Aloha Hawaii

Day 1: UK/San Diego
You’ll depart on your scheduled flight to Los Angeles today. Transfer by road to San Diego, where you will stay for three nights.

Day 2: San Diego
An included morning sightseeing tour will introduce you to the highlights of this harbour city. You’ll see the National Historic District with its charming Gas Lamp Quarter, the reconstructed Mexican-style old town and Balboa Park, where 1,400 acres of land is home to parks and museums.

The afternoon is free for you to relax and explore at leisure. Why not join an optional cruise around the harbour, also home of the US 5th fleet.

Day 3: San Diego
You are free to discover more of the delights of San Diego today. Visit the zoo, one of the finest in the world, or Seaworld – the famous theme park and oceanarium. For something a little different, experience life aboard the USS Midway, a US Navy aircraft carrier which is docked at the harbour. Alternatively, the Pacific Ocean with its beautiful sandy beaches is close by.

Day 4: Oahu
Today you’ll transfer back to Los Angeles for your flight to Honolulu, state capital of Hawaii which is located on the island of Oahu. On arrival you will be welcomed to Hawaii with a traditional flower garland Lei greeting.

You will then transfer to Waikiki, an international resort with shops, restaurants and a 24-hour night life. It is nevertheless a remarkably compact resort, and you can easily escape if you fancy a more relaxing time in the Hawaiian sunshine. Your hotel is just a short walk from the beach and you’ll stay here for four nights.

Day 5: Oahu
An introductory island tour of Oahu is included this morning. See iconic Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay, protected from waves and an ideal spot for snorkelling. Soak up the romantic setting of Halona Beach Cove, From Here To Eternity was filmed here in 1953, and watch out for the powerful water fountain at the Halona Blow Hole. Continue to Makapu’u Lookout where you may be lucky enough to see whales, and visit historic Nu’uanu Pali Lookout, which offers panoramic views of the sheer cliffs and the lush Windward Coast.

The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at leisure. Why not take a look around Waikiki’s wonderful selection of shops, relax on the beach or use the excellent facilities at your hotel.

Day 6: Oahu
Enjoy a further day of leisure, when you can laze on the golden sands or bathe in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean if you wish.

Alternatively, join our optional excursion to view one of Hawaii’s conservation reefs. You’ll step aboard a hi-tech submarine which will take you more than 100 ft below the surface of the ocean where you will see a diverse and fascinating range of marine life.

Other sightseeing options include the Polynesian Cultural Center with a Hawaiian Lu’au and buffet dinner.

Day 7: Oahu
After a morning spent at leisure this afternoon we include a visit to historic Pearl Harbor. You’ll see a film about the events leading up to the Japanese attack during the Second World War before visiting the museum. You will then travel by boat to the USS Arizona Memorial which is situated at the point that the ship was sunk. A short city tour of Honolulu will complete your sightseeing. You’ll see the State Capitol, Washington Place and the National Cemetery of the Pacific. Soak up the bustling atmosphere of Chinatown and delve into island history at the Royal Iolani Palace and King Kamehameha’s Statue.

Day 8: Maui
Today you’ll take the short flight to Maui, the ‘Valley Island’. On arrival a sightseeing tour is included. You’ll visit Iao Valley, the ‘Yosemite of the Pacific’ and view the spectacular Iao Needle, a 1,200 ft high cinder cone. Travel though the lush green countryside and along the shoreline via Maalea Boat Harbor to Lahaina, once the centre of the whaling industry. There will be time to explore this charming town before driving to the delightful resort of Kaanapli where you’ll stay at a beachfront hotel for three nights.

Day 9: Maui
You are free to relax and enjoy Maui’s beautiful beaches. Alternatively, play a round of golf or browse in the shops at the nearby Whalers Village. If you would like to see more of the island, you might choose to take the short bus ride to the town of Lahaina and visit Lahaina Banyan Court Park, where you’ll see an Indian banyan tree that was planted in 1873 and is now one of the largest in the US – a truly astounding sight.

Day 10: Maui
This morning you can join a very special optional excursion which offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. After a very early start you’ll travel to the top of Haleakala Crater, known to the islanders as ‘House of the Sun’, to see the spectacular sunrise. As dawn breaks watch as the dramatic colours change and look out to the multi-island vistas as a new day begins. Travel down the slopes of the crater to lower Kula. Breakfast will be served at Surfing Goat Dairy, one of Maui’s top agri-tourism farms.

The rest of the day is free.

Day 11: Los Angeles
You’ll fly to Los Angeles today. On arrival, you’ll transfer to the Culver City district of the city which is the perfect base for sightseeing, shopping and dining. You’ll stay here for two nights.

Day 12: Los Angeles
LA is one of America’s most exciting cities, and is of course, the home of the movie industry. A tour of the city and Hollywood is included this morning. You’ll visit the Hollywood Bowl, Graumann’s Chinese Theater with its famous hand and footprints, Sunset Strip and the Farmers’ Market.

This afternoon, a visit to Santa Monica is included. There will be plenty of free time to enjoy the delightful promenade and beach, superb restaurants, cafés and the famous pier.

Day 13: Los Angeles/UK
Today you’ll transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Day 14: UK
Arrive in the UK.

Please note
To maximise your enjoyment of this holiday a certain amount of walking is essential.

Accommodation throughout is in hotels of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotels you will stay in are:

Sheraton Hotel Mission Valley in San Diego
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani or similar in Waikiki
Royal Lahaina Resort on the island of Maui
Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Westside in Los Angeles
All guest rooms have en suite facilities and the majority of hotels have a restaurant, bar and swimming pool.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documentation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

San Diego city tour (half day)
Oahu Island tour (half day)
Pearl Harbor and Honolulu highlights tour (half day)
Maui sightseeing including Iao Valley and Lahaina
Los Angeles city tour (half day)
Santa Monica visit

Optional excursions

San Diego bay cruise
Oahu Submarine trip
Polynesian Cultural Village including show and buffet dinner
Haleakala Crater sunrise tour with breakfast

Your holiday includes

Scheduled flights
Overseas transfers and other transportation
12 nights’ accommodation on a room-only basis
The services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager and Local Guides
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
All airport taxes and security charges
UK Airline Passenger Duty
All state and local taxes

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
“Travelsphere are one of the biggest names in the Escorted Tour market. Finely tuned over the last 50 years their tours have been tried, tested and refined by thousands of customers.”