Tales Of The South Pacific

Sonnenschein und Spass gehört in San Diego zum Alltag. Ob sonnenverwöhnte Surfer, Beachgirls oder Radfahrer – sie alle freuen sich über 295 Sonnentage im Jahr und die zahlreichen Unterhaltungsmöglichkeiten. Exklusive Einkaufszentren, eine große Auswahl an Restaurants, Bars und Clubs sowie die schönen Strände der Coronado Halbinsel. San Diego bietet seinen Besuchern einiges.

Santa Barbara is undisputedly one of the most popular destinations in a state with some pretty serious competition; in many other states it would surely be the star attraction by far. That’s how rich the city is, with its gorgeous buildings erected by the city’s early Spanish settlers, as well as later mission revival architecture. And, of course, it occupies a prime spot along the famous oceanfront Highway 101, with a backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains and a long stretch of beach with the undeveloped Channel Islands offshore. No wonder many Santa Barbarans can trace their roots here for generations—no one wants to leave. Some of California’s most significant early history took place in Santa Barbara, going back to its origin as the homeland of the Chumash people. For those who might think of it as just a town of bikers, joggers and fine beaches, its combination of a laid-back vibe with a sophisticated art scene and an international film festival can come as a surprise. For a modest-size city, Santa Barbara offers some seriously upscale shopping, while restaurants range from trendy taquerías to establishments serving fine French fare. And the fine wine flows through the city, as downtown now hosts a slew of not just wine shops but full-on wineries. Whether you are interested in high culture or viticulture, white-sand beaches or white-tablecloth restaurants, this is one of those destinations that truly has something for everyone.

Kona, einst der bevorzugte Aufenthaltsort des hawaiianischen Adels, ist gleichbedeutend mit dem berühmten Kaffee, der an den Hügeln des schlafenden Hualalai wundervoll gedeiht. Außerdem befindet sich hier die Parker Ranch, die größte private Ranch ganz Amerikas. Beispiele für Landausflüge: Kona Outrigger Kanu Abenteuer; Parker Ranch; Big Island spektakulärer Helikopterausflug.

Machen Sie sich bereit für üppige Farngrotten, großartige Schluchten und die dramatischen Klippen der Na Pali Küste (die Sie vom Helikopter und vom Deck Ihres Holland America Schiffes aus bei einer nachmittäglichen Panoramafahrt bestaunen können). Beispiele für Landausflüge: Kipu Falls Zipline Trek; Kauai’s Grand Helicopter Tour.

Honolulu, on the island of Oahu’s south shore, is capital of Hawaii and gateway to the U.S. island chain. The Waikiki neighborhood is its center for dining, nightlife and shopping, famed for its iconic crescent beach backed by palms and high-rise hotels, with volcanic Diamond Head crater looming in the distance. Sites relating to the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor include the USS Arizona Memorial.

Honolulu, on the island of Oahu’s south shore, is capital of Hawaii and gateway to the U.S. island chain. The Waikiki neighborhood is its center for dining, nightlife and shopping, famed for its iconic crescent beach backed by palms and high-rise hotels, with volcanic Diamond Head crater looming in the distance. Sites relating to the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor include the USS Arizona Memorial.

Aloha auf Hawaii! Ein kleines Stück Paradies wird Ihnen hier geboten, entdecken Sie die Lavalandschaften, die eindrücklichen Wasserfälle und die imposanten Regenwälder.

Schlendern Sie entlang der weissen Sandstrände und geniessen Sie die Ruhe fernab von der westlichen Welt, auf der aus einem einzelnen Korallenriff bestehenden Insel.

Pago Pago’s small size belies its historic stature and epic setting. The city—or more accurately, cluster of several fishing villages—lies along the shore of Pago Pago Harbor, which was carved from thousands of years of volcanic-crater erosion on Tutuila Island. The fjordlike harbor, one of the most stunning in the South Pacific, is bordered by steep and lush hills and dominated by Rainmaker Mountain. The protected harbor site was selected in 1872 by Commander R.W. Meade for a fuelling station for the U.S. Navy. Meade negotiated the real estate deal with a Samoan high chief and the resulting naval base at Pago Pago was in use from 1900 to 1951. Pago Pago itself is tranquil as far as capital cities go, though there is commerce and activity in the areas of Fagatogo and Utulei. The hills near the seafront are dotted with houses, while a variety of shops line the street that runs in front of the dock itself. The best views of the harbor and downtown can be had from the summit of Mount Alava in the National Park of American Samoa.

Finden Sie das Inselglück, so wie Robert Louis Stevenson, in den alten Riten von Samoa. Erleben Sie eine traditionelle Kava-Zeremonie, probieren Sie eine Brotfrucht, entspannen Sie in einer strohbedeckten Unterkunft am Strand. Es erwarten Sie diverse Landausflüge: Highlights Apias & das Robert Louis Stevenson Museum; ein Bad im Pool der Piula Höhlen.

In the time before time, the people who would become the Fijians were shaped of wet earth, pulled from the sea on a giant fishhook and given more than 300 islands to live on. Or if you want to be a little more prosaic, the people of Fiji were part of the great Lapita migration, which began somewhere around Taiwan and headed east. The first boats to arrive stopped migrating when they found this maze of islands formed by the earth turning itself inside out with volcanoes. The new Fijians spent a couple centuries involved in internecine war and developed the bad habit of using clubs to bop all strangers. But strangers kept showing up for the simple reason that Fiji, especially the southeast coast of Viti Levu, was geographically wonderful: the kind of spot that made mariners chuck their anchors and start trying to make a living as a settler. And who knows, maybe the Fijians just had tired arms, but by the time missionaries came, powers had shifted and the bopping had stopped. Today that southeast corner of the largest island in Fiji, the city of Suva, holds three-quarters of the nation’s population. It’s also shielded by shimmering green mountains opening to a calm sea, a land lush with afternoon rains.

Willkommen im Paradies – weißer Sand, klare, türkisfarbene Gewässer und 20 verschwenderisch luxuriöse Hektar voller Orchideen in Raymond Burrs Garten des schlafenden Giganten. Beispiele für Landausflüge: Nausori Hochlanddorf; Nadi Hinterland & der Garten des Schlafenden Giganten; Shotover Jet Boat & Shopping.

Die Insel Dravuni, die für ihre makellosen Strände und für ihr fantastisches Klima bekannt ist, ist wahrhaftig ein tropisches Paradies. Schnappen Sie sich einen Schnorchel und machen Sie sich auf zu den wundervollen Stränden oder unternehmen Sie einen Spaziergang durch dieses reizende Dorf und treffen Sie die Bewohner.

Known as the hidden paradise of Fiji, the striking harbor town of Savusavu is located on the south coast of Vanua Levu Island. Backed by green hills and featuring a bustling marina and attractive waterfront, the town was originally established as a trading center for products like sandalwood, bêche-de-mer and copra. Today the town is known for its burgeoning eco-tourism infrastructure, which has spawned several luxury resorts. The surrounding waters mean an abundance of scuba diving and yachting. On land, there are historic hot springs, waterfall hikes, bird-spotting in the Waisali Rainforest Reserve and visits to traditional villages. There are several key landmarks too, including the 19th-century Copra Shed Marina, which now serves as the local yacht club, and the Savarekareka Mission, a chapel built around 1870 by the first Roman Catholic mission on Vanua Levu. Of course, it’s also possible just to relax and enjoy the palm-lined pristine beaches and the town’s assortment of restaurants, cafés and bars.

Tonga, das in vielerlei Hinsicht einzigartig ist, ist das einzige Land im Südpazifik, das niemals kolonialisiert wurde. Das Geheimnis der anhaltenden Autonomie dieses winzigen Königreichs liegt bei seiner Monarchie – reich an Kultur und Tradition; keine Angst vor Modernisierung und Fortschritt. Nuku’alofa befindet sich auf der Insel Tongatapu – die größte der 171 Inseljuwelen in der Krone von Tonga. Man kann nur hoffen, dass die Bevölkerung Tongas, freundlich und herzlich, Sie mit einer Version des Lakalaka beglücken wird – ihrer einvernehmenden Kunst des Geschichtenerzählens, die sich in atemberaubendem Tanz manifestiert.

The Vava’u (va-vuh-OO) island group is part of the Kingdom of Tonga—an even larger collection of tropical Pacific Ocean islands. With an ideal year-round climate that’s perfect for swimming, snorkeling, diving and sailing, the islands—which are mostly uninhabited—boast a varied set of attractions for visitors that only begin with their famed white-sand beaches lapped by turquoise waters (with visibility down to 30 meters, or 100 feet) and enchanting coral reefs teeming with abundant marine life like tropical fish, dolphins and sea turtles. In addition to these simple but highly memorable watery pleasures, the Vava’u islands offer tropical forests, limestone cliffs and caves to explore, traditional villages to check out and a wealth of activities ranging from sea kayaking and gamefishing to yachting. Not only can you spot humpback whales (between July and October) and take in the unique atmosphere of historic cemeteries, you can also enjoy a hike up Mount Talau. The island’s tourism infrastructure extends to boutique resorts and ecolodges, as well as plenty of cafés and restaurants, particularly in the main city of Neiafu. VIEW CRUISES Featur

Diese dramatische südpazifische Insel kann sich mit kilometerlangen weißen Sandstränden, glänzenden Lagunen, kleinen Dörfern und Vulkangipfeln, die in üppigem Grün erstrahlen, schmücken. Statten Sie dem Cook Island Kulturdorf einen Besuch ab und erleben Sie die Lebensweise der Maori; spazieren Sie den Cross Island Trek entlang, der Sie vorbei an duftenden Tempelbäumen führen und Sie mit wunderschönen Ausblicken auf Wasserfälle belohnen wird; und natürlich können Sie einige Zeit damit verbringen, es sich auf einem der friedlichen Strände gut gehen zu lassen, wo Ihnen die Passatwinde eine perfekte Temperatur bescheren.

Die kleine Stadt, Handelszentrum französisch Polynesiens ist beschaulich geblieben und wird am besten zu Fuss entdeckt.

Shaped like a heart and crowned with emerald-green spires, Moorea is easy to love. The Magical Island, as it’s nicknamed, is celebrated for its untamed landscape and symmetrical side-by-side bays (called Opunohu and Cook’s); it was said to be the inspiration for the mythical isle of Bali Hai in James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific. Its languid lagoon seems without end, wrapping this 132-square-kilometer (50-square-mile) isle in shades of liquid blue, from pale aqua to intense turquoise. Dolphins and stingrays glide through the waves alongside snorkelers and divers exploring the stunning undersea scene. Venture inland to the valleys and another aspect of island life becomes clear: agricultural abundance, with crops that include pineapples, bananas, taro, sugarcane, coffee and cotton. Moorea has shopping, too, mainly for lustrous Tahitian black pearls and brightly patterned pareus (wraparound skirts). Wherever you head, you’ll find the South Pacific you have dreamed of, moving to the leisurely pace of island time. It can be hard to believe Moorea is just 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Tahiti’s bustling capital, Papeete.

Maroe Bay, on the southern end of the French Polynesian island of Huahine, is an idyllic place for snorkeling, sailing, beachcombing, biking and swimming with friendly sharks

Schwarze Sandstrände im Osten, weisse Sandstrände im Westen, üppige und unberührte Vegetation im Landesinnern.

Schwarze Sandstrände im Osten, weisse Sandstrände im Westen, üppige und unberührte Vegetation im Landesinnern.

The world’s second-biggest atoll, Rangiroa, is a wonderfully languorous and remote place to explore. It’s beautiful: The stark whiteness of the bleached coral contrasted against the turquoise water creates vivid delight for the eyes. The lagoon here is vast and dazzling, ringed by gorgeous white-sand islets accessible only by boat and just perfect for lazing away a long afternoon. The majority of visitors come here to dive, but Rangi (as locals call it) offers more ways to explore its magnificent lagoon than to just go deep: Opt instead for a relaxed snorkel, or take a glass-bottom boat out for a cruise. The port town of Avatoru may seem middle-of-nowhere quiet to most Westerners, but this is the hub of the Tuamotu Archipelago. The town’s paved roads, shops and even gourmet restaurants are not standard amenities on other atolls in this far-flung island group. But should you prefer to not spend the day in the water, there are experiences to be had on terra firma. Head to a small site overlooking Tiputa Pass to watch the daily performances of dolphins dancing in the waves created by the strong current. Or stop in at a pearl farm to learn how the famed black pearls are cultured—and then treat yourself to a bit of shopping afterward.

Arriving by sea, you’ll experience the innumerable shades of blue that are the lagoon encircling Fakarava, one of the largest atolls in French Polynesia’s Tuamotu Archipelago. Once you step ashore, you’ll notice the beaches alternate between whitest white and palest pink sand, with a backdrop of coconut trees swaying gently in the tropical breeze. And while this pristine paradise—which counts only around 800 residents on an island 60 kilometers (37 miles) long and 21 kilometers (13 miles) wide—has a healthy tourism industry, it’s also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. That designation means Fakarava, as well as its six neighboring atolls, are entirely protected—both onshore and in the surrounding waters. No wonder then that Fakarava is famous for its incredible snorkeling and diving. A lagoon excursion, which also spirits you to the atoll’s most beautiful beach—one accessible only by boat—is a great way to complete your Seven Seas fantasy.

The dramatic landscape of the Marquesas is like nowhere else in French Polynesia. Formed by volcanoes, islands like Nuku Hiva—home to the charming port town of Taiohae—don’t have a barrier reef or lagoon to protect them. As such, the sea crashes directly up onto the shore, creating wild scenery that has inspired artists and writers from Paul Gauguin to Herman Melville. At the base of craggy, soaring peaks, Taiohae may be the main „city“ in this far-flung island group, but don’t expect tall buildings or massive resorts. Instead, Taiohae has a peaceful village vibe with an air of tropical languor. There’s not much to do other than wander and shop. And shop you should, as the Marquesans are known for their excellent handicrafts. On Nuku Hiva you’ll find skilled carvers working in wood, bone and volcanic stone to create true pieces of art. Beyond Taiohae are opportunities to explore Nuku Hiva’s wild interior—replete with sharp basalt pinnacles and lush, green river valleys—by either horseback or on foot.

Sonnenschein und Spass gehört in San Diego zum Alltag. Ob sonnenverwöhnte Surfer, Beachgirls oder Radfahrer – sie alle freuen sich über 295 Sonnentage im Jahr und die zahlreichen Unterhaltungsmöglichkeiten. Exklusive Einkaufszentren, eine große Auswahl an Restaurants, Bars und Clubs sowie die schönen Strände der Coronado Halbinsel. San Diego bietet seinen Besuchern einiges.