Hasta La Ideas

The latest offering from the Four Seasons Maui takes activity planning to a new level

Surrounded by volcanic terrain, white beaches, and crystalline waters teeming with aquatic wildlife, there is little left to want for at the Four Seasons Resort Maui. The resort is ideally set up for lazy vacations lounging in the sand, at the swim-up poolside bar or in one of the spa’s thirteen treatment rooms. With a host of options to relax, revive, and recline in Maui, one wonders if there is reason to do much of anything during your stay.

However tempting that mode of vacationing is to some, the Four Seasons’ Unforgettable Events Calendar offers an array of activities for the sporty traveler looking for a focused exploration of the island while retaining the Four Seasons’ signature services. Past events include an ashtanga yoga retreat, a wine dinner hosted by napa valley vineyard Opus One, and a Stars Under the Stars event at the Maui Film Festival. Guests who opt for the package enjoy all of the resort’s extensive offerings in addition to the individualized perks of the event.

Upcoming events include the Tennis Fantasy Camp, which runs from November 16-20 and is led by tennis legends Tom Gullikson, Jose Higueras, Corina Morariu, Tracy Austin, Taylor Dent and David Nainkin. This five-day course is designed for recreational to tournament-level players looking to hone their skills with instruction from the best in the business. Pricing for the package begins at $3,195 for individuals and $2,995 for couples.

Cycling Camp Maui runs from 2-10 December 2011 and is led by legend in the field Ryder Hesjedal, who competed in both the Tour de France and the Olympics, where he represented Canada. Riders of various skill and fitness levels will be joined by Go Cycling Maui as they tour the island’s pristine and challenging terrain. After a day-long tour, riders will return to the resort, where they have full access to amenities, including the spa’s lomi pohaku or hot stone massage. Rates start at $12,500 for solo participants.

Perhaps the most enticing package on the Unforgettable Events Calendar is the one led by big wave surfer and Hawaiian native Dave Kalama. His December Surf Camp takes guests through for days of surfing and varieties including wave paddle surfing, canoe surfing, long boarding and windsurfing. Intermediate and advanced surfers will benefit from learning in one of the best pacific surf spots and from Kalama’s lifetime of experience in surfing and water sports. Participants in the December program not only benefit from escaping the cold weather, but may also have the opportunity to witness whale migration, which begins in December and runs through April. Pricing begins at $5,000.

If a sporting vacation isn’t your thing, the Four Seasons Resort Maui is worth a trip on its own accord. The seemingly endless list of amenities includes the adult-only Serenity Pool Terrace with both ocean and mountain views, underwater music and bubble loungers. Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Restaurant and Duo Restaurant are at your disposal along with Maui’s own extensive dining scene. Spa services take the form of Hawaiian, Thai, cranioacral or ayurvedic massages, and you can even enjoy something truly unique in the resort’s aquacranial massage.