Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/275194
12 South Pacific Friendly smiles and wide-open spaces await you in Australia. In the land down under, breathtaking landscapes deliver the perfect backdrop for once-in-a-lifetime adventures, while bustling, cosmopolitan cities provide unforgettable, culturally rich experiences. Australia beckons the adventurous spirit with arid deserts, sultry rainforests, snow-capped mountains, and brilliant white-sand beaches. Reverse seasons will delight with "summer" winter sports and "winter" beach-going. Many of the world's wonders are right here in Australia, satisfying thrill-seekers from all over the globe. Simply let one of our travel specialists create an itinerary as unique as you are. The Islands of Tahiti are what you've always imagined the South Seas to be—an idyllic getaway from the stresses of the modern world. The beaches of Bora Bora are the perfect launch into coral-filled lagoons abundant with colorful marine life. Moorea's spectacular bays are surrounded by green mountains, and the panorama from Belvedere Lookout is breathtaking. Tahiti, the largest island, is for the person who wants to try a little of everything that the modern and natural worlds have to offer. Snorkel or swim side-by-side with manta rays. Feel the cool breeze on your face as you parasail. Check out the local markets for original art, Tahitian black pearls, fresh vanilla, and wooden carvings. Sample fine dining with influences from France and the South Pacific, and stay in exquisite beachside resorts or intimate overwater bungalows. No matter which island you visit, you'll find the same untouched environment that inspired the paintings of Gauguin and countless others. The three-hundred-and-twenty magical, unspoiled Fiji Islands lie at the crossroads of the Pacific. Each offers an unrivaled tropical paradise with azure waters, white-sand beaches, coral islets, and tropical resorts. Awash in sunshine and smiles, its locale makes it the perfect stop on the way to or from Australia and New Zealand. Fiji is recognized as a premier dive destination, with year-round sunlight and warm waters, and offers superb golf courses, tennis, water-skiing, windsurfing, sailing, fishing, bird watching, horseback riding, rugby, soccer, cricket, and so much more. A once volcanic area, it is home to rugged mountains, lush green rainforest, waterfalls, and remote villages. Whether you take it easy or active, this destination provides the perfect climate in which to play or relax. The genuine friendliness of the islands' residents combined with the unique environment, extreme beauty, and soothing tranquility make it a perfect holiday destination for the vacation experience of a lifetime. THE SOUTH PACIFIC