[jlstyle]

So we are planning a big vacation for us in January.
We are planning to go
-Hawaii (Variety)
-New Zealand (Land & Sea offroading)
-Cook Island (Serenity)
-Solomons or Fiji (Adventure)

in span of 3~4weeks. Basically 4~5 days per destination.
We had been to French Polynesia so it's out of our picture.

Theme of our trip is "adventurous travel in sea & land".

Is there anyone who has been to all of above and think we are planning for too much of "same soup, different flavor?"

We could possibly do all around Europe trip instead with the budget we are planning for.
We love relaxing vacations but don't want to get too bored.

Are there any better alternate places? Our budget should stay at $15,000 max for 3~4 weeks.

[jlstyle]

Anyone been to solomons or cook?

[KingOfJericho]

You can do all of the listed activities in Hawaii and save yourself 3-4 days of travel and easily $5,000 in the process. You will see a lot more in Europe than you will in Hawaii in terms of actual stuff as each country offers unique charms and climates but I don't find myself relaxing very much in Europe compared to a tropical destination. I've never been bored in Europe but I have found myself bored in tropical place and 3-4 weeks is a very long time.

[jlstyle]

That makes good sense.
If Hawaii can offer all, it would be a waste to go similar spots.
Thanks,

[upstatedoc]

My buddy went to fiji on his honeymoon. stayed in one of those villas on stilts over the water. said the coffee table could be moved and there was a glass floor which you could see the sea life. Only problem was his wedding was sept. 3rd 2001. They got stuck there and couldn't fly out for several days

[jlstyle]

Yea...we stayed in overwater bungalow in Bora Bora. It was good but nothing I would pay again to do. I wish I could get a direct comparison of Cook vs Fiji vs Hawaii

[m630]

No comparison really, hawaii has it all and the others have one thing to offer. But it depends on what u like and if u r going to many places to say u went to such distant areas. It also depends on how u like to travel and if u like ultra luxury and privacy or ok with avj accommodations. 3-4 weeks is very long to be away if u have a career, and 15k wont get u two weeks let alone 3-4weeks of luxury vacationing...but the islands of hawaii offer everything theree is in terms of tropical vacations and has plenty of sports activities too

[808@702]

New Zealand is awesome I highly recommend it. Very different from Hawaii, culture wise, scenic wise, climate wise. Great surf, fishing hunting etc...Lotsa sheep if your in to that.

[jaco]

Fiji was awesome.