The movie 7 Days and 7 Nights, filmed on location in Kauai, is one way of spending a week.
But if being stranded (Harrison Ford notwithstanding) isn't your idea of a getaway, here are some planning tips from my Type A week with my Type B husband, Kevin.

The first day is for travel. Locals say the biggest mistake tourists make is planning too much that first day. I planned "nothing" and it worked out perfectly. We had time to settle the rental car, find the accommodations, and pop into the farmer's market. We found dinner in Kapa'a. Bedtime was 9pm (3am for our bodies).

Day two and three are perfect for sightseeing. We planned "nothing" and found Fern Grotto, Kilauea Light House, and the wildlife refuge. Another day, we took surf lessons in Hanalei Bay and ended up spending the whole day either in the water or at the shops. We ended the day with a luau in Po'ipu and returned around 11pm.

Day four can be allotted as an "adventure day". Just before our four hour safari tour of kayaking, hiking, lunch and swimming, Kevin asked "what's next?" When I said, "nothing" he immediately booked a helicopter ride after the safari. Seems by day four, there's extra energy for multiple activities. And if you're Type A, it doesn't matter that someone else is planning it.

By day five, Kevin initiated a hike to Secret Beach and swim in the lava pools just before the pre-planned tee time on the golf course in Princeville. That day, Imodium AD became my between meal snack. Whatever you plan, allow room for health concerns.

Day six was a pre-planned five hour Na Pali coastline snorkeling tour. In spite of preventative measures, I spent the cruise heaving into the bottom of plastic containers. I did get to see the Na Pali cliffs at home when Kevin showed me the video footage. The planning lesson: Do it all in Kauai. If it's not fun, you can still say you did it.

On the 7th day, we did the savviest thing you can do in Kauai: book a 10pm flight. After check- out, we still had 6-8 hours to visit sites we missed and revisit favorites.

Harrison Ford and Anne Heche have nothing on us. We left Kauai even happier than they did and have one thing they don't a plan to go back.

Learn more about this author, Vikki Spencer.
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