When dealing with paradise, as nearly every South Pacific destination calls itself, it's hard to know where to start -- or stop over, for that matter. Some seasoned travelers in this part of the world swear by Tahiti and its associated French Polynesian Islands, others say nothing will do but Fiji. Whichever side you vote for, however, you should be happy with one of the morsels we're serving up today.
Pleasant Holidays is offering you a choice of several island resorts in Fiji, beginning with a seven-night package costing from just $1,388 per person including one free night as part of your stay at the First Landing Resort. Prices on all Pleasant Holiday packages are based on double occupancy and include roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles on Air Pacific, the lodging, inter-island transport where applicable, and transfers. Valid from April 1 through June 19. Contact them at www.pleasantholidays.com or at 800/448-3333.
The Outrigger Reef Fiji Hotel has its own package once you get there, charging as little as $224 per double room with a partial ocean-view. This "First Night Free & Free Meals for Kids" allows two nights free for a stay of seven nights or one night free for a stay of four nights, plus two children up to age of 12 can sleep in their parents' room and have three meals a day at no cost. Set on 40 acres, the resort boasts the " South Pacific's largest pool," the whole complex being designed to reflect a traditional Fijian village. They're on a white sandy beach, and have received a five-star rating from Tourism Australia recently. There's a Kids Club, a fitness center, and sports, the latter consisting of volleyball, water polo, kayaking, snorkeling, tennis, ping-pong and more. Contact them at www.outrigger.com or by phoning 800/OUTRIGGER (same as 800/688-7444).
Tahitian Treats
Pleasant Holidays has a package to Tahiti that is good from now through the end of May 2004. There are several options, but the lowest-priced deal is six-nights on Moorea that begins at $1,388 per person, with lodging at the Intercontinental Beachcomber Resort Moorea, including a free night and daily breakfast for two. Contact them at www.pleasantholidays.com or at 800/448-3333.
If you like cruising the South Pacific, consider a deal from Go Today that includes a voyage on a luxurious Windstar ship. You have until April 15 to purchase this package, which starts at $2,599 for the nine-night journey. You fly from Los Angeles at this price, spend two nights at the Sofitel Maeva Beach in Papeete (one before the cruise, one after), with continental breakfast daily. Then transfer to the cruise ship and spend seven nights on it, all meals included, before returning to Papeete. The package also includes hotel VAT and Government taxes, the cruise taxes and port charges. Travel is valid from April 22 through May 27. Other add-on gateway prices on request. Contact them at www.go-today.com or phone (for an extra $20) 425/487-9632.
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