Escape the cold winter weather with a short plane ride to paradise...Bula, Fiji!
With winter officially in season, it makes sense that we’re spending our days daydreaming of blue skies and white sand beaches. Just a three-hour flight from Auckland, Fiji offers the ultimate weekend reset: think sun-drenched days, ocean dips, and cocktails by the pool, all without maxing out your entire annual leave balance. Whether you're after a three-day adventure or pure relaxation, this itinerary proves you can do a lot—or a little—in just 72 hours.
FRIDAY
Kick off your island escape with a morning flight to Nadi. The three short hours in the sky are the equivalent of one long feature film or a few chapters of that book you’ve been meaning to sink your teeth into. By lunchtime, you’ll be touching down ready for the first sip of that something fruity and fresh. A short transfer will have you arriving at the Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa, the first stop in your island escape, where the drizzly Auckland rain is but a distant memory when checking in to an Ocean View room. Choose from one of the resort’s seven glistening pools to get a jumpstart on that holiday glow, or head straight to Urban Sugar Beach Club where cocktail jugs and gourmet canapés await on plush daybeds with uninterrupted views of the Pacific. As the sun sets, stroll over to La Bottega, the resort’s resident Italian eatery. Toast your arrival with a glass of prosecco or something bold from their international wine list, and enjoy a menu filled with comforting Western classics.
SATURDAY
A lie-in is exactly what is called for on holiday. Wake to the sounds of the sea and fuel up at Harvest with a buffet breakfast before checking out. I’d recommend booking a private transfer to Port Denarau, where the Malolo Cat ferry will transport you across crystal-clear waters to the postcard-perfect Lomani Island Resort & Spa in the Mamanuca Islands. Adults-only and very cool, Lomani promises uninterrupted relaxation and privacy for the next 24 hours. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, you can upgrade to an Oceanfront Pool Bure for your very own private plunge pool mere steps from the beach. My hot tips? Book yourself into the newly opened Lomani Spa for a relaxing afternoon of pampering. A traditional Fijian Bobo Massage is a must-try—a deep, rhythmic treatment passed down through generations. Spend your afternoon unwinding by the main pool with a good book and tropical cocktail, or opt for the resort’s bean bags and bubbles experience while the sun melts into the sea. And finish off the evening with a beachfront dinner under the stars, serenaded by the sounds of live Fijian music.
SUNDAY
Start your final morning the way Sundays are intended, with breakfast in bed, ordered the night before and delivered fresh from the island’s bounty. Once packed and checked out, board a private boat charter with Dulcinea Charters for a truly unforgettable send-off: a day at Seventh Heaven. This floating platform in the middle of the South Pacific defines barefoot luxury. Snorkel the surrounding coral reefs, sip freshly shaken cocktails, and stuff yourself silly with wood-fired pizza while live music sets the scene for your final day in paradise. After your aquatic adventure, take the transfer boat back to Port Denarau, where your car awaits. If time allows before your evening flight, pop into the Fiji Airways Premier Lounge to dine on the chef-inspired dinner menu. And when the plane lifts off and Fiji fades from view, I can promise you’ll be dreaming of your next island escape.
Sota tale—see you again, Fiji.
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