I say PAris - but don’t make it your only destination. I don’t know how long you plan on being there, I’m going to guess 7 days. Spend thr first 3 in Paris, and then travel the rest of France. Rent a car, or hop on the train and go to the Alsace (great wine region) or the Loire Valley. Or dive north to Calais and then cross to Dover and make a 2-day trip or so to London. Take full advantage of the proximity of everything - one town to the next is SO different!
I have never been to Hawaii, but I did go to Paris. While I found the tourist places nice, I found the city itself very VERY dirty. I’ve been told there’s been a push in the past several years to clean it up, but my first impression will probably be my last - I have no intention of ever returning. The trip was made worse due to the fact that several members of my family (my extended family were there too) got into big arguments, so my memory is obviously tainted with that. Even so, go see it once, but go to other places too…IMHO, it’s the small towns that are the best!
cj, there is no statute of limitations. Once a kama’aina, always a kama’aina.
I’ll second those who have said that what you want to do will be the best deciding factor to consider. I think if you want to do outdoorsy things-- hiking, swimming, sunbathing-- then Hawaii is your ticket. Hawaii does have a city side for shopping and cultural immersion (and other less physically-oriented activities), but I think you get the most out of a Hawaiian vacation if you do stuff.
Having been born and raised in Hawaii, I’m obviously biased. This decision would be no problem for me to make. I’d only go to Paris if I wanted to see a city and experience a culture that didn’t feel like it had strong ties to American culture. I realize that although it’d be near impossible to go anywhere and not see bits of American culture. But I don’t think Paris would feel as much like an extension of the US as Hawaii does.
If you do go for Hawaii, I recommend staying on Maui. I’ve never been there, but having lived on O’ahu (where we all hate tourists :rolleyes: ) and visited Kaua’i and Hawai’i, I have the impression that it has a good balance of city and outdoors. And since none of the other islands are more than an hour away by commuter plane, you could always take a day excursion to O’ahu or Hawai’i if find yourself craving bigger shopping or scenery.
Hawaii hands down. If you’re going from eLay, don’t forget to factor in jet lag. In Hawaii it’s not too bad, but if going to Paris jetlag is going to wear you down both there and for a week or so after you get back. I know of what I speak, since I just spent a week on the west coast and I am trying to readjust to this time zone after finally getting settled in Seattle.
If you do go to Paris, I would second the recommendation to spend a few days driving around the Loire valley and staying in inns. Paris underwhelmed but the loire valley was great and the people quite friendly.
Again, think about your ease of travel and the jet lag.
Have been to Paris several times, and will go back in March.
We visited Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island for the first time last summer. Three weeks total. Late July into August.
If you have never had a strong desire to see France, then I would recommend Hawaii. We were pleasantly surprised, thought it would be much busier, built-up and more touristy than it was. If you get a good guidebook (those ‘ultimate’ guides are good, also the ‘revealed’ guides) it is not so difficult to find out-of-the-way spots.
We loved the natural beauty, the sad yet fascinating history, the locals and the Hawaiiana. Snorkeling and diving was wonderful.
