AP Features, February 5th, 2007
A new guide to Maui from Frommer's can help you make the most of your vacation whether you have three days, a week or two weeks to spend there.
"Maui: Day by Day" ($12.99) by Jeanette Foster is packed with ideas and practical advice for visiting the Hawaiian island. The book starts off with 16 favorite moments on Maui, including watching windsurfers at Hookipa beach; smelling the scent of ginger on the road to Hana; taking a dip in the Seven Sacred Pools on the eastern flanks of Haleakala; exploring Upcountry Maui, where you'll find cowboys and ranchers; watching for whales December-March; and riding a mule to Kalaupapa National Historic Park on Molokai.
The author's advice for a three-day visit is to concentrate on the beach, the scenic Hana Highway, and the view from atop Haleakala, a dormant volcano. But Foster says a week is ideal for experiencing the island. You can sail to the island of Lanai; visit sea creatures at the Maui Ocean Center, visit a spa and do some shopping in addition to the musts for a three-day stopover. With a two-week trip, you can add a helicopter flyover, a tour of the island's farms, and kayaking off historic Makena.
As for the best beach to start with, especially if you have kids, head to Wailea, where the Four Seasons and Grand Wailea Resorts are located. Other family favorites include the Surfing Goat Dairy, a tour of the Maui Tropical Plantation and an underwater ride in the Atlantis Submarine in Lahaina.
The book comes with numerous recommendations for places to stay and eat, along with a map.
