Some people relax by heading for a busy resort, filled with bustling nightlife and packed bars. Myself, I prefer to find a secluded spot with deserted beaches and clear blue water, where I can rest, think, and recharge. I want to eat wonderful food, enjoy a refreshing cocktail, read a book that makes me laugh out loud, and be gently pampered in quiet luxury. Aaah, paradise … and I found it, on Taveuni Island in Fiji.
Taveuni Island has been called Fiji’s mystery island, a volcanic outcrop 42 kilometers long and only 9 kilometers wide. The island is divided along its spine by a high ridge, and verdant rain forests spill down each side of the ridge towards the coast. Much of the southeastern coastline is accessible only by boat, while the northwest of the island has several beautiful small beaches. The island is a treasure trove of flowers and tropical plants including the rare tagimacuia flower, found next to its namesake, Lake Tagimacuia, the most popular tourist attraction on Taveuni.
Accommodation
Taveuni’s resorts are small and intimate; most have no more than 20 or 30 guests at any time. The Taveuni Palms Resort, arguably the most luxurious on the islands, has just two villas, each with their own private chef and staff. Other world-class resorts include the Maravu Plantation, the Taveuni Island Resort, and Susie’s Plantation Resort.
Activities
Taveuni Island offers many of the sports and recreational activities you’d expect from an island paradise — including hiking, swimming, and kayaking — but diving is the magnet that draws many visitors to Taveuni. There are three major dive areas on Taveuni’s coastline, including the Rainbow Reef, one of the world’s best soft coral reefs. The Great White Wall is an extraordinary attraction for divers, a luminescent tunnel of coral where you’ll see hundreds of beautiful fish while surrounded by the glow of white coral. There are several full-service dive operations on Taveuni Island, catering to every level of experience from the complete novice to certified divers.
Travel to Taveuni Island
Taveuni is in the South Pacific, with flights available to Fiji’s international airport in Nadi from Los Angeles, Sydney and Auckland. The hour-long flight from Nadi to Taveuni is a breathtaking sightseeing experience as you fly over the outer islands and clear blue ocean. Most resorts will arrange your ground transportation on Taveuni, with staff to greet you at the airport.
If a crowded and noisy vacation is your idea of paradise, Taveuni Island isn’t for you. But if, like me, you crave a serene and peaceful beauty in a tropical wonderland, Taveuni is paradise itself.
For more information on the beaches of Taveuni Island please visit vacation-on-the-beach.com where you can read about other great destinations for your next beach vacation.
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China is a land of ancient wonders. It’s so different from the norm of western travelers that a first visit there can be a bit intimidating. Today, we will become acquainted with some basic traveler information on China. We’ll talk about the time of year to go, when to avoid China and some points of interest.
Times to Go
China can get pretty cold in the winter. For instance, Temperatures in Beijing are average highs of 40F and lows of 14F. In Hong Kong, the temperatures are more bearable58 F - 75 F. The summers can get a little warm for some, but it’s the best time of the year to visit China. Temperatures can reach 90 F in Beijing and Hong Kong.
When To Avoid China
The worst month to travel in China is February. In early to mid-February, the Chinese hold their Spring Festivalwe also know it as Chinese New Year. February is when most Chinese either take a vacation or limit work time. Therefore, the country is crowded with travelers and businesses are closed or operating during limited hours.
Festivals
As with many countries, festivals are held throughout the year at various locations within China. We already talked about the Spring Festival, which is something to experience if you don’t mind being overcrowded.
The Harbin’s Ice Festival is held in Zhaolin Park. It starts in the beginning of January and runs through the end of February. This ice festival is a spectacle that features huge ice sculptures of legendary figures and animals. It’s held at this time of the year, because the temperatures a freezing. The average temperature will be around 20 F. If you like the cold, or can stand it, this is one festival to check out.
If you are interested in visiting the Birthplace of Confucius, check out Qufu. Confucius’ birthday, which falls on September 8, is a celebrated event. It’s also home to many Confucius points of interest, such as the Confucius Temple.
China is full of great travel points. Don’t try to tackle them all in one visit. Pick an area and savor the moments while you are there. Beijing is in the north and Hong Kong is in the south.
Jason A. Martin is the owner of a travel & vacation guide website at TourismJunction.com. You can find more China travel articles at the site. He also operates a travel china site at ChinaTourist.org.
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The Hunter Valley stretches from the Goulburn River and Wollemi National Park in the south to the Barrington Tops National Park in the north. Most of the Hunter Valley’s many vineyards are located in the Lower Hunter Valley, with the centre of grape and wine production being Pokolbin, located north west of the town of Cessnock. Although some wineries specialise in particular wines, Chardonnay, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Verdelho can be found at most vineyards. The best vintage years for both red and white wines in the Hunter Valley include 1979, 1983, 1996 and 1999, although several other good years were seen during both the 1980s and 1990s. Great wine is accompanied by great food in many restaurants, including a selection of fresh local grown vegetables, locally bred game, delicious seafood from Port Stephens, bread and pastries, cheeses and chocolates.
The Upper Hunter Valley also has several vineyards, and is also home to a thriving horse breeding and racing industry. The centre for thoroughbred horse breeding in the Upper Hunter Valley is the town of Scone, although horse breeding is popular throughout the area. Scone has a range of quality accommodation options and several excellent restaurants, although the main attraction for many is probably the race course. Numerous race meetings are held throughout the year, so chances are good of being able to catch a race when you visit.
Prior to European settlement, the Hunter Valley was inhabited by the Darkinjung people for many thousands of years. The area was cleared for farming during the 1820s and grape vines have been grown there since the mid 1850s, making it the oldest wine region in Australia. In the 1900s coal was discovered in the area, giving the Hunter Valley a new lease of life. The mines eventually closed down to be replaced by wineries and a thriving tourism industry, with over 4500 acres of the Hunter Valley now covered with vines. The region today is a veritable mecca of holiday resorts and activities suitable for families, couples, corporations and international tourists.
The Hunter Valley’s excellent range of wineries, shops, restaurants and other attractions make it the most visited wine region in Australia today. Home to several leading Australian wineries including Lindemans, McWilliams, Wyndham Estate and Tyrell’s, the Hunter Valley is also home to many smaller boutique wineries. In total, the Hunter Valley is now home to over 80 wineries, most of which offer celler door wine tastings and many of which also have quality restaurants. Hunter Valley grape growers do not specialise in any one particular grape variety or wine style. While classic varieties such as Chardonnay, Shiraz and Semillon are popular, newer styles like Verdelho and Chambourcin are also commonly found.
Excellent wine and food aren’t the only attractions offered by the Hunter Valley. Outdoor activities are available to suit every taste, ranging from horse riding and golf to hot air ballooning and sky diving, all set amongst wonderfully picturesque landscapes. The Hunter Valley is also a great location in which to enjoy music and entertainment during one of its many festivals. During October you can enjoy music and Australian wine with the Opera in the Vineyards and Jazz in the Vines music festivals. Many fascinating buildings can be found in the Hunter Valley, along with several galleries and museums. Speciality shops and small businesses abound, with galleries displaying antiques, crafts, glassware, jewellery, paintings, sculptures and wrought iron.
The many small towns nestled around the Lower Hunter all offer the visitor something unique. The rural community of Wollombi still lives in the 1930’s, the time in which it was settled. You can wander along taking in the historic atmosphere, go horse riding, or even explore the nearby bushland. Branxton and Greta are popular for their markets and festivals. Cessnock has a range of accommodation as well as modern shopping areas, set amongst its heritage buildings and craft shops. Kurri Kurri hosts several heritage country pubs as well as a mining museum. It is also popular for a mixture of sports including bowls, golf, squash and tennis. For wonderful views of the Brokenback Range head to Broke, or for museums and antique shops go to the old river port of Morpeth.
Miguel Scaccialupo writes regularly on Australian Outback Tour topics including Alice Springs Tour itineraries and shopping for Aboriginal Art.
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