Where to Stay in the Dolomites: Cortina d'Ampezzo vs Val Gardena

The Dolomites

Jagged limestone peaks, emerald valleys, and dramatic alpine meadows define the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage region in northeastern Italy. Renowned for their pale, vertical cliffs and spectacular light at sunrise and sunset, the range offers year-round adventure: world-class climbing and via ferrata in summer, and exceptional skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Charming mountain villages, traditional Ladin culture, and hearty local cuisine complete the experience, making the Dolomites a striking blend of natural grandeur and alpine tradition.

Cortina d’Ampezzo offers elegant, high-altitude scenery with dramatic Dolomite peaks, chic cafés, and well-marked hiking and climbing routes—ideal for panoramic walks, via ferrata, and relaxed mountain culture. Val Gardena / Ortisei is more activity-focused, with extensive trail networks for hikers and mountain bikers, strong Ladin culture, and easier access to the Sella Ronda for long day tours. Choose Cortina for scenic sophistication and shorter, scenic excursions; choose Val Gardena for outdoor adventure, family-friendly trails, and a denser network of mountain-sport options.

May at Lago di Braies

Should I stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo or Val Gardena / Ortisei in the Dolomites?

When I first moved to northern Italy, I had no idea just how vast the Dolomites were. Sometimes it can take up to three hours to get from one side to the other, which is why it’s so important to choose where you stay carefully! When planning your trip, I recommend planning your days around visiting spots around Cortina and then places on the Ortisei side. In this guide I’ll share the most iconic locations in the Dolomites in relation to the Cortina d’Ampezzo side versus the Val Gardena / Ortisei area.

Top locations to visit close to Cortina d’Ampezzo

October at Lago di Braies

Lago di Braies

Lago di Braies is probably the most iconic destination in all of the Dolomites, so if you’re headed here it’s about one hour from Cortina. There are places to stay closer to Lago di Braies, of course, but this guide is to help generalize where to stay so you’re not moving hotels every night or booking someplace on the Ortisei side. I recommend visiting this lake close to sunrise to avoid the most people.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo

One of the top hikes close to Cortina d’Ampezzo is Tre Cime di Lavaredo. As of 2025 you need to purchase a pass for the toll roads online in advance, so make sure you select a time slot that fits your schedule. This hike takes about 4 hours, not including if you add on Cadini di Misurina. You’ll start the hike at Rifugio Auronzo (put that into your GPS when navigating here), which is about a 45 minute drive from Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Lago di Sorapis

Known for its stunning iridescent blue waters, Lago di Sorapis is another popular hike and is only about 20 minutes from Cortina d’Ampezzo. There are two ways to get to the lake from the parking lot: an easy way and a hard way. I was training for Mt. Blanc so I took the hard way, and it was challenging! So make sure you check which trail you’re taking beforehand.

Best hotels close to Cortina d’Ampezzo

Now that we’ve established the most popular locations and hikes near Cortina d’Ampezzo, let’s talk about hotels! These are some of the most popular ones you’ll see on Instagram and social media:

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Hotel Hubertus

Hotel Hubertus is about one hour from Cortina d’Ampezzo and only 30 minutes from Lago di Braies, making it the perfect location if you’re looking for something in that area!

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Hotel Chalet Mirabell

Hotel Chalet Mirabell

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Chalet al Foss

Chalet al Foss

Everything you need to know about Tonga

Tonga

Traveling to Tonga offers a blend of unspoiled natural beauty and warm, welcoming culture: turquoise lagoons and coral reefs invite snorkeling and whale‑watching, while verdant islands and hiking trails reveal quiet villages and traditional fale. With fewer tourists than neighboring Pacific destinations, Tonga feels authentic and undiscovered, where local festivals, kava ceremonies, and friendly islanders provide meaningful cultural exchange. Practical travel tips include planning around seasonal weather (November–April can be wet), arranging inter‑island transport in advance, and respecting local customs such as modest dress and Sunday observance.

If you’re here from my post “How to visit every country in the Pacific,” welcome! This is going to be a little more of an in-depth guide on my trip to the country of Tonga.

How to get to Tonga

The main thing we wanted to do in Tonga was to swim with the humpback whales, so you have two options: Fua'amotu International Airport (TBU) or Vavau International Airport (VAV). TBU is on the main island of Tongatapu, just a short drive from the capital, Nuku'alofa, but the island of Vava’u is known for more humpback whale opportunities. We decided on flying into TBU would be better for our schedule; there are about 3 flights per day — one from Nadi (Fiji), one from Auckland (New Zealand), and one from Sydney (Australia). If you’ve been reading my other posts on traveling through the Pacific we flew from Nadi as part of the Fiji Airways loop.

Where to stay in Nuku’alofa, Tonga

There weren’t a lot of affordable hotel options, unfortunately, but we found some reasonably priced guesthouses and ended up staying at Toni’s Guest House. They picked us up from the airport and set us up with a rental car, which was necessary to get around. The guest house is in a good location relative to the capital, but you definitely need a car. I wouldn’t say it was my favorite place I’ve ever stayed, but we didn’t spend much time there besides to sleep so it was fine. I’ll attach a link below for a few other options you can check out.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Hostelworld.com for more options in the area.

Staying connected in Tonga

My friends and I all used the Airalo Oceania Esim for this trip, which covers eight countries in Oceania and specifically seven of the countries on this trip through the South Pacific. It’s cheaper than buying individual esims or physical sim cards for each country so it’s a great deal and you can top-up if you run low on data. I personally love using esims since you’re instantly connected when you land to look up directions, currency rates, or language translations. Yes, Tonga is covered on the Airalo Oceania Esim, but if you’d rather purchase a Tonga esim separately you can check it out here.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Airalo.com for more esim options.

How to get around Nuku’alofa, Tonga

Unfortunately public transportation isn’t great in Tonga and you really need a rental car to get around. Like I mentioned previously, Toni’s Guest House set us up with a rental car, but if you’d rather not drive yourself there are some tours that can take you around to all the sights of the island.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Viator.com for more Tonga tour options.

Best Itinerary from Nuku'alofa

Day 1: Drive around the island

We got in a little after midnight and our guesthouse owner picked us up from the airport. They were able to set us up with a rental car, and we drove to the “Stonehenge of the Pacific” and the Anahulu Cave.

DAY 2: Swim with the humpback whales

This has been on my bucketlist for a long time and August / September is the best time to do this. It is an expensive excursion, so you want to be aware of who you book with — some tours pack 30+ people onto a boat so it’s hard to get time in the water before the whales get scared off. I highly recommend finding a private boat driver with maximum six people onboard so you get the best experience and value for your money.

One of the most recommended humpback whale companies is Deep Blue Tonga, and I was originally going to book with them, but then I found out they usually pack their boats full so you’re constantly in someone’s way or vice versa. I had a similar experience with whale sharks in Mexico, and since Tonga isn’t as easily accessible of a country, I was willing to pay more for a better experience because who knows if I’ll ever do this again!

I ended up booking with an independent guide with his own boat; his name is Loni and his Whatsapp is +6768633297. He had a six passenger boat but guaranteed it would just be me and my friends — and he’s a master at finding humpback whales! We had the most incredible up-close experience in the water for 45 minutes with a mama and her calf — couldn’t have asked for better. Loni asked for the payment up-front, which I was skeptical about, but I sent the money via Western Union and everything panned out. Please remember that humpback whales are wild animals so nothing is guaranteed! But having a skilled guide with his own smaller boat helps.

Day 3: Departure

This was a very tight schedule, especially if you’re trying to see humpback whales, but we got super lucky! I would recommend more days for more guaranteed sightings, but having at least two full days was perfect on our tight schedule hopping through the Pacific.

Tonga Budget

FLIGHTS: $432 USD

The whole Fiji Airways loop (Vanuatu - Tonga - Samoa - Tuvalu - Fiji - Solomon Islands) cost $2072 USD, but to just break it down, from Vanuatu to Tonga cost about $216 USD and the flight from Tonga to Samoa cost about $216 USD.

AIRPORT PICK-UP: $12.75 USD

The total was 120 Tongan Pa’anga, or $51 USD, then split four ways it was $12.75 USD.

HOTEL: $87 USD (210 Tongan Pa’anga)

Our guesthouse cost $356 USD (840 TOP) for two nights, but we split it four ways so it was $87 per person, or $43.50 per person per night.

RENTAL CAR: $54 USD (Total was $216 USD, split 4 ways)

FOOD & DRINKS: $73 USD

HUMPBACK WHALES: $350 USD

TOTAL SPENT FOR TONGA: $1009 USD

Best Three Day Itinerary for Vanuatu

Vanuatu

Vanuatu is an archipelago of about 80 islands in the South Pacific known for its lush volcanic landscapes, clear turquoise waters, and rich Melanesian culture. Visitors can snorkel vibrant coral reefs, explore active volcanoes, and experience traditional dances, kastom villages, and kastom sand drawings. The islands offer a relaxed pace, fresh seafood, and unique attractions like the underwater post office and cultural festivals, making Vanuatu an appealing destination for adventure, nature, and cultural travel.

If you’re here from my post “How to visit every country in the Pacific,” welcome! This is going to be a little more of an in-depth guide on my trip to the country of Vanuatu.

How to get to Vanuatu

Vanuatu is one of the more popular destinations in the South Pacific, so you shouldn’t have a problem trying to find a flight. Flights operate everyday from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands. We ended up flying from Brisbane to Port Vila, Vanuatu and then after onwards to Fiji.

Where to stay in Port Vila

There are a lot of options since Vanuatu is more of a touristy destination, but since there was four of us for this leg of the trip we stayed at Pacific Lagoon Apartments so we could cook and hang out together. If you have a rental car this was a pretty central location, but it definitely wouldn’t be easy if you’re just planning on walking.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Booking.com for more options in the area.

Staying connected in Vanuatu

My friends and I all used the Airalo Oceania Esim for this trip, which covers eight countries in Oceania and specifically seven of the countries on this trip through the South Pacific. It’s cheaper than buying individual esims or physical sim cards for each country so it’s a great deal and you can top-up if you run low on data. I personally love using esims since you’re instantly connected when you land to look up directions, currency rates, or language translations. Yes, Vanuatu is covered on the Airalo Oceania Esim, but if you’d rather purchase a Vanuatu esim separately you can check it out here.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Airalo.com for more esim options.

How to get around Vanuatu

We decided to rent a car to get the most out of our time in Vanuatu, and so we could get to the touristy spots early and avoid crowds. You can see all the sights of the island in pretty much a full day, and everyone does the same loop. If you can get on the road early and beat everyone to the first stop, you will beat everyone to the rest of the attractions.

Rental car options are limited; we managed to snag a rental since we were the first ones out of customs in the arrival hall of the airport, but you should try making a reservation online in advance. Expedia seems to have the best rates for rental cars.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Expedia.com for more options in the area.

Best Itinerary from Port Vila

Day 1: Arrival

We arrived at Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila at 2 PM and did the usual money exchange, sim cards, rented a car, then found the guesthouse we were staying at. There was a grocery store along the way so we stopped for groceries and made dinner.

After dinner we met up with another friend who had a collaboration with the Vanuatu tourism board, and they were at the Kava Lounge. Kava is a traditional Pacific Island beverage made from the ground roots of the kava plant, known for its calming, mildly sedative effects and earthy, peppery flavor. I personally didn’t try kava but it seemed like a nice atmosphere and place to do it! If the Vanuatu tourism board recommended this place, it’s probably the spot to check out.

Day 2: Loop around Efate island

We got on the road early in the morning to drive to the Blue Lagoon so we could be there right when it opened at 8 AM. It was 1500 Vatu per person (about $12 USD) and you need to pay in cash. We were the first ones in and had it all to ourselves before the tour buses showed up!

Our next stop was Nasinu Hot Springs, which includes both the hot springs and mud bath. To rinse off after there was a bucket for a makeshift shower and a changing area. It’s pretty basic but it’ll get you clean for your next stop!

We stopped for lunch at Gideons Landing Restaurant & Ecolodge because supposedly the TV show Survivor was filmed at the beach there. The beach was beautiful, but the food options weren’t great. I would probably recommend looking for a different restaurant nearby on Havannah Beach (Survivor Beach).

The last stop of the day was Hideaway Island, where you can snorkel and visit an Underwater Post Office. Drive to the point on the map closest to the island (I’ll also share a map with a pin) and park. There will be a small boat that goes back and forth taking people and you can take it across. Once on the island visit the visitor’s office where you can rent snorkeling gear and buy postcards for the Underwater Post Office. The postcards and stamps are waterproof, and they have special pencils to use. After you can snorkel out to a platform and dive down to an underwater mailbox and pop your postcards in. This was probably my favorite experience in Vanuatu!

day 3: ekasup cultural village

In the morning we went to the Ekasup Cultural Village to learn more about Vanuatu and their customs. I have to say, I was expecting it to be touristy but they did a great job at making it an authentic experience! You do have to contact them in advance to make a reservation.

They don’t have a direct website, but you can email them at: ekasupculturalvillage@vanuatu.com.vu

If you don’t want to rent a car but still want to explore the island, I found a few tours that cover these activities. This day trip covers the cultural village, Blue Lagoon, Nasinu Hot Springs, Survivor Beach, and trying the local kava.

If you also want to visit Hideaway Island, you can try this day tour here which also includes a coffee roastery visit.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Getyourguide.com for more options in the area.

Vanuatu Budget

FLIGHTS: $528 USD

The whole Fiji Airways loop (Vanuatu - Tonga - Samoa - Tuvalu - Fiji - Solomon Islands) cost $2072 USD, but to just break it down, from Brisbane to Vanuatu cost $312 USD and the flight from Vanuatu to Fiji cost $216 USD.

HOTEL: $35 USD

Our guesthouse cost $140 USD for two nights, but we split it four ways so it was $35 per person, or $17.50 per person per night.

RENTAL CAR: $54 USD (Total was $216 USD, split 4 ways)

FOOD & DRINKS: $73 USD

ACTIVITIES: $77 USD

$30 USD was for Hideaway Island alone (snorkeling, postcards, ferry fees)

$21 USD: Ekasup cultural village

$13 USD (1500 Vatu): Blue Lagoon

$13 USD (1500 Vatu): Nasinu Hot Springs

TOTAL SPENT FOR VANUATU: $767 USD

Everything you need to know about Kiribati

Everything you need to know about Kiribati

Kiribati is a dispersed island nation in the central Pacific Ocean, made up of 33 atolls and reef islands spread across a vast maritime area. Known for its vibrant Micronesian culture, subsistence fishing, and coconut-based economy, Kiribati faces urgent challenges from climate change and sea-level rise that threaten low-lying communities and freshwater supplies. The nation’s warm equatorial climate, rich marine biodiversity, and traditional island life offer a unique destination for travelers seeking remote beaches, diving, and cultural experiences.

If you’re here from my post “How to visit every country in the Pacific,” welcome! This is going to be a little more of an in-depth guide on my trip to the country of Kiribati.

How to get to Kiribati

As of now, there are four international flights per week from Fiji, Nauru, and the Marshall Islands to Bonriki International Airport on South Tarawa Island. We flew from Brisbane via Nauru Air and had a short layover in Nauru before reaching Kiribati — everyone had to deplane, go through security, and wait before getting back on the plane. There is no wi-fi at the airport so I recommend the Airalo Oceania Esim if you’re traveling to several countries in the Pacific, or if you’re just doing a layover in Nauru check out the esim here.

Where to stay in Kiribati

There aren’t many places to stay in Tarawa but we found that Dreamers Kiribati (not an affiliate link, but just trying to make it easier for your research!) was fantastic and in a great location to be able to explore the island. It is owned by a British guy that was born in Kiribati and spent his childhood here, left, and eventually came back in his later adult life. Fascinating story!

If you want to experience an authentic stay in a traditional overwater bungalow called a “buia” I recommend checking out Tabon te Keekee Ecolodge, but it’s pretty remote so I’d probably only recommend staying there for a night if you have an extended amount of days in Kiribati. We visited Tabon te Keekee Ecolodge on a day trip and it was perfect! I’ll get into it under the “things to do” section.

Staying connected in Kiribati

Unfortunately the Airalo Oceania Esim does not cover Kiribati, but there is a sim card stand right outside the airport when you arrive. Our flight got in at 7 AM and it was closed, so we didn’t get a sim card. We ended up just using the wi-fi at our hotel, Dreamers Kiribati, and it was surprisingly fast.

How to get around Kiribati

Airport pick-up and drop-off was included with Dreamers Kiribati, but to do some sightseeing there’s only one road that goes up and down the island. From the hotel on the main road we would wait and flag down minibuses that were going up and down the road. Depending on the direction you wanted to go, you need to stand on the right side of the road! Make sure you bring lots of Australian dollar coins since you’ll be paying a quarter here and there for a ride!

What to do in Kiribati

There’s not a whole lot to do, but we took the minibus up the island to check out some WWII relics. We also spent a morning going to Tabon te Keekee Ecolodge. From Dreamers Kiribati Hotel, we took a minibus towards the airport as far as we could. Then we hitchhiked a ride on a back of a truck until there was a bridge the truck could not cross. We walked for about another 20 minutes until we finally saw water and a boat going back and forth across the lagoon. We took the boat across and finally was at the ecolodge. We walked around the ecolodge a bit, I droned, and then we headed back.

Budget

FLIGHTS: $1146 USD

The whole Nauru flight loop (Brisbane - Kiribati - Nauru - Brisbane) cost $1784 USD, but to just break it down, from Brisbane to Kiribati cost $776 USD and the flight from Kiribati to Nauru cost $370 USD.

HOTEL: $40 USD

Normally a room at Dreamers Kiribati cost $140 AUD, but since there was three of us it was $180 AUD. Split three ways it was $60 AUD or $40 USD.

FOOD & DRINKS: $17 USD

Breakfast was included, we paid $20 AUD ($14 USD) for dinner at the guesthouse, and $3 USD for water/snacks. Minibus transport cost a few cents but make sure you bring coins or small change.

TOTAL SPENT FOR KIRIBATI: $1203 USD

Best Islands in the Bahamas

Best Islands in the Bahamas

Usually when you think of the Bahamas, you think of a tropical island with huge cruise ships docked in the harbor and tourists piled on the beaches. The Bahamas is comprised of more than 700 islands, and once you get out of the main islands like New Providence or Grand Bahama, remote beaches with powder white sand and crystal blue waters are everywhere. The following places are my favorite islands of the Bahamas!

Bimini

Bimini is the closest island to the US, and only a twenty minute flight away from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A cheaper option is taking a high-speed ferry for two and a half hours from either Miami or Fort Lauderdale. 

This island is also known as the "big game fishing capital of the world" and you can catch all sorts of fresh fish and have it cooked right in front of you. From scuba diving to dolphin tours, there's all sorts of water sports and activities for everyone!

Staniel Cay

With colorful cottages right on the water, freshly caught conch, friendly laid-back locals, and ocean teeming with sea life, Staniel Cay embodies everything about the Bahamas.

One of my favorite things to do is to have a boat day tour around the island and the guide takes you to all the sites including Iguana Cay to see endangered iguanas roaming the beach, snorkeling Thunderball Grotto as seen in the 1965 James Bond movie "Thunderball," swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and of course, the swimming pigs on Pig Island. 

Hope Town

Hope Town is located in the chain of islands within the Abacos and is incredibly unique with a "New England meets the tropics" ambiance, very few tourists, and bicycling is the main method of transportation around the island.

This town has a rich history with houses and monuments dating back to post-American Revolution, where British loyalists took refuge after the war, and its architecture reflects that culture. It's also home to one of the last manual lighthouses in the world, and has a very iconic candy cane striped design.

Long Island

Close to the Turks & Caicos, Long Island is one of the most remote islands in the Bahamas, but it's an incredible mecca for divers. At Stella Maris Resort in the north they hold a "shark amphitheater" dive, where the dive masters are covered in chain mail and hand feed the sharks thirty feet below the surface. Towards the south is Dean's Blue Hole, which is the world's second deepest salt water blue hole, plunging to a depth of 663 feet and holds the world's international free diving competition each year. 

Harbour Island

Harbour Island, or Briland, as the locals call it, is home to some of the best beaches in the Bahamas, including the renowned Pink Sand Beach. Unfortunately if you look up photos of the pink sand, most of them are heavily edited to be bright pink, but the sand only has a very light pinkish hue. Regardless of the color, the sand feels like powder on your feet and the ocean is crystal blue!

Even though this island has a larger population of tourists, this island has amazing beaches, great restaurants, and some interesting wreck dives for scuba divers. Harbour Island definitely reflects not only the casual Bahamian attitude, but also more of a luxurious feel. 

The Bahamas is home to incredible islands outside of the cruise ship meccas and is much more than a "spring break college party escape." With beautiful white sandy beaches, clear ocean water, and laid-back friendly locals, it's a must-visit destination for all tropical island lovers.

Everything you need to know about Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Tuvalu is a tiny Pacific island nation of nine coral atolls and reef islands, home to about 11,000 people. Known for its clear lagoon waters, coconut palms, and traditional Polynesian culture, Tuvalu faces urgent threats from sea-level rise and climate change. The country maintains a close-knit community life, subsistence fishing and copra production, and a strong cultural identity expressed through dance, song, and customary practices. As one of the world’s smallest and most remote nations, Tuvalu plays a prominent role in global climate advocacy.

If you’re here from my post “How to visit every country in the Pacific,” welcome! This is going to be a little more of an in-depth guide on my trip to the country of Tuvalu.

How to get to Tuvalu

Tuvalu is one of the world’s least-visited countries, so getting here is not easy. There are about 3-4 flights per week, and they only fly from Fiji. The only airline that flies to Tuvalu is Fiji Airways. This was part of the “Fiji Airways loop” I mentioned in my other post, so we technically flew from Samoa and had a layover in Fiji before reaching Tuvalu.

Do you need a visa for Tuvalu?

It’s always best to do your own research, but even as a US passport holder I got mixed information looking on official websites. From my research, I concluded I would have to get a visa-on-arrival and have to pay $100 USD upon arrival, which I had ready, but the immigration officer just stamped my passport and that was it — no visa needed. Best advice I can give is to just be prepared!

Where to stay in Tuvalu

There aren’t many options for hotels in Tuvalu, and most of them are booked out half a year in advance for aid workers and construction workers for the airport runway. We were fortunate to book at the Funafuti Lagoon Hotel (not an affiliate link, just sharing to help), which is fifty meters from the airport. It’s nothing to brag about, but it’s clean and in a good location. There’s also a motorbike rental spot right across the street.

How to get around Tuvalu

Besides walking, we rented a motorbike directly across the street from our hotel. It’s just a house with a sign and a lot of motorcycles out front so you might have to wait until someone walks by. It was $10 USD for the day, including gas.

Staying connected in Tuvalu

My friends and I all used the Airalo Oceania Esim for our trip through the Pacific, but unfortunately it didn’t work for Tuvalu. There wasn’t wi-fi at the airport when we arrived either, so we had to ask around to find our hotel and just ended up using the hotel wi-fi during our time in Tuvalu.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Airalo.com for more esim options.

Currency in Tuvalu

Tuvalu uses the Australian dollar, but make sure you bring enough cash for your trip! ATMs don’t work (at least when I went) and credit cards are not accepted.

What to do in Tuvalu

There isn’t a whole lot to do in Tuvalu since you can ride a motorbike from one end of the island to the other in twenty minutes, Beaches are also difficult to get to, surprisingly, considering how small and narrow the island is. I also recommend visiting the airport runway at sunset for a taste of local life — you’ll see the locals hanging out and playing football on the actual airport runway. Where else in the world can you do that?!

Budget

FLIGHTS: $651 USD

The whole Fiji Airways flight loop (Vanuatu - Tonga - Samoa - Tuvalu - Fiji - Solomon Islands) cost $2072 USD, but to just break it down, round trip from Fiji to Funafuti, Tuvalu and back to Fiji cost $651 USD.

HOTEL: $45 USD

MOTORBIKE RENTAL: $10 USD

FOOD & DRINKS: $10 USD

TOTAL SPENT FOR TUVALU: $716 USD

Everything you need to know about Nauru

Nauru

Nauru is a tiny Pacific island nation with a quiet, off-the-beaten-path charm. Visitors find rugged phosphate terraces, a dramatic coastal walk around the island’s rocky rim, and small local communities where traditional customs remain strong. Snorkeling and diving reveal healthy coral and marine life, while inland trails lead to World War II relics and limestone caves. With limited accommodation and services, Nauru suits travelers seeking solitude, cultural encounters, and an uncommercialized island experience. Practical planning and respect for local customs are essential.

If you’re here from my post “How to visit every country in the Pacific,” welcome! This is going to be a little more of an in-depth guide on my trip to the country of Nauru.

How to get to Nauru

Nauru is one of the world’s least-visited countries, so getting here is not easy. There are flights twice per week from Brisbane, which is where I started my journey, and the only airline that flies to Nauru is Nauru Airlines. I flew from Kiribati to Nauru, so I recommend looping these two countries together on your trip. Flights are regularly cancelled or rescheduled, so always leave extra days just in case something happens.

How to get the visa for Nauru

Surprisingly this isn’t an easy visa to get! At the time of writing this post, the main contact to obtain the visa is a man named Cramer Cain, who is based in Brisbane, Australia.

Here is his email: cramer.cain@brisbane.gov.nr

He will send you the visa application to fill out and you also have to provide a copy of your passport, flights, hotel booking, and a document that shows your current employment or source of income. Then you have to send a payment of $50 AUD.

I sent an email about a month prior to departure, but the visa wasn’t ready until the day I flew out of Brisbane. My friend’s visa was ready in just two days, so I naturally followed up weekly via email and was very concerned, but Cramer constantly said they were still working on it and not to worry since everything is fine. When I arrived in Brisbane I decided to pay a visit to the Nauru embassy and met Cramer, and he reiterated that he would follow-up with immigration, but again, everything was fine. I finally got my visa that evening and flew out just a few hours later to Kiribati. Definitely one of my more stressful visa experiences!

Where to stay in Nauru

There aren’t many options for hotels in Nauru, but we stayed at GoodWorks Accommodation. Ignore the photos you see on Booking, it was newly renovated when we went and was clean with great AC. Easy check-in and check-out system too. It was walking distance from two Chinese restaurants and overall a good location. Someone from the hotel was able to do an airport pick-up and drop-off for us.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Booking.com for more options in the area.

Staying connected in Nauru

My friends and I all used the Airalo Oceania Esim for this trip, which covers eight countries in Oceania and specifically seven of the countries on this trip through the South Pacific. It’s cheaper than buying individual esims or physical sim cards for each country so it’s a great deal and you can top-up if you run low on data. I personally love using esims since you’re instantly connected when you land to look up directions, currency rates, or language translations. Yes, Nauru is covered on the Airalo Oceania Esim, but if you’d rather purchase a Nauru esim separately you can check it out here.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Airalo.com for more esim options.

How to get around Nauru

We had the hotel pick us up from the airport and drop us off, and there were restaurants within walking distance. People are friendly enough that you could easily hitchhike, but if you wanted to rent a car I would recommend asking your hotel to set something up since there aren’t any formal car rentals on the island. GoodWorks Accommodation can set up a bicycle rental for $10 USD per day!

What to do in Nauru

DAY 1: The evening day we arrived, we got settled at our hotel and had dinner at one of the Chinese restaurants just a few minutes walk away. We tried both restaurants and they were terrible. I would’ve liked to try local food but we couldn’t find anything.

DAY 2: We woke up early and decided to walk the perimeter of the country. It’s 20 km around, and how often can you say you walked around an entire country?! We started at 6:30 AM and honestly that was way too late — it was already terribly hot by then. It took us a total of 3.5 hours with stops. Instead of walking, I would recommend renting a bike from GoodWorks Accommodation for $10 USD. It would be a quick, flat sunrise bike ride along the ocean.

During our walk, we stopped at Blue’s Gym to try and meet the “World’s Strongest Man of 2019,” powerlifter Jezza Uepa, but unfortunately he wasn’t there that day. Our next stop was the WWII Memorial Monument, where you can also see some of Nauru’s abandoned phospate sites. My friend also went to Moqua Cave, which is right next to the airport, but said there was a couple in there that was… very loud… to put it appropriately, so she didn’t go in.

After another terrible meal at the Chinese restaurant we headed back to the airport. It was a unique experience — would I ever go back? Probably not, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time in one of the smallest countries in the world.

Budget

VISA: $50 AUD

$50 AUD is about $35 USD.

FLIGHTS: $1009

The whole Nauru flight loop (Brisbane - Kiribati - Nauru - Brisbane) cost $1784 USD, but to just break it down, from Kiribati to Nauru cost $370 USD and from Nauru back to Brisbane cost $639 USD.

HOTEL: $80 USD

FOOD & DRINKS: $20 USD

TOTAL SPENT FOR NAURU: $1144 USD

Best Day Trip Itinerary for Padova

Padova (Padua) is a compact, lively city in northeastern Italy known for its rich history, striking medieval and Renaissance architecture, and vibrant student life. Highlights include the Scrovegni Chapel with Giotto’s groundbreaking frescoes, the ornate Basilica of Saint Anthony, and the atmospheric Prato della Valle — one of Europe’s largest squares. Narrow cobbled streets hide lively cafés, trattorie, and markets, while the city’s university, one of the world’s oldest, keeps the cultural scene youthful and intellectual. Easily explored on foot or by bike, Padova offers a rewarding mix of art, history, and everyday Italian charm.

I moved to Padova about a year and a half ago and wanted to put together a little guide of everything I do when friends come to visit. Most people skip Padova due to the proximity of Venice, but if you’ve found that you booked too many days in Venice but don’t have enough time to go to the Dolomites, I recommend hopping on a train and spending the day in this beautiful city.

Where to Stay in Padova

If you’re looking to stay a night in Padova rather than just a day trip, it’s actually much cheaper than Venice! For my budget-friendly friends, there’s a brand new hostel that just opened up in the heart of downtown Padova, Hotello Padova.

STAY | Alternatively, check out Hostelworld.com for more options in the area.

Grab a mint cappuccino at caffe pedrocchi

Caffè Pedrocchi in Padua is an iconic 19th-century coffeehouse known for its elegant neoclassical façade, historic interiors, and cultural significance as a meeting place for intellectuals and students. Opened in 1831, it blends café, pasticceria, and museum elements, offering traditional Italian coffee, pastries, and a glimpse into Padua’s social and political history. Its distinctive "green room" remains a symbol of literary and academic gatherings, making Caffè Pedrocchi a must-visit for anyone exploring the city.

Start your morning visiting Caffe Pedrocchi and grabbing the iconic mint cappuccino (cafe di Pedrocchi) and a slice of mint cake. You won’t find this anywhere else!

Tour University of padova and Giotto’s scrovegni chapel

Founded in 1222, the University of Padova is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities, renowned for its long tradition of academic freedom and interdisciplinary scholarship. It became a center of scientific innovation in the Renaissance, attracting scholars and promoting empirical inquiry. The university’s most famous association is with Galileo Galilei, who lectured there from 1592 to 1610. While at Padova, Galileo made pivotal advances in physics, astronomy, and the study of motion, including improvements to the telescope and observations that challenged prevailing Aristotelian views. His work at Padova helped lay the foundations of modern science and cemented the city’s place in intellectual history.

After having an Italian breakfast at Caffe Pedrocchi, head over for a tour at University of Padova, the second oldest university in the world, to see where Galileo taught. If you want to skip the tour, you can check out the historic Palazzo del Bo courtyard, for free.

I also recommend checking out Giotto’s Scrovegni Chapel, a masterpiece of early Renaissance art. Built and frescoed around 1305, the chapel’s luminous cycle depicts the life of the Virgin and Christ with emotional clarity, dramatic composition, and pioneering use of naturalism. Giotto’s bold figures, expressive faces, and skillful use of space mark a decisive shift from medieval styles, making the chapel a cornerstone in the development of Western painting. The intimate, richly colored interiors remain one of Italy’s most important and moving artistic experiences.

TOUR | Alternatively, check out Getyourguide.com for more tour options in the area.

try the typical octopus in piazza della erbe

After your tour, head over to Piazza della Erbe and Piazza del Frutti to browse the local markets. In Piazza della Erbe you’ll see a little stand called a “folperia,” which in Venetian dialect translates to “octopus stand.” Polpo means octopus in Italian, and folpo is octopus in Venetian dialect. Seafood is always a must since we’re so close to the Adriatic Sea and this stand is very popular!

Basilica di san Antonio

The Basilica di Sant’Antonio in Padua is a major Roman Catholic pilgrimage site built in the 13th century to honor Saint Anthony of Padua. A striking mix of Romanesque, Byzantine and Gothic styles, the basilica houses richly decorated chapels, the saint’s silver-reliquary tomb, and notable artworks by Donatello and other Renaissance artists. Its domes and rose-colored stone dominate Padua’s skyline, while its religious and cultural significance draws visitors year-round for worship, art, and history.

After visiting the piazza, you can either walk or hop on a tram towards Prato della Valle. The Basilica is a must in Padova, as it is the second most popular Catholic pilgrimage site after the Vatican. Saint Anthony’s physical tongue is also on display, but you can read more about that when you visit.

grab to-go pasta and walk around prato della valle

Prato della Valle in Padua is one of Europe’s largest public squares, shaped as an elliptical island surrounded by a wide canal and lined with 78 statues of notable figures. Once a swampy area, it was transformed in the 18th century into a landscaped promenade and market space. Today it remains a popular spot for locals and visitors, hosting events, markets, and leisurely strolls amid historic architecture and green lawns.

After visiting the basilica, walk over to Prato della Valle and grab to-go pasta at Bepe Bigoi — they have fresh handmade pasta and it’s perfect to take it over and have a little picnic in the grass while enjoying the views. During the summer you’ll see locals having picnics all over! I recommend the “Bigoli alla anatra,” which is the specialty pasta in Padova.

Aperitivo in the piazza dei signori

Wander the streets as you make your way back up to the Piazza dei Signori to see the clock tower — La Torre dell'Orologio. La Torre dell'Orologio in Padova is a compact, elegant clock tower dating to the 14th century that anchors the lively Piazza dei Signori. Its striking astronomical clock, restored over centuries, displays hours, lunar phases, and zodiac signs—an enduring symbol of medieval civic pride and scientific curiosity. Visitors appreciate the tower’s textured brickwork, the historic bell that marks the hours, and its setting amid cafes and arcades, making it a quiet but memorable stop on a stroll through Padua’s historic center.

Around 4 PM is time for aperitivo, and I recommend grabbing cicchetti and spritz at Brutal. It does get crowded so the earlier the better, but it’s the best to try the typical cicchetti — you can’t go wrong with anything seafood if you don’t know which to try. Padova is also home of the aperol spritz, where it was invented in 1919 and introduced at the International Trade Fair of Padova by the Barbieri brothers. A local secret is to try the “spritz misto,” which is half aperol, half campari — don’t ask for this in any other parts of Italy because they’ll look at you like you’re crazy!

sunset at exforo

If you’re looking for another spot for aperitivo or prefer to stay closer to Prato della Valle, I recommend the spot Exforo, which is beautiful to catch the sunset while overlooking all of Prato della Valle. I’m a huge fan of rooftop bars at sunset and this one is hard to beat.

Best gelato in padova

And lastly, if you’re looking to top-off your day with gelato, the best gelato is near Prato della Valle at Gelateria Portogallo. The line is always crazy long though, so if you’re near Piazza dei Signori I would recommend Gelateria da Bepi Padova Centro. My personal favorite in Padova is Gelateria La Romana dal 1947, but it’s not near downtown so I’m not including it as “the best,” although that’s where I prefer to take my friends since it has a nice sit-down area.

Summer nightlife in padova

For four months of the year from spring to summer, Navigli Padova opens up along the canal and you can find tons of bars from 5 PM - 2 AM. Radio stations will have their DJs playing and you can walk along the canal while enjoying drinks if you’re looking for something to do later in the evening after dinner.

Top Things to do in Moldova

MOLDOVA

Discover Moldova, a hidden gem in Eastern Europe, where rich history and stunning landscapes await. Explore the charming capital of Chișinău, known for its vibrant cafes and lush parks. Venture into the countryside to uncover the ancient villages and vineyards that showcase the country’s renowned wine culture. Don’t miss the chance to visit the majestic Orheiul Vechi Monastery, perched atop a cliff, and take a journey through time at the historic cave monasteries. With its warm-hearted people and diverse cultural heritage, Moldova offers an authentic travel experience for those seeking adventure off the beaten path.

I first visited Moldova in 2021, but my main objective was to visit Transnistria. You can read all about my trip to Transnistria here. Back then I didn’t realize I would be living in Europe a year later, but this time I spent time in Chișinău and surrounding areas. Why did I come back to Moldova though? Well, I had to renew my residency so I needed to leave the Schengen zone and Moldova is not part of it. From Italy there are cheap Wizz Air flights so it was an ideal destination for this!

Chișinău

Since my objective on my last visit was to visit Transnistria, I honestly didn’t spend too much time in the capital — this time I spent a full day exploring the area.

What to see in Chișinău

Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, combines a rich history with a vibrant present. Explore the stunning architecture of the Stefan Cel Mare Central Park, where the statue of Stefan the Great stands proudly among lush greenery. Visit the iconic Nativity Cathedral, an impressive blend of Baroque and Byzantine styles, located in the city center. Don’t miss the National Museum of History of Moldova, showcasing the region's diverse heritage through captivating exhibits. For an insight into Moldova's culture, the National Opera and Ballet Theatre offers an array of performances. Finally, wander through the bustling Piata Centrala, the central market, where local produce, crafts, and artisanal goods abound, providing an authentic taste of daily life in this dynamic city.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Getyourguide.com for more tour options in Moldova.

Where to stay in Chișinău

The first time I stayed in Chisinau, I was on a backpacker budget and stayed at Hostel Amazing Ionika. Overall the experience was great and the owners were very friendly and accommodating, including offering tours to Transnistria and the wine regions. If you are a solo female traveler like I was, I would probably recommend trying to stay in a private room; I didn’t have any issues in the dorm, but it was all older smelly men and I was the only woman (this was just my experience so it might be different for you).

This time around, I stayed in a fantastic hotel called London Boutique Hotel that was still reasonably priced but it was located in an accessible part of Chisinau so it was easy to walk everywhere.

STAY | Alternatively, check out Hostelworld.com for more options in the area.

Staying connected in Moldova

Of course, one of the most important things is figuring out how to stay connected while on your trip to Moldova. For short trips in countries, I personally love using e-sims instead of getting a local physical sim card since it usually takes quite a bit of time to go to the store and get it set up. Instead, I go to the Airalo app, type in the country I’m visiting (in this case Moldova), and purchase a data plan. It only takes a few minutes to set up. Check out Airalo’s Moldova e-sim plans here.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Airalo.com for more e-sim options.

Gagauzia

Gagauzia, a semi-autonomous region located in the heart of Moldova, is known for its rich cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes. This unique area is home to the Gagauz people, a Turkic ethnic group with a distinct language and traditions that reflect their historical roots and agricultural lifestyle. Visitors can explore charming villages, sample traditional cuisine, and experience vibrant festivals that celebrate Gagauz customs. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the tranquil countryside, dotted with vineyards and rolling hills, making it an ideal destination for a peaceful getaway. Gagauzia offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.

If I’m visiting a country more than once, I always try to visit new regions if it’s feasible. The city of Comrat, located within the region of Gagauzia, was only an hour and a half by car so we decided to do a short day trip. There’s honestly not much to do; you can walk around the city center and see everything in maybe just a couple hours. The top highlight was the winery Vinuri de Comrat, where we had local food and a glass of wine cost about €1.

How to get to Comrat, gagauzia

If you’re on a tight budget you can take local transport by mashrutka, but we rented a car for €20 for the day. Honestly unless you’re visiting Comrat by car, I don’t think it’s worth the trip by local transportation since there’s so little to see.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Rentalcars.com for more rental car options.

From the vibrant city of Chișinău to the wine cellars of Cricova, Moldova invites travelers to experience its warm hospitality and authentic traditions. The picturesque countryside with its rolling hills and charming villages provides a serene escape from bustling tourist crowds. In conclusion, Moldova serves as a captivating destination for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure, revealing the beauty and spirit of Eastern Europe.

How to visit every country in the Pacific

Oceania

The Pacific is known to be one of the most challenging regions of the world to travel in — not because of entry requirements, but because of the logistics. Flights may only go once per week, get cancelled often, might get bumped to the next flight (which may be the following week!) if overbooked, and is extremely expensive.

There are fourteen countries in the continent of Oceania, but in this blog we’ll be discussing the hard-to-reach Pacific Island nations; countries like Australia and New Zealand are probably the most accessible, so will not be discussed in-depth here.

How do you go about trying to figure out the best route for the Pacific?

The route you plan will vary depending on your needs and constantly changing flight schedules, but I’ll explain the process in which I mapped out the logistics to visit every country in the Pacific.

Since the Mt. Hagen Festival in Papua New Guinea was on specific dates, that was the starting point. From there, I analyzed the most remote countries and what airlines flew into each one; only Nauru Airlines and Fiji Airways flew into Kiribati, and Fiji Airways was the only airline that flew into Tuvalu, for example.

So I organized two loops:

The Nauru Airlines loop — Kiribati & Nauru

The Fiji Airways loop — Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, Fiji

This left the following countries: Solomon Islands & Vanuatu. There were direct flights to Solomon Islands from Papua New Guinea, which was my original plan before I had some unfortunate flight delays with Air Niugini and ended up missing the flight. Fortunately I was able to rearrange things to add Solomon Islands to the end of my trip with the Fiji Airways loop.

Vanuatu, on the other hand, is touristy enough where you can easily find a connection from most hubs. Therefore, it made the most sense to start and end the Nauru loops in Brisbane, Australia to connect the Solomon Islands, the Nauru loop, and Vanuatu.

The United Airlines Hopper loop — Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau

The third loop I did not do on this specific trip but covers the northern Pacific islands includes Micronesia and the Marshall Islands (I’m saving Palau as my final country so I didn’t visit, but you can add it onto this loop). You can read about that trip here.

Budget

I’ll go into depth on costs per country under each country’s blog post, but I’ll add the overall budget for flights here since it was highly requested. The total for flights for these two loops was $3856 USD. Yes, it’s not cheap and probably the most expensive trip I’ve ever done.

NAURU AIRLINES loop FLIGHT COSTS

I used the multi-city option to purchase these flights from Brisbane - Kiribati - Nauru - Brisbane via Nauru Airlines for a total of $1784 USD.

Fiji Airways loop Flight costs

I also used the multi-city option to purchase the flights from Vanuatu - Tonga - Samoa - Tuvalu - Fiji - Solomon Islands via Fiji Airways for a whopping total of $2072 USD.

Tips for planning a logistically challenging trip

The most important thing is to stay flexible. I left extra days at the end of the journey just in case something went wrong. This worked out great because of the hiccup with delayed flights in Papua New Guinea to the Solomon Islands. I rebooked a new flight for the end of the trip, but if everything had gone smoothly I would have just spent more time exploring Australia!

Rather than booking a bunch of one-way separate flights, I recommend doing the “multi-city” option with a single airline so if a flight gets delayed, the airline will automatically rebook you and your whole schedule doesn’t get messed up. Besides Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, all our flights were with Nauru Airlines or Fiji Airways.

When is the best time to visit the South Pacific?

Even though you might think of the Pacific islands as hot and humid year-round, having good weather is crucial for a successful trip to hop around these remote countries. The best time of year is the dry season, from May until September, when temperatures are pleasant and rain is minimal. It’s still possible to visit other times of the year, but be aware of monsoons cancelling flights; and when some of these flights only go once or twice per week, you don’t want to risk it. I did this trip from August to September and luckily didn’t have any issues pertaining to weather.

What currency is used in the South Pacific?

I will do an overview of currency along with my tips and recommendations, and then under each country get into specifics. In general I recommend carrying a combination of USD and Australian dollars; some countries didn’t even have working ATMs or accepted credit cards so it was easier to carry cash. Only Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu have their own currency, but they also would accept USD and AUD.

How to stay connected in the South Pacific?

I personally used the Airalo Oceania Esim, which covers eight countries in Oceania and specifically seven of the countries on this trip. It’s cheaper than buying individual esims or physical sim cards for each country so it’s a great deal and you can top-up if you run low on data. The only countries it doesn’t cover for this trip are Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Solomon Islands but I’ll go into depth on where you can find physical sim cards in separate blog posts about each country.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Airalo.com for more esim options.

Is it easy to book accommodation in the South Pacific?

In general you can find places to stay before your trip online, but it’s important to book far in advance to secure your room since it is very limited. You wouldn’t think countries like Tuvalu would have their hotels fill up, but I was surprised to find out that hotels were completely booked out for construction and aid workers. I’ll share recommendations of where I stayed when I specifically talk about each country.

Itinerary for every country in the Pacific

I just want to preface by saying that I know this is a really fast-paced schedule, and if you should plan extra time at the end of your trip just in case something goes wrong. In total this trip was 24 days long, or 3.5 weeks, but most travelers plan 1+ months to do this. Also flight schedules change all the time so that’s another thing you should be aware of.

“But how can you even see a country in just a few days?”

Ah yes, the question every country-counter gets. The Pacific is extremely expensive and time-consuming to visit, so unless you’re keen on visiting far outer islands, have money to burn, get a lot of time off work or aren’t working etc, you’re probably going to be in the same boat (and probably why you’re reading this blog post :) Plus, I did walk the entire perimeter of Nauru in 3.5 hours so there’s that. Anyways, here’s a brief itinerary on visiting every country in the Pacific, but if you want more in-depth details feel free to click on the country for the full blog post

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

The first stop of this trip; I planned the whole trip around the fact that I wanted to visit the Mount Hagen Festival, which you can read about how I avoided a $3000+ tour and did it independently here.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

My flight from Manila arrived at 8 AM, but was an hour late. My friends and I had booked the 11:50 AM flight to Mt. Hagen give enough cushion room since flights are notoriously known to be late, but that flight was also horrendously delayed by four hours. I recommend booking a morning flight to Mt. Hagen since the flights are always late, and the afternoon flights usually get cancelled due to morning flight delays and weather. If you can, arrive the day before and stay the night in Port Moresby, then get on the first flight the next morning.

DAY 2: MT. HAGEN FESTIVAL

This always takes place over a weekend in mid-August. There’s also a festival that happens in September, but I won’t go into too many details since you can read about how I visited the Mt. Hagen Festival independently here.

DAY 3: MT. HAGEN FESTIVAL

Honestly, I found one day to be enough since they’re the same events on both days; we should have flown out today / Sunday afternoon, but I didn’t know anyone who’s done this outside of a tour so I had no idea. Another recommendation I would make is you could get a driver to take you to Goroka on this day to see the other tribes and fly out of there instead.

DAY 4: MT. HAGEN

We were supposed to fly out on this day (the Monday after the weekend festival), but flights got so delayed it was cancelled. Like I mentioned previously, get in and get out if you’re flying because it’s just so chaotic. Luckily Air Niugini provided us with a free hotel room for the night along with meals and transport.

DAY 5: PORT MORESBY

This is where it gets even funnier; we were supposed to fly back to Port Moresby to catch a flight to the Solomon Islands, but when the plane got into Mt. Hagen it broke down. We were all pretty annoyed by this point, but another plane flew in later that day and we finally got back to Port Moresby. Air Niugini provided us with a free hotel room for the night along with meals and transport. Since we missed our flight to the Solomon Islands and afterwards were supposed to fly to Brisbane, Air Niugini provided us with a free flight to Brisbane instead.

I have to say, for a tiny airline they have fantastic customer service, but they could probably save some money by having a newer fleet of planes that don’t break down so much ha ha. Moral of the story is, what was supposed to only be three days in PNG turned into five, along with missing the Solomon Islands, so always plan extra time and don’t make your itinerary too tight.

AUSTRALIA

DAY 6: ARRIVAL IN BRISBANE

I was thankful that Air Niugini at least gave us a free flight to Brisbane after completely missing the Solomon Islands, and now we were back on track for the Nauru loop. Despite having applied for the Nauru visa over a month prior to the trip, we still hadn’t received it. The man who processes the visas at the embassy in Brisbane kept saying, “don’t worry, you’ll get it,” but at this point we were worried since our flight out was tomorrow. We paid a visit to the embassy to talk to them in person, and it was still “no worries I’ll call them up today,” but sure enough we got them later that afternoon.

DAY 7: THE NAURU LOOP

We had enough time to do a little bit of exploring, but there isn’t a whole lot to do in the city of Brisbane itself. We ended up visiting the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which was fun to do for a few hours to see all the unique animals of Australia.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Getyourguide.com for more things to do in Brisbane.

In the late afternoon we headed to the airport for our 10 PM flight to Kiribati, with a short layover in Nauru. Nauru Airlines is really strict about luggage weight; I’m usually really good about negotiating to keep my backpack with me since it has all my electronics but they refused. I ended up putting my electronics into my foldable pocket-sized backpack and having to check-in my regular backpack.

KIRIBATI

DAY 8: ARRIVAL IN TARAWA

We arrived in Tarawa, Kiribati at 7 AM and the owner of the guesthouse we were staying at was there to greet us. Usually there’s a booth at the airport where you can buy sim cards, but because it was so early in the morning no one was there. The guesthouse ended up having good wifi and we were only there for a night so it was fine.

Getting around the island is easy; you just walk out to the main road (there’s only one haha) and flag down a minibus in the direction you want to go. We spent the afternoon checking out the massive WWII artillery guns and bunkers around the island.

Read more about my trip to Kiribati, including the full budget, here.

nauru

DAY 9: ARRIVAL IN NAURU

Our flight to Nauru wasn’t until 6 PM, so in the early morning we took a minibus to the airport, hitchhiked on the back of a truck until the North Tarawa bridge, walked 35 minutes to the beach at Abatao, then took a small boat across the water to check out the buias at Tabon te Keekee Ecolodge. Buias are traditional raised houses either overwater or on land.

We arrived in Nauru at 7:30 PM and someone from the hotel we were staying at came to pick us up. The restaurant options were limited — there were only two Chinese restaurants within walking distance of the hotel and they were not good. We pointed to the chicken fried rice on the menu on the wall and the owner nodded, goes into the kitchen with a cigarette hanging off his lip; you could see he dumped white rice into a wok that had was clearly not cleaned from the previous dish he cooked, along with chopped some chicken with bones that was sitting out on a cutting board. Wasn’t my favorite meal but I’ll never forget it hahaha.

DAY 10: WALKING THE PERIMETER OF NAURU

The perimeter of the country of Nauru is about 20 km and takes around 3.5 hours to walk it. I recommend getting up as early as possible, even before the sun is up. We left at dawn at 6:30 AM and it still felt too late; by the time it’s 8:30 AM it is way too hot. If I were to do it again I would find a bike to rent and do it that way, it would be much more enjoyable to do a quick bike ride at sunrise.

Our flight back to Brisbane was at 5 PM; we basically just checked into a hotel then went back to the airport first thing the next morning. Read more about my trip to Nauru, including the full budget, here.

vanuatu

DAY 11: ARRIVAL IN PORT VILA

Our original plan was to do the Mt. Yasur volcano, but unfortunately with Air Vanuatu liquidating and crashes with other airline companies, we weren’t able to visit. I believe you can now visit on certain days of the week if you want to look into it.

We got in at 2 PM and did the usual money exchange, sim cards, rented a car, then found the guesthouse we were staying at. After dinner we met up with some friends at a kava bar.

DAY 12: EXPLORING PORT VILA

One day was perfect to explore the whole island. I’ll go more into depth on my Vanuatu blog post but here’s a quick itinerary of the day:

• Blue Lagoon

• Nasinu Hot Springs

• Hideaway Island and the “underwater post office”

DAY 13: THE FIJI AIRWAYS LOOP

In the morning we went to Ekasup Cultural Village before heading to the airport to catch our flight to Tonga at 5 PM, with a quick layover in Fiji. This is where the “Fiji Loop” begins.

Read more about my trip to Vanuatu, including the full budget, here.

tonga

DAY 14: ARRIVAL IN NUKU’ALOFA

We got in a little after midnight and our guesthouse owner picked us up from the airport. They were able to set us up with a rental car, and we drove to the “Stonehenge of the Pacific” and the Anahulu Cave.

DAY 15: SWIMMING WITH HUMPBACK WHALES

This has been on my bucketlist for a long time and August / September is the best time to do this. It is an expensive excursion, so you want to be aware of who you book with — some tours pack 30+ people onto a boat so it’s hard to get time in the water before the whales get scared off. I highly recommend finding a private boat driver with maximum six people onboard so you get the best experience and value for your money.

Read more about my trip to Tonga, including the full budget, here.

samoa

DAY 16: ARRIVAL IN APIA

We arrived in Apia at 4 PM and decided to rent a car; the car rental office was in town so we had to haggle with a taxi driver to take us down there. Some friends of ours from Papua New Guinea were also in Samoa so we met up in the evening for a cultural show and got to have traditional food and watch some dances.

DAY 17: DRIVING AROUND THE ISLAND

I’ll share more details in a separate blog post, but here’s a short guide to the activities we managed to squeeze in:

• Sopoaga Falls

• ToSua Ocean Trench

• Lalomanu Beach

• Papapapaitai Falls

TUVALU

DAY 18: FLYING INTO FUNAFUTI

We got in at 11 AM; our hotel was a minute walk from the airport so we settled in and saw someone across the street renting scooters. We rented one for the day and drove from one end of the island to the other. At sunset the airport runway turned into a soccer field so we spent the rest of the evening hanging out!

Read more about my trip to Tuvalu, including the full budget, here.

fiji

DAY 19: SUVA

Our flight departed Tuvalu around noon and we got into Suva, Fiji at 3:30 PM. We stayed at a guesthouse right next to the airport, but took a taxi to check out the city. Definitely recommend getting Indian food if you’ve been disappointed by all the not-so-great Chinese restaurants around the south Pacific.

DAY 20: NADI

We flew from Suva to Nadi at 6:30 AM, and we got picked up from the airport to go to a floating bar for the day. It was honestly so spectacular after such an exhausting few weeks in the Pacific. Great food and drinks and perfect relaxation time.

solomon islands

DAY 21: FLYING INTO HONIARA

We were supposed to visit Solomon Islands right after Papua New Guinea, but that plan got derailed. Luckily we left time at the end to explore Australia if everything went perfectly, but instead we used the extra time to pick up the country we missed. When we arrived we exchanged money, got a sim card, then walked to the main road and flagged down a mini bus into Honiara for the night.

DAY 22: RODERICK BAY

Trying to find the boat captain / owner of Roderick Bay was hectic, so if you plan on going don’t be surprised. But, my goodness, the boat ride across the channel was probably one of my top scariest boat rides of my life. It’s up there with the Drake Passage to Antarctica. I’ll go into more details in a separate blog post, but be warned, it’s not a trip for the faint of heart.

DAY 23: RODERICK BAY

We literally just hung out and did nothing; the whole Pacific trip and the boat ride out took everything out of me by this point. Roderick Bay was the perfect place to relax and disconnect; there isn’t any signal even though we were told there was, so if you need to stay connected this isn’t the best place.

DAY 24: THE BOAT RIDE BACK TO HONIARA

We tried leaving as early as we could from Roderick Bay to avoid the crazy waves like we experienced on the way in. We spent the rest of our time in Honiara at a cafe before finding a mini bus to the airport for our 5 PM flight back to Australia.