Maui is the second largest island in the USA's 50th State, Hawaii. The "Valley Isle" as it has been dubbed due to the large area of solidified lava separating the two volcanoes which formed the island. A holiday on a lavabed might not sound like much fun at first, but Maui contains rainforest, mountainous regions and over 30 miles of stunning beaches. There are a huge number of resort hotels, of course, but doesn't a holiday in a villa on Maui just sound completely idyllic?

Once you've arrived on Maui Island, there is virtually no limit to the activities you can undertake. You can try your hand at whale-watching or trek through the rainforest, or you can relax on the beach or play golf. If you're feeling energetic, you can go on a cycle tour of Haleakala volcano, or explorers can take the authentic 1890s Sugar-Cane train fro Lahaina to Kaanapali. Maui is a small island, but there is no shortage of entertainment options, in towns such as Wailuku, Lahaina, Kula or Kahului, and resorts like Wailea. And the Maui Ocean Center is one of the best tourist attractions in the whole of Hawaii - you can take the family walking through an acrylic tunnel beneath sharks and manta rays in a 750,000 gallon tank. You can take also learn a new skill, as qualified instructors give surfing lessons all over the beaches.

Beach house rentals are available all over Maui at a range of prices which will suit most budgets, whether you're keen on a low cost family holiday or are looking more for the trip of a lifetime. For rental villas on the beachfronts, you can spend anything from around $1,000 to $1,800 for a week's stay as a family of four. This works out cheaper than many of the hotels on the island, but you also get a huge amount more space, the Pacific Ocean on your doorstep rather than a hotel pool, and of course you don't need to worry quite so much about children disturbing other guests by making a lot of noise. With air conditioning and fully-equipped kitchens coming as standard, you can relax and really feel at home in your very own tropical paradise.