In the Cook Islands, there truly is something for everyone, from family fun in the sun to romantic getaways with that someone special.
Well, what an unprecedented year-and-a-half it has been! If you had asked us what we were expecting for the year ahead at the end of 2019, we never would have foreseen what was about to happen to our world and all of those who call it home.
Through sheer determination and a team of five million working together, we New Zealanders can proudly say we have achieved what many nations around the world are desperate for (and rightly so), elimination in the community of this insidious virus, and a return to (relative) normality for its citizens.
One of key factors in a return to normality, is the return of international travel, and with the travel bubble with the Cook Islands due to have come into effect from 17 May 2021, we, like many others, are dreaming of the tropics.
Only a four-hour flight northeast of New Zealand, the Cook Islands form a group of 15 tropical islands, each surrounded by stunning turquoise lagoons, ringed with white sand beaches and filled with friendly locals, have long been a much loved vacation hot spot for us Kiwis.
With borders that have been closed to all tourists since March 2020, the islands are ready and waiting for visitors to make their return. Our friends residing on Rarotonga, the ‘main island’, have proudly told us the island is looking better than ever (if possible!), with locals and the resorts themselves taking this time to dig into long planned renovation and rejuvenation work around the island. In fact, Pacific Resort Hotel Group, the Cook Islands leading independent collection of luxury and boutique beachfront resorts on Rarotonga and Aitutaki, has just recently announced the completion of a $10 million renovation project for two of its resort complexes, Pacific Resort Rarotonga and Little Polynesian Resort.
These upgrades have also boosted the star-ratings of the two resorts with the adults only Little Polynesian Resort now placed at five stars, and the family friendly Pacific Resort Rarotonga moving up to four-and-a-half stars.
In the Cook Islands, there truly is something for everyone, from family fun in the sun to romantic getaways with that someone special. Our favourite things to do include exploring the islands on hire scooters (licenses are easy to get and make for a fabulous souvenir!) or with a convertible car; taking relaxing strolls on a multitude of beautiful beaches, indulging in a spa treatment, venturing out on one of the many snorkelling or fishing tours, or simply relishing a romantic beachfront dining experience under the stars.
There are so many more activities to choose from though, from shopping at the vibrant Saturday markets, dirt bike and buggy excursions and night life tours in Rarotonga, to visiting the world famous One Foot Island to get your passport stamped and soak up the magical ambience, or perhaps kite surfing and bone fishing in Aitutaki; the list goes on…
For family vacations, to romantic getaways, intrepid adventurers to those simply seeking maximum relaxation, whatever your reason for booking a much deserved and long-awaited tropical getaway to the stunning South Pacific, the beautiful Cook Islands and its people’s world famous ‘Kia Orana Spirit’ (and smiles), are ready to welcome you with open arms and open borders once again.
