Big Island attractions

attractions on the Big Island — http://tinyurl.com/hzc4sqe

I'll be on the Big Island two weeks from today and am looking forward to experiencing the natural beauty and the cultural uniqueness of Hawai'i — not to mention the tropical sun and the blue waters of the Pacific.

Hawai’i is more than luxury resorts and beaches, and this trip is my chance to visit some of those other attractions so that I tell my clients about them. will be my first visit to Volcano National Park. They say the lava is flowing, and I'm looking forward to witnessing that.

Other attractions that interest us are Akaka State Park (and its nice waterfall), Waipi'o Valley State Park (and its spectacular views), and the little town of Waimea (which lies at the boundary of the rainy side and dry side of the Big Island. Four Seasons Hualalai has published a list of Big Island attractions that you may find useful. Click on the map above for an annotated map of some of those attractions, as well as the locations of some hotels near Volcano Village and beach resorts near Kona.

I'll be live blogging from Hawai'i, so watch this space!

copyright (c) 2017 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Where are you headed in 2017?

directional sign at Six Senses Laamu (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

So many places to visit, but just one lifetime. What direction are you headed in 2017?

This signpost was photographed last March at Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives. If you're looking for a beach destination, you couldn't ask for a more beautiful setting than the Maldives. The water is warm and clear — a simply delightful place to escape winter and relax in the warm tropical sun.

2016 took me to four continents — Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America — and so many fabulous destinations — The Maldives, Australia, London, Paris, and the south of France. I've blogged extensively about each of these trips and taken notes about where to stay and what to do.

Where are you headed in 2017? If your plans are already set, get in touch and ask us how we can provide you with better value at luxury hotels than you can get online. How, you ask? Through our affiliation with Virtuoso and our preferred partner relationships with the top luxury hotel families in the world. If you need help prioritizing your bucket list, still get in touch ... and we can discuss a world full of possibilities.

Enjoy the holidays with your family and loved ones ... and best wishes for the New Year!

copyright (c) 2016 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.