Activities

Frolickers at the Sunday-night party on Little Beach (Michael Weschler) [enlarge photo] MAY 2006 ISSUE • Table of Contents • Maui: Friendly, Quirky, and Full of Soul • Secret Hotels of Bali • 25 Reasons We Love Oaxaca • Family Travel: Guide to Summer Vacations • Road Trip: Nevada • 40 Best Vacations

Shopping

Nightlife

Haleakala and Upcountry

Upcountry Maui surprises people: The cooler temperatures, misty green rolling hills, and small farms can fool you into thinking you've wandered into Brigadoon. It makes for a heck of a contrast with the stark beauty of Haleakala, a volcano 10,023 feet high at the summit.

Lodging: Conveniently about halfway up, the Kula Lodge & Restaurant is pretty much the only stop on the drive to Haleakala for full meals and lodging. It's a cozy place to refuel, with a fire by which you can fight the chill.

Food: Komoda Store & Bakery sells fresh pastries, like chocolate cream puffs sprinkled with white sugar. While dinner is a splurge, lunch at the Haliimaile General Store doesn't have to be. With some restraint, you can enjoy outstanding regional cuisine, such as a sashimi napoleon, for around $15 per person.

Activities: The winding road to Haleakala National Park is legendary, but it's the summit's Mars-like crater that will amaze you. Dress warmly if you plan to be there for sunrise or sunset--temperatures drop into the low 30s. The high elevation means that the free tasting at Tedeschi Vineyards can go to your head; be sure to designate a driver.