*A view of downtown Waikiki from the 37th floor of the Hilton*

Hawaii...warm ocean breezes, tropical fruit drinks, lush vegation, relaxation, and exotic island life. For many, a trip to the beautiful islands of Hawaii is a dream vacation!

If you're planning on hitting the sand and surf of our 50th state, I have these few travel suggestions for you:

Don't Spend a Lot of Time in Waikiki

Although Waikiki is a popular tourist destination, it is overcrowded and overpriced. I suggest staying there a night or two if you like and take a day to shop around the glitzy designer stores in the area. You can also base out of Waikiki for island tours and trolley rides.

Take a Hoku Tour Bus Ride

Speaking of island tours, check out Hoku Tours, a division of Roberts Hawaii. Their bus day tours are the best on the island, and they offer a few different tour options. We enjoyed the Circle Island Tour H4, which led us through the entire island with several stops along the way including the Pearl Harbor Memorial and USS Arizona, the Dole Plantation, and several scenic beaches and lookouts on the North Shore. Lunch is included with a short stop and canoe ride at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Oh, and there's plenty to eat and drink along the way with fresh pineapple ice cream from the Dole Plantation and a free Kona coffee and macadamia nut tasting at the Tropical Farms.

Grab Dinner at the Blue Hawaii Food Truck

Waikiki is full of classy and upscale restaurants, but our favorite dinner was from the Blue Hawaii Food Truck just two blocks from the Hilton Waikiki. Offering a tasty selection of fresh fish and seafood, this understated food truck is a delicatessen's dream. Try the garlic shrimp plate or the grilled salmon and shrimp combo, and be prepared to crave it again!

Celebrate Hawaiian Culture

Oahu is not only the best island for shopping and nightlife in Hawaii, but it is also the center of Hawaiian history and culture. The capital city of Honolulu is full of historical and architectural delights including the Iolani Palace (the only palace in the United States) and the statue of King Kamehameha. If you want to dive further into the Polynesian island culture, check out The Polynesian Cultural Center on the outskirts of Honolulu.

As an added bonus, do yourself a favor and spend a night or two on the North Shore, where you'll see some of the most gorgeous beaches and turquoise waters Hawaii has to offer!

For more photos from our recent Oahu adventure, check out my Travel Photo Gallery!

PLAN YOUR LUXURY TRIP TO HAWAII NOW!