Azure skies stretching to the horizon, cobalt waters lapping palm fringed white sand beaches, a warming sun on our faces, gentle laughter and the whisper of a sarong; can this be a dream? A million square kilometres studded with unspoiled tropical islands, the South Pacific is our playground and favourite holiday destination. How spoiled are we?

Our mates across the ditch, the kiwis, are our largest South Pacific neighbour and the magnet of NZ keeps us going back year after year for the fabulous scenery and laid-back way of life. North Island or South, whatever the location or season, New Zealand delivers a holiday to remember. Just off our northern tip, the unlikely destination of Papua New Guinea is shrugging off its rascally past and opening its arms to visitors with a broad smile and a fascinating variety of unique experiences.

The closest of tropical nations are the Solomon Islands, an enticing chain of mountainous peaks that was the scene of some of the bloodiest battles of WW II. South east you’ll find the Land which has always existed; Vanuatu, a slightly “Frenchified” string of islands where the national language is Pidgin English. For a taste of the French Riviera in the Pacific, head to New Caledonia where boutiques and restaurants all have a French name and style and you’ll be transported to an elegant and very sophisticated world.

In the middle South Pacific we find the tropical trifecta, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. These three constitute probably the friendliest nations on earth (or in water) and it’s a real toss up to decide which to visit. All offer beautiful unspoiled beaches, a laid back vibe and a wide selection of hotel and resorts.
Way out east, we find the most beautiful of all, and it’s impossible to choose between the Cook Islands and Tahiti, so ask your Travel Counsellor to tailor a combo holiday to get the best of both Paradises on Earth.

If you can keep a secret, tiny Tuvalu and Kiribati are 2 of the most untouched island nations in the world, and if you’re after an island holiday far from the madding crowd, these are 2 very fine options.

In Fiji you can shout “Bula” at somebody and be pretty sure you won’t get beaten up.

You don’t get much karaoke at kava parties because singers’ mouths don’t work too well.

“Pacific Time” is how you measure the pace of the waiter carrying the drinks to your beachside lounge; it roughly equals 27.68 metres per hour.