Until Sherilyn Robinson mentioned it, I doubt if it would ever have occurred to me to think of Hawaii as a shopping destination. But the sales and marketing guru for Hawaiian Airlines put a fairly convincing argument based on the current strength of the Australian dollar versus the Greenback.
Her sale people report a noticeable surge in interest for what the aloha destination can offer in addition to its traditional sun and surf (which we often have, here, anyway).
“The US has always been a great destination for Australians to buy big brand items at better-than-Australian prices,'' Sherilyn said. “Now, with the Australian dollar currently sitting around the 90-95 cent mark, there's no time like the present,'' she said. “And people are getting the message there's no need to go all the way to the mainland to take advantage of it.'
Hawaii's best-known shopping spot is the Ala Moana Boulevard Centre in Honolulu, just up the road from the hub of Waikiki.
Among over 250 retail outlets are big names like Macys and Neiman Marcus alongside the brand names and boutiques. And they all have long trading hours so you don't have to cut into your beach or touring time.
Just half an hour away near Pearl Harbour, where you will no doubt go at some stage of your visit, is Waikele Premium Outlets, with over 50 big-name stores including Tommy Hilfiger, Polo Jeans, Banana Republic and Max Mara.
Hawaiian Airlines has three weekly non-stops from Sydney to Honolulu, departing mid-evenings and arriving in alohaland mid-morning the same day so you can be in the shops or on the beach just after lunchtime.
Visit www.hawaiitourism.com.au for general information or www.hawaiianairlines.com.au for flight details and fares. Summer means savings
Heading for Europe and the Med between now and September puts you in the starting blocks for a six-star Mediterranean cruise for less than what you'd expect to pay for a week in a good hotel.
Wiltrans International has a wide choice of cruise programs into their luxury vessel Crystal Serenity priced from US$3225pp twin-share for their seven-day Venice to Athens on May 30.
That works out better than half the normal ask and includes gourmet dining on board, port charges and taxes and even free transport to and from town centres at some of the ports visited.
Other itinerary options include Rome to Venice, Venice to Barcelona, and Monte Carlo to Venice.
For more information call 1800 251 714. Bridging the Gulf
Creative Cruising has some fly, cruise and stay packages to the shopping kingdoms of the fabled Arabian Gulf between December this year and April 2009 with the cruising sectors aboard the Italian classic Costa Victoria.
Each includes return air and taxes, a hotel night in Dubai and another, pre-cruise aboard ship, five nights cruising through the Gulf to Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, and a further night aboard ship back in Dubai for last minute shopping.
Fly, cruise and stay prices start from $3819pp twin-share from Sydney and about $500 extra if you decide to include Christmas.
Talk to a travel agent or call 1300 362 599. Nothing’s a patch on Norfolk
Don’t scoff … there's thousands of them out there. Somewhere.
Patchwork and quilting buffs can strut their stuff (stitch their stuff?) during a holiday on laid-back Norfolk Island this July under the watchful eye of some of Australia's leading experts.
Wings Away Travel has eight-night packages which give you all you'll need of Norfolk's quaint history, ruins and gardens as well as patchwork and quilting workshops with Rhonda Coates.
The package departs on July 5, costs from $2850 pp twin share ex-Sydney and includes return air and taxes, Governors Lodge accommodation, breakfasts and some other meals, outings and even a cooking class.
Call 1800 800 640 for the details. Beach is a life
China Beach and a China Sea view to die for are ingredients of the summer mix at Central Vietnam's luxurious beach resort, the Nam Hai.
Aussies (and others) are heading to 'Nam in droves these days but this deal is fairly exclusive so you won't be swept away in the maddening throng.
Available from April to September, the new Nam Hai offers include all grades of villa from one bedroom to five bedroom (with pool) pool villas and spa treatments.
The Nam Hai, at booming Hoi An, is on 35-hectares of landscaped gardens on Ha My Beach which is a picture-perfect section of China Beach. You are also just 11km north of historic Hoi An. The period of the offer is the best time to visit Central Vietnam.
Talk to a travel agent about the bonus nights and other extras available. | 
