| Hawaii is rated one of the most popular vacation | | | | ok to drink the tap water! Also, you still have all |
| destination for American travelers by Ask Doc | | | | the rights and protections of a United States |
| Travel. This destination is also popular with | | | | citizen. If you or someone you are traveling with |
| American Express Vacations. But why? What | | | | should suddenly need medical attention, you have |
| makes this destination so wonderful? For those of | | | | access to regulated and state of the art care. |
| us who have traveled to Hawaii, there are so | | | | Hawaii can be a real home away from home. |
| many reasons to visit that we become muddled, | | | | When people think of Hawaii, they think of the |
| answering only "What do you mean what's so | | | | aquamarine water and clean sandy beaches. But |
| great about Hawaii?" Well, here is some things to | | | | what else should one experience in Hawaii? |
| keep in mind when you speak of the many | | | | Besides the amazingly pristine beach activities, |
| wonders which make Hawaii such a popular | | | | Hawaii offers deluxe shopping that is reminiscent |
| destination. Hawaii is comprised of eight islands. | | | | of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, including couture |
| These islands are natural wonders that were | | | | boutiques such as Coach, Gucci, Tiffany's and |
| created in the middle of the ocean by underwater | | | | more. The islands are also rich in culture and |
| volcanoes. As the magma from these volcanoes | | | | history. One way to experience the beauty of |
| cooled, they hardened into rocks. These rock | | | | Hawaiian culture is to attend an old fashioned luau. |
| formations became the Hawaiian Islands. The | | | | One of the best traditional Luaus is Famous |
| volcanic phenomenon created Hawaii's famous | | | | Germaine's Luau in Kapolei Oahu. Take in some |
| black sand beaches and the rich soil from which | | | | American History by visiting the infamous Pearl |
| springs the islands lush vegetation. These main | | | | Harbor. With so much to see and do, you'll never |
| islands are Niihau, Kauai , Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, | | | | get bored. There is one snag in this otherwise |
| Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii. The island Hawaii is | | | | amazing destination: cost. Because Hawaii is an |
| the largest, and is sometimes called the "Big | | | | isolated island chain, everything is more expensive. |
| Island" or "Big Isle". This phenomenon created | | | | And because Hawaii is the 50th American state, |
| Hawaii's famous black sand beaches and the rich | | | | there is no lower currency exchange like in the |
| soil from which springs the islands lush vegetation. | | | | Caribbean. Thankfully, there are a number of hotel |
| The climate of Hawaii is one more reason why | | | | and travel providers who offer different packages |
| these islands remain a popular vacation destination. | | | | and accommodations. Although hotels and air |
| The weather is more moderate than typical | | | | flights can be on sale and are widely available, |
| tropical areas because of the cooling effect of the | | | | consumer products like food, souvenirs and |
| surrounding ocean. In layman's terms, this means | | | | sundries are expensive. Food for one person could |
| that temperatures and humidity tend to be less | | | | cost between $50 to $100! One way to avoid |
| extreme than places such as the Caribbean or | | | | expenses is by making sure you pack all the |
| Mexico. In the tourist high season, summer, the | | | | sundries you can think of, such as sunblock, |
| high temperatures reaching the upper 80s | | | | ChapStick, sunglasses and such. However, when all |
| °F, rarely going into the 90s°F . During | | | | is said and done, Hawaii is a top destination for a |
| the tourist low season of winter, temperatures at | | | | number of good reasons. There is no better place |
| the lowest elevation average in the mid-60s. One | | | | to go for a tropical vacation. |
| more reason that Hawaii is preferred is because | | | | Virginia Morgan writes travel related articles for |
| hurricanes are a rare occurrence compared to | | | | AMT American Express Travel, a premier |
| Mexico and the Caribbean. Compared to other | | | | Internet resource for American Express |
| tropical paradises, Hawaii is monitored by | | | | Exclusives. Serving customers online since 1996. |
| American safety and health regulations. Yes, it's | | | | |