Fiji

Fiji has got to be one of the easiest to reach of the South Sea islands, with flights from Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand on Fiji Airways. Perfect for a honeymoon, or even to get married, Fiji is undoubtedly one of the most wonderful destinations on the planet for an utterly relaxing holiday. For those looking for a stopover, Fiji also makes a good break in the journey to or from New Zealand or Australia.

Whether you choose to stay on the main island of Viti Levu or one of other islands in the 333 island archipelago, you will find gorgeous beaches, miles of bleached Saharas with nobody and nothing on them save the odd coconut husk and the occasional bleached white driftwood. The phrase ‘barefoot luxury’ will immediately spring to mind.

Of the other islands, the most popular are the Mananucas, home to Likuliku, a couples-only resort with overwater bungalows set on a beautiful turquoise lagoon, and the Yasawas, an archipelago of ninety islands that shower away from Viti Levu. One beach is even known as Eight Months Beach as that is how long it takes to get the grains of sand out of your hair! Vanua Levu, the second largest island, and Taveuni, known as ‘the garden island’, offer hiking trails and waterfalls in their tropical rainforest interiors.

However, there is so much more to Fiji than just beaches, sunshine and sun downers. You can visit traditional villages, a culture largely untainted by western values, where you can offer the village chief a gift of yoqona, a tongue-numbing ceremonial drink. There is also excellent sailing and snorkelling, to more extreme activities such as shark diving and sand duning. Golfers can enjoy courses with stunning ocean views; whilst the more adventurous can explore the waters by traditional canoe poled by ‘warriors’.

To top this all off, Fijians are among the friendliest people on earth, full of warmth, charm and good humour – even the men wear flowers in their hair.