Destination Information

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Australia is the only country that has a whole continent to itself. World famous for its natural wonders and wide open spaces (beaches, deserts and "the bush" or "the Outback"), Australia is ironically one of the world's most highly urbanized countries and is well known for the cosmopolitan attractions of its globally significant cities, such as Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and the Australian capital city Canberra. Australia is also a major tourist destination, and is one of the world's wealthiest countries. The country is renowned worldwide for its vast, untouched landscape and its unique culture . . .

Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia. Its population is slightly over 1 million, which makes it by far the largest city in the otherwise sparsely populated state. Adelaide is centrally located among the wine regions of McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Clare Valley, all of which are within day-trip distance.

Alice Springs is the heart of Central Australia and is comprised of cavernous gorges, boundless desert landscapes, remote Aboriginal communities and a charming pioneering history. It embodies the hardy outback of the Northern Territory's Red Center.

A great daytrip from Sydney, the Blue Mountains offer some of the most spectacular scenery on the Australian continent. Its 1 million hectares contain rainforest, canyons, forests, and waterfalls, as well as a wide array of animals and birds. Named the Blue Mountains for the mist created by eucalyptus tree oil which hangs in the air, the Blue Mountains are a must-see on any trip to Australia . . .

As the capital city of Queensland and third largest city in Australia, Brisbane is overflowing with art galleries, fine dining and amazing walks along the Brisbane River, a great destination in route to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Byron Bay.

Cairns is a cosmopolitan city with a population of about 130,000 that is very focused on the tourism industry. The city is surrounded by rainforest, and can be used as a gateway to destinations such as Kuranda, the Daintree, and of course, the Great Barrier Reef.

Located at the top central of the Northern Territory, Darwin holds the key to some of Australia's most amazing national parks. Often less traveled by most visitors, it's a great destination to get away from the crowds, meet some amazing locals and hike through the most dramatic landscape.

The Gold Coast is a very popular destination. In fact, it is where many Aussies go for holiday. It is a city and also a local government area on the southeastern coast of Queensland. With a sunny subtropical climate, 30 kilometers of sandy beaches, theme parks, restaurants and shopping, Australia's Gold Coast has something for everyone.

Established as a park in 1975, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest marine protected area in the world at almost 348,700 square kilometers. Found off the coast of Queensland in northeastern Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is home to over 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of coral, 4,000 species of mollusks, and 500 species of seaweed, as well as several species of birds, sea snakes and sea turtles.

The two lane Great Ocean Road runs between Melbourne and Adelaide, Victoria along the southern coast of Australia and is home to the famous Twelve Apostles. The road closely hugs some of the most dramatic coastal landscape in the world including steep coastal mountains and vast stretches of beach overlooking Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.

Kangaroo Island is Australia's third largest island - after Tasmania and Melville Island. It is 70 miles southwest of Adelaide at the entrance of Gulf Saint Vincent. The island is 93 miles long and approximately 35 miles wide, it's area covering 1,701 sq miles. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the island via ferry.

Kings Canyon is part of the Watarrka National Park in Northern Territory, Australia. Sitting at the western end of the George Gill Range, it is 323 km southwest of Alice Springs and 1316 km south of Darwin. The walls of Kings Canyon are over 100 meters high, with Kings Creek at the bottom. Part of the gorge is a sacred Aboriginal site and visitors are discouraged from walking off the walking tracks.

Kuranda is a small town in Far North Queensland in the Daintree National Park. As it is located very close to Cairns and the journey is scenic, it is an extremely popular day trip. It is famous for its markets, which run everyday, and have a wide range of crafts or flea markets. Hop on the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a (very) leisurely two-hour trip 300 meters up and 34 kilometers out from Cairns.

Melbourne, the capitol of Victoria, is an elegant and stylish city situated around the shores of Port Phillip Bay and on the banks of the Yarra River. Melbourne is known for its rich arts community, shopping, dining and glamorous festivals. Travelers who enjoy a cosmopolitan city will want to make this a stop on their Australia itinerary.

Perth, the fourth largest city in Australia, is the capitol of Western Australia. This beautiful cosmopolitan city is perhaps the most isolated city in the world. It is located on the Swan River, and has a similar climate to San Diego. This popular Australia destination is best known for its outdoor life, offering nineteen beaches, several inner city parks, the Swan River and a warm climate. Perth also has a very vibrant art scene and nightlife!

Phillip Island is an Australian island located about 90 miles away from Melbourne, Victoria. The island area is approximately 10,000 hectares. It is 16 miles long and 6 miles at its widest and it has about 60 miles of coastline. Named after the first Governor of Victoria Arthur Phillip, Phillip Island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of Western Port. It is most popular with tourists for the very popular Penguin Parade.

Queensland, Australia is one of the country's most diverse regions including the Great Barrier Reef, Fraser and Great Keppel Island, the Whitsunday's, Daintree Rainforest, heaps of outdoor activity and home to Brisbane its third largest city.

Sydney is the largest city in Australia and the state capital of New South Whales, and has a metropolitan area population of approximately 4.34 million. Built around Port Jackson, Sydney is situated on Australia's Southeast coast and includes Sydney Harbour. Sydney, aka "The Harbor City", is noted for the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and its beaches. The metropolitan area is surrounded by national parks, and contains many bays, rivers and inlets.

Tasmania is an island located off the South Eastern tip of Australia, separated from the main land by the Bass Strait. It is also the smallest of Australia's states.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a park in the southern portion of the Northern Territory of Australia, part of the so-called 'Red Centre' of the continent. The National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage area. It is best know for Uluru (formerly known as "Ayers Rock"), a single massive rock formation, and also for Kata Tjuta (formerly known as "The Ulgas"), a range of rock domes . . .

The Australian Wine Industry is the fourth largest exporter in the world, exporting over 400,000,000 liters a year to a large international export market that includes "old world" wine-producing countries such as France, Italy and Spain. There is also a significant domestic market for Australian wines, with Australians consuming over 400,000,000 liters of wine per year.

China, or The People's Republic of China (PRC), is the largest country in East Asia and the most populous in the world with over 1.3 billion people, approximately a fifth of the world's population. China is the world's third or fourth largest country by total area, and the second largest by land area. Tourism in China has greatly expanded over the last few decades. The emergence of a newly rich middle class and an easing of restrictions on movement by the Chinese authorities are both fueling this travel boom. China has become one of the world's most-watched and hottest outbound tourist markets.

The Cook Islands are located in the South Pacific Ocean in the center of the Polynesian Triangle, flanked by The Kingdom of Tonga and the Samaos on the west, and by Tahiti and the islands of French Polynesia to the east. The beauty and charm of the Cook Islands are matched only by the friendliness of their people.

Costa Rica is a country in Central America. In the north it borders Nicaragua and in the southeast Panama. To the west, there is the Pacific Ocean and to the east, the Caribbean Sea.

Maravu means "calm and tranquil," and that's exactly what you will experience when you stay at the Maravu Plantation and Beach Resort on Taveuni Island. Recently awarded Trip Advisor's Travelers' Choice for the Best Luxury Hotel in the South Pacific, vacations at Maravu Resort are lavish and memorable, and with a maximum occupancy of only 30 guests - but a staff of 40 - you know you will be pampered.

Escape to beautiful Sonaisali Island Resort Fiji, where you have the best of both worlds: the privacy of a small South Pacific island, only minutes away from the mainland. Spend your vacation relaxing on the beach, enjoy some of the resorts' many complimentary activities (including Fiji cultural demonstrations), or take some time to explore the mainland or neighboring Mamanuca Islands . . .

The Yasawa Islands are a group of islands in north-western Fiji. Approximately 30 resorts are spread through the 12 major islands in the group. Most resorts provide basic accommodation and meals with access to natural and cultural sites.

Hawaii (pronounced ha-VAI-ee by locals) is the 50th state of the United States of America. Situated nearly at the center of the north Pacific Ocean, Hawaii marks the northeast corner of Polynesia. While it was once a major hub for the whaling, sugar and pineapple industries, it is now economically dependent on tourism and the U.S. military. The natural beauty of the islands continues to be one of Hawaii's greatest assets.

Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the capital and largest city of the state of Hawaii. It is the government, transportation, and commercial center for the state, and home to its best known tourist destination, Waikiki Beach. The last thing you'd expect to find in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is a thriving world-class city, with a beach that rivals any in the world. But Honolulu, the capital and commercial center of the Hawaiian Islands, is all of this and more.

Kaua’i, referred to as the Garden State, is the fourth largest and oldest known island in the Hawaiian Islands. At it’s second highest point of 5148 feet, Mount Wai’ale’ale receives more rainfall in a year than most other places on earth with an annual average of 460 inches. Kaua’i is known for its lush, tropical environment on the North shore, amazing natural canyons bursting with waterfalls, and the relaxed pace of “island life”. Kaua’i is an outdoor-lover’s paradise: hiking, snorkeling, surfing, boogie boarding, helicopter rides, kayaking, river paddles, botanical gardens and camping are just a few of the highlights.

Maui, with all its enticing beaches and water activities, is a popular destination for honeymoons, family vacations, weddings, or a weekend escape. Many visitors find themselves coming back to this island to experience the slow-paced lifestyle and scenic landscape time and time again.

Bali is an Indonesian island located at the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java at the west and Lombok to the east. It is one of the country's 33 provinces with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south of the island. It is also the largest tourist destination in the country and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking and music.

New Zealand is a temperate to sub-tropical island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. A former British colony, the majority of the population is of European descent, with a sizeable indigenous Maori minority and smaller minorities of various Polynesian and other groups. A modern, but sparsely populated, country, it boasts natural beauty and a wide range of outdoor and adventure activities . . .

Auckland, often referred to as the City of Sails, is the largest city in New Zealand, with a population of approximately 1.4 million. Auckland lies between the Waitemata and Manukau Harbors, and is also up against the rain forest and near several dormant volcanoes. Auckland has something to offer everyone, including an array of outdoor activities, art and culture, shopping, dining and night life.

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand with a 2006 population of over 350,000. It is located on the edge of the Canterbury Plains and is a major stepping off point for touring the South Island.

Fiordland National Park, covering over 1.2 million hectares, is New Zealand's largest National Park and one of the largest in the world. Milford Sound is probably one of New Zealand' most well-known scenic attractions. Milford Sound is actually a fiord, having been carved by a glacier. Like the rest of Fijordland, Milford Sound receives a lot of rain. Indeed, some tour operators argue that the Sound is best seen on a rainy day as all the waterfalls can be seen in their full glory.

Heliskiing is off-trail, downhill skiing that is accessed by a helicopter, not a ski lift. It generally takes place in remote mountain wilderness regions where unspoiled and seldom visited terrain exists. The mountain terrain that heliskiing takes place in is exceptionally diverse. Runs vary from high alpine glaciers, to alpine bowls, to steep chutes, to gladed trees.

Lake Taupo is the large lake, situated in the very center of New Zealand's North Island. Its gorgeous scenery is a result of the surrounding Taupo Volcanic Zone - 26,500 years ago, a violent eruption caused the surrounding land to collapse, creating the Lake Taupo basin. Journey to the Lake Taupo region, and you'll be encircled by stunning views of the lake, nearby mountains (including Mt. Ngauruhoe, which played the role of "Mt. Doom" in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy), and. of course, the volcanoes . . .

Rotorua is known as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. Its hot springs and geysers have attracted tourists for over a hundred years. Rotorua sits on the shores of Lake Rotorua. There are several other lakes nearby. Along with the geothermal wonders, there are also the more usual water activities such as fishing and boating.

Samoa is a great destination for relaxing and soaking up the islands’ natural beauty. The wonderous coastline is scattered with sparkling white-sand beaches, some stretching for miles. Magnificent waterfalls can be found among Samoa’s lush, fertile valleys, as well as rainforest, mangrove swamps, and abundant tropical vegetation.

Tahiti is the largest island of French Polynesia. French Polynesia is an archipelago of islands that is an overseas dependent territory of France in the South Pacific Ocean about one-half of the way from South America to Australia. Tahiti includes five archipelagoes (four volcanic, one coral); Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean . . .

Bora Bora is a volcanic island in the Society Islands archipelago of French Polynesia. It is an ideal vacation spot for relaxation, romance, and losing yourself in its beautiful landscape. Numerous high-class resorts lend a touch of luxury and magic. A bit of planning can allow you to enjoy Bora Bora's splendor on smaller budgets.

The newly renovated (2006) Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort is located on Moorea's beautiful beachfront near Moorea's 18-hold golf course overlooking Tahiti. The resort includes a spa, a new Polynesian restaurant, and a seaside infinity pool. Guests enjoy the over-water bungalows, which are ideal for a luxury honeymoon or romantic getaway.