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The Big Island of Hawaii aka Hawaii

Perhaps the most memorable experience about your stay on the big island of Hawaii is the diversity you will find in the geography ranging from beaches to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Highly developed urban cities like Kailua-Kona can be found, as well as thousands of miles of undeveloped land. Hilo on the island's windy side is known to get lots of rainfall. This contributes to the lush green landscaping of this side of the island making Hilo an interesting sight and a must see on the list of destinations.

Most people begin there journey on the big island in Kona. You should plan to take a few days to relax and enjoy the nearby beaches, or perhaps go snorkeling at Kealakekuea Bay. Next you should take some time to explore the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This is a must see on the list. To say that the park is amazing is an understatement. If you can stay longer, you can even camp out in the park and explore its wonders. The park has over 140 miles of hiking trails and is nothing short of spectacular. If you're short on time, however, a drive through the park is still a great experience.

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There is a stretch of Highway 137 dubbed Red Road that is also worth visiting. There is a canopy of Milo and Hala trees that have intertwined to form a sort of a tunnel effect.

You should also plan to spend some time in Hilo. The lush landscaping makes for great scenery and picture taking opportunities. Don't expect beaches here, however, because this is the rainiest city in the US. Don't be deterred, however, because Hilo is a quaint town with a rich history and culture, so you might want to spend some time in their Bed and Breakfasts aplenty.

Home to the fabulous tide pools on the Southern Kohalo Coast is the quiet town of Puako. You can get here via Highway 19, close to Hapuna Beach State Park. The giant tide pools are home to some marine life including coral making this destination a must see. However, don't plan on staying in Puako, it is such a small town that it doesn't have any lodging and it really is off the beaten path.

Surprisingly, horseback riding is among the best things you can do in Hawaii. Well, actually there is a huge ranch called the Dahana Ranch Roughriders in Waimea. It's owned and operated by a native Hawaiian family and is still a working cattle ranch. The ranch raises and breeds, and trains cattle and horses. And because Waimea has a terrain of rolling hills, cycling opportunities are ripe in the area.

You can't leave the island without a visit to the hiking trails of Pololu Valley. You can even ride through the valley on a mule. Lastly, you should take some more time to relax on the white sandy beaches of the big island. Perhaps you can even snorkel at Kauna'oa Bay. Whatever you do, your stay on the big island of Hawaii will never disappoint!