LIFE & CULTURE

It’s Time to Put Fiji back on Your Travel Radar

Just because it’s easy doesn’t mean it’s not love

There’s a point in adult life when holidays need to help not harm. Europe will forever be the bad boyfriend we can’t shake – good when it’s good but always a little out of reach. Likewise, the USA is the ultimate high-maintenance best friend – hard work but worth it.

But air miles aren’t the only mark of a good adventure and sometimes you have to call time on difficult destinations to make room in the calendar for something purely good.

snorkeling
(Credit: Nanuku Auberge Pacific Harbour)

When life calls for a quick reset, Fiji has your back.  It’s less than four daylight hours from Australia’s east coast and just two hours ahead (perfect for late nights and sleep ins). It’s also incredibly beautiful with year-round sunshine (even in the wet season November to April).

fiji villa
(Credit: Nanuku Auberge Pacific Harbour)

Stay: Nanuku Auberge Pacific Harbour, Fiji 

Nanuku Auberge is an all-villa boutique resort in the Pacific Harbour precinct on the main island. It’s about two hours by car from Nadi Airport, but there’s also a private airstrip if you prefer to arrive in style via private plane or helicopter. Touring the lush beachfront resort, the thatched-roof villas are equal parts island fantasy and contemporary chic, successfully letting the tropical setting shine. After the initial shock of the room reveal – the size, style and plunge pool overhanging Beqa Lagoon – the personal butlers wait for their guests to regather long enough for the other shoe to drop. Not only is the room stocked with chilled coconuts, fruit and personalised notes, they’ve decked it with photos from their guests’ Instagram feeds, which feels more homely than stalker-ish in execution. From day one, the staff know all their guests by name. Then the holiday settles into a rhythm of swims, private island picnics, snorkelling, massages, cooking lessons and top-shelf meals all handmade using sustainable, local ingredients. 

fiji food
(Credit: Nanuku Auberge Pacific Harbour)

Suitcase Essentials

Get into the holiday spirit with sunset hues and a luxe beach vibe.

lee mathews pink dress
Lee Mathews dress, $727, at matchesfashion.com
sunglasses
Lucy Folk sunglasses, $395, lucyfolk.com
swimsuit
Mara Hoffman swimsuit, $430, at matchesfashion.com
straw hat
Sensi Studio hat, $269, at matchesfashion.com

Visit aubergeresorts.com.

This article originally appeared in the August issue of marie claire.

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