The World's Best Luxury Holidays | Luxury Holiday Ideas » Cook Islands

A Romantic Luxury Holiday in the Cook Islands

Jim Walker — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 08:00:07 +0000

Looking for somewhere to go for your second honeymoon? Or perhaps you just want a destination brimming over with romance, luxury, and elegance? The Cook Islands are the perfect place for a holiday full of picture perfect moments to last in your memory for a lifetime.

The Cook Islands don’t have a massive amount of tourism, so your romantic holiday is sure to be a private one. If you agree that nothing is more annoying than a beach full of people, you’ll rejoice in the laid back and quiet atmosphere of these beautiful islands. Of the fifteen islands, only two have the capabilities to support tourists. These are Rarotonga and Aitutaki, two islands completely varied in their geography but both romantic destinations in their own right.

Aitutaki is the more stereotypical of the two islands. A true paradise island, Aitutaki is a wonderful representation of the best that the South Pacific has to offer with blue, jewel-like waters and sunny white beaches. The fifteen small islets and the main volcanic island are ringed by a barrier reef, meaning that Aitutaki has one of the largest lagoons in the world. Beach sports are the order of the day here where everyone is eager to surf and dive the day away. Your whole world is your resort, so make sure you pick the best of them all. With choices like the Pacific Resort Aitutaki, you won’t have any trouble doing that.

Rarotonga offers rugged island scenery at its best. Though it’s the largest of the Cook Islands, it still only twenty miles in circumference, giving it a surprisingly intimate feel. When you travel here, this is where you’ll be landing, as it is the home of the international airport and the largest city, Avarua.

Rarotonga’s landscape is dominated by towering volcanoes and lush rainforest, sloping down to sandy beaches and tall palm trees. There is plenty to explore; a four wheel drive safari is recommended to explore in and around the dense rainforest, unless you’d prefer horseback. Enjoy a brief stop off for a refreshing swim under one of the island’s many sparkling waterfalls.

There are almost too many luxury resorts to choose from on Rarotonga, all promising elegance and comfort throughout your holiday. It’s all down to your personal preference; if you’d like style and elegance, you might choose the Little Polynesian, recently redecorated to capture the perfect island feel.

If you’re after absolute privacy and your own pool, Sea Change, tucked away on the south coast, is the perfect choice. The resort has just eight villas; each has its own freshwater pool, shower designed especially for two and a kingsize four poster bed. For those looking to include a little romance in their holiday, this resort is truly the perfect choice. Plus, you can cater for yourself or dine in one of Rarotonga’s delicious restaurants; your holiday will be defined by you and only you.

The Cook Islands are one of the world’s most luxurious holiday destinations. Consider booking your holiday today.

Do Not Over Look The Cook Islands In Your New Zealand Travels

Renee — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:52:39 +0000

The Cook Islands are just northeast of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean. The islands control 2.2 million square kilometers of ocean and consist of fifteen major islands. The major islands are divided into two distinct groups: the Southern Cook Islands and the Northern Cook Islands. The Northern groups of islands are the oldest ones, but all of the islands were formed by volcanic activity. Any New Zealand travel would not be complete with out a visit to these majestic islands.

It is easy to fall in love with the Islands with their gorgeous white-sand beaches lined with palm trees, beautiful coral reefs and the most breath-taking lagoons you have ever seen. It truly is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The most defining thing about the Cook Islands is that there are no huge hotels, high-end resorts or overcrowded tourist attractions. It is unlike any other tropical vacation spot you can imagine which makes it the perfect retreat from your normal life. This is the best place to just kick back and relax and forget all of your everyday stressors.

All of the islands create a population of only 14,000 inhabitants and everyone knows one another by name. The community is very close and they like to create a living environment that is peaceful, relaxing and everyone enjoys one anothers company. As a vacationer, you will love the friendly nature of all the natives and will feel right at home among them. This type of atmosphere is what makes it so hard to ever leave there once you make the journey across the Pacific in your New Zealand travels.

While in the South Pacific, there are so many things to see and do. Not everyone wants to just simply relax for an entire vacation; the Islands can satisfy your adventurous side as well. Some things you must do on these beautiful beaches are: snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing in the beautiful aqua blue lagoons and hiking on the Island tracks of Rarotonga. The Cook Islands also offer some wonderful culture trips as well as golfing and bowling clubs on the island of Rarotonga. These Islands are ideal for any type of person, whether you are looking for the ultimate escape from your high stress, everyday life or for some adventure that you cannot find anywhere else. The Islands are a once in a lifetime chance to experience the South Pacific at its best. Planning a New Zealand travel vacation here for yourself or your entire family is an extraordinary opportunity for any traveler.

The Real Swiss Family Robinson come to the Cook Islands

Renee — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:32:13 +0000

Television Production company, Ricochet, has chosen the Cook Islands as one of the locations for their new fly on the wall documentary ‘The Real Swiss Family Robinson’ for BBC One.

The show, to be aired on Friday 10th April, is filmed in four different island locations and follows the day-to-day lives of a British family as they integrate into local life. Atiu, one of the Southern Cook Islands has been chosen due to its vibrant local culture and traditions as well as its stunning island setting in the South Pacific.

The family of four arrived in the Cook Islands in January and stayed for three weeks, whilst being filmed by the Ricochet film crew. They were completely immersed in local life, and fended for themselves, having to build their own shelter and hunt for food.

Atiu is a fascinating island and one of the most traditional of the Cook Islands, with inhabitants closely in touch with their Polynesian heritage. Islanders gather dinner from the reef at low tide, produce traditional crafts such as fibre arts using tapa cloth, Tivaevae- a colourful type of patchwork quilting, hard carved drums, bowls and ornaments. Atiu is also the only one of the Cook Islands where the traditional tumunu takes place; the local equivalent of the kava-drinking ceremonies that take place in the rest of the South Pacific.

The programme’s working title, The Real Swiss Family Robinson, relates to a novel about a Swiss family who are shipwrecked en route for Australia. Making for an island, they discover and develop all the necessaries for a good life – showing incredible resourcefulness in adapting and utilising the island’s many natural resources. Written by Swiss pastor Johann David Wyass and was to teach his four sons about family values, good husbandry, the uses of the natural world and self-reliance; great values that are obvious in the Cook Islands.

Glenda Tuaine, Marketing Director for the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation commented, “Cook Islanders are reknown for their hospitality and welcoming spirit. The family were welcomed onto Atiu with open arms by the locals and we very much hope that they will look back on their time on the island with fond memories, having made good friends as well as having experienced our island culture and the ancient traditions that are still carried on to this day.”