26 days in Cook Islands, Samoa & Bali Itinerary

Scattered across a 2,200,000 sq km (849,425 sq mi) zone in the vast Pacific Ocean, roughly halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, the Cook Islands are about as remote a holiday destination as you will find. With their pristine white-sand beaches, tranquil azure lagoons, lush tropical jungles, and teeming coral reefs, the 15 islands seem plucked from a picture postcard of paradise. Relaxation comes first and foremost, for locals as much as tourists, and you will find the laid-back lifestyle of the Cook Islanders as infectious as their warm smiles. As tempting (and fulfilling) as it might be to spend all day swinging lazily in a hammock strung between shady palm trees, plenty of adventures await exploring the idyllic scenery overland, on the waves, and undersea.

Enchanting Samoa and its people boast a legendarily laid-back approach to life, and clocks and set times are merely a formality here. The society remains a proud one, deeply connected to a set of millennia-old traditions known as "Fa'a Samoa"--the Samoan Way. Spread out over two main islands and several smaller landmasses, Samoa is a land of incredible contrasts and natural beauty, home to rocky volcanic mountains and expansive beaches, rugged cliffs and lush rainforests. Visitors on holiday in Samoa can easily spend their time exploring the country's exotic interior and untamed coastal reaches, which offer plenty of wildlife and fantastic landscapes. Alternatively, they can just as readily kick back in sleepy seaside villages, indulging in a full-service resort, or splash around in lagoons and at beaches that hold their place among the world's best.

A province of Indonesia, the island of Bali remains one of the world's top tourist destinations thanks to its beaches, diving spots, and resorts. Take a trip to Bali to discover the island's smiling and famously hospitable locals--perhaps the biggest treasure of this tropical paradise. More than just another fun-in-the-sun getaway, Bali also reveals a rich history and varied geography of mountains, rugged coastal areas, sandy beaches, thriving rice terraces, and stark volcanic hillsides that seem transported from another planet. A Bali tour uncovers some of the world's best surfing spots, as well as a deeply spiritual local culture and globally significant archeological attractions.