,000-year-old crater, for views of the Pacific Ocean and the city. Browse historical exhibits at the USS Arizona Memorial, the historic vessel commemorating the lives lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor and scuba dive in Hanauma Bay.
O‘ahu’s North Shore is known as the ‘surfing capital of the world’ with more than seven miles of beaches and waves regularly reaching 30 feet or more. For smaller waves, visit Waikīkī Beach. Also see the 19th century home of Hawai‘i’s monarchy and the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Waikīkī Beach, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i
Days 4-6 Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i
A 15-minute plane ride from Honolulu, is a six-million-year-old ‘Garden Island’. Hike in Waimea Canyon State Park and Kōke‘e State Park; Kayak through Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park or take a 10.5-mile coastal hike along Kalalau Trail, one of the world’s most scenic.
Po‘ipū Beach Park on the southern coast is a paradise for surfers, swimmers and snorkellers.
Days 7-9 Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i
Swim with turtles in Hawai‘i
On the archipelago’s largest island visitors can snorkel with sea turtles, go horse riding in ‘cowboy country’ Waimea, then hike in Waipi‘o Valley. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is home to Mauna Loa, the biggest volcano in the world. Drive over lava on Chain of Craters Road before visiting the park’s Jaggar Museum and Volcano Art Center.
Days 10-12 Maui, Hawai‘i
Sunrise above Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawai‘i
The second largest island, Maui, offers whale-watching, watersports, waterfalls and pristine sand beaches. On the Road to Hana visitors can swim at secluded waterfalls, bathe on a black sand beach at Wai‘ānapanapa State Park and explore ocean caves. In Haleakalā State Park there are waterfalls, the chance to swim in the Seven Sacred Pools and hike among ancient Hawaiian ruins. Sunrise at Haleakalā is a must-see experience, as is experiencing a luau, where visitors can taste native Hawaiian dishes, listen to local music and watch the famous hula dancers.
Days 13-15 Lāna‘i, Hawai‘i
Nine miles from Maui, Lāna‘i is the smallest inhabited island in Hawai‘i, with luxury accommodations, world-class golf, horseback riding, back country off-road adventures, stunning beaches, lush rain forests and spectacular nature preserves.
Days 16-18 Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i
With 2,000-foot cliffs to white sand beaches, Moloka‘i is a haven for outdoors enthusiasts.
Agents’ views
Linda Mahoney, travel agent at Charter Travel and a Hawaiian specialist, knows the islands inside out
Linda at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi
“Waikīkī on O‘ahu is a vibrant and exciting city with a beach, which doesn’t detract from the ‘aloha’ that Hawai‘i is famous for. Pearl Harbor is the island’s most famous site, but a trip to O‘ahu is not complete unless you have visited Leonard’s Bakery and a shrimp truck.
Kaua‘i, known as the garden island, is easy to drive around. It’s all about the scenery. It’s got three wonderful botanical gardens and a Hindu temple, as well as beautiful beaches and plenty for adrenalin junkies, including cliff jumping and the slightly more relaxed ziplining. Elvis Presley had his own hotel here, Coco Palms, yet sadly it is no longer there. A visit to Hanapepe, Kaua‘i ‘Biggest Little Town’, and maybe some rum tasting at Koloa Rum company would hit the spot.
Hawai‘i has 11 of the world’s 13 different climates and is the home of Kona coffee – plantations on the volcanic slopes that you can visit and grind your own beans. Who knew coffee started life as a fruit! One of my favourite tours was taking the Circle of Fire Helicopter Tour from Hilo. This is 50 minutes of all things volcanic, including Kilauea’s active crater. It’s a truly memorable adventure, ascending to the theme tune to Hawaii 5-0. It’s corny but fun.
Maui is the valley island. The Road to Hana is a trip of 55 miles of coastal hair-pin bends on a single lane road, but worth it for the views and wonderful waterfalls. We stayed at Hana-Maui resort and experienced what I like to call the ‘real Hawai‘i. I encourage my clients to book the wonderful Mama’s Fish House on the return from Hana, near Paia. It’s got the most wonderful food and ambience.”
Nicola Szymanowski, agent at Blue Bay Travel, based in Bury
Nicola Szymanowski and family
“O‘ahu is my favourite island. My top tip is to hire a Mustang and drive with the roof down. Waikīkī is a mix of fancy shops and laid-back lifestyle – driving the strip is like being in LA and driving through it at night is like a party.
Head through the Dole Plantations to the North Shore, where you might see a surfing competition. The drive there is amazing, you can stop at beaches along the way, and grab something to eat from the little food carts.
Head on the coastal road to Hanauma Bay in the south, to the Halona Blowhole, a natural oceanic geyser. On the way you’ll pass lots of beaches that you’ll have seen on Hawaii 5-0. Lanikai Beach is incredible – very picture postcard, very affluent.
Drive further up the highway on the same coast past Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i on K-Bay, and then pass the famous landmark, the island known as Chinaman’s Hat because of the way it looks. For a change of scenery, drive back inland through the mountains. It’s so lush.”
There are plenty more road trip suggestions on the USA Itineraries section of the Brand USA website.
Also check out the newly refreshed Brand USA training platform, USA Discovery Program.
Gold Medal offers 18 nights, including international and internal flights, hotel accommodation and car hire (Mitsubishi Mirage or similar) from £4,239 per person, in March 2025. Quote ref 42214020.
To book this or any USA RoadTrip itinerary, call 0800 014 7777 or visit goldmedal.co.uk
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name the historic vessel that can be seen in Oahu and commemorates the lives lost in the attack on Pearl Harbour.
Name *
First
Last
Job Title *
Company Name *
Work Email *
Do you currently use any of these Brand USA tools? (tick all that apply)
- RoadTrip USA Itineraries
- USA Discovery Program
- MediaValet
- GoUSA TV
The closing date to enter this month’s draw is 5 September 2024. View the competition Terms & Conditions.
The post Agents on the Open Road: RoadTrips USA Edition – Island Discovery Series – Hawaiian Islands appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
