Carol Rochlin
Glorious beaches, tropical mountains, and welcoming cultures make the islands of French Polynesia and Fiji paradise for couples and families. Scuba divers will find vibrant coral reefs and marine life, while hikers can climb through verdant rainforests to inviting waterfall-fed pools. And while their cultures are quite different, each invites visitors to take part in local traditions and celebrations.
French Polynesia, a.k.a. Tahiti, is renowned for its over-water bungalows, whose privacy makes them idyllic for honeymooners and romantics. They are now found throughout the islands and cater to a variety of budgets. The French influence adds a sophisticated touch to the cuisine and culture, and adventurers can enjoy ATV tours and all kinds of water sports.
Fiji offers a more casual kind of Polynesian ambiance, and the informality and affordability make Fijian resorts popular with families as well as honeymooners. Many islands in Fiji have only one resort, and the local village often invites guests to visit and perhaps join the chief in his bure (hut) for a kava ceremony.
Fijian hospitality is often very personal. People are so warm and friendly that they often make you feel like you’re part of their family. For example, at family-friendly Castaway Island, your kids might be invited to visit and play with the locals. Some, like Tokoriki Island Resort, are sophisticated adults-only hideaways; others, like Beachcomber, have a young, non-stop party vibe.
Australia (see my blog post below) and New Zealand each offer unique adventures and activities, and you could easily spend a week or two on each and still not scratch the surface.
New Zealand is two connected islands. On South Island, Queenstown is adventure central. One of the most famous is a high-speed jet-boat ride on the Shotover River, where you’ll do wild hairpin turns and jumps. New Zealand is also the home of bungee jumping, but you don’t have to get your heart racing to take in the beauty; take the Skyline Gondola Queenstown for sweeping views of the city and surrounding mountains, aptly called The Remarkables. North Island has a whole different set of adventures. Rotorua offers the chance to learn about Maori culture as well as take a dolphin watching cruise and go white water rafting.
Cruising offers an easy way to get an overview of a lot of places in one trip, and cruise lines from Princess and Oceania to Silversea and Crystal offer South Seas itineraries To plan your South Seas adventure, give me a call.