An island paradise of rich colours and verdant scenery Savusavu is a staggeringly beautiful and gloriously undeveloped South Pacific island. Fiji's more tourist-orientated Viti Levu island is close by but the joy of Savusavu comes in venturing off the beaten track and delving into the heart of a tropical idyll where hidden villages welcome you with open arms. Revelling in its nickname as Fiji's hidden paradise the country's second-largest island is a place of adventure - and geothermically fuelled relaxation. Mud baths burble and hot springs simmer across the island adding to the sense that the land itself is alive and breathing. Trek the rainforests with parrots chattering overhead and see the colours splashed across the green landscapes and gardens by orchids and water lilies. Gardens overlook the gorgeous Savusavu Bay and you can walk between hundreds of palm varieties and trees that droop laden with exotic fruits. The sprawling rainforest opens up briefly to reveal Savusavu the island’s compact main town. Thriving coral reeds add yet more colour and life to the surrounding seabeds with spectacular snorkelling opportunities and the chance to spot bottlenose and spinner dolphins skipping and skimming acrobatically across the tips of the waves. The fertile environment also encourages black lip pearl oysters to thrive here leading to the development of one of the island’s treasured exports beautiful black pearls. Visit the bay’s farm to find out more.

Suva, a multiracial city, is the pulsing heart of the South Pacific. Its location is on a hilly peninsula in the southeast corner of Viti Levu Island, the largest in the Fijian archipelago. Suva was named the country's capital in 1882; the former capital was Luvuka. Suva's natural harbour was no doubt a deciding factor that prompted the change. Its port is the country's main shipping facility, accommodating vessels from all over the world. The town is backed by the lush green hills of the Suva-Rewa range. The waterfront district, much of which is built on land reclaimed from tangled mangrove swamps, provides the hub for much of Suva's activities. The downtown centre is a hodgepodge of high-rise office buildings, colonial houses with second-story verandas, parks and government structures. The northern and western mountains catch the trade winds, with the result being damp conditions year-round and frequent tropical downpours. Despite the ever-present possibility of showers, Suva is an excellent place to explore on foot. Many points of interest are located on Victoria Parade and along tree-shaded Queen Elizabeth Drive. Suva's botanical park is lush with flowering plants, trees and green lawns. In its centre stands the Fiji Museum, where objects reflect 3,000 years of Fijian history. The museum boasts a fine collection of Melanesian artefacts and various exhibits that reflect on Fiji's maritime era. Government House stands on a hillside surrounded by landscaped grounds. A stern, uniformed sentry guards the pillared gate entrance. The monthly Changing of the Guard is executed with almost as much pomp and ceremony as at London's Buckingham Palace. Friendly Fiji will charm you; here Melanesia mixes with Polynesia, ancient India with Oceania and tradition with the modern world. The Fijian greeting "Bula!" is extended warmly to strangers on city streets and country roads. Fiji is one of the South Pacific's most hospitable countries and a holiday destination that has much to offer in recreational activities, shopping and joyous celebrations.