Hawaii island-hopping: Aloha vibes and California dreams

Streets lined with palm trees, the sun shining in the sky, the sound of the ocean in the distance and every now and then, a celebrity who crosses your path – Los Angeles is calling! Today, you're experiencing what you've only ever seen in films and series. And now there's not much separating you from Beverly Hills and the famous Hollywood Sign. As soon as you put your bags in your hotel room, you're ready to go. Time to find out how the stars in L.A. really live! Take a trip to Beverly Hills, roll along the iconic Mulholland Drive and check out the Walk of Fame, where over 2,800 pink stars are waiting for a selfie with you. And of course, don't miss the Hollywood Sign! Head to Griffith Observatory for the best view of it and enjoy the perfect combination of city vibes and sunset magic. 

If you don't already feel like you're in a film, by the time you find yourself standing on the famous Santa Monica Pier, looking at the colourful Ferris wheel and the rattling roller coaster, you definitely will! After all, this setting has served as a backdrop for tons of them! The view of the Californian coast and the ocean from the wooden pier is simply fantastic, and you can't help but snap pics left and right. And Venice Beach is, of course, also on your list for the day. When you arrive, the Ocean Front Walk is bustling with life, and nowhere else can you experience the California lifestyle as closely as here. At Muscle Beach, you find bodybuilders slinging weights as artists spread out their masterpieces among the graffiti-covered buildings, restaurants and cafés. And the various street musicians provide the best source of entertainment while you enjoy a nice cold drink.

The film vibes were yesterday. Today, it's aloha, Hawaii! Gorgeous beaches, turquoise-blue water, deep green forests, mighty volcanoes and summery temperatures – with every mile the plane puts behind it, you get more and more hyped about Hawaii. Then from the airport, you make your own way to your hotel in Honolulu, and by the time the hotel staff greets you with a friendly 'aloha', you feel the island's special vibes that everyone's always raving about.

O'ahu welcomes you with a vibe that's totally different: fast-paced and urban, but still somehow chilled out! With palm trees buddying up to high-rises and the sea glittering between the streetlights, Honolulu delivers a mix of skyline, sunshine and special energy. As soon as you drop your bags off at your accommodation, you treat yourself to a little dip in the pool to settle in and unwind. Then when your stomach starts grumbling, it's time to pay a visit to the International Market Place, where you're enchanted by all the little food stalls, twinkling lights and tantalising smells! What'll it be: Korean BBQ, fresh poke or mochi ice cream? Why not try it all! Honolulu makes one thing crystal clear: the aloha vibes aren't just for the beach! And for the all-American experience, you can't pass up a stop at The Cheesecake Factory – delicious!

Waikiki Beach is calling, so you slap on some sun cream, grab your headphones and head out towards the shore. And with its pristine white sand, crystal-clear water and totally chill vibes, you instantly notice that this place delivers more than just beach life – here, 'aloha' comes to life! If you're up for some action, then Fort DeRussy Beach Park or Royal Hawaiian Beach is just the place for you. In both these spots, you can hire everything from canoes to surfboards and give it all a go (optional, payable on site). Or, if you like it a bit quieter, San Souci Beach is the place to be! This seaside section promises fewer tourists and more vibes, as well as a colourful little underwater world. And when the music starts, the hula show begins, turning Waikiki Beach into a stage!