Fijian Road Trip! 8 Days Around Viti Levu Island

Arrive at Nadi International Airport, where you will pick up your rental car. From here it’s a short 15-minute drive to the Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa, a peaceful place where you can relax before this epic road trip starts.

Make the tough decision to lounge on the beach or take a refreshing dip in one of the three pools. Alternatively, head into the Nadi city center and explore the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple. For dinner, enjoy a meal at one of the 10 onsite restaurants at the hotel, or venture into Nadi for some Indo-Fijian cuisine.

Wake up at your leisure, as today’s drive is relatively short. After breakfast at the hotel, hit the road for 2.5 hours to Rakiraki Township on the northern part of the island. Along the way, make stops at the Fiji Water Bottling Plant for a unique picture with a giant Fiji Water cutout, pick up some snacks for the car and take in epic views at a scenic road stop.

Check into your accommodation at the Tanoa Rakiraki Hotel and spend the afternoon at your leisure. Take a dip in the pool, start a volleyball match, play some lawn bowling or simply enjoy a Fiji Bitter beer in the garden. For dinner, enjoy a meal from the hotel restaurant with options from a menu that highlights Fijian seafood dishes and Indian cuisine.

After enjoying a complimentary tropical breakfast, head out for the day with your local guide organized by the hotel. Visit the town center and the local market, stopping to admire the fresh produce and enjoy a bowl (or several!) of kava with the locals. After that, head to the Tomb of Udre-Udre, a historic landmark marked for a prolific cannibal. Following the morning’s excitement, choose between a restaurant in town or a beachside cafe (with a swimming opportunity!) for lunch.

Once back at the hotel, the afternoon is at your leisure — organize a snorkeling or diving trip just down the road or simply relax at the peaceful property. Later on, enjoy another fresh dinner at the hotel, or drive down the road to sample one of the local joints.

Following another delicious breakfast, set off for your next destination on the big island. On the way, stop at the Saint Francis Xavier Church, aka “Church of the Black Christ,'' for some great photos. Then take the windy coastal road down to the country’s capital: Suva.

Suva is the capital of Fiji as well as the economic and cultural capital of the South Pacific, home of many regional company headquarters and an important trade destination. Check in to your accommodation at the Grand Pacific Hotel, an icon of the region for over a century. This waterfront property has a rich history featuring many notable guests, including Queen Elizabeth II. Take the afternoon to explore the property and relax with a drink at the poolside bar, or head out to the city center to do some shopping.

For dinner, choose from the two onsite restaurants — one fine dining and one more casual, both offering great Fijian cuisine.

After a lovely breakfast at the hotel bakery, set off for the Fiji Museum and indulge in 3700 years’ worth of information. Learn about indigenous people and modern settlers and get a broad perspective on Pacific culture and history. Following the museum, take a stroll around Suva’s Thurston Botanical Gardens.

Head downtown for a traditional Indo-Fijian lunch. You’ve probably heard that term a couple of times and are wondering what it means — it is a deep and interesting history that the museum touches on very well!

After lunch, take a moment to explore the city at your own pace. Visit the central market and the handicraft center, where you can purchase fresh produce or unique souvenirs.

Back at the hotel, take a refreshing dip in the pool before another lovely dinner.

Following another fresh bakery breakfast, it's back in the car as you continue your journey. Today we’re checking in at the Shangri-La Yanuca Island on the Coral Coast. This gorgeous property boasts everything you need for a relaxing end-of-trip stay.

Spend the afternoon at your leisure — choose from the hotel’s three pools, tennis court, nine-hole golf course, luxury spa or water park.

For dinner, choose from one of the four dining concepts onsite and wash it all down with a nightcap at one of the two lovely bars.

After a lovely beachside breakfast on the Lagoon Terrace, set out to make the day your own!

Choose from many onsite activities offered, such as the nine-hole golf course or luxury spa. For the more adventurous, partake in the guided jet ski safari to visit the secluded Natadola Beach, organize a sports fishing venture, give parasailing a try or learn about conservation efforts at the Marine Education Centre — the choice is yours!

Enjoy your final happy hour and dinner onsite.

Following your final breakfast in paradise, begin the drive back to Nadi and return your rental car at the airport. For those with later flights, I recommend splurging on the Fiji Airways Lounge, which gives you access to their buffet, full bar, showers and WiFi before your flight home.

Until next time, Fiji!