Fiji Islands: In the south-west Pacific, the Fiji archipelago is little explored by the French. And yet... with more than 300 paradise islands to choose from, it's pretty tempting!

Make no mistake about it. Fiji may be an archipelago of over 300 islands in the Pacific Ocean, but it's a far cry from the tiny atolls scattered across thousands of square kilometres of ocean, such as the Cook Islands. Fiji's volcanic island of Viti Levu is ten times the size of Martinique! And its neighbour Vanua Levu is five times bigger. Fijians have land. And beautiful land. But of the 322 islands - the official count - only a hundred or so are inhabited by a richly mixed population. Polynesians, Micronesians, Melanesians, Europeans and Chinese make up the Fijian people. The other islands are little more than paradise atolls. Uninteresting, isn't it?

Fiji's worldwide reputation has been built on two sports: rugby and diving. The former has put Fiji on the map for the majority of Europeans, while the latter attracts travellers from all over the world for the quality and diversity of its sites. To find the best beaches in Fiji, head for the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands, two archipelagos located to the west and north-west of Viti Levu. There are other postcard-worthy islands and atolls in Fiji, notably in the east, in Lau province (around Tubou), but these are much more difficult to access. For diving, both experienced enthusiasts and snorkelling beginners should head for the Great Astrolabe Reef. In the south of the country, at the north-eastern tip of Kadavu province, this coral reef, which surrounds the islands of Dravuni, Yaukuvelevu and Bulia, offers water of unrivalled clarity. The beaches are also sublime!

But as we said, Fiji is also a land of volcanoes. Hikers and wildlife enthusiasts will have no trouble enjoying themselves here. There are many marked trails through the jungle of the main islands, and even a half-day walk to a waterfall or viewpoint offers superb scenery.

For a real trek between jungle and lagoon, the tour of the island of Viti Levu is the best option. This is an opportunity to discover the interior and the highlands of the island, known as the Nausori Highlands, and to take part in a wide range of outdoor activities such as canyoning, climbing, rafting, white-water kayaking... you can do it all in Fiji! Those who stray a little from the beaches and lagoons will realise that this is just one aspect of this archipelago, whose richness is also cultural. The first thing to discover is the world of Kava, which is a drink, a custom and an excuse to share a moment of conviviality that is part of Fijian daily life.

Fijian cuisine consists mainly of local and Indian dishes. Fish and seafood are essential elements, but chicken and pork are also readily available. Fish and white meats are the counterpart to 'root crops', the generic name used by Fijians to refer to the tubers that are eaten a great deal. These are generally taro or dalo, a tuber known as dachine in the West Indies, or manioc, most often in the form of tapioca.

Specialities include kokoda (fish with coconut milk and lime), rourou (a taro-based dish), kassaua (baked tapioca au gratin with coconut juice, cane sugar and banana porridge) and duruka (a type of local asparagus), as well as a host of Indian curries, Western dishes and, of course, a whole host of exotic and succulent fruits.