Jetsettersblog

For travellers eager to venture off the beaten track in 2012, Vanuatu’s outer islands are the perfect holiday option. With packages, booking support, and regular flights now available, there has never been a better time to explore Vanuatu’s outer islands.

Vanuatu is an archipelago of 83 islands, and outside of the main islands there are a number of island gems waiting to be discovered. From active volcanoes, to unique cultures and traditions, the outer
islands of Vanuatu offer an once-in-a-lifetime adventure and an unforgettable experience.

Malekula

Malekula is Vanuatu’s second largest island, and provides visitors with a fascinating insight into Vanuatu’s history and culture. Visitors to the island are able to witness traditions of the Small Nambas and Big Nambas, and adventurous travellers can uncover old cannibal sites hidden in the bush on North Malekula.

Each August Malekula is also home to the Nalawan Festival, where travellers can witness spectacular Nukofo custom dances, celebrations and ceremonies.

To book accommodation or tours in Malekula travellers can visit www.malampa.travel an online booking resource launched in August, or Adventure World’s new First Footprints product collection (www.adventureworld.com.au), which launched in October.

Pentecost

Pentecost is famous throughout the world for the land diving ritual (Nagol or N’gol), which occurs every Saturday between April and June. The ritual, which influenced the invention of bungy jumping, sees local men and boys as young as seven jump from a 20-30 metre high manmade tower with only a vine attached to their legs.

Travelling to view this magnificent ceremony is a once in a lifetime experience and a must-do for adventurous travellers. Day tours to view the ritual are available through Adventure World’s First Footprints product collection (www.adventureworld.com.au ), or can be booked in Port Vila.

Island Escape (www.islandescape.co.nz ), a luxury small ship cruise company, also offers packages which cover Espiritu Santo and South Pentecost, and are perfect for travellers looking to uncover the beauty of these islands.

Tanna

Tanna is one of Vanuatu’s best-known outer islands, and is home to one of its most popular tourist attractions – Mt Yasur. Tanna is only a short 45 minute flight from Port Vila, and from here you will be at Mt Yasur volcano in less than two hours.

While in Tanna, a cultural tour to a Kastom Village will provide an insight into a culture largely isolated from the western world. For the adventurous there’s plenty on offer with stunning blue holes, underwater caves, some of the best coral in the South Pacific, and untouched waterfalls. You can also sandboard down the side of a volcano, or explore the island’s beautiful landscapes on horseback.

Tanna packages are currently available through Flight Centre (www.flightcentre.com.au ) and Spacifica Travel (www.spacificatravel.com).

Ambrym, Epi, and Banks and Torres

For the truly intrepid traveller there are also opportunities to venture to Ambrym, Epi, and Banks and Torres.

These islands offer a fantastic mix of rich Ni-Vanuatu culture and customs, and pristine natural beauty. While currently not packaged in Australia, travellers can go to www.vanuatu.travel to learn more about the accommodation and tour options available on these islands, or organise their travel on arrival in Port Vila.

How to get there:

Vanuatu is only three-four hours from Australia’s East Coast, with Air Vanuatu flying to Port Vila six times a week from Sydney, three times a week from Brisbane and once weekly from Melbourne. Air Vanuatu also offers regular inter-island services from Port Vila, making it easy to explore Vanuatu’s outer islands.

For more information on the holidays on offer in Vanuatu go to: www.vanuatu.travel

Australian travellers looking to swap the bustle of daily life with island paradise will rejoice with the great savings and deals currently on offer in Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila. With friendly locals, adventurous activities, year round sunshine, and clear waters, Vanuatu offers the perfect escape in the sun for Aussie travellers.

Travelscene American Express is currently offering a seven night getaway to Port Vila, starting from $1325* per person, ex. Brisbane; $1365* per person ex. Sydney; and $1485* per person ex. Melbourne. With savings of up to $579 per person, the package includes return economy flights to Port Vila, seven night’s accommodation for the price of four at Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa in a Lagoon Superior Room including breakfast, return airport transfers, and free gym access. To really help you unwind and settle into the pace of island life, you’ll also receive one free massage per room.

With unlimited opportunities for adventure, Port Vila is the ideal holiday destination for families. Prices for kids start from $449*per child ex. Brisbane; $489* per child ex. Sydney; and $609* per child ex. Melbourne. Better still, while at Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa kids under 12 stay, play and eat for free, and get complimentary access to the resort’s fantastic kid’s club facilities.

The offer is valid for travel from 17 October 2011 – 08 December 2011 and 23 Jan 2012 – 29 March 2012, but you must book by 30 November 2011.

Boasting 83 beautiful islands, Vanuatu offers a unique blend of stunning geographic beauty, rich cultural experiences and endless soft adventure activities for all Aussie travellers. Vanuatu is just a short three -four hour flight from Australia’s East Coast, but feels like a world away. With great deals on offer there’s never been a better time to take advantage of Vanuatu’s year round sunshine.

For more information on the current deals available from Travelscene American Express go to: http://www.travelscene.net.au/site/promo/vanuatu.aspx

For more information on the range of holidays on offer in Vanuatu go to www.vanuatu.travel

*Terms and conditions apply to all packages. Prices are per person twin share inclusive of pre-payable taxes and subject to availability at time of booking. Valid for sale to 30 November 2011. Black-out dates apply. Kids U/12 stay, play & eat FREE is for up to two children and conditions apply. Go to www.travelscene.net.au  for more information on terms and conditions.

Compagnie du Ponant’s newest mega-yacht L’Austral is offering two cruises in the South Pacific in March.

The 16-day cruise from Papeete to Noumea, departing March 2, visits 10 ports between French Polynesia and New Caledonia, including Moorea and Fiji’s capital city of Suva.

The March 17 15-day cruise explores French and Australian places, including the Great Barrier Reef. Prices range from $6,075 to $16,070 per person, double, for the Papeete-Noumea itinerary and $5,670 to $14,998 for Noumea to Darwin.

The Papeete-Noumea cruise also visits Papeete, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Aitutaki and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, the Vava’u island chain in Tonga and the Fiji islands of Fulaga and Suva.

The voyage concludes in Noumea, the capital city of the French territory. The Noumea-Darwin itinerary sails to the Isle of Pines, the Great Barrier Reef for three days, and Townsville, Cooktown, Cairns, Port Douglas and Thursday Island in Australia.

For more information, call 888-400-1082,

email USreservations@ponant.com

or visit www.en.ponant.com

With impossibly white beaches, pristine waters, and mixture of raw luxury and budget-friendly properties, Vanuatu is the perfect place to swap the bustle of daily life with island paradise. With terrific deals and savings now on offer there’s never been a better time to head to Vanuatu.

Spacifica Travel is currently offering a seven night getaway to Port Vila, for only $849* per person. With savings of $440 per person, this package includes return economy flights from Brisbane to Port Vila with Air Vanuatu, seven nights for the price of four at the Coconut Palms Resort in a Superior Orchid Room, transfers, daily breakfast, a $100 meal credit per room, introductory tour of Port Vila, as well as one lunch to the value of 1,000VT per person in Port Vila. The offer is valid for travel between 28 September – 08 December 2011, and 15 January – 29 March 2012, but bookings must be made by 31 October 2011.

Boasting 83 beautiful islands, Vanuatu offers a unique blend of stunning geographic beauty, rich cultural experiences and endless soft adventure activities for couples and families alike.

Vanuatu is just a short three hour flight from Sydney, but feels like a world away. With great deals on offer there’s never been a better time to take advantage of Vanuatu’s year round sunshine and palm-fringed beaches.

For more information on the current deals available from Spacifica Travel go to: www.spacificatravel.com

For more information on the range of holidays on offer in Vanuatu go to www.vanuatu.travel

*Terms and conditions apply to all packages. Prices are per person twin share ex Brisbane, inclusive of pre-payable taxes and subject to availability at time of booking. Valid for sale to 31 October 2011. Black-out dates and seasonal surcharges may apply. Go to www.spacificatravel.com  for more information on terms and conditions.

As the temperature continues to dip, Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu is the place to head for respite, with properties like Ratua Private Island offering up to 45% discounts, making it the perfect time to shake off your winter blues.

Espiritu Santo is the largest of Vanuatu’s islands, and is well-known as a paradise for dive enthusiasts, with breathtaking blue holes, and popular dive sites Million Dollar Point, and SS President Coolidge. However, with its pristine white beaches, crystal blue waters, and mixture of raw luxury and budget-friendly properties, Espiritu Santo is a fantastic winter getaway in the sun for all Aussie travellers.

Although you could spend all your time relaxing or picnicking on Espiritu Santo’s many secluded islands, by blue holes, or on impossibly white beaches like the famous Champagne Beach, there are also plenty of activities for the more adventurous.

Try a kayaking trip up Espiritu Santo’s stunning rivers to swim in deep fresh water blue holes hidden by the thick foliage of dense jungle, or take a trek to Millennium Cave and walk through a 50 metre high cave before swimming out through a river in the middle of a tropical gorge.

For a taste of the Ni-Vanuatu lifestyle, visit the local markets in the main town of Luganville, or take a day trip to a custom (Kastom) village to learn about the long held traditions.

Ratua Private Island, located off the south east tip of Espiritu Santo, provides a unique and authentic eco luxury experience. Ratua Private Island is limited to 38 guests at any one time to preserve its natural surroundings, and has recently released new rates.

The rates of the one bedroom villas are now available for $420 per night, which represents a 45% saving. Master two bedroom villas are available for $660 per night, and family two bedroom villas are available for $460.

For those looking for complete privacy, private villages, which accommodate up to 12 people, are available for $1,500 per night, and for the ultimate in indulgence the entire island is available to rent out, accommodating 38 guests for $7,000 per night.

These rates include airport transfers, fully cooked breakfast, welcome drinks and fruit platter on arrival and resort-based activities including horse-riding, snorkelling, exploring the lush island surrounds by electronic buggy, and canoeing in the nearby unspoiled waters.

A minimum two night stay applies to all bookings, and rates do not include lunch and dinner.

Ratua’s new rate structure is sure to attract Australian travellers looking to fuse the amenities of a high-end holiday, with the authentic and organic eco experience offered by Ratua Private Island.

Getting there:

Air Vanuatu flies six days a week from Sydney to Port Vila, three days a week from Brisbane and once weekly from Melbourne. Onward connections are available from Port Vila to Espiritu Santo.

Air Vanuatu also offers once weekly flights directly to Espiritu Santo from Brisbane and from Sydney via Port Vila.

Ratua Island is only a 30-minute motorboat journey from the Espiritu Santo mainland, with the island’s own private motor launch.

For more information on Ratua Private Island’s new rates, or to book a holiday, please visit: www.ratua.com

For more information on Air Vanuatu please visit: www.airvanuatu.com

For more information on other holiday options available in Vanuatu please visit: http://vanuatu.travel/

While many Aussie travellers will be flocking to Vanuatu in the coming months to soak up its pristine beaches and sunshine, it is also a busy time on the Vanuatu festival and events calendar.

From traditional village celebrations, to exhilarating sporting events, Vanuatu’s festivals and events offer travellers a unique opportunity to engage with authentic Vanuatu culture and customs during their getaway.

Linda Kalpoi, General Manager, Vanuatu Tourism Office, believes Vanuatu’s festivals and events are often a highlight for visitors, and something they take with them long after they’ve returned home.

“Vanuatu provides a unique experience for travellers. With 83 islands, Vanuatu is a culturally diverse nation, and provides travellers with an insight into colourful and fascinating cultural practices and customs. Similarly the events on the sporting calendar allow travellers to get up-close with our pristine landscape, ensuring active holiday makers leave the islands with a truly fulfilling experience,” said Kalpoi.

Back To My Roots Festival

Date: 10-12 August 2011

Location: Ambrym

The Back To My Roots Festival takes place each year on Ambrym. During the event, some of the most influential cultural practices and dance, exhibitions of art, and beliefs are presented to the public.

The festival lasts two to three days with traditional dances, demonstrations of magic and other activities that belong to the people of Ambrym.

Visitors can also visit traditional villages and sacred land terminals and sites such as old cemeteries, hike through the forest, or visit the cascades, taboo caves or twin volcanoes Marum and Benbow.

Further information is available through Napong Norbert on +678 540 0508.

Nalawan Festival

Date: 11-13 August 2011

Location: Labo Village, South West Bay, Malekula

The Nalawan Festival will take place on 11-13 August 2011 at Labo Village in Malekula’s South West Bay. A spectacular Nukofo custom dance will kick off the celebrations, including grade-taking ceremonies, cultural displays and an eye opening village tour, which will allow you to try your hand in traditional food preparation and partake in local craft.

This is a rare opportunity for adventurous travellers to witness the rich tradition and customs of Malekula’s South West Bay and get an authentic insight into Vanuatu life.

The two-day event is priced at 5,000VT per adult (approx. AUD $54) and 2,500VT per child (approx. AUD $27). On August 13 a Lembinwan Yacht Club & Lagoon Tour is available, at an additional cost.

Nalawan Festival reservations are advised and can be made by calling Willie Isno on +678 5366 168 or Yegor Makhiboroda on +678 5617845.

Vanuatu Adventure Race

Date: 13-15 August 2011

Location: Efate

The Vanuatu Adventure Race takes place in Efate, and combines trekking, swimming, abseiling and more. In addition, competitors also have the unique opportunity to take in the sights and local culture of Efate, while participating in this action-packed race.

For more information and to register for the event go to: http://www.racevanuatu.com/

Tusker Vanuatu Golf Open

Date: 16-21 August 2011

Location: Port Vila Golf and Country Club

The Vanuatu Golf Open (VGO) is played annually at the Port Vila Golf and Country Club, with eager amateur golfers descending on Port Vila each year to participate in the event.

Nightly functions and entertainment make for a great week, with many travellers who visit Vanuatu for this unique event, returning each year.

The VGO is now a significant event on the South Pacific Golfing calendar with the NSWPGA backing and professionals able to gain order of merit points for the PGA in Australia.

For more information go to: http://www.vanuatugolfopen.info/

Port Sandwich Festival

Date: 17-18 August 2011

Location: South Malekula

The annual Port Sandwich Festival is a two day event showcasing two traditional dance groups, a traditional ceremony, Melanesian feast, local string band talent, and traditional displays. After two full days of action you’ll be an expert on South Malekula culture.

Go to www.vanuatu.travel for more information.

For more information on Vanuatu’s festival and sporting calendar go to: www.vanuatu.travel

The event has grown in popularity year on year and thanks to the race taking place in Vanuatu, cheap Port Vila hotels are expected to be at a premium.

The Vanuatu Adventure Race 2011 is a competition which tests the fitness of participants in events covering mountain biking, hiking, snorkelling over the local reefs and more – a true test of fitness on challenging terrains.

This year’s Vanuatu Adventure Race 2011 will be held between the 13th and 15th of August and the Vanuatu capital of Port Vila is the perfect place to stay if participating or spectating at the event.

Competitors in the event have to meet various checkpoints by certain times to score points in the events, and there are prizes on offer at the end of each day’s competing.

Each night also sees social functions on offer for attendees and race entrants, with live music, great local food and drinks on show for all – plus the famous Vanuatu welcome.

“This race event is a hugely popular one with extreme sports enthusiasts and as such hundreds of tourists and visitors head to Port Vila to enjoy the competition. The hotels of Port Vila can look forward to a bumper period around the event and we do advise people travelling to Vanuatu at this time to book well ahead of travelling to avoid missing out.”

The Star Alliance has introduced the Micronesia Airpass. Passengers an purchase up to 10 flights on the Continental Airlines and United network across Micronesia, all in a single ticket at an attractive price.

Travel on the Micronesia Airpass can commence from any Star Alliance destination in Japan, as well as from Cairns, Guam, Hong Kong, Manila, Nadi, Palau or Saipan and is available only in conjunction with an international Star Alliance flight into any of these destinations.

Micronesia consists of more than 2,000 islands scattered across the North Pacific and is an ideal location for many types of water sports, such as scuba diving, surfing, kayaking or fishing.

Star Alliance member carriers Continental Airlines and United offer the most comprehensive airline network in Micronesia.

In addition to Guam, customers can choose to travel to: Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia; Kwajalein Atoll and Majuro in the Marshall Islands; Rota and Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands as well as Palau.

For more information, visit www.staralliance.com

Paul Gauguin Cruises has announced its 2012 sailing schedule in the South Pacific aboard the Paul Gauguin.

The schedule includes three new itineraries, as well as a number of guest speakers and events. Additionally, guests will receive 50 percent off of standard cruise fares and free airfare from Los Angeles.

Among the highlights is the new, 20-night South Pacific Discovery hotel and cruise itinerary to Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, Cook and the Society Islands, departing Jan. 23, 2012. The new Australs & Society Islands cruise departs Sept. 1, 2012, sailing to Rurutu, the “Island of Whales,” at the height of whale-watching season.

The Fiji, Tonga, Cook and Society Islandscruise departs Oct. 27 and Nov. 20, 2012. Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Pierre Vigato will join the June 23, 2012, sailing to Tahitiand the Society Islands.

The Parisian chef will prepare gourmet dishes and offer demonstrations of his culinary techniques. Jean-Michel Cousteau will join the Gauguin on the July 11, 2012, sailing to the Society Islandsand Tuamotus; the Nov. 20, 2012, sailing to Fiji, Tonga, Cook and the Society Islands; and the Dec. 1, 2012, sailing to the Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands. Cousteau will offer a series of lectures with videos of his work in the world’s oceans, as well as accompany several dives from the ship.

For more information, call 800-848-6172 or visit www.pgcruises.com

The breathtaking art of the South Pacific is as close as Long Beach, at the new Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (PieAM), which opened June 12 in Long Beach, near the Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA).

Like entering an island village, the museum features a traditionally peaked building and lush sculpture garden with native South Pacific plants.

A mural (by Long Beach native Art Mortimer) recreates a traditional Men’s House from the Island of Yap on the building’s exterior; while inside sculptures, textiles, paintings, wooden tools, jewelry and carvings from across the Pacific showcase the arts of the Marshall, Samoa, Guam, Fiji and Tongan islands.

Nationalities represented include Micronesian, Hawaiian, Ni-Vanuatu, Maori, Polynesian, Melanesian, Palauan, and the I-Kiribati.

Permanent and rotating exhibits as well as continually commissioned new works will be enhanced with traditional dance performances, interactive cultural demonstrations and learning programs.

PieAM was created by the late Dr. Robert Gumbiner, who died in January 2009, and includes his personal collection of Pacific Island ethnic art.

PieAM also is available for small-sized meetings and banquets.

www.pieam.org