See, Taste And Tour Fiji & Los Angeles With Fiji Airways

With a seemingly endless supply of gorgeous islands dotting our oceans, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing where to go. Let the magic of Fiji help make things easier. Then, add a stop in Los Angeles for good measure, and voila, you’ve got the perfect Pacific peregrination.

Until you lay your eyes on the real thing, images of Fiji look photoshopped. And even then, you won’t believe your eyes. Has Crayola named a colour after any of these crazy blues and greens? They should.

There are increasingly fewer and fewer places in the world where you can go and witness what our rich underwater world looked like even a hundred years ago. Fiji is one of those places. Worldly divers know that Fiji is special and return often. If its famous technicolour reefs and unique underwater caverns and canyons all teeming with life have eluded you, or if scuba diving is a budding passion, you’d be selling yourself short by not diving here. 

Dubbed the ‘The Soft Coral Capital of the World’, expect nearly 400 species of coral, 1,200 species of fish, and some of the best open-water shark diving in the world. Best of all, Fiji’s diving season runs year-round.

Ask for ‘ko-KON-da’, and you’ll be treated to Fiji’s take on a worldwide coastal favourite. Hey, it’s not uncommon to cut up freshly-caught fish into bitesize pieces. It isn’t groundbreaking to add coconut milk, peppers, onions, chilli and coriander, and to cure it all with a big squeeze of lemon. It may not be unique but it’s different from Peru’s, Mexico’s or even Tahiti’s take on the famous dish. Fiji’s coconut milk ceviche, or kokoda, is light yet satisfying and crazy-good. Thank goodness you can find it just about anywhere in the country.

Mountains, sure, but sand dunes? On an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? You betcha. With soaring mountains staring down at you from the minute you wake, Fiji dares you to hike and explore. Pick an island, any island, and you’ll find pristine mountain trails to conquer, all leaving you with brochure-quality vistas at every turn. 

Oh, and those sand dunes we talked about? Head to Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu, where a spectacular natural sand barrier separates the azure sea from the verdant interior creating a dramatic clash of nature. The Sigatoka Sand Dunes, now a National Park, are a must-see, especially for the shutterbugs.

Before or after your Fiji sojourn, see and be seen in the City of Angels, the perfect stop to break up your Fiji Airways flight.

Once you get past the fact that almost the entire state of California is pretty enough for Instagram, you start to dwindle things down, picking only the most fascinating and visually pleasing places to add to your story. If you’re at all a coffee or tea lover, prepare to be humbled by L.A.’s snappy cafe scene.

Whether it’s tasteful interior accents, artisanal mini-cupcakes or rainbow lattes you are fawning over, you’ll have a bevy of options to choose from. For some of the most Insta-worthy cafes in L.A., try The Cabana Cafe (next to the famous Beverly Hills Hotel), the Wes Anderson inspired Ladurée (for their gorgeous macarons) and Carrera Cafe, which can even decorate your latte with an imprint of a photo from your phone. Yup.

Hey, we all scream for it so let’s get organized. Southern California boasts year-round near-perfect weather and with that, a whole lot of ice cream shops to keep you cool. Cali is creative and their knack for crafting innovative ice cream knows no bounds. From the farm-to-cone philosophy of Salt & Straw to the made-to-order liquid nitrogen variety found at the Ice Cream Lab, you’ll have plenty of interesting ice cream moments. Bicycle-churned organic ice cream? Of course. Check our Peddler’s Creamery for your eco-cone.  

For a whimsical and educational day or two, explore L.A.’s multitude of museums. The city boasts over a hundred of them and dozens are free to crawl. The Broad holds over 2,000 contemporary art pieces, and even though you need to reserve a spot in advance, entry is free. For a deep dive into America’s black culture, covering everything from black motorcycle culture to West Coast hip hop, check out the California African-American Museum, and its more than 6,000 pieces, all free to browse. 

There’s also the California Science Center, Hollywood Bowl Museum (featuring memorabilia from The Beatles and other past performers), Travel Town Museum (old trains and vehicles) and the Getty Center, offering breathtaking views of the city below once you’re done with the exhibits. 

Get in the spirit of the South Pacific and fly Fiji Airways on your trip of a lifetime. From the minute you board to your ‘Bula!’ island welcome, know that you’re in good hands with Fiji Airways’ modern fleet, award-winning service and the friendliness of the islands before you even get there.

Offering stopovers in their hub of Los Angeles for the perfect break in a journey to the islands, with Fiji Airways, getting to and from the South Pacific has never been more comfortable.

We’re sure you’ve got your own ideas on how you want to see, taste and tour Fiji and Los Angeles, and we’re ready to help you plan. Every holiday is personal so you can’t book our Fare of the Month online. Connect with our Expert Travellers to tailor-make your unbordered South Pacific adventure by chatting us, by calling 1855 796 8359 or by visiting your closest Flight Centre store.