Explore the 'Iolani Palace (closer to being the size of a colonial mansion than Buckingham Palace, this is only royal residence on American soil) and the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbour (get there at 8am or face a huge wait) in Honolulu followed by dinner in Chinatown.

Avoid O'ahu's notorious traffic and explore the rest of the island on The Bus. Get some fresh air on the Manoa Falls hike (popular, tall falls, crowded at times) for the quieter trail to Maunawili Falls (quieter, smaller falls).

Drool over the crystal blue water and golden sand found at Kane'ohe Bay (this place is what Hawaiian fantasies are made of) and snorkel within an old volcanic crater at Hanauma Bay.

Lunch at a shrimp truck in Kahuku is mandatory, as is exploring at least a couple of the North Shore's stunning beaches before you leave.

Stretch out on Big Beach before enjoying dinner and drinks in Wailea and Kihei. Drive the Road to Hana, check out the O'heo Gulch and hike the Pipiwai Trail to reach the majestic Waimoku Falls.

Witness the bustle of Lahaina's Front Street before embarking on a day cruise to Molokini, a small crescent-shaped island that is home to excellent snorkelling and scuba diving.

If you've got time, take a side trip Moloka'i and experience the friendliest of the Hawaiian isles. The lack of urban development and slower pace on Moloka'i will blow your mind after travelling through O'ahu and Maui.

The best way to approach the island is to start on the Kailua-Kona Coast and drive south. You'll soon find some of the best snorkelling on the Big Island at City of Refuge and Kealakekua Bay.

South Point, Green Sands Beach and Punalu'u Beach Park (where turtles hang out) make for a great day trip.

If the lava is flowing, take in a lava hike from the Volcanoes National Park or Kalapana. If not, witness the destructive beauty of old craters and previous lava flows on the Chain of Craters Road.

Gaze at the stars from Mauna Kea (best when there's a new moon). Its summit is 4205 metres (13,796 feet) above sea level, which means you may see snow and experience giddiness due to the lack of oxygen while you're up there.

Wind your way around the island past Hilo and Waipi'o Valley (breathtaking from the lookout, it is even more brilliant from the beach down below) before soaking your tired muscles in the calmer beaches on the island's North-West Kohala Coast.

Take a sunset cruise and soak in the beauty of Kaua'i's spectacular Na Pali Coast. If you've still got energy to burn, float down Hule'ia River on a Stand Up Paddleboard, swim/snorkel/scuba at Tunnels Beach or take a hike in the Koke'e State Park.