The Beauty Of The South Seas

North of Nadi through sugarcane plantations and past the Sabeto Mountains is Lautoka, nicknamed the Sugar City for the local agriculture and its big processing mill. With a population of around 50,000, it's the only city besides Suva and, like the capital, has a pleasant waterfront. It's the sailing point for Blue Lagoon and Beachcomber Cruises but is otherwise unremarkable for tourists, itself having few hotels and fewer good restaurants. Locals recommend the city as a less-expensive place to shop for clothing, but note that it can take as long as 45 minutes to drive here. Legend has it that Lautoka acquired its name when two chiefs engaged in combat and one hit the other with a spear. He proclaimed "lau toka" (spear hit) and thus the future town was named.

A small piece of paradise in the middle of the Pacific. Dravuni is a mini island promising pure relaxation and the enchantment of a Fijian paradise. Palms line the white sandy beaches, while the colourful underwater world of the nearby Great Astrolabe Reef is a great place for snorkelling and exploring. A walk through the tropical forest takes you to the heart of the island, where there is a tiny village with about 200 inhabitants. Here the locals sell sarongs and home-made jewellery made of mussel shells and coconuts as souvenirs. Dravuni is the perfect combination of nature, culture and tranquillity – a place to enjoy the beauty of the Fiji Islands at their most unspoilt.

Port Denarau marina is the lively centre of the small private Denarau Island. Located on the west coast of Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji, its waterfront promenade is the perfect place to enjoy fantastic sunsets. Covering just 2.5 km² (one square mile), the island is connected to Viti Levu by a bridge and is known for sailing and water sports as well as for its luxury hotels, boutiques, bars and restaurants. This is a place where you can enjoy the sea to the full.

Transparent, turquoise water, power-white sand and tropical fish – Champagne Beach on the island of Espiritu Santo, part of Vanuatu, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The emerald-green rainforest stretches right down to the beach, providing some shade, while turtles will draw you under their spell in the bay. The beach owes its name to the gas bubbles that rise up out of the water at low tide, making the surface look like Champagne, while the golden white sand is also reminiscent of the sophisticated drink. A visit to Champagne Beach is like diving into a world full of natural beauty, tranquillity and tropical charm – the perfect place to leave everyday life behind.

Bramble Haven, an unspoilt atoll in the Louisiade Archipelago in south-east Papua New Guinea, offers unique natural scenery away from mass tourism. On the eastern end of an impressive chain of atolls, reefs and islands that stretch over 400 km (248 miles), Bramble Haven is made up of five main reefs surrounding a rectangular central lagoon. White beaches and transparent water makes it a great place for snorkelling and relaxing – a true paradise for nature lovers looking for unspoilt scenery.

Alotau, a charming town in Papua New Guinea, is cut off from the hustle and bustle of the world since it is only accessible by boat. Surrounded by tropical palm trees and lush vegetation, Alotau was appointed capital of the Milne Bay Province in 1968. On an independent stroll through the village, visitors can discover the traditional lifestyle of the friendly locals and immerse themselves in the culture of the region. One highlight is the Massim Museum, which has interesting exhibits on wood carving, canoe building, basket weaving and contemporary local art. Alotau offers an authentic experience of the culture and nature of Papua New Guinea.

One of the most beautiful towns in Papua New Guinea lies on a promontory on its north-east coast: Madang. Famous for its lush green gardens and volcanic landscapes, the town offers both impressive encounters with nature and cultural discoveries. About a hundred years ago, the German colonial authorities transformed the wetland area into the administrative centre of Friedrich-Wilhelmshafen. Traces of this time can still be seen in some of the street names and German architecture, such as the mission building and former trading posts. These days, Madang is a lively town with modern infrastructure, in contrast to the surrounding unspoilt natural scenery of the province – a fascinating mix of past and present.

Nestled among the densely forested hills of Iwayama Bay lies Koror, the busy economic centre of the island state of Palau. Like floating gardens, the lush green Rock Islands emerge from the azure blue ocean, creating an unparalleled backdrop. Jellyfish Lake is particularly impressive and a great place for snorkelling among the harmless jellyfish – a unique experience that is only possible in a few places in the world. On a walk through Koror, you will see the traditional artistic wood carvings everywhere you go. Admire them on the facades of buildings like the local museum or buy them as souvenirs from the little shops. Koror offers the perfect blend of natural wonders and cultural riches.

In the heart of Koror, the main urban centre of Palau, an escape between culture and nature begins. The gateway to the mythical Rock Islands, the island will unveil a labyrinth of spectacular limestone formations bathed in turquoise water, ideal for snorkelling. Nearby, Airai reveals another face of the archipelago, with its iconic cultural sites such as the Bai, a traditional meeting house, witness to a former civilisation. Featuring marine exploration, authentic encounters and the discovery of local heritage, this port of call offers a complete immersion. Guests will be able to alternate between adventure and relaxation, to experience all that this unique destination in the Pacific has to offer.

Tagbilaran, capital of Bohol, is a captivating place thanks to its proximity to the famous Chocolate Hills: a unique formation of 1,268 cone-shaped hills, which look chocolate-brown in the dry season. Picturesque landscapes like the Rajah Sikatuna National Park and the Mag Aso Falls are other natural attractions on the island. Spanish colonial buildings, including the San Pedro Apostol church, are testament to Bohol's cultural history, while the unspoilt beaches and coastlines are an inviting place to spend time relaxing.

Fine white sandy beaches, a turquoise-blue lagoon and dense jungle – Boracay is the most famous island in the Philippines and its enchanting scenery makes it a unique dream destination. Tourists are mainly attracted to the charming resorts of Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak, but the true gem of the island is White Beach, which at almost 4km (2.5 miles) long offers endless space for relaxing. Boracay is also famous for the beguiling scent of ylang-ylang, the flowers of which are used to make essential oil of ylang-ylang. The island is a combination of idyllic natural scenery and exotic charm, making it a paradise for sun worshippers and nature lovers.

The Hong Kong Island skyline, with its ever-growing number of skyscrapers, speaks to ambition and money. Paris, London, even New York were centuries in the making, while Hong Kong's towers, bright lights, and glitzy shopping emporia weren't yet part of the urban scene when many of the young investment bankers who fuel one of the world's leading financial centers were born. Commerce is concentrated in the glittering high-rises of Central, tucked between Victoria Harbor and forested peaks on Hong Kong Island's north shore. While it's easy to think all the bright lights are the sum of today's Hong Kong, you need only walk or board a tram for the short jaunt west into Western to discover a side of Hong Kong that is more traditionally Chinese but no less high-energy. You'll discover the real Hong Kong to the east of Central, too, in Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and beyond. Amid the residential towers are restaurants, shopping malls, bars, convention centers, a nice smattering of museums, and—depending on fate and the horse you wager on—one of Hong Kong's luckiest or unluckiest spots, the Happy Valley Racecourse. Kowloon sprawls across a generous swath of the Chinese mainland across Victoria Harbour from Central. Tsim Sha Tsui, at the tip of Kowloon peninsula, is packed with glitzy shops, first-rate museums, and eye-popping views of the skyline across the water. Just to the north are the teeming market streets of Mong Kok and in the dense residential neighborhoods beyond, two of Hong Kong's most enchanting spiritual sights, Wong Tai Sin Temple and Chi Lin Nunnery. As you navigate this huge metropolis (easy to do on the excellent transportation network), keep in mind that streets are usually numbered odd on one side, even on the other. There's no baseline for street numbers and no block-based numbering system, but street signs indicate building numbers for any given block.