Visiting Castaway Island Fiji with his family for no less than the fourth time, one of the biggest names on the US restaurant scene, master chef Charlie Palmer was happy to let others do the cooking for him for a change when the Castaway culinary team led by executive chef Lance Seeto presented him with a special beach birthday banquet.

According to the resort’s management, the high profile gastronome was so impressed by the team’s effort – each chef presented him with a personally created specialty dish – he has sent the entire team a personally autographed copy of his latest cook book.

Charlie Palmer has a massive following across America where he owns 13 restaurants including his “New York flagship ‘Aureole’.

Mana Island Resort and Spa has officially opened its long awaited new Deluxe Ocean View (DOV) Bure accommodation on the island’s North Beach. A total of 12 free standing bures and 20 interconnecting ‘duplex’ bures all feature large ‘sunset’ decking with direct access to the island’s renowned powder white sand.

Each of the bures features king or queen sized beds, single beds and sofa beds offering accommodation for up to four adults.

Amenities include in-room telephones, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, robes, slippers, hair dryers, in-room safes and refrigerators.

The owners and management of Qamea Beach Resort & Spa in Fiji offer unique activities for their guests. They recently announced that they have begun weekly tours of the Wailoa Pearl Farm. Being the closest resort to the pearl farm, it is an easy 10 minute boat drive from the resort to Wailoa's overwater pearl farm bure. Here guests will learn first hand how a professional and environmentally sensitive commercial pearl farm is operated. The pearl farm is located in a newly designated national marine sanctuary, and the reefs are spectacular. Following the pearl farm tour, guests have plenty of time to snorkel the reefs in the pearl farm. Find out more about holidays at this quality resort; Qamea Beach Resort & Spa offers quality for money travel deals in Fiji.

A great new option for your Fiji vacation on Taveuni Island is the resort destination called PARADISE. Located at the far southern end of Taveuni (near Vuna) it takes just that little extra time to get to from the island's airstrip at Matei in the north compared to many of the other resorts and lodging choices on the island. The road is paved to about half way down the island and from then on it is an unsealed road. However, not only is the journey along a beautiful coastline and well worth the journey, but when you get to the resort it is in such an enviable location. It has the biggest ocean views imaginable, and faces west for incredible sunsets.

PARADISE in Taveuni features authentic Fijian bure accommodation, stylishly fitted out and complete with indoor and private outdoor bathing areas. Diving is superb and the owners have gone out of their way to ensure a variety of other activities, half and full day trips and tours to explore the best parts of Taveuni. This is a perfect spot for holiday, honeymoon or tropical wedding.

After a stringent assessment procedure, AAA Tourism Australia has recognised Maravu Plantation Beach Resort on Taveuni Island in Fiji with a 4½ star rating. The resort is very pleased with this prestigious rating, as it involved a 1000 point criteria system conducted by AAA's well-trained assessment team.

For more information, contact Maravu Resort direct.

The Hideaway Resort on Fiji's Coral Coast has implemented a unique wine cellar with controlled conditions for the perfect storing of wines for its guests to enjoy. The great climate that Fiji Islands enjoys is not so great for the storage of wines, so this new feature of the resort ensures that its guests can enjoy good wines during their stay. The wine list comprises a good range of Australian and New Zealand wines but also includes those from other parts of the world, such as California and France.

View these comments by a qualified wine guest. Visit the Hideaway Fiji Resort and sample some of the great wines!

Early May 2007 saw the much-awaited official opening of the new Bebe Spa and Bure ni Loloma Wedding chapel at the Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji. Costing some $3million, the new facilities were commenced in 2006 after initial planning some five years ago.

The hilltop setting overlooking the main resort complex to the beautiful Coral Coast Fiji is an apt setting for the relaxing healthy and beauty treatments offered at the spa. The resort has chosen the Pure Fiji range of quality products for the new spa.

The paradise location is also an eminently romantic setting for the wedding chapel, which can accommodate up to 35 people. Views extend from the ocean and sunsets to a backdrop of ranges.

How about a last minute Fiji holiday special? If you are needing a quick break from work or daily routine, there are many interesting special deals in the Fiji Islands.

At the popular Mango Bay Resort, for example, they are giving a free FJ$20 bonus towards your bar tab if you book a five night vacation up to the end of March 2007. Think of the refreshing Fiji beer, wine or soft drinks to be sipped below a palm tree on Mango Bay's great beach !! For those who have visited Fiji before, you'll know that Fiji beer is a good brew - either Fiji Bitter or Fiji Gold. If you like hard drinks, then Bounty Rum is another famous local drink. Great on its own, mixed with soft drinks such as Coke, or even better as part of an exotic Fiji Cocktail at sunset.

The offer is open only to the end of March. The accommodation fee also includes complimentary extras such as free kayaking and snorkeling gear, daily continental breakfast, welcome kava ceremony and a complimentary "intro to scuba diving" lesson. And - of course - there is the nightly happy hour to make your $20 bonus go even further!

Enjoy Fiji - a celebrated destination with some great deals on offer at the moment. So a good time to pack up all your cares and woes and relax!

Taveuni - Fiji's 'garden island' - is well-known for its tranquil beauty, friendly Fijian people, great diving, natural rainforests and waterfalls. It offers travelers from around the world the opportunity of enjoying an adventure holiday, a romantic honeymoon vacation or just doing nothing at all!

Though tourism is important to the island, Taveuni is not overdeveloped so guests can enjoy the natural environment. The latest resort and dive centre to open (late 2006) is Nakia Resort and Dive, owned and operated by the Kelly family who came from Northern California in 2002 to live in Fiji and develop their unique resort. Delightful people with a determined and sensitive consideration of the environment and the local Fijian people, Jim and Robin have created a great new destination.

In addition to stylish accommodation, pool, and a range of activities (such as scuba diving the famous Rainbow Reef, or sport fishing in the rich waters of the Somosomo Strait), the Kelly's ensure that their guests are treated well at the Resort's new restaurant with the vegetables and fruit coming from their own organic gardens.

Nakia Resort and Dive Taveuni overlooks the breathtakingly beautiful Somosomo Strait that divides Taveuni (Fiji's third largest island) with Vanua Levu (Fiji's second largest island). With just four guest bures, you can be assured of individual, personalised attention.

Along with the name change, resort facilities and accommodation has been refurbished, rebuilt and upgraded.

Relaunching their new product, Allan & Terri Gortan have built 4 new Fijian luxury Bures, refurbished the main complex to include the open air, undercover Oceanview Restaurant and Tekiteki Bar and Paradise Gifts.

Paradise Pro Dive is also operating a FULL SERVICE Dive shop overlooking the Resort Marina. A large selection of activities are on offer in Paradise from Spa services to Jet Skiing expeditions, Mountain Trek Horse riding to Kayak Tours… do it all… or nothing at all!

If you’re searching for true Fijian hospitality and long to experience the culture of this mystical land, spend some time in Paradise.

Paradise Taveuni Resort