Travel Associates consultant Tony Freedman was treated to a warm Fiji welcome when he was hosted by Fiji Tourism on a 7 day trip through the tropical islands. As Tony found, this is one destination where you can live out your adventurous spirit, ensconce yourself in a luxury resort, or meander through the welcoming villages and over the wide open beaches in blissful reverie.
Tony began his trip at Melbourne airport where the giant Fiji Airways 747 was waiting to whisk him off to his island getaway. Little did Tony know upon check-in, that this was the very last flight for the venerable jumbo jet, as Fiji Airways was set to retire the Boeing upon arrival in Nadi. Fiji Airways has been slowly introducing new fleet of Airbus A-330s on many of their routes to Australia offering an enhanced in-flight product.
Having played his part in Fijian aviation history, Tony was set to hit the islands running. From the tourist enclave of Denarau near Nadi, with its string of hotels, resorts and popular beaches, to the pristine, and in some cases uninhabited northern Islands, there was much to see and do.
Fun and Sun in Denarau and the Mamanucas Islands
Tony experienced first-hand the excellent service and quality facilities at Denarau’s Westin Resort and Spa. A great area for holiday makers looking for a beach holiday close to the action of Nadi, the location offers convenient access to the airport and many local activities. From the inviting pool with covered huts and spectacular beach views, this is a resort that never fails to impress.
Not far from Denarau are the beautiful Mamanucas. This chain of islands features inviting palm tree lined beaches and lots to enjoy in the way of activities. Tony preferred the beaches here when compared to those on Denarau. The “Mamanucas beaches are much better for swimming and there’s stunning coral around the islands” said Tony. The ultimate way to see these beautiful islands is by air. An “island hopper aircraft or helicopter is the way to go” he continued.
The Magical Islands to the North
Not content to stay on the ground, Tony took a second helicopter tour over the lush northern islands from the Intercontinental Shangri-la on the beautiful Coral Coast. From the air the glistening blue sea, white sand beaches and dense tropical greenery delighted all on board. Inspecting the northern island of Taveuni on foot, what impressed Tony the most was the lush vegetation and warm, laid back spirit of its people. “We had a very interesting village visit and this is a great place to unwind,” said Tony.
Just one of the resort properties that Tony was lucky enough to experience during his sojourn to the northern islands was the Namale Resort and Spa. While Tony stayed at many beautiful resorts, this for him was one of the stand-outs. This world class retreat situated along the waters of a secluded bay, offers luxury villas where total privacy is afforded to those looking for everything from a quiet, romantic getaway to an adventure packed trip filled with hiking, scuba diving and snorkelling.
Having spent seven glorious days enjoying the beautiful sights of Fiji, Tony departed with great memories of this wonderful destination. He came away most impressed with the friendly spirit of the Fijian people and most enjoyed his time spent in the country’s northern islands where the abundant rainforests and pristine beaches remain seemingly untouched.
Helpful Hints
Tony also came away with some helpful hints when travelling to Fiji. “June to August is the prime time” said Tony. “We went in November and it was still nice,” but recommended avoiding the hot summer months between December and March. He also recommended choosing a resort or hotel carefully as peak periods such as school holidays may see increased crowds. The pre-booking of private island visits, tours and special experiences was also recommended by Tony due to limited capacity for many group activities.
With a little pre-planning, your tropical Fijian holiday should be a wonderful experience where life times of memories are made. To book your Fiji holiday or for any other travel related advice, call Tony at Freedman & Turner Travel Associates in Albert Park, Vic. He’ll be happy to help with all of your bookings and travel plans.
