Alessandra Zecchini: Viwa Island Resort, Yasawa Islands, Fiji

We had a great holiday in Fiji and the highlight was staying in Viwa Island, in the Yasawa Group. There is only one small boutique resort, Viwa Island Resort, while the island itself has about 500 people distributed in three small villages. You won't see the island in many tourist brochures, as it is usually 'off the map' to the west of the Yasawas, and can be reached by seaplane, or by ferry until Waya Island, and then with a smaller boat until Viwa. A great trip either way, and the feel that you are really somewhere exclusive and far away, but will all the comforts.

View from the bure

Coral island

Happy feet

Viwa was badly hit but the Cyclone but it has been restored beautifully with charming elevated bure (the term bure traditionally refers to the villages' meeting houses, but now it is also used to describe a type of holiday hut based on the traditional island architecture), hosting a max of 22 guests. The bure are lovely and comfortable with amazing sea views. I also liked the semi-open and yet private garden en-suite present in each bure, and the lovely little touches like Pure Fiji toiletry and fresh flower everywhere. I loved little foot pool to rinse your feet from the sand before going up the steps into your private deck.

Our deck

Hibiscus flowers and butterflies everywhere

The kids in front of their own bure (our was exactly the same, but with a double bed instead of twin beds).

Mostly I just relaxed, swam and sunbathed, but there are plenty of activities to do to, if you are so inclined, like scuba diving and snorkeling (beautiful fish and corals!), village and island tours, paddle boards and canoes, beach ball games and social activities in the evening. The staff is great, sings a lot and makes you feel special and welcomed. The restaurant is good and has an extensive vegetarian menu, a real bonus for our family (with two hungry teen-agers!).

From top right, clockwise: blue skies, Arantxa in crystal clear water, On Fiji Island by Ronald Right was published in 1987 but it is great reading, my legs getting tanned!