TRAVEL TIPS

Tours

Recommended Companies

Atlas Cruises & Tours. This escorted-tour operator, in business for more than 25 years, partners with major companies such as Collette, Globus, Tauck, and Trafalgar to offer a wide variety of travel experiences. Tours run 7–12 nights, and most include Maui. 800/942–3301; www.atlastravelweb.com. From $2732.

Globus. Founded in 1928 by a man who transported visitors across Lake Lugano, Switzerland, in a rowboat, this family-owned company grew to become the largest guided vacation operator in the world. Globus offers four Hawaii itineraries that include Maui, running 9–12 nights; two include a 7-night cruise on Norwegian Cruise Lines. 866/755–8581; www.globusjourneys.com. From $2509.

Tauck Travel. Begun in 1925 by Arthur Tauck with a tour through the back roads of New England, Tauck has since spread its offerings across the world. Its 11-night multi-island "Best of Hawaii" tour includes 3 nights on Maui and covers noteworthy sights such as Iao Valley and Haleakala National Park. 800/788–7885; www.tauck.com. From $6190.

Trafalgar. This company prides itself on its "Insider Experiences," defined as visiting hidden places not found in guidebooks, meeting local people, and sharing traditions you may not discover on your own. Trafalgar offers several itineraries that include Maui, running 7–12 nights. 866/513–1995; www.trafalgar.com. From $2524.

YMT Vacations. Billing itself as the best choice in affordable travel, YMT offers a 13-day, four-island tour and a 12-day Hawaiian Islands cruise and tour. 888/395–7573; www.ymtvacations.com. From $1799.

Bird-Watching

More than 150 species of birds live in the Hawaiian Islands. For $4,950 per person double-occupancy, Field Guides has a three-island (Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island), 10-day, guided bird-watching trip that includes accommodations, meals, ground transportation, and interisland air.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, the largest company in the world specializing in birding tours, has two nine-day "Fall Hawaii" and "Spring Hawaii" trips to Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island that cost $4,095 (fall) and $4,295 (spring), including double-occupancy accommodations, meals, interisland air, ground transportation, and guided excursions.

Contacts

Field Guides. 800/728–4953; www.fieldguides.com.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours. 800/328–8368; www.ventbird.com.

Special-Interest Tours

Culture

Elderhostel, a nonprofit educational travel organization, runs tours under the name Road Scholar, offering several guided Hawaii tours targeted at adults 50 and over that provide in-depth looks into the culture, history, and beauty of the Islands.

Contacts

Road Scholar. 800/454–5768; www.roadscholar.org.

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