Luxurious Hawaiian Escape

You will be greeted with a smile and a traditional flower lei before being transferred to your elegant Ritz Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach. On arrival, you'll be met by a personal greeter and whisked up to the the airy eighth-floor lobby to check in. You will be swept away amid the ocean breeze to spaces that frame the surrounding natural beauty and experiences that draw inspiration from local traditions. Enjoy your upscale studio with bedroom, oversized bathroom, separate living room, floor-to-ceiling windows and private lanai.

You'll have breathtaking views of Waikiki and the Pacific Ocean. Relax or start exploring Waikiki on your own. Explore the boutiques of Luxury Row and walk down Kalakaua along the famed Waikiki Beach. Your Travelling Concierge will be available at the hotel this afternoon. At 18:00, meet with your travel companions for a welcome drink, followed by your Welcome Dinner and culinary experience is served at the acclaimed Hawaiian fusion restaurant, Roy's Waikiki. Chef Roy Yamaguchi is a Japanese-American celebrity chef, restaurateur and founder of a collection of high-end restaurants. He is one of the founding members of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement. (DW) Stay: The Ritz Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach (Deluxe Studio with Ocean View).

Head for historic Pearl Harbor National Monument this morning. Take the short boat ride which brings you to World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, home of the USS Arizona Memorial. Next, head for the Punchbowl, the crater that is home to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

Experience Oahu Your Way with a choice of a private, guided visit of Iolani Palace, the only official royal palace in the United States, or a private guided visit of the Hawaiian Hall at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum with a Hawaiian Culture Educator. Later this afternoon, fly to the Big Island of Hawaii. On arrival in Kona, stop at the historic Kailua Village, St. Benedict's Painted Church and Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. Next, witness the artistry of coffee making from farm to cup at a Kona Coffee Farm. See how coffee is hand-picked and learn the artful milling and roasting followed by a curated coffee sampling. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B) Stay: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Kohala Coast (Beachfront Wing Rooms).

This morning and afternoon are yours to do as you please. Your Traveling Concierge will be happy to help you plan your day. Perhaps browse Laurance Rockefeller's priceless collection of Pacific Rim, Asia and Oceania art, strewn through the resort. Stroll along the resort's beach, the only white sand beach on the Kona Coast; and don't miss the Manta Ray Lookout. This evening, you have the choice of a traditional Hawaiian luau at your hotel, or dinner at one of the acclaimed local restaurants. (B/DW)

An early start this morning takes you across the island through historic Parker Ranch, one of the largest ranches in the country. Then travel along Hamakua Coast for one of the most scenic coastal drives on the planet. Lunch will be served at the Kilauea Lodge and restaurant, before you start exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Home to Mauna Loa and Kilauea, two of the world's most active volcanoes, this is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. Drive along Crater Rim Drive and walk through the otherworldly Nahaku – Thurston Lava Tube. Afterwards, stop to view magical Rainbow Falls before an evening at leisure. (B/LW)

Fly to Kahului on the island of Maui. A tropical paradise known as The Valley Isle, it has been consistently voted "Best Island in the World" by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure. Hawaii's second largest island offers visitors a remarkably beautiful and welcoming environment to enjoy a wide variety of beach, ocean and island adventures. Stop at Iao Needle State Park to view the historically signifcant 1,200-foot (370 metre) Iao Needle, surrounded by towering emerald peaks. Arrive in Lahaina, where there is time for you to explore at your own pace.

Once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the early nineteenth century, Lahaina was also a historic whaling village during the whaling boom of the mid-1800s. Today, Lahaina is on the National Register of Historic Places and its main street is ranked one of the “Top Ten Greatest Streets” by the American Planning Association. The rest of your day is free to wander the island or relax at your incredible resort. (B) Stay: Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui (Ocean View Suites).

Today you'll head for Upcountry Maui and the community of Makawao, famous for its Hawaiian cowboys, or paniolo. Visit the Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center, where you'll have time to explore the gallery exhibits. Indulge in a Highlight Lunch at Bev Gannon's famous Hali'imaile General Store. Experience Maui Your Way this afternoon. Select a a private guided tour through the working Maui Gold Pineapple Plantation, a guided visit to Hali'imaile Distilling Company which produces handcrafted, locally made, authentic Hawaiian brand spirits, or a unique and immersive look into the exciting world of the honeybee and their hives with an experienced beekeeper. (B/L)

Today is yours to do as you please. Relax and enjoy the resort's luxurious facilities or pursue your own interests. Your Travelling Concierge is on hand to help you plan your day. In the evening, toast to your journey over dinner with wine at Kō Restaurant. (B/DW)

Say 'a hui hou' as your nine-day tour concludes with a private transfer to Kahului Airport. (B)