Fiji has all the turquoise water, glittering sand and luxury resorts you'd expect from a tropical paradise, but it feels wonderfully far away from everything. Spread across about 333 islands in the South Pacific, more than 1,300 miles from New Zealand, it offers the kind of seclusion that lets you truly unplug.

Couples love Fiji's romantic island resorts, families love its warm welcome, and adventurers come for world-class surfing and some of the best soft-coral diving on the planet. Island-hop through the Mamanuca and Yasawa groups, spend a day at a sandbar or private beach, and watch the sun sink into the ocean with a cold Fiji Bitter in hand. Fijian culture is a highlight too. Join a village visit and a traditional kava ceremony, and if you're lucky, witness the remarkable firewalking ceremony on the island of Beqa. Above all, you'll be greeted everywhere with a warm bula.

Nonstop flights reach Fiji from Los Angeles and San Francisco. I'll help you choose the right islands and resort, from adults-only hideaways to family-friendly stays, and arrange the boat and seaplane transfers.