Contes du Pacifique Sud

Soleil et le plaisir sont comme d’habitude à San Diego. Marchez sur la plage de sable fin de l’île de Coronado, allez dans la vieille ville qui apporte ramène les coutumes espagnoles de la ville à la vie, admirez la vie sauvage dans le célèbre zoo de San Diego ou fa^tes de l’observation d’une baleine un moment privilégié au Monde Aquatique. Exemple d’excursion: tour de San Diego.

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.

Autrefois terrain de jeu de la royauté hawaïenne, Kona est synonyme du célèbre café qui pousse sur les pentes de Hualalai. Ici aussi, il y a le Ranch Parker, plus grand ranch privé dans les excursions à terre aux États-Unis. Exemple d’excursion: Aventure à Kona, en canoë portant; Ranch Parker, vue spectaculaire de la Grande Île en hélicoptère.

Préparez-vous pour les luxuriantes grottes de fougères, les canyons grandioses et les falaises spectaculaires de la côte de Na Pali (vues par hélicoptère et depuis les ponts de votre bateau Holland America lors d’un après-midi de croisière touristique). Exemple d’excursion: Zipline Trek dans les chutes de Kipu; grand tour de Kauai en hélicoptère.

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.

Sur le côté luxuriant de la grande île vous trouverez des jardins botaniques de classe mondiale, des noix de macadamia et, bien sûr, les coulées de lave en fusion de Kilauea, la maison de Pelé, impétueuse déesse du feu. Exemple d’excursions: Aventure Randonnée au volcan Kilauea; expérience en hélicoptère du Volcan de cercle de feu; le meilleur de Hilo et les chutes d’Akaka.

Récifs vierges, plages de sable blanc et habitants chaleureux – Tabuaeran, ou île Fanning comme il est communément connu – est un paradis tropical lointain. Achetez des objets artisanaux aux insulaires, y compris des bijoux, paniers de frondes de palmier et des morceaux de bois sculptés à la main. Allez à la pêche ou à la plage privée de Napali pour faire une sieste dans un hamac au bord de l’océan. Pendant votre séjour, savourez la vue imprenable, le calme des mers d’azur, les vastes plages et le paysage ensoleillé.

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.

Trouvez l’île du bonheur, de même que Robert Louis Stevenson, dans les anciennes coutumes de Samoa. Vivez une cérémonie traditionnelle du kava, goûtez le pain aux fruits, détendez-vous sous un toit de chaume sur la plage. Exemples d’excursions: au musée de reflets d’Apia et Robert Louis Stevenson; quelques brasses à la piscine Piula Cave.

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.

Bienvenue au paradis – sable blanc, eaux turquoises et 50 acres luxuriants d’orchidées au jardin de feu Raymond Burr de la mine Géant Dormant. Exemple d’excursions: Village des hautes terres de Nausori, arrière-pays de Nadi et le Jardin de la mine Géant Dormant, bateau Jet de tir et Shopping.

Connue pour ses plages immaculées et son beau temps, l’île de Dravuni est un véritable paradis tropical. Prenez un tuba et partez pour les plages immaculées, ou marchez dans le charmant village et rencontrez les habitants.

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.

Unique à bien des égards, les Tonga est le seul pays dans le Pacifique Sud qui n’ait jamais été colonisé. Le secret de l’autonomie durable de ce petit royaume réside dans sa monarchie – riche en culture et tradition, elle n’a pas peur de se moderniser et d’aller de l’avant. Vous trouverez Nuku’alofa sur l’île de Tongatapu – la plus grande île des 171 îles, joyaux de la couronne tongienne. Espérons que les gens de Tonga, gais et accueillants, vous feront goûter une version de la Lakalaka – leur art de la narration convaincante manifesté dans une danse à couper le souffle.

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

Cette dramatique île du Pacifique Sud est remplie de kilomètres de plages de sable blanc, de lagons étincelants, de petits villages et de pics volcaniques couverts de végétation luxuriante. Visitez le village culturel des Îles Cook et profitez de la vie du peuple maori; faîtes un trek dans Cross Island au milieu de frangipaniers odorants et vous serez récompensés par des vues magnifiques et des cascades; et bien sûr passez du temps à vous prélasser sur ​​une plage paisible alors que les alizés maintiennent une température idéale.

Oro, dieu de la guerre, garde son temple au fond de la forêt tropicale de Raiatea. À proximité du mont Temehani pousse la rare et délicate fleur de tiaré apetahi, dont les pétales ne s’ouvrent qu’à l’aube, en présence des amants. Exemple d’excursion: croisière dans la rivière de la jungle Faaroa; Raiatea – L’île sacrée; safari en 4 roues motrices.

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

Les couleurs intenses du marché tahitien sont aussi séduisante aujourd’hui qu’elles l’étaient pour Gauguin. Plus de bonheur pour les yeux remplissent le romantique Jardin Vaipahi et les grottes marines fourrées de fougère de la Grotte Mara’a. Exemple d’excursion: découverte du lagon de Tahiti; visite de Tahiti en 4 roues motrices, trésors naturels de Tahiti.

Les couleurs intenses du marché tahitien sont aussi séduisante aujourd’hui qu’elles l’étaient pour Gauguin. Plus de bonheur pour les yeux remplissent le romantique Jardin Vaipahi et les grottes marines fourrées de fougère de la Grotte Mara’a. Exemple d’excursion: découverte du lagon de Tahiti; visite de Tahiti en 4 roues motrices, trésors naturels de Tahiti.

Le deuxième plus grand atoll du monde, Rangiroa, est un endroit merveilleusement langoureux et isolé à explorer. Il est magnifique : la blancheur éclatante du corail blanchi, qui contraste avec l’eau turquoise, crée un plaisir intense pour les yeux. Le lagon est ici vaste et éblouissant, entouré de magnifiques îlots de sable blanc accessibles uniquement par bateau et parfaits pour se prélasser pendant une longue après-midi. La majorité des visiteurs viennent ici pour plonger, mais Rangi (comme l’appellent les locaux) offre plus de possibilités d’explorer son magnifique lagon que de se contenter d’aller en profondeur : optez plutôt pour un snorkeling relaxant, ou prenez un bateau à fond de verre pour une croisière. La ville portuaire d’Avatoru peut sembler calme, au milieu de nulle part, à la plupart des Occidentaux, mais c’est la plaque tournante de l’archipel des Tuamotu. Les routes pavées de la ville, les boutiques et même les restaurants gastronomiques ne sont pas des équipements standard sur les autres atolls de ce groupe d’îles lointaines. Mais si vous préférez ne pas passer la journée dans l’eau, vous pouvez faire des expériences sur la terre ferme. Rendez-vous sur un petit site surplombant la passe de Tiputa pour assister aux spectacles quotidiens des dauphins qui dansent dans les vagues créées par le fort courant. Vous pouvez aussi vous arrêter dans une ferme perlière pour apprendre comment sont cultivées les fameuses perles noires, puis vous offrir un peu de shopping.

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.

Soleil et le plaisir sont comme d’habitude à San Diego. Marchez sur la plage de sable fin de l’île de Coronado, allez dans la vieille ville qui apporte ramène les coutumes espagnoles de la ville à la vie, admirez la vie sauvage dans le célèbre zoo de San Diego ou fa^tes de l’observation d’une baleine un moment privilégié au Monde Aquatique. Exemple d’excursion: tour de San Diego.