Description
Fly into Hong Kong and spend 4 nights immersed in the fascinating Asian culture and cosmopolitan city lifestyle. East meets west here, with cutting edge skyscrapers and luxurious malls rubbing shoulders with local markets, street vendors and Chinese merchants’ houses. In central Hong Kong you can explore Hollywood Road, Hong Kong's antique street and along this street is the Man Mo Temple, a beautiful working Taoist temple. Take the funicular tram up The Peak to take in the views of Victoria harbour and the island's south-side. The Peak is also worth a visit at night to see the neon Hong Kong - weather co-operating! Board a traditional Sampan around the harbour for a close-up look at the fishing boats and the lives that the fisher-folk lead.
A visit to the bird market is an unforgettable experience for children - birds have been popular 'pets' in Hong Kong, partly as a result of small apartment sizes! There is an amazing array of birds with some fetching prices that will make you gasp! For a fun day out, take a boat across to Lantau Island to visit the Po Lin Monastery, an active Buddhist monastery and The Big Buddha, the world's largest 'outdoor' Buddha statue. At certain times of year, Hong Kong’s symbol, the dragon, takes centre stage with dragon boat races on the harbour. On auspicious occasions and as part of certain festivities you will find locals dancing with dragon puppets. These "life sized" cloth-and-wood puppets are manipulated by a team of people, supporting the dragon with poles. They perform choreographed moves to the accompaniment of drums and music creating quite the spectacle! The Island Shangri-La is a fantastic family friendly hotel in the heart of the city with interconnecting rooms and a sun-drenched outdoor pool.
From Hong Kong, fly over the Pacific Ocean to the azure waters and golden sands of Fiji. The Mamanuca Island chain is home to around 20 beautiful islands, ringed with sugar-white sand and protected by colourful coral reefs that teem with life. Upon arriving on the main island of Viti Levu, you will board a boat across the lagoons to Vomo Island, where you will be welcomed on to the island by the charming staff singing the traditional Fijian welcome song, ‘Bula Malaya’. 'Bula' is as significant in Fiji as ‘aloha’ is to Hawaii, and as a visitor to Fiji you will quickly catch on to this ubiquitous greeting, which is often pronounced by the Fijians with great gusto...BULA ! The paradise island of Vomo will be your home for the next week, and whilst you relax on the sands or by the pool, your little ones can spend their days at the fantastic Turtle Club, where they can try their hands at traditional weaving and the perennial favourite activity – crab hunting.
Vomo’s traditional name is ‘Vunu’, the Fijian word for turtle, and hawksbill turtles have long made their home in the glassy waters, munching on seagrass, ascidians and soft corals on the fringing reef. Vomo’s turtle programme aims to safeguard these beautiful creatures, helping them hatch in safety and return to the ocean. You will be able to observe the turtle hatchery and learn more about them from their keepers, the perfect way to get up close to these majestic ocean dwellers.
When its time to leave the laid back islands of this beautiful corner of the Pacific, your hosts will bid you farewell with another song, this time the sad yet beautiful ‘Isa Lei’, which will remain with you long after you leave. Fly west across the ocean and land in LA, where the contrast will be immediate – explore the glamorous shops of Rodeo Drive, visit the houses of the rich and famous in Beverly Hills, take a Segway down to Venice Beach to watch the muscle men performing impressive feats of strength or learn to surf in the famous Californian waves. Add to this the world renowned theme parks of Disneyland and Universal Studios, where your kids’ imaginations can run wild and your bravery will come under scrutiny on the many hair-raising rides and roller coasters. Your base in California will be Oceana in Santa Monica, a laid-back, home from home property and the perfect place to end your adventure across 3 incredible continents, leaving you with memories that will last a lifetime.
Itinerary
| Stay | Location / Route | Overnight |
|---|
| 1 night
| London - Hong Kong | Overnight Flight |
| 4 nights
| Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong | Island Shangri La |
| 1 night
| Hong Kong - Fiji | Overnight Flight |
| 7 nights
| Vomo Island, Mamanuca Islands, Fiji | Vomo Island Resort |
| 0 night
| Fiji - Los Angeles | Day Flight |
| 3 nights
| Santa Monica, Los Angeles | Oceana Santa Monica |
| 1 night
| Los Angeles - London | Overnight Flight |
Location and directions
Hong Kong, Fiji and California
