Fiji
Day One
Overview
tifajek mud baths
A short drive from Nadi International Airport are the Tifajek Mud Baths, thermal hot springs that are said to be beneficial for a wide variety of ailments. When you arrive, an employee will scoop the warm mud out of the baths into a bucket and instruct you to rub it all over yourself and let it dry in the sun. (Wear an old bathing suit to ensure it doesn't get stained.) When the mud has baked on, you will immerse yourself in the hot springs and wash it off. Once you're completely clean, you can head over to an open-air pavilion for a relaxing massage. There really is no better remedy for jet lag than this!
It's only a lucky few who live close enough to the islands of Fiji to make them a weekend destination, but a surprising number of long-haul flights do have significant layovers at Viti Levu's Nadi International Airport. If you can extend yours to 2 days, there are plenty of options to combine adventure and relaxation in one weekend. Spend the first day on the main island of Viti Levu, and take day two to relax in one of the area's day-trip destinations.
Garden of the sleeping giant
Tradition has it that there are mountains called “sleeping giants” all over Fiji, and children are told that if they don’t eat their meals, the giants will be angered and awaken. This garden is at the base of one of these giants, and is filled with more than 2,000 varieties of orchids and other flowering plants native to the island. It's easy to spend an hour or two walking the boardwalks and paths among lily ponds, waterfalls and huge rainforest plants.
Fiji Culture Village
A collection of bures, traditional Fijian huts, each feature a unique island craft. You can learn how the islanders make canoes, pottery and carvings. There are also spots where people will demonstrate the famous cava ceremonies, how to make a fire from scratch, and centuries-old fishing techniques.
Day 2
Castaway island
If you have kids in tow, this spot is probably your best choice. A secluded resort on its own private island, Castaway only permits 20 outside guests per day, so the beach is never crowded. Guests are greeted with a traditional Fijian song, which adds to the festive atmosphere. They have different activities every day, with each day following a particular theme. Sunloungers and thatched huts are available for all guests, and there are 3 restaurants and a beach bar.
cloud 9
Who hasn’t dreamed of sipping a tropical cocktail on a sunlounger in the middle of the what Sea? Add to this some solid wood-fired pizza, and you’ve got a day that will go down in the history books. With morning and afternoon options, you may think the natural choice is to opt for an afternoon session, as that is the customary time for cocktails. Something to consider, however, is the fact that even though you didn’t choose to go in the morning, a whole bunch of other people did. And let’s just say that cleaning the bathrooms on a platform in the middle of the ocean is neither the easiest nor the most prioritized task. You can jump off the platform into the water, and there is snorkeling near by, but if you have snorkeled in other places in Fiji, you won’t be impressed with this site. Even with the caveats, though, this is a true once-in-a-lifetime.
Modriki island
This is one day trip that Survivor fans will not want to miss. The show has been filmed at this location since 201? And if you’re lucky, you may even see some of the props set up in the water nearby or along the nearby islands. In addition to Survivor, this is also where the Tom Hanks film can’t remember was filmed. Snorkeling is good, and, depending on your tour operator, there are usually very few visitors.