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