Small, relaxing, intimate islands are probably the best places for a tropical island vacation, rather than the over-commercialized places that doesn’t afford you any privacy or relaxation. Virgin Gorda is the perfect intimate island.

Located in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, Virgin Gorda is only about eight square miles. The people you would ride the boat to the island would most likely be the same people you’re going to meet at dinner or the local bar. The people are friendly and educated, and you will most likely leave with more than a few friends, both local and visitors.

The few things best done in the island, as in any tropical vacation, are scuba diving, snorkeling and sailing. A string of stunning public beaches offer surf, sand, and blue, blue water. They are usually charmingly separated by granite boulders, and you could also see the villas that lay by the beach.

Photo Credit: ScubaBear68

One of the treasures of Virgin Gorda happens to be The Baths, which is a series of hidden caves and pools of water beneath granite boulders. You can access the baths through paths at the south end of Tower Road. Coming down, you can also see Devil’s Bay beach. There’s a fee to get to the Baths but you can also take the Devil’s Bay path through a boulder trail.

Trails can also lead to Gorda Peak (over 1300 feet high) from the North Sound Road for a stunning 360 degree view of the island. The climb is not a daunting task, considering that the view is worth it.

So what are you waiting for? Beaches and a hiking trail, stunning views and quiet intimacy. Virgin Gorda is great for a tropical island vacation.

Photo Credit: robstephaustralia

One of the world’s most wonderful treasures is the truly Great Barrier Reef off the Pacific Coast of Queensland, Australia where thousand upon thousands of marine life lives. Known as Australia’s “Blue Outback,” the reef became a marine park in 1975. Tourists flock this are for its unbelievable beauty and the great diving experience. Although at the moment, experienced divers might find the area already damaged and not as spectacular as they would have wanted to think. Still, it has the world’s largest collection of coral reefs and various marine animals such as the dugong (‘sea cow’) and the large green turtle.

There are so many things that you can do aside from marvel in the beauty of the reef. To better appreciate it, why not take an aircraft or helicopter tour? The best way to see the amazing place is from the sky. If you want something closer, you can take a self-sailed bareboat and be the captain of your own operation. You can also, of course, take a cruise ship or a passenger ferry. But if you want the fun of the whole experience, take the glass bottom boat tours, and enjoy the show without getting your feet wet. For more suggestions, click here.

Visit The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority site for more information.

Photo Credit: DolpcomTonga is an archipelago located in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Fiji and south of Samoa. It has a reputation as the “most scenic and unspoiled of the Pacific Island nations”. Aside from being a stunner, the country is also home to one of the friendliest peoples, with the archipelago being christened “The Friendly Islands”.

Coming into Tonga is already an adventure as the only two ways to get there is by plane or by yacht. You can arrive by private yacht, and arrive in style.

The archipelago offers a lot of water activities. Diving is an activity you might not want to pass up. You can’t pass up the magnificent islands of Vava’u and join in a little exploring. The Dolphin Pacific Diving team offers dive operations including tours and training. Which is the best way to learn how to dive, right?

Another great activity is whale watching. If you’re already in Vava’u, you can watch South Pacific Humpback whales from July to November. You can even swim with the whales, or listen to the males courting the females over an on-board phone. I assure you, being with these whales is a humbling experience.

Aside from those two, you can also go fishing, sailing and diving. But the archipelago also offers dry activities such as trekking and camping if that’s more to your liking. You can visit ‘Eua National Park or to Lakufa’anga.

Check out Camping in Tonga for more information.

Photo Credit: Richard Gifford

To end the rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne for capital status, the Australians built the city of Canberra and declared it their capital in 1913.

Lake Burley Griffin divides the city center the shopping and commercial area on the north, and the parliamentary and embassy area on the south.

Canberrans are also known to be friendly and helpful, especially to lost tourists. A lot of the citizens of the city are transplants from other parts of the country to study or work so the locals are used to being asked for directions.

Most of the structures in the city are already quite modern. The premier museum is the Australian War Memorial, a fascinating place to visit that covers the country’s military history. It is at the other end of the ANZAC Parade from the Parliament House of Australia, in its own, a wonderful piece of architecture. This is the current seat of the government.

While there, you can also visit the controversial National Museum of Australia; the National Gallery of Australia, which is the largest art gallery in the country; and National Library of Australia.

The city’s shopping center is called the “Civic”, and covering that shopping district is the Canberra Center with department stores, restaurants and fast foods, and shops for most anything you want to buy. For an alfresco dining and shopping experience, the City Walk is an outdoor mall in the same area.

Photo Credit: Andrew Turner
Auckland is known as the “City of Sails” for the number of yachts docked the Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. It is also the most vibrant city in New Zealand, dominated by volcanic hills and glorious waters.

Auckland actually hides a hint of paradise in the Waitakere Ranges, with glorious waterfalls and gorgeous sceneries and wildness of the west coast. You can also commune with nature at the Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens that over 65 hectares of plant life, or the Auckland Zoo that more than 150 animal species call home.

If you want to soak in history, Auckland War Memorial Museum is the best place to visit. They offer numerous exhibits not just war-related but everything that New Zealand history has to offer including relics from Maori culture. It is also, interestingly, located in a park on an extinct volcano.

You can find the two best views of the city from the 200m high Mount Eden, the highest point in Auckland, and One Tree Hill, both volcanic cones that were sites of fortified Maori villages. Both offer a stunning view of the cityscape including the hills and islands. The attractive Eden Gardens sits right beside Mount Eden.

For shopping, head on over to the distinctive blue-and-white tents of the Aotea Square Markets where you can find some of the best arts and crafts this side of the Pacific, jewelry, traditional Maori carvings and even modern New Zealand fashion from up-and-coming local designers.

What more can you ask for?

Photo Credit: Felipe Skroski

If anyone would be asked to name the world’s best beaches, he would be crazy not to name anyone of the beaches of Polynesia as the best place for beaches, and one of the gorgeous islands in this fortunate region of the world is the tiny island kingdom of Samoa. A combination of lush vegetation and lava fields, Samoa is an intriguing destination.

Bathe in beauty at the Upolu, the second biggest Polynesian island, and try fishing, diving and surfing in the scenic beaches and lagoons. Scuba diving is the best activity to do in Samoa as Upolu and Savai’i have great diving spots where you can swim around rich marine life.

Drop by the Pololo Deep Marine Reserve at Vaiala Beach, Apia, but just to hang out. You may want to reserve snorkeling for another time, and another beach. Watch traditional Samoan dancing at Aggie Grey’s Hotel and gorge on excellent buffet dinner.

Don’t miss an “umu” where whole pigs, chicken, fishes and fruits are cooked among red, hot stones and covered with banana leaves, cooked into tender, juicy, smoked perfection. Down Samoan Vailima beer and you’re all set.

However, Samoan culture is very religious and follows strict protocols. Sunday is a holy day, and one should not walk about in revealing clothing. Know the rules of the village chiefs, and you should be okay.

Aside from picturesque scenes, you can also choose the best of accommodations to ensure that your stay in Samoa is a beautiful experience.

Photo Credit: Sammis Co

The Land Down Under offers quite a few of the world’s best beaches. One of them is Bondi Beach, located in a suburb of Sydney, Australia. Well served by public transport, it is quite easily the most accessible beach in Sydney, and has an alternative feel. You may (or may not) want to keep a lookout for people who would go topless (or more) while walking down the shops.

There are two coastal walks that you might want to traverse to see and be seen. They offer great views of the sea and are great for people watching.

You can also learn to be one with the waves at , the coolest surf school in Australia. You shouldn’t have any problems with equipment as Bondi Beach is dotted with shops that sell or rent anything and everything a surfer, budding or otherwise, would need.

And why go to the beach if not to swim? Be sure to stay between the flags so that the gorgeous lifeguards can keep watch on you, and you can keep watch on them.

There’s also plenty to eat and drink in Bondi. Try the relaxed and friendly atmosphere at Sports Bar(d) and dig into their fish and chips. Or gorge on Thai cuisine at Monkey Magic.

And when you get tired with all the swimming and surfing, you can always crash in any one of the bed-and-breakfasts and apartments for rent nearby, and wake up to the sound and sight of the surf.
Bondi Beach, one of a beach bum/bunny’s paradise.