Category: Romantic holidays

3 Fijian day excursions you and your partner will love

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

Planning a romantic Fiji getaway? Then you will be delighted to know that a holiday at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort offers more than simply luxury accommodation. 

As a 5-star resort, we pride ourselves with having immaculate amenities, servicing your every need. From private beach-side dinners to relaxing days spent at the spa – there are endless opportunities for you and your partner to indulge the senses.

But what if you feel like being adventurous together and want to go explore the surroundings of the resort? We offer a range of complimentary off-site excursions on set days each week. 

Let us introduce three of these to give you an idea what you can expect: 

Go on an adventure in Fiji's rainforest. Go on an adventure in Fiji's rainforest.

1. Explore the local rainforest 

When you think of a romantic Fiji holiday, hammocks, sandy beaches and a soft ocean breeze are likely to come to mind. However, the South Pacific has much more to offer than just beach side relaxation. 

Join us for a hike through the stunning rainforest and dip your toes (or full body) into a refreshing jungle pool as you discover a hidden waterfall. 

Besides the obvious beauty of your surroundings, you and your other half get to marvel at some of the thousands of plant species that call Fiji home. You might even get a glimpse of one of Fiji's native species! From the dendrobium dectylodes – a little-known orchid – to the balaka macrocarpa – a flowering plant only found here – your day trip will give you an insight into the colourful world of South Pacific rainforests. 

2. Visiting a traditional village

Fiji is renowned for its friendly, relaxed people. As such, we invite you to experience their famous hospitality during an afternoon in the local village Nukubalavu. Exploring the traditions and customs of the locals, we guarantee you'll feel closer as a couple afterwards! 

To ensure you have the best time possible, visit the village in modest clothing and take off your hat – wearing one could be considered an insult to the chief. Then, if you're lucky enough to be invited into a home, thank your host and leave your shoes at the door before entering. 

Want to impress others with your language skills? Then you'll want to remember how to say hello (ni si bula), thank you (vinaka) and goodbye (sa moce) in Fijian. 

Learning about new cultures and customs can bring you and your partner closer together as well. The two of you will have a new-found appreciation for each other and be able to share the memories of your travel time for years to come. 

3. Farmers market 

If you enjoy indulging your taste buds in different culinary dishes, then the complimentary excursion to Savusavu's farmers market on Saturday morning is for you! 

Immerse yourselves in the busy and colourful atmosphere of Fiji's traditional shopping day and explore the many different local products. From fruit and seafood to handcrafts and jewellery, your lover and you will be exhilarated by the diverse offering. 

Since the Fijian cuisine is heavily based on cooking with sweet potatoes, coconut and fish, there is a plethora of delicious treats you won't see anywhere else on offer. Influenced by the migration of Indians to Fiji in the 1870s, local cooking is now a colourful mix of Indian spices and traditional island foods. 

Want to add a playful element to your trip? Why not pick something you have never eaten before and share the new taste experience as a couple! 

Inevitably, it doesn't matter whether you and your partner have been dating for a year or have been married for 10. Flying away on a romantic holiday can bring out the butterflies of your early relationship, making even a short vacation one to remember and cherish. 

Why is the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji resort just perfect for a romantic getaway?

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

Romance. It's a notion that has fascinated humankind for time immemorial. Books have been written, songs have been sung and movies made all about falling in love – it's an emotion that comes to all of us. Romance can strike at any time, unexpectedly, and there's often very little we can do about it – this is a good thing! It doesn't matter whether you're embarking on a fledgling relationship with that special someone you met only a few weeks ago, or you've recently celebrated your ruby wedding anniversary – the flame of romance continues to burn bright.

There's no better way to treat the love of your life than a surprise trip away to the tropical shores of Fiji, but you'll want to make sure you choose a resort best suited for a romantic sojourn. This is where the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort comes in – when it comes to romance, nobody does it better than us. Here's why.

Become a romantic castaway

Aside from covering your king-size bed with a dozen red roses on Valentine's Day whilst reciting a Shakespearean love sonnet, what could be more romantic than your very own private island? Short of being marooned by a shipwreck, you may think this a distinct improbability, but with Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, we can really make it happen.

With a glass of the good stuff in your hand and sky turning a rich shade of orange, nothing on Earth can shatter the romance of Naviavia.

Our private island is named Naviavia, and it's a little under half a hectare in size. This means it's small enough to offer a sense of seclusion, but large enough to explore with your partner – with no one else in sight. That's right – you'll have the island completely to yourself, with just the golden sands, gently lapping waves and sea breeze for company. You and your partner will be completely left to your own devices, but if you so wish, we'll prepare a picnic for the two of you to enjoy as the sun sinks into the Pacific. With a glass of the good stuff  in your hand and the sky turning a rich shade of orange, nothing on Earth can shatter the romance of Naviavia.   

A honeymoon from heaven

There are several famous honeymoon destinations around the world. Paris (known affectionately as the 'City of Love'), the Greek islands and New York all feature highly on anyone's list of romantic honeymoon destinations, but Fiji offers that little bit more for newly-weds.

The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is the quintessential island getaway. This is the the kind of place that would not look out of place in a child's storybook – azure skies, softs sands and a shimmering blue ocean that extends far into the horizon. At our resort, you can enjoy gentle strolls arm-in-arm along an empty beach, take a walk along a secluded pier granting you exquisite views, or even get your adventure on and snorkel beneath the waves – who knows what weird and wonderful wildlife you might discover in the crystal-clear waters? 

A wonderful wedding

Before your honeymoon, of course, comes the wedding. In this modern day and age, a traditional church wedding doesn't have to be your go-to choice when the time comes to say 'I do.' These days, the blissful beach wedding is steadily growing in popularity, and it's easy to see why. At Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, our elegant wedding ceremonies are the kind of occasions that will linger in the memory forever.

You and your guests can toast the occasion with a sumptuous gourmet dinner, finished off with fine Champagne under the watchful glow off countless stars overhead.

Picture the scene. You wake up on the morning of your wedding on the resplendent island of Vanua Levu. After a refreshing breakfast, the time has come to make your vows in a traditional Fijian ceremony – we told you that it'd be an occasion to remember! On a private stretch of unspoiled Pacific beach, two Fijian warriors will carry the bride gracefully across the sand to her groom. Time-honoured Fijian instruments will play throughout the ceremony, with a gorgeous backdrop that will make for the most fantastic of photos.

Once the ceremony is over, your special day certainly isn't. You and your guests can toast the occasion with a sumptuous gourmet dinner, finished off with fine Champagne under the watchful glow off countless stars overhead – what could be more romantic?

Be sure to get in touch with the friendly, helpful team at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort to find out more about our romantic Fijian getaways – love will certainly be in the air!

The Bula Club: The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort’s superb children’s program

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

There are few things in life more enriching to a child's mind than exploring a part of the planet unfamiliar to them. Travel can teach children how other people live, immerse them in a new and exciting culture, and open their minds to the possibilities that learning about the world can bring.

At the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, we strongly believe that educating the children of today will set us up for a brighter tomorrow, which is why we have organised the Bula Club – an award-winning program open to all little ones holidaying with us. The Bula Club is complimentary, so parents don't need to worry about having to pay extra to take part.

Let's take a look at what the Bula Club is all about.

Bula. An all-encompassing, friendly word that shows that all are welcome!

'Bula'. It's a word that is heard on every beach and down every street in Fiji, but do you know what it means? It has its origins deeply embedded in Fijian culture, and if there's only one word you'll want to learn when visiting Fiji, it's this one. It can mean hello, welcome, love – everything that embodies the spirit of these beautiful islands. This is why we have named our children's club after this wonderful word – an all-encompassing, friendly phrase that shows that all are welcome!

How does the Bula Club work?

When you and your family arrive at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, little ones will be assigned either a 'nanny' (if they are under five) or a 'buddy' (if they are aged between six and 12). Buddies will take care of up to five children, whereas nannies will give their complete care and attention to just one child. With your children under the watchful eye of our nannies and buddies, you'll be free to enjoy the sights, sounds and secrets of these islands without worry. Whether that be exploring the world beneath the waves with one of our diving packages, unravelling the knots via yoga or spa, or simply strolling along the sand, the Bula Club will allow you the freedom of a romantic holiday – with the children enjoying themselves just as much!

One of the core values of the Bula Club is to help nurture and expand your children's perspective of the beauty of the planet we live on. We want to educate and inform, showing young ones how to build a better understanding of nature, wildlife, the Earth's resources and everything in-between. The Bula Club is home to a great raft of exciting, diverse activities – below, you can read about a few of them.

Take a dip in calm Fijian waters while the Bula Club looks after your children.Take a dip in calm Fijian waters while the Bula Club looks after your children.

Where will you find the Bula Club?

The Bula Club is found just a few minutes' walk from the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort's main building and bures (traditional Fijian huts). Passing through the Bula Club's gates is to seemingly enter another world – one designed purely for the recreation and entertainment of children.

Inside, you'll find a children's fun pool (complete with a waterslide), a jungle gym, a zip line, trampoline and all sorts of other great activities. There's even an arts and crafts centre to ignite your child's bubbling creativity, so little ones can never get bored within, especially if they take part in one of the many programs on offer – let's have a look at these and see which might interest your kids!

Get with the program

At the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, we run two separate programs, based on age, each of which are chock-a-block with diverse activities for both kids and parents alike to enjoy. For children up to five years of age, there is the 'Lei Lei' program, and for youngsters aged between six and 12, the 'Marau' program.

Each has been created with the ages of the children in mind, and is aimed at mental stimulation as well as a big heap of fun. Your children can learn a whole host of skills across the variety of activities, from preparing food, to planting crops.

Passing through the Bula Club's gates is to seemingly enter another world.

To illustrate this, children who are part of the Marau group can participate in our Junior Chef's program.  This is more than just a cooking course for youngsters, however. Participants will pay a visit to our resort's very own Organic Garden, where they will harvest produce and help prepare and deliver lunch and dinner over the course of the day. At the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, we're big believers in the idea of farm-to-plate transparency, and we'll endeavour to teach your children about this worthwhile concept, too!

This healthy eating notion is carried over to the dining area of the Bula Club. Children can choose to have dinner or lunch with fellow young guests in friendly, fun surroundings, enjoying dishes that they themselves may have helped create. We make a big point of using only the freshest and most nutritious of ingredients, so you can rest assured your child will be getting a wholesome meal at the Bula Club. 

You'll want to come to Fiji to relax - and with your children engaged at the Bula Club, that's exactly what it will be.You'll want to come to Fiji to relax – and with your children engaged at the Bula Club, that's exactly what it will be.

Taking care of your children

The guys and girls at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort know that holidays should be about fun and excitement, but we also understand the need to take a break from your little ones every now and then. This is why the Bula Club has a strong emphasis on childcare. When you are assigned a nanny at the beginning of your time with us, you can let them know about any special requirements that your child may have so that their time away from you passes smoothly and without any issue or worry.

If you fancy a glass of wine or two in the evening with your partner but are worried about leaving the children, fear not.

You can advise your nanny of everything from nap schedules through to downtime, as well as how long they may be allowed to spend playing on a device, safe in the knowledge that your instructions will be followed to the letter. If you fancy a glass of wine or two in the evening with your partner but are worried about leaving the children, fear not. As soon as you have them safely tucked up in bed, the nanny will relieve you, leaving you a romantic few hours to explore Fiji with your loved one.

To find out more about the Bula Club and the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort as a whole, be sure to get in touch with our friendly, helpful team – we look forward to hearing from you. Bula!