You can live like a celebrity when you sign up for "Fiji's Ultimate Experience," a package being offered by Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, yet not break your bank account, as prices start at just $1759 per person, all air included, for 7 nights in what most visitors consider to be "paradise."
Outrigger, one of Hawaii's fastest-growing enterprises, will take you from Los Angeles at the price mentioned (two persons sharing a room), and put you up for 7 nights at the Outrigger Reef Fiji, a full-service resort of low-rise air-conditioned hotel rooms and breeze-cooled bures (traditionally-styled bungalows), with a beach that border a coral lagoon; and at their own private island. Set on 40 acres, the resort shelters streams teeming with fish, and is replete with tropical plants and coconut palms. There are 3 restaurants, several bars, a nightclub, shops, fitness center, a huge swimming pool and a range of sports that includes tennis, horseback riding, scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking.
Then there's the helicopter ride, a 20-minute hop from the resort over to the company's own private islet, which they call Castaway Island. Totaling 174 acres, the island is covered with lush tropical growth, and ringed with white sand beaches and living coral reefs. All 65 beachfront accommodations are thatch-roofed bures. This is the place to relax, but if you can't do that, sports include snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing and catamaran trips, water skiing, windsurfing and tennis.
The package is available from several South Pacific tour operators such as Pleasant Holidays, Sunspots, Qantas Vacations, Brendan Tours and Happy Vacations. In addition to the air and lodging, it includes airport transfers and the one-way helicopter trip. For more information about Fiji and the Outrigger Resort there, visit www.outrigger.com. For reservations, see your travel agent.