They were surprised that one of the best meals came at the most unexpected place, the South Kona Fruit Stand on Punaluʻu Beach – better know as the Black Sand Beach (below) – on the Big Island. Ari says, “You’ll try fruits you have never heard of before.”

For fancier fare, they dined at Mama’s Fish House in Maui. Ari loved the ono (fish) he ordered. He says, “The service was exemplary. They make their menu every day based on what they catch that morning. It is expensive — $125 for lunch — but worth every penny.”

And for a quick snack, they loved Puka Dog for their Hawaiian style hot dogs made with secret recipe relishes and sauces. Ari calls it a “great little local restaurant with amazing hot dogs for $6.”

I’m so glad these two shared their trip with us! I’ll close out the week with Ari’s reflections, “Everyone thinks that Hawaii is expensive. And it is. But it is worth every penny. You see things that you never get to see anywhere else. It is also extremely versatile. We know people who have gone, and done nothing but laid on the beach. But that is not us. We are not beach-sitters. Hawaii can also be a place of great adventure and sight-seeing. For us, it was a nice combination of both.”

On their Hawaiian honeymoon, Ari and Michelle stayed in three different hotels. Ari offered us some quick reviews of each.

Their Kona hotel on the Big Island was the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa. Not far from Volcanoes National Park, this hotel offers spectacular views of the rocky shore and the open-air Ho’ola Spa. Ari describes it as “Not the best, not the worst.”

Taking a cue from their friends Mike and Erica, they opted for Hyatts at the two other destinations. In Maui they stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Kaanapali Beach. These honeymooners especially loved the breakfasts here. Ari calls it “worth the splurge” and “a great hotel.” He also notes that there were lots of other honeymoon couples – perfect if you like to be social, but harder to feel special if you like being the stars of the show.

Saving the best for last, these two were blown away by the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in Kauai. Known for their amazing pools and welcoming hospitality, it seems hard for honeymooners not to love this place. Ari wasn’t shy in gushing about the resort and the couple’s massage they got, “It’s one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever seen. Amazing, in every way. The spa was incredible, and the pool was tremendous!” They also made some good friends here, “We met another couple that we ended up hanging out with a bunch. We hadn’t expected to make great friends.”

Ari and Michelle received a bottle of champagne and upgrades at each hotel, They discovered the secret for freebies is hidden in a tote bag, “It is all about carrying a Bride Bag!”

The Teplitzes hit the height of adventure in Kauai when they ventured out on a guided tour with Outfitters Kauai. That’s Michelle above dangling from a rope, and Ari below, zipping through the trees. Both had an awesome time, and he says, “hiking, kayaking, ziplining, and cliff jumping – so cool!!!”

Outfitters Kauai offers numerous adventures and outings. Their site is jam-packed with descriptions and images of the tours. They’ve also got helpful info like pricing, what to pack, what to wear, and physical restrictions of the trips. (Be warned though, dear readers… the flashing photos are headache-inducing.)

Another spectacular outting was Ari and Michelle’s sunrise bike ride at Haleakala National Park.

Ari says, “It was so unique. We left our hotel at 2 am, were driven to the summit of Mt. Haleakala, which is above the clouds, saw the sunrise over the Island, and then biked down. That is something we just couldn’t do at home. It was early, but it was worth it.”

There are numerous tour companies that offer these bike trips. Check out Bike Maui, Tom’s Barefoot Tours or Adventure Maui to get an idea of what’s offered.

The sunrise bike tour really is a honeymoon must-do for adventurous romantics.

Sigh. It makes sitting at your desk-job on a Wednesday morning seem so boring, huh?

Ari and Michelle spent much of their Hawaiian honeymoon being dazzled by the incredible natural surroundings. One of their favorite spots was Nakalele Point in Maui. This natural blowhole was created when the ocean wore away at the shore below the lava shelf. The cavern forces water up through the spout, causing geyser-like sprays that can reach up to 100 feet in the air. Simply “amazing” is how Ari describes it.

Also in Maui, these newlyweds cruised along in their rental car, checking out Maui’s famous Road to Hana. Know for its twisting, windy turns, its stunning scenery, and its banana bread available along the way, this excursion is Hawaii at it’s finest. More than just a scenic Sunday drive, the Road to Hana offers access to pristine beaches and breathtaking waterfalls. You can make a whole day of sightseeing along this area. Just make sure to drive carefully — very carefully — take lots of photos and get out of the car often to explore. Activities here include everything from bike tours to spas to hang gliding (which I really want to try someday!)

And of course while they were in Kauai, Ari and Michelle checked out the famous Waimea Canyon. You can’t miss this “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” whether you’re looking for serious hiking or casual sightseeing. If hard core adventure isn’t for you, consider a drive along the canyon, which offers many scenic lookouts and views of waterfalls.

Check back tomorrow when Ari and Michelle take us on a sunrise bike ride and zipline ride through the trees.

Philadelphia couple the Teplitzs never even considered going anywhere but Hawaii for their post-nuptial vacation… no other destination would do. Ari, the Director of Development at the Delaware Theatre Company and Michelle, a music teacher at Perelman Jewish Day School, say for them it was, “the perfect combination of relaxation and excitement.” After their wedding in Woodbridge, CT, the two jetted off to Maui, Kona and Kauai.

Ari describes their trip as having a little of everything: romantic and relaxing, exciting and adventurous. And, as with many honeymoons, it was “Splurg-tastic.”

Like Mike and Erica, they had the pleasure of being guests at the Old Lahaina Luau in Maui. It was one of the most memorable and romantic moments of the trip. Ari says, “It was just beautiful. On the beach, the music, the ocean, it was the best sunset we saw.”

The Luau happens seven nights a week, and the 2009 costs are $92 per person. Definitely a bit of a splurge, but you’re getting much more than a dinner. Old Lahaina really is a great way to learn about the history of Hawaiian culture. You get a large buffet selection of traditional foods (including chicken, steak, seafood and the famous roasted pig), a premium open bar all evening, fresh flower leis, warm sea breezes and stunning sunsets. Of course the highlight of the show is the hula performance.

Hearing about Ari and Michelle’s experience — as well as Mike and Erica’s — really makes me want to go! If I find myself in Maui anytime soon, I’d definitely reserve myself a floormat at Old Lahaina.

This week has certainly put us in the Christmas mood! Tim and I spent Friday evening doing one of our favorite New York City holiday traditions: going to see the Rockefeller Center tree, wandering past the department store windows — with hot chocolate in hand, of course — and finishing off the night with Indian food downtown.

The rest of the weekend was dedicated to the holidays as well. I braved the mall for some successful shopping, we had a fabulous time at our friends Jen and Eli’s annual bash, and decorated the house. Our tree may be slightly smaller than the Roc Center one, but I did have a very handsome helper carry it home with me.

The freezing cold weather may put me in a holiday mood, but it also has me loving these Hawaiian trips. Up this week is the final couple in our trifecta of Hawaii trips, Ari and Michelle. These two, who happen to be friends with Brian & Leigh as well as Mike & Erica, had a great trip that paired a lot of luxury with a lot of activities. Check back everyday this week to see this Philly couple travel to Maui, Kona and Kauai.

No Hawaiian honeymoon is complete without a luau. And a fitting end to Mike and Erica’s honeymoon review is their experience at Old Lahaina Luau in Maui. This night stands out as one of the highlights of their trip.

Hawaii is know for its hospitality and its warm welcome to visitors. So it’s no wonder the owners of this luau company pride themselves on the special attention they lavish on guests. The venue “seats 440 guests seven evenings a week, and has a dedicated staff of 160 employees. Hookipa (hospitality) is still the hallmark of the evening at the Luau, with a ratio of one staff person for every twelve guests,” says their website.

The Steins were thrilled with their location at the party. Erica says, “It was definitely worth a few extra bucks to get floor seats.”

They chose this popular luau because it’s know to be an authentic experience. That excellent reputation means you have to book way, way in advance of your honeymoon, as Mike and Erica smartly did.

A huge thanks to Mike and Erica for sharing their trip photos and story with me. It’s very cool to see the contrasts between their visit and Brian and Leigh’s. It’s proof that Hawaii is a destination with something to offer for every couple, no matter your travel style.

I’ll be dreaming of Hawaii as I head out to the bitter cold this Friday morning. Stay warm everyone!

Mike and Erica had to take a break from all that relaxing, and food was the perfect treat. These two are crazy about sushi — so crazy in fact that they got engaged at their favorite sushi place back home. Of course Hawaii has some amazingly fresh seafood options. The photo above was snapped at Nalu Sunset Bar & Sushi in Lahaina on Maui.

They also loved Sansei Seafood and Sushi at the Kapalua Resort in Lahaina, known for its “contemporary sushi and new wave Asian inspired dishes.”

Desserts are a must for honeymoon dining, so Mike and Erica cleared the plate when they ordered a Kimo’s Hula Pie at Keoki’s Paradise in Poipu Beach on Kauai. This place is known for these delicious fudgy-macadamia nut treats as well as their seafood and steaks.

Another place Mike and Erica hit up was Cheeseburger in Paradise in Lahaina on Maui. Are these touristy places a bit cheesy? Absolutely. But can they be loads of fun? Yup! For this pair of burger-lovers, lunch hit the spot.


And lastly, they raved about Tommy Bahama’s in Kihei on Maui. Known for their huge portions and fresh ingredients, you can pick up a Hawaiian shirt while you wait for your table.

Mike and Erica know they’re not too into the jungle, hiking or camping, so they didn’t do much sightseeing. Instead they soaked up the Hawaii experience by relaxing, going to the pool at the Hyatt, eating great food and driving on the coast.

They did do a bit of snorkeling and had a blast.

And while visiting the shops at Whaler’s Village, Erica met up with two of her friends, Louis and Tiffany.

One very cool thing they discovered is that you can actually mail a coconut from Hawaii. Several companies offer this service, and Mike and Erica decided to decorate one to send back to Jersey.

I love that these two did exactly what they wanted on their trip. The hikes Brian and Leigh look were perfect for them, but Mike and Erica knew that wasn’t their style. Instead they gave themselves permission to lounge in the sun and enjoy their time together.

Mike and Erica had a lot of romantic moments on their trip, while watching peaceful sunsets and driving together with the convertible roof open. Mike says, “The whole trip, from eating breakfast to walking around town, was amazing. There is nothing like driving a convertible on the coastal highway and seeing the rocks, water, clouds, and trees.”

Even their plane ride was more exciting than usual. Instead of dreading the long flight, they boarded to the sounds of Hawaiian music and video of the local scenery, making them giddy for the upcoming honeymoon as husband and wife.

But they agree that the oceanside couples massages they got in a hut at sunset was a stand-out moment. She says, “After it was over, we sat on a beach chair completely relaxed, sipping cucumber-flavored water and just listening to the waves, Hawaiian music in the background, and a Luau taking place a few miles away.”

Judging from the post-massage smiles these two were in total bliss.