The ride itself is interesting with the passengers including locals, tourists and chickens alike! Once on Savai’i, it is an easy drive to your accommodation. The beaches are just stunning on this island with the white sand, gentle waters and palm trees. What makes Samoa different to other islands however, is the unspoilt natural beauty. There are enough accommodation places to cater for all budgets, yet it is not over run with hotels and tourist attractions. You can really get to feel the real Samoa, not just the Samoa put on for tourists’ enjoyment. Savai’i also has plenty to see and do, including the beautiful beaches, the blow holes, lava fields, waterfalls, and much more. Accommodation ranges from the basic, open-air fales which are a fantastic experience, through to the more well-appointed properties. Although you won’t find true luxury on Savai’i, you can certainly find good quality accommodation. Samoa is a fantastic place to visit, especially for those looking for an island type holiday that is natural, relatively untouched and not full of tourists. Once you visit Samoa, it gets into your soul. The natural warmth permeates your being and you can’t help but wind down, relax and really remember that it is the simple things in life that matter.

Samoa for Families

What a fantastic place for a family holiday, especially if it’s an extended family get together! It is gentle, relaxed and that ambiance can’t help but filter into your family to make for a truly magical holiday. It’s not like Fiji though where the kids clubs can entertain your littlies for hours on end. Samoa is more about spending time together as a family, packing the spades and buckets and heading to the beach for the day. It is about getting out and about and exposing your family to different ways of life and cultures. It is about teaching them to tie a lavalava and to dance the traditional Samoan dance. Whilst there are swimming pools, beaches and some watersport activities, there isn't the full range of games and sports that are on offer at some of the other Pacific Islands. A holiday in Samoa is more about having fun as a family unit. What to pack: Be sure to bring a good supply of nappies/wipes (if applicable) as whilst these are generally available, they are expensive at resort boutiques. Don’t forget plenty of sunscreen, hats, swimsuits, sunglasses, float rings etc. It’s a good idea to invest in some cheap plastic reef shoes to protect soft little feet from coral cuts. You may like to pack your own first aid kit too including your child’s normal medication for such things as pain or stomach upsets. The change in climate and food can sometimes upset little stomachs and it’s better to be able to give your child medication that he or she has had before. Band-aids etc are also generally available but there may be a charge for them and again they can be relatively expensive. And be sure to pack plenty of film for your camera and video camera! Those perfect days on the beach will make you want to capture the sheer delight and joy on your kids’ faces forever! You will look back on your holiday snaps with fond memories for years and years to come!

Samoa for Romance

A more gentle and simply romantic destination than Samoa is hard to find. There is something about Samoa that evokes warmth, tenderness and gentility and romance can’t help but flourish under the soothing and restful ambiance of this little slice of paradise. Unspoilt by tourism, Samoa still offers a down-to-earth, natural experience of life and culture as it is today in Samoa. Although there are some beautiful resorts, the natural environment and lifestyle of Samoa shines through and you feel like you are really visiting their country rather than just living the resort lifestyle. The relaxed atmosphere is perfect for a romantic getaway and the resorts also cater for couples with gorgeous qccommodation with romantic rooms and beautiful tropical gardens. Some resorts now have spa facilities where you can enjoy his and hers treatments together and really feel at one with the environment. For a truly romantic escape, we recommend staying at one of the south coast properties like Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa, Aggie Greys Lagoon Resort & Spa or Coconuts Beach Club Resort & Spa. If you can, head over to Savai’i for a few days relaxing at the beautiful, crystal clear beaches. The open-air beach fales are basic but there is something very romantic about snuggling up to your loved one, looking out at the ocean at night and listening to the waves breaking. The fales do have sides that roll down too if you need them!

Samoa for Culture

The Samoan culture is evident in every day life. The easy-going, happy people instantly make you feel at home and they welcome the opportunity to sit with you and share their traditions. You can’t help but marvel at the fire-dancers – especially when they happen to be as young as seven or eight years old! The traditional dances are intriguing and seductive with the women casting their spell over the young men eager to impress and be noticed! Tattooing is also a big part of the Samoan way and you will see the intricate tattoos on the legs of many Samoan men. There are some strict protocols to be observed when visiting villages, so here are a few tips to help you avoid causing offense! • Avoid walking through villages during the evening prayer curfew (usually between 6pm and 7pm). This usually lasts for 10-20 minutes and is often marked at the beginning and end by a bell or the blowing of a conch shell. • Respect Sunday as a day of rest and quiet behaviour. Slow travel through villages is required. • Skimpy clothing is not acceptable in villages and will cause offence. • Women are requested to wear a lavalava or skirt rather than shorts or pants especially if they attend church. • Almost all shops are shut on Sunday. • No nude or topless (for women) swimming or sunbathing. • Shoes should be removed before entering a fale. • Never stand within a fale when elders are seated. • When sitting in a fale, avoid pointing your feet at others. Either tuck them away, cross them (yoga style) or cover them with a lavalava or mat. • Always ask permission from your host before taking photos in a village. • Don’t offer the children money, even if they ask. • If in any doubt, ask your host or a village member.

Samoa for Beach & Island Escapes

If you are looking to spend some relaxing time in the sun and water, Samoa has several options. The south coast properties offer the best beaches – those in Apia do not really have access to beaches. Resorts such as Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa, Aggie Greys Lagoon Resort & Spa and Coconuts Beach Club Resort & Spa all offer beaches with watersports including diving and snorkeling trips. However, for the best beach holidays, there is no question that Savai’i is the place to go. Here you will find the crystal-clear lagoons with beautiful white sand. Here you can sit in the tepid waters all day without getting cold! In fact, the water is so beautifully warm, you are hard pushed to get out at all! Add to that that the resorts are generally not overly crowded and enjoy long stretches of beach and you can’t go wrong!

Samoa for Weddings

Although Samoa generally isn’t one of the first destinations to spring to mind when thinking of a South Pacific wedding, there is something very magical about exchanging vows in such a tranquil and scenic setting. Some resorts offer wedding packages and the easy, relaxed atmosphere makes for a stress-free and exceedingly enjoyable day. The big Samoan smiles make any photographs special and the cheerful laughter and sheer enjoyment of life is contagious. It’s a wonderful spot to begin your married life together. The legal requirements for marriages in Samoa are: • Birth certificate and passports • Decree Absolute (Divorce) documentation if applicable • Death Certificate of your spouse if applicable These documents along with a completed Intent to Marry form should be faxed to the Ministry of Justice at least 14 days prior to your arrival. You will need to take the originals with you and presented to the Ministry of Justice in Apia, along with a small fee. Allow a few days in Samoa prior to your wedding day.

Samoa for Honeymoons

Now that the stress of the big day is over, it’s time to head over to Samoa for some quality R&R! Don’t underestimate Samoa as a destination perfect for honeymoons! You can’t help but unwind and take it easy in Samoa – the relaxed pace of life is catching. It feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle back home and by the end of your holiday you are so thoroughly relaxed, it’s hard to imagine what you found so pressing back home! After the months of stress and planning leading up to your wedding, Samoa is a great spot to relax, chill out and de-clutter your mind! It is ideal for couples who want to get away from it all and just spend some time with each other away from other people. There are plenty of quiet little resorts where you can mix with others if you want to, or just escape on your own. Samoa also caters to all budgets with accommodation ranging from the very basic through to the luxurious so if the wedding has taken its toll on your bank account, don’t worry – you can still have a wonderfully romantic honeymoon in one of the world’s most precious spots.Samoa for Events OCT - Palolo Rising 14 OCT - White Sunday 04 JAN - Head of State’s Birthday MAY - Samoa International Game Fishing Tournament 01 JUN - Independence Day JUN - Siva Afi Competition

Samoa for Spas

It’s hard to explain exactly but Samoa and Spa treatments just seem the perfect blend. Perhaps it’s the sweet aromatic scent of tropical flowers that delights your senses wherever you go that hints at the alluring and fascinating mix of therapeutic oils and lotions used in spa treatments. Perhaps it’s the all-encompassing gentle ambiance of Samoa that entices you to indulge in a luxurious massage. Perhaps it’s the down-to-earth environment that makes you want to treat your body to some much-needed pampering. The larger resorts such as Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa, Aggie Grey’s Lagoon Resort & Spa and Coconuts Beach Resort & Spa have wonderful spa facilities in beautifully relaxed settings, perfect for helping you to unwind and indulge. We suggest booking a massage when you first arrive to help you relax right at the beginning of your holiday and then another at the end to remind you what relaxed living is all about!

Samoa for Conferences

For small groups, conferencing in Samoa can be a wonderful event. It is a naturally quiet and peaceful setting which makes for a great environment to brain storm, or to reward staff for a trip away. There are only a few resorts however that have conferencing facilities and the services may be more limited than those in other Pacific Islands. It is advisable to have a prepared list of requirements prior to making firm plans to ensure the resort can fully cater to your needs. For small groups however, there are plenty of activities outside of the meeting room that can also be enjoyed. One of the benefits of a conference in Samoa is that the travelling distances between airport and hotels are not great so access is quick and easy. The resorts are generally quite quiet so there isn’t as much distraction as there can be elsewhere and there are plenty of things to do outside of conference time. It is a great place for a team weekend away – what better place to relax and recharge?

Quick Stats

Population: Approximately 180,000 Flying Time from NZ: 4-5 hours Climate: Although there is very little difference in average temperature year round, Samoa has a dry and rainy season. Mean monthly temperatures are generally range between 25.8 degrees Celsius to 26.8 degrees Celsius year round. The dry season is from May through to October and the rainy season is November to April. In the rainy season, you can expect it to rain two out of three days. Electricity: 240 volts AC, mainly three-point plugs Currency: Samoan Tala. Credit Cards: Most resorts will take Visa, American Express, Mastercard and Diners. Banking: ATMs are available in Apia and there is also one on Savai’i. Many hotels and supermarkets also have EFTPOS facilities. Note that you will need t have a pin number to withdraw funds. Dress: Casual is generally accepted everywhere. If you are visiting a village, you will need to be dressed respectfully – no bathing suits or skimpy attired. It is advisable to ask for advice on protocol before entering villages.

Top things to see and do

1. Visit the markets – local handcrafts, souvenirs etc. Next door is the fish market which is interesting as well.

2. Go to Savai’i for a few days – absolutely gorgeous and well worth the visit.

3. Hire a car and tiki tour around to see some of Samoa’s best sights.

4. Visit the lava fields on Savai’i and learn about the devastating volcanic eruption and see the lava covered fields

5. Visit the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve for some great diving, snorkeling and swimming.

6. Enjoy a culture night – enjoy the gentle Samoan dancing and marvel at the skills of the fire-dancers.

7. Visit ‘Vailima’ – the home of author Robert Louis Stevenson.

8. Visit a local church on Sunday for a uniquely Samoan church service.

9. In Savai’i, take the Felealupo Rainforest Canopy walk.

10. Stay in an open air beach fale on Savai’i – it’s a great experience