From Teresa Plowright,
Your Guide to Family Vacations.
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It's the fantasy tropical beach vacation: beautiful beach, simplified life, unspoiled tropical paradise.

But a Fiji resort seems so far, so out of reach...

Think again. Logistics -- and price-- may be more manageable than you believe.

Fiji Resorts: Getting There
After a connecting flight in Los Angeles, a 10-hour overnight flight gets you to Nadi airport, on the main island of Viti Levu.

The Fiji archipelago in the South Pacific has over 300 islands. Viti Levu itself has rain-forest, waterfalls, reefs and beaches, and a range of properties; its outer islands can be reached by boat or seaplane. Or you can fly from Nadi-- in less than an hour-- to either of the next-largest islands, Vanua Levu and Taveuni.

Note: when you wake up after your overnight flight to Nadi, the date will be one day later: you lose a day when you cross the international dateline. (But don't worry: you'll get that day back, on your return trip. You may never understand how it all works, though.)

Why pick a Fiji Resort?

• legendary beauty of the South Pacific
• coral reefs, with excellent snorkeling and diving
• blend of cultures: Melanesian, Polynesian, Micronesian, Indian, Chinese, European

Fiji Resorts
The traditional island thatched-roof cottage is called a "bure", and most hotels feature this style in one way or another, to give guests the feel of the South Pacific.

Choices range from budget to luxury. Below are popular areas for Fiji resorts, and also some sample properties, many of which are on small private islets:

• Viti Levu - the main island; town of Nadi is the tourism center; choices include Upscale/Luxury such as the Sheraton Royal Denarau, a Conde Nast Traveler Gold List pick on a 684-acre island.
• Coral Coast: begins 15 km south of Nadi; choices from budget on up. Sample: luxury Shangri-La's Fijian Resort has private island, 105 acres, kids' club.
• Mamanucas: tiny islands off the west coast, easily reached by boat from Nadi. Castaway Island - complimentary kids' club
• Yasawa Islands: chain of tiny islands, above northwest Viti Levu. Turtle Island is a private island resort with just 14 bures.
• Taveuni: "Garden Island", known for ecotourism. Maravu Plantation has 54 lush acres.
• Vanua Levu: second largest island. Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort - eco-oriented kids' camp. See also Koro Sun Resort: kids' camp; 150 acres with rainforest hikes, tide pools...

Find out more about Fiji Resorts

The Fiji Resorts listed above are just a sample of what's available; for a list of family-friendly properties, with full details, see the Tropical Fiji site.

Note also that VacationKids.com offers family packages to Fiji at a number of properties. Prices including airfare for four for seven nights start at under $8000. (Check VacationKids.com for details and for updates.)