As any self-respecting stargazer can tell you, the annual Perseids meteor shower, which reaches its peak around August 11th and 12th this year, generates one of the best light shows in town.
Producing up to 60 meteors per hour, it can be seen across the planet, reaching a visual crescendo just before dawn.
Hawaii,with its clear skies and lack of pollution, is one of the best places on Earth to observe the spectacle from. Aloha Holidays has therefore put together a two-island package, including visits to Oahu, for the meteor shower, and to Big Island, to see one of the world's best- known astronomical sites: perched on its highest peak, Mauna Kea, are 13 telescopes run by research teams from 11 countries.
Visitors can takea stargazing tour, which includes dinner, access to the mountain summit and talks about the history and cultural significance of the mountain – plus the use of a warm parka. And if that's not enough of nature's might for you, the island also has its own volcano, which has been pouring lava into the sea continuously for almost 30 years.
Package pricesdepend on choice of accommodation, but a sample two-island price over nine days in August is €2,495 per person sharing, including international and inter-island flights, staying at three- or four-star hotels with breakfast, and going on the Mauna Kea summit tour.
- alohaholidays.ie