Once a fishing village in the early times, Hilo is the only city on the Island of Hawaii. Hilo’s vibrant town is based on a crescent-shaped bay where a collection of well-preserved centuries-old wooden storefronts have been converted into art galleries, gift shops, and cultural sites. Just a few miles south of Hilo is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, occupying over 333,000 acres of hiking trails, volcanic craters, scorched deserts, rare rainforests and home the Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

Kailua-Kona, famous for its coffee farms, rugged coastline and historic landmarks straddles the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. The village was once the retreat for Hawaiian royalty, today welcoming hordes of cruise visitors with its staggering natural beauty, watersports and architectural heritage. A must-see landmark is the beautiful former royal vacation home Hulihee Palace, which is the perfect place in Kailua Bay to watch the sunset.

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