Kauai, the 'Garden Island' ranges from lush tangles of greenery and steep, secluded mountains down to all-around-perfect white sandy beaches. A trip round the island takes one from the lazy Huleia River running alongside Lihue, Kauai's main port, north along the island's east edge through the Coconut Coast. Kayak or water-ski on the Wailua River before heading up into the interior for an exploratory hike along Powerline Trail via Mt. Waialeale.
Rent bikes and peddle one of the old sugarcane roads north to Anahola, stopping for some sun on Moloaa Bay where once Gilligan and the Skipper played deserted island.
Head west towards Kilauea Bay for swimming and, when the swell is right, the surfing but no matter the weather, more picturesque sandy beaches. Further along Route 56 find Princeville. Play a round of golf here, or ride horseback across Princeville Ranch before swooping off in a helicopter for a look at the famous Na Pali Coast.
Beach lovers will want to continue on west to Hanalei, where top-rated Hanalei Bay has the blissful blue waters, requisite sandy shores and looming green mountains to round off this picture of paradise. Route 56 ends six miles beyond Hanalei, so this is also where would-be hikers prepare for the Kalalau Trail, the only interior access to Na Pali. If you'd rather not get sand in your shoes, rent kayaks and visit the coast from the sea-side, or for even less exertion, sign up with a guided boat tour and leave the driving to someone in the know.
When you've had your fill of Na Pali's massive green mountains and mysterious, misty crags, leave rainbows behind and make the drive back down past Lihue to the southern coast.
Poipu, just southwest of Lihue, has golf-courses and scuba courses, depending on your interests. Lounge on one of the soft beaches or grab snorkel and mask to explore the reef, stopping to check out the tide pools on the way.
Follow the string of beaches around the southern coast to the 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific', otherwise known as Waimea Canyon. Route 550 leads up to the rim of the chasm for views down, or a good hike if you prefer.
With Kauai really, the dilemma is remembering to appreciate the island's stunning scenery when so much of it is stunning scenery...
