Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Vacation Dreaming Link-Up

Today, Holly and I are hosting a "Vacation Dreaming" link-up! We hope you'll all join us and share your favorite vacation destination, your favorite vacation memory, where you are planning your summer vacation this year, or what your dream vacation would be.


 
 
In Aug. we are taking our first family vacation with Jackson, to Gulf Shores, AL. I can't wait! (Only 6 more weeks away, but who's counting?) I absolutely love to travel, and I've been on several great trips, but I would have to say my favorite was our honeymoon in Maui, HI. 
 
Last year we went to Mackinac Island for our 5 year anniversary (you can read all about that trip here.) and it was a toss up between that and Hawaii. Hawaii was just such a once in a lifetime trip that it beat out Mackinac Island by a smidge.
 
We had such an amazing time in Hawaii. It was our first trip together as a married couple, which made it even that much more exciting! We left on the Sunday after our wedding and came home the following Friday night.
 
After landing in Maui, we picked up our Mustang convertible rental car, and headed across the island to our hotel.
 
We stayed at the Royal Lahaina Resort in Kaanapali, Maui.
 
We had a partial ocean view from our room that was amazing. There's nothing like falling asleep to the sound of the ocean.

 
The hotel had a very nice pool and beach.
 
 
We tried to see as much as we could while we were in Maui.
We drove the long and winding Road to Hana which was probably my favorite part of the trip. There were breathtaking waterfalls, beautiful rainforests, black sand beaches and gorgeous flowers.




These next two pictures are from the Seven Sacred Pools, just past Hana. A definite must see if ever in Maui!

 
We took a ferry over to the island of Lanai so Jake could golf there. It was a beautiful golf course right on the ocean.

 
We took a helicopter tour of Maui.


 
We went snorkeling. (The sea turtles were my favorite.)
 
We also went to a fabulous Luau!

 
We did some shopping and site seeing.

 
We had yummy drinks on our balcony.
 
And we watched many beautiful sunsets.
 

 
It was so sad to leave...
 
But, hopefully we'll get to go back someday.
 
So now its your turn. I can't wait to read all about your favorite vacation!! I hope to get some great ideas for next years summer vacation.

15 comments :

Brandy said...

Sounds like an amazing trip! How long is the link up open?

She's a big star said...

Love love love all the pics... I've never been but Hawaii is definitely on my list! It looks amazing!

Megan @ Grimm Tales said...

visiting from the link up, we went to the same place on our honeymoon and stayed at the same hotel! Hands down my favorite vacation. When we went it was whale season. We could literally see whales from the balcony of our room!!

Reba K. Writes said...

Gorgeous pictures! I grew up vacationing in Gulf Shores and I miss it so much! Have fun!

Valerie T. said...

Looked gorgeous and sounds amazing! Love this link up!

Kadie said...

I don't know why but I've never had a real interest in visiting Hawaii but you manage to make it look really exciting. Have fun in Gulf Shores!

Nicole said...

This is like the epitome of a perfect Hawaiian vacation! I'm so jealous!!! Thanks for hosting this linkup :)

Shannon said...

Aaaah, paradise. And here I am sitting at my work computer.

Through Crystal's Eyes said...

Such beautiful pictures! We hope to go to Hawaii one day.

Sara McCarty said...

Awesome trip! We loved Maui too. Ryan and I went to the Big Island and Maui after we took the bar and just fell in love with both places. Great photos!

Claudia said...

Beautiful photos!

Holly said...

Hawaii is the ULTIMATE vacation... how can anyone top this post?! :)

Lori @ fattofit41 said...

What BEAUTIFUL pics!! Hawaii is on my list, for sure! Looks like you guys definitely had wonderful time! I guess I better start a Hawaii vacation fund!

Melissa said...

Maui looks amazing! We went to the big island for our honeymoon and I cant wait to get back to Hawaii!!!

Stephanie said...

Looks like such an amazing trip! Michael and I went to Hawaii for our honeymoon, but we were on Oahu. I would love to visit Maui sometime!