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