Agricultural and Culinary Travel
Wherever you decide to have your wedding or spend your honeymoon, it's important that you take time to get a taste for the local culture. And nowhere is that more fun, or surprising, than Hawai'i's Big Island.
The island of Hawai'i is a food lover's paradise, and not just because of the many world-famous chefs who run kitchens across the island. Blessed with year-round sunshine, cleansing rains, and rich, volcanic soil, the island hosts a surprising array of farms that produce home-grown foods. With such abundant fresh ingredients to add to their menus, it's easy to see why so many chefs call the Big Island home.
For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, the island was best known for its sugarcane crop, but today that fertile soil nurtures everything from flowers and fruits, to buttery macadamia nuts and world-famous Kona coffee. At the heart of the island, a massive ranch produces extraordinarily tasty hormone-free, grass-fed beef. And not surprisingly, the Big Island is also home to a thriving aquaculture industry, providing wonderful varieties of fresh seafood.
Many of the farms offer guided tours and gourmet dinner packages, a must for anyone interested in sustainable farming and gourmet cuisine.
Togethering and Multi-generational Travel
If your idea of a honeymoon in paradise includes the image of two sets of footprints meandering down a deserted white-sand beach, you'll find that here. But if you're like an increasing number of modern families, you want to share your joy with your children and extended family. The Big Island is the perfect place to host a multi-generational gathering, with ample activities and diversions for all.
From the thrill of witnessing a live volcanic eruption to the wonders of diving with giant manta rays, from the serenity of a night spent gazing at a billion stars to a visit to an ancient Hawaiian fishing village, the Big Island offers limitless opportunities to celebrate together.
The island is also home to several activity-packed family resorts. With fantasy pools featuring waterslides and waterfalls, kid's clubs, and special cultural activities, there are plenty of things to keep all of you busy.
Of course if you are traveling with children, one of the benefits of having family around is free baby-sitting! While the grandparents are away at the beach with kids, you're free to indulge in a romantic hike through a rainforest or to steal away for a few hours at a world-class spa.
Science and Educational Travel
For some visitors to Hawai'i, romance is more than just sunset strolls and candlelit dinners - it's about stimulating the mind. For anyone who prefers a little learning with their leisure, the Big Island offers ample opportunity to expand your mind while invigorating your spirit.
From the fascinating worlds below the waves just offshore, to the very top of Maunakea volcano, the Hawai'i Island is a 4,028 square mile open-air nature center. If diving isn't your thing, head straight to the observatories atop the nearly 14,000-foot Maunakea and work your way down. You'll find guided tours at the summit, with details about the many countries who participate in the studies here, and a highly informative visitor's center at 9,300 feet. Should there be any remaining gaps in your astronomical knowledge, you'll find answers at the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center, located at the base of the mountain on the campus of the University of Hawai'i, Hilo.
For amateur botanists, or for anyone who just likes flowers, the Big Island is home to several amazing botanical gardens. The gardens are a wonderful way to learn about the Big Island's natural wonders, amid thousands of vibrant tropical blooms.
Eco-tourism
It's no secret that Hawai'i's Big Island is one of the most beautiful places on Earth to spend your honeymoon. This is true due in large part to those who worked to preserve the island's fragile eco-system. And now, thanks to some innovative eco-tourism initiatives, you can spend your honeymoon not only sharing your love for each other, but your love of the Earth - especially our little corner of it.
Obviously, the idea of nurturing and protecting the land is not a new one in these islands (native Hawaiians had the utmost respect for the natural world). However, in recent years, the sustainable tourism movement has really taken off in Hawai'i. Several visitor-focused organizations have demonstrated a commitment to protecting, enhancing and conserving the island's precious resources for the enjoyment of future residents and visitors alike.
From helping local farmers to harvesting organic fruits and vegetables, to assisting in rainforest or marine preservation efforts, there are plenty of opportunities for visitors looking to make their vacation on the Island of Hawai'i all the more rewarding.
Spa and Well-being
Hawai'i's Big Island is not just a beautiful place; it is a place of healing. From the gentle caress of the trade winds, to the calming presence of the waves, to the re-energizing effects of the Hawaiian sun, the island is a bastion of restoration and rejuvenation. And what better time to renew your spirit than your honeymoon - the beginning of your new life together?
For those in search of true pampering, you need look no further than one of the island's many world-class spas. Many of the spas incorporate natural plant essences and time-honored Hawaiian techniques into their treatments, such as lomi-lomi massage. You'll also find innovative aqua-therapies, body wraps and salt scrubs, and specialty treatments. Many spas also offer full-service salons, complete with invigorating facials. You will likely also have access to workout facilities, as well as bubbling whirlpools and misty saunas.
If you prefer outdoor experiences, you may consider oceanfront yoga classes, a guided spiritual retreat to a Hawaiian heiau, or simply a restorative hike through an ancient rainforest.
Whatever your preference, you'll find the Big Island offers infinite paths to self-discovery.
Volcano
If you're looking to celebrate a fiery romance, there's no better place on Earth than Hawai'i's Big Island. Formed entirely from volcanic eruptions - and still growing to the day - the island really is a volcanic gem set in a dazzling blue sea.
The largest volcano on the island, Maunakea, is in fact the tallest mountain in the world (if measured from the floor of the ocean). The name Maunakea literally translates to "White Mountain" - a testament to the glittering snow that often tops its summit in winter months. A trip to the peak is a wonderful way to escape the mid-day heat along the coasts - and at night, it offers one of the world's best views of the heavens.
Of course no visit to the Big Island would be complete without an exploration of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The single largest visitor attraction in all of the Hawaiian Islands, the park is a 330,000-acre playground for nature lovers and Hawai'i's only World Heritage Site. Of course the star of the show is undoubtedly Kilauea volcano. Where else can you see rivers of red-hot lava meet the vibrant blue pacific in a hissing blast of steam? If that doesn't spark your passions, we don't know what will.
