South Pacific Getaways Many South Pacific vacation destinations provide an excellent mix of seclusion and luxury.  The hundreds of islands in the South Pacific that have resort areas cater to the kind of traveler who likes to get away from the hustle of the city while sacrificing none of the important amenities.  Many small resorts dot the South Pacific islands, and some resorts have islands or atolls all to themselves.  South Pacific islands have long been considered some of the most romantic of all vacation destinations, and many of them have been immortalized by the literary works of James Michener, who told hundreds of tales of his exploits in the South Pacific during World War II.  Thankfully, South Pacific vacations don’t have to be expensive, if you know where to travel, when to travel, and where to book your trip.  How To Get There Traveling to the South Pacific can be an adventure in itself.  Before you even arrive, you’re often challenged by the question of how to get to your destination.  Many of the most authentic and popular islands in the South Pacific don’t have runways designed for large passenger planes, so travelers looking for South Pacific vacations often must change planes at a larger island and use a smaller plane on the last leg of their trip.  Between islands, some charter boat services run passenger service for a small fee.  These boats are often privately held, and are a great way to travel among nearby islands with minimal hassle.  Many of the areas of the South Pacific hold hundreds of islands, all closely packed together, so islands are less than 10 miles apart.  On a fast boat, you can hop from one island to the next in just 15 minutes.  Top Destinations A few places should be considered “must-see” when taking South Pacific vacations.  The Solomon Islands have nearly 350 islands scattered across hundreds of miles of ocean, but one city in particular stands out above the rest.  Honiara has a lively tourist trade, certainly, but it remains one of the most energetic cities in the Solomon’s.  The residents are friendly, and the Chinatown area of Honiara is a great place to find authentic Chinese food and other items.  The island nation of Kiribati is another popular destination.  Its rugged beauty, coupled with the cosmopolitan population, means that travelers will feel right at home in its capital, Tarawa.  Kiribati boasts some of the most spectacular diving and surfing in the South Pacific, and should be a must see destination for any South Pacific vacation.  Resorts in Kiribati tend to be less expensive than others in the South Pacific, but they’re also much more difficult to get to.  New Caledonia is another of the most popular destinations for travelers to the South Pacific.  While the small nation was, until recently, considered dangerous to travelers because of civil unrest, it is now one of the most highly recommended places to spend a holiday.  New Caledonia is a French Overseas Territory, and the remnants of French occupation still loom large in the small island nation.  European expats make up a significant portion of the population, and provide a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Guam is another of the South Pacific islands that provides travelers with great value.  Guam is most popular with American tourists, and has a much higher cost of living than many other South Pacific island nations.  Of course, the amenities on Guam are unmatched anywhere else in the South Pacific, but that level of luxury does come at a price.  Guam is the perfect South Pacific vacation destination for those who are looking to get away from the hustle of the big city, while retaining much of the home-like atmosphere they enjoy.  Guam is similar in many ways to a mid-sized city on the US mainland, and travelers who don’t want to take an overly exotic vacation may appreciate that.  Online Sites A few sites provide excellent information about the South Pacific region and the different island nations that inhabit it.  One of the most comprehensive informational sources is the Factbook, published by the Central Intelligence Agency.  The Factbook provides insight into every country in the world.  The U.S. State Department also maintains extensive records and recommendations regarding South Pacific islands.  Before embarking on any South Pacific adventure, it’s important that travelers check with the State Department; otherwise, travelers have no way of knowing if there is a State Department Travel Advisory in effect.  Travel Advisories typically are issued when there is credible evidence that the country in question has internal factions that are targeting Americans specifically.  What To Watch Out For Travelers to the South Pacific should watch out for many things.  While the number of developed cities means that it would be difficult for anyone to lift the wallet or purse, pickpockets do exist in many vacation destinations.  Always be vigilant.  Never book a South Pacific vacation without knowing exactly when you’ll get there, and how you’ll be traveling.  It can be very difficult to get to many of the destinations that the South Pacific has to offer, simply because the islands are spread over such a massive area.  Take the time to plan ahead of time exactly how your travel arrangements will go, and always be flexible.  Many companies that offer charter service aren’t regulated by the government, so always make sure that you’re dealing with a reliable, well-respected transportation company Regardless of how you decide to travel or where you intend to go, take the time to slow down and enjoy the scenery and friendly hospitality that is so rare to find in extremely popular tourist destinations.  By spending the time to research some of the vacation destinations in the South Pacific, travelers can read reviews online, as well.  This ensures that those people taking vacations can enjoy a hassle-free trip where they can enjoy themselves to the fullest.