Iza

Still planning our special anniversary trip for next summer and would like some advice on places to see and stay at in Fiji. We would go for 2 weeks probably in July or August of next year. We really like Yasawa Island Resort from all the pictures and write ups and would like to spend our 2nd week there. With that in mind I am looking for an itinerary and small reasonably priced hotels or resorts where we could spend the first week. We would like to do some exploring, take in some interesting sights,, basically be more active the first week and then just relax during the 2nd week. We love nature, cultural sights, hiking, snorkelling . I think we would budget around US$3,000 for the first week (hotel, food & activities). <BR>What about Blue Lagoon cruises - are they recommended?

jjn

Ive never been to the Yasawa Resort.<BR>But I highly recommend Blue Lagoon cruises. We went last year and had a<BR>great time. Keep in mind that the boat itself is very basic. The rooms were<BR>small and not too luxrious (hot-fan did not work )but<BR>the food was good and the crew was fantastic. Entertainment was the crew singing and dancing. It was a very simple and RELAXING cruise. Also you<BR>get to stop off at 2 islands a day which<BR>breaks up the monotony!

Louise

We did the Blue Lagoon Cruise about four years ago and enjoyed it so much we went again this year. The new boat (Gold club cruise) is fantastic with a king size bed in the rooms plus a sofa, desk and chair and end tables plus air conditioning. Although the boat does 4 day cruises, you can do two back to back with an itinerary change for each section except for the last day which you spend at the cruise line's private island. I couldn't believe the ocean this time around - there was not even a ripple hitting the beaches. The boat was not near full. I love doing this trip because you get to see a variety of places and villages.

DJ

TO Iza,<BR>Your choice to stay at the Yasawa Resort is a great one. We spent a week there a year ago and just thought the place was wonderful in all respects. The resort staff were so friendly and gave good service and the food was excellent. It truly is a very beautiful and relaxing place to spend a week. You can have wonderful walks along the beach right outside your bure and because the resort is small you will be afforded lots of privacy. The evening gatherings in the open lounge before dinner were fun and you get a chance to socialize with other guests if desired. A visit to the village and school with escort is well worth a trip as the children were lovely and each class sang for their visitors. Have a wonderful time.

Heather

Ditto DJ's response above. My husband and I were at Yasawa for 10 days this past May and it was incredible. The staff are incredibly friendly, the beaches are wonderful, fantastic snorkeling.....so worth the money in every respect. You'll have an amazing week.

Mary

Yasawa is fantastic as are the Blue lagoon cruises - however the cruises go to through Yasawa Islands (that the name of the group of islands) so you'll be spending all your time in the one part of Fiji - nothing wrong with that - its beautiful! However, if you wanted to see more of Fiji you could maybe go to one of the resorts to the north on or near Taveuni or in another area of Viti Levu.

Iza

Thanks for all your responses. I have been doing quite a lot of research and I think that we would probably do a Blue Lagoon cruise for 3-4 days, and then split the rest of the stay between Yasawa and a resort in the north.<BR><BR>Mary, what resort on or near Taveuni would you recommend?

Mary

On savusavu - I'd recommend either namele (namelefiji.com) or the cousteau resort (fijiresort.com). Off Taveuni there's Matangi (matangiisland.com) and a large number of mid-range accomodation on Taveuni itself that I've not stayed in. If you're wanting a change from just beach - perhaps the cousteau resort - which certainly when I was there about 4 years ago, had lots of other things to do as well.