| During past vacations, have you ever caught | | | | start, or at night for cocktail hour of your own |
| yourself wondering what it would be like to call a | | | | design. You'll probably never tire of the fresh |
| place like this home? You imagine the people who | | | | breeze or the expansive view of the mountains |
| live here, and you think that they must be far | | | | and the sea, even if you were to stay here for |
| more relaxed and happier than the average | | | | the rest of your life. |
| person. While most of us don't have the means | | | | Nearby activities in Hilo include swimming in the |
| to just pick up and move to a tropical island | | | | calm waters of Coconut Island, visiting the |
| paradise, you can do the next best thing by | | | | Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo, catching an artsy film at |
| renting a vacation home that's as unique as your | | | | the historic Palace Theatre, and taking a walking |
| own house and outfitted with just as many, if not | | | | tour of the colorful downtown area. Be warned, |
| more, amenities. Your upcoming trip to Hilo will | | | | however, that just like a local, the urge to stay |
| serve as a fine first foray into the land of living | | | | home may often strike. Not that you won't |
| like a permanent vacationer. | | | | appreciate the lovely town, but when you have |
| From the moment you step through the doorway | | | | everything you've been craving right beneath |
| of your tropical hideaway, you'll know you made | | | | your nose, the motivation to put on your shoes |
| the right choice. High ceilings, wooden floors, ample | | | | and go towards the crowd just doesn't sound like |
| sofa space and a perfect-sized dining table let you | | | | a good idea. |
| know you won't be feeling claustrophobic. An | | | | Making it even more likely that you'll have at least |
| especially big thrill is the kitchen; no more trekking | | | | a couple of quiet nights at home is the full |
| down unfamiliar roads looking for a good | | | | entertainment center and the game closet within |
| restaurant. A quick trip to the grocery store will | | | | your vacation rental. The sound of the TV may |
| allow you to stock your pantry in preparation for | | | | be unwelcome to you, but the sound of the |
| a few easy meals, including the breakfast in bed | | | | whole family enjoying a game of cards or one of |
| your honey has promised you. | | | | those board games that has everyone on their |
| You're already walking on air, and you haven't | | | | feet and shouting out the answers will be pretty |
| even seen everything yet. Continue on to the | | | | priceless. |
| master bedroom, where the whirlpool tub and | | | | You're probably getting the idea by now. Holing up |
| walk-in closet prompt an involuntary smile to | | | | in a vacation property will be pretty sweet, and |
| spread across your face. You imagine being able | | | | while the Hilo locals probably have jobs and |
| to shut the door after a day of hiking the lava | | | | responsibilities just like you, you can imagine that |
| park or biking through the rainforest for a | | | | you're seeing life through their eyes as you rise |
| one-on-one pampering session that no one else | | | | each morning to the sight of the sun rising over |
| can disturb. This keeps getting better and better. | | | | the luscious forest. You're all about immersing |
| A lanai, that's how you say "porch" when you're | | | | yourself in another culture, especially one that |
| off the mainland, stretches around two sides of | | | | gets to call Hawaii its home, so get moving and |
| your cottage, allowing for amazing views of the | | | | start to plan your getaway from the same old, |
| ocean and the evening sunset. Sit out here in the | | | | same old. |
| morning with your freshly brewed coffee, in the | | | | Go online to explore all the Hilo vacation rentals, |
| afternoon with the novel you finally have time to | | | | and choose the one that looks like home to you. |