Paradisiacal Cook Islands amid crystal-clear waters, enchanting lagoons and intense fragrances

The heart of a trip to the Cook Islands is the discovery of Aitutaki, 'the most beautiful lagoon in the world' according to Tony Wheeler, founder of the famous Lonely Planet guide. You leave on an Air Rarotonga flight to arrive at the mythical lagoon that in the 1950s was the 'swimming pool' of Hollywood stars, who used to dock there in their luxurious 'Flying Boats'. You can stay at the Tamanu Beach Resort, an eco-sustainable structure by the sea. For a luxury stay, the Pacific Resort Aitutaki is the option. The ideal time to relax is at sunset: from June to October, you can watch the whales pass by the reef. Before a healthy night's rest, dinner at Tamanu Beach is recommended.

A day not to be missed includes a catamaran transfer to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of the Aitutaki lagoon. Stops can be made on uninhabited motu (islets) to relax and swim and visit One Foot Island, one of the most photographed spots in the Pacific, before indulging in a delicious lunch of freshly grilled fish cooked on board, accompanied by a selection of fresh salads, local side dishes and fruit. During the return journey, the crew entertains guests by improvising activities such as tying pareu (a rectangular piece of cloth with vibrant prints and patterns, which is wrapped around the body as a garment), weaving plates of coconut leaves or humming island tunes.

Amongst the many activities on offer, one can carve out a day to devote to optional excursions, perhaps hiring a scooter, car or bicycle to explore the island, before enjoying an afternoon kayaking in the lagoon. Dinner at The Boat Shed is recommended. On Sundays, it is an unforgettable experience to attend mass at the spectacular Cook Islands Christina Church to listen to local choirs sing.

The travel programme may include a visit to Atiu, the third largest island in the group and with over eight million years of history. It can be reached by flight and represents an ecologist's and adventure lover's dream. Called the wild island, it consists of a volcanic mass that has emerged from the sea over the centuries to be surrounded by a raised limestone reef called makatea. You can stay overnight in the Atiu Villas, pretty standard category villas surrounded by nature and managed in an eco-friendly manner. Here, evenings are spent quietly amidst birdsong, contemplating the stars.

Before heading back to Rarotonga and from there back to Italy, don't miss the mysterious limestone caves and spend a few hours of the afternoon birdwatching with 'Birdman George', a well-known guide in Atiu, who offers observation of rare birds such as the kopeka, which orients itself like a bat. George Mateariki, this is his name, works for the Takitumu protected area and is engaged in a recovery programme aimed at protecting some endangered bird species.

A couple of weeks is the ideal duration of a voyage of discovery in this archipelago of New Zealand Polynesia. You can fly from Italy to the American west coast. A stopover of one or two nights in Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle, depending on the airport of arrival, is recommended before departing for Rarotonga. It is worth mentioning that Air Tahiti Nui, in collaboration with Air Rarotonga and Air Tahiti, have enhanced air connections between Tahiti and the Cook Islands. From 29 June until 28 December 2025, the frequency of flights on the Tahiti-Rarotonga route will double from two to four flights per week.