Lively cosmopolitan Melbourne offers everything most visitors want in a city destination: great shopping, nightlife, entertainment and culture all in a fairly condensed urban package. Located on the southeast coast of Australia in the state of Victoria, Melbourne has long been a center for performing and visual arts. ... See more

Sydney greets visitors with one of the world’s most spectacular harbors, marked by the sail-roofed Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and thousands of yachts bobbing in azure waters. The city's OPT terminal offers just-arriving cruise passengers access ... See more

Auckland is a spectacular mash-up of urban sophistication, Maori culture, mountains, sea, wineries and heart-thumping adventure. It's also one of the friendliest places on the planet. Known as the City of Sails thanks to a boat-loving population, ... See more

Seaside resorts and ancient Hindu culture exist side by side on this alluring island. While Bali has its share of pleasant beaches, even more arresting beauty lies in its interior landscape of emerald green terraced rice fields, waterfalls and volcanic ... See more

The small island of Bora Bora is only 18 miles in circumference, but it’s home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and waters, and the luxurious pampering resorts with overwater bungalows and thatched roofs we dream of for our ultimate retreats. Add to that scenery the sharply rising Mount Otemanu ... See more

About 1,600 miles east of Australia, Fiji's 333 idyllic islands (110 of which are inhabited) are made for romance and destination weddings, and they're also perfect for travelers looking for an active vacation or for big swaths of relaxation. A few years back I decided to splurge a little by heading to the South Seas for two blissed-out weeks. ... See more

The Galapagos Islands, straddling the equator 600 miles west of Ecuador in the Pacific, are among the few places on Earth where visitors can get a feel for what the world was like before the arrival of man. The archipelago’s 18 islands and 107 rocks and islets, undisturbed by humans until the whaling era, are today a protected wildlife sanctuary and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ... See more

Tahiti, the main island of French Polynesia, is almost like two islands in one: the main area of Tahiti Nui, home to the bustling port of Papeete and major tourist attractions; and Tahiti Iti, a laid-back region of small villages, lush mountains and ... See more

Papeete, capital of Tahiti and arguably the epicenter of French Polynesia, offers visitors a tropical paradise laced with a French flair. Papeete is bordered by an aqua-blue sea and gorgeous beaches rimmed with palm trees. The landscape is downright magnificent, and the people are friendly and helpful. ... See more

From steep, active volcanoes to low coral atolls, Tonga's 176 islands offer a wealth of backdrops. The "Friendly Islands" archipelago of Tonga in the South Pacific is imbued with an unspoiled beauty and laid-back vibe that travelers find alluring, whether relaxing on its white sandy beaches, snorkeling or diving in its gorgeous coral reefs, ... See more