Hawaii The Milestone Trip with Brandy Beseau

Welcome to Hawaii! Descend from the skies and touch down on Oahu, a volcanic outcrop rising to greet you out of the Pacific Ocean. Take a shuttle to your hotel in Waikiki, the island’s famous beachfront neighborhood, and settle in. Then, get to know the rest of your group during a welcome dinner, served with beer or wine.

A nexus of Polynesian culture. A somber reminder of the horrors of war. A paradise for nature lovers. Oahu, Hawaii’s most populous island, is all these things—and with your Tour Director in the lead, you’ll see each of those sides.

• Enter the Bishop Museum. Named after local philanthropist Bernice Pauahi Bishop, its exhibits cover everything from Hawaiian customs to the islands’ natural heritage.
• Head to Pearl Harbor—the site of the infamous surprise bombing that pushed the U.S. to join World War II—and watch a short film about the event.
• Board a boat and motor to the USS Arizona Memorial, built directly above the wreckage of this once-fearsome battleship. There, you’ll take an hour-long guided tour and learn about the vessel’s ultimate demise.

After an included lunch at a local restaurant, swap urban Honolulu for the natural treasures of Oahu’s eastern reaches. As your Tour Director leads you on some sightseeing, savor the sensation of the ocean breeze—along with these views.

• Stop at Nu’uanu Pali. More than a scenic overlook, this cliff marks the spot where Kamehameha I fought a fierce battle on his drive to conquer the Hawaiian Islands.
• Venture up Makapu’u Point and drink in the panorama playing out below. (You might even spot the island of Molokai in the distance, clear across the Kaiwi Channel.)
• Watch the sea’s salty water jet through the Halona Blowhole, spouting into the sky through a millennia-old lava tube.
• Drive along the coast, passing pristine Hanauma Bay and looking on as Diamond Head—Oahu’s iconic, immense volcano—looms closer.

Please note: The order of the day’s activities is subject to change. Additionally, the boat taxi to and the guided tour of the USS Arizona Memorial both depend on the weather and other on-site restrictions. As such, we can’t guarantee that part of the itinerary.