| Index |
French Polynesia is an overseas territory of the French Republic consisting of five separate archipelagoes: 35 high islands and 83 atolls sprawling across the South Pacific in an area the size of Western Europe with a land mass the size of Los Angeles county. The Society Islands comprise the central archipelago which is divided into the Windward islands: (Tahiti), and the Leeward islands: (Bora Bora, Tahaa and Raiatea).
Early in 1891, when the French post-impressionist painter Paul Gauguin left France for Tahiti, (his home for the remainder of his life), he began a series of paintings that depict the beauty of island life in the South Seas—with its beautiful people, fascinating traditional culture, religion and spirituality. You’ll see why Gauguin was enchanted with this magical place when your 7-day CruiseTour takes you to the South Pacific’s most spectacular islands. Here’s an overview of our ports of call.
Tahiti
Raiatea
Tahaa’s (Motu Mahana)
Bora Bora
The dual peaks of Bora Bora, the taller square one is Otemanu, the conical one is Pahia shift in perspective as you rotate around the island covered with green-tinged floating clouds and wisps of mist at the summits. With perfect clarity, a silvery sea bottom reflects tints of celadon, jade, turquoise, ultramarine. Huge sting rays drag their purple shadows behind them as they glide over the beautiful lavender coral in Bora Bora’s fabled Coral Garden, known for its incomparable snorkeling. Here you will experience the density and variety of the undersea grottoes where amazing; amethyst, butter yellow, terra-cotta contrast to the silver-green water. You will swim with iridescent blue, velvety teal, screaming vermilion fish with streamers, fish with polka dots.
Moorea
During your visit, you might wish to shop for local crafts, embark on a dolphin-watching expedition with a marine biologist and witness these fascinating animals in their amazing natural habitat, or try out some of the local pineapples—said to be the most delicious in all of French Polynesia. There are no towns on Moore, just small settlements scattered across the coastal plains, where people continue to fish and live off the land-a timeless enclave of traditional living.
“Queen of the Pacific”
Tahiti is the largest and most populated of the French Polynesian Islands. The capital, Papeete, is a bustling town of colorful markets and luxury resorts. The entire island offers stunning scenery with spectacular mountains, lush vegetation and beautiful
waterfalls. The Radisson Plaza Resort is set along the natural curve of beautiful Matavai Bay, located in a lush, tropical garden setting on the beautiful black sands of Lafayette Beach (on the picturesque east coast of Tahiti.)
“The cradle of Polynesian civilization”
Raitea was the cultural, religious, royal and political heart of Polynesia, and, according to legend, the sacred birthplace of the gods. The island holds much fascinating history, legend and lore, as well as Tahiti’s most significant archaeological sites. Be sure to visit Taputaputea, a national monument and the most important temple in the Society Islands.
is Radisson’s own South Seas Paradise—featuring white-sand beaches with swaying palms, crystal-clear waters and gentle breezes. As an exclusive Radisson event, guests on the m/s “Paul Gauguin” will spend a full day exploring this idyllic island and relaxing with a delicious barbecue lunch and Polynesian entertainment. Known for its producing the finest vanilla in the world, the island exudes vanilla, and under certain conditions, of breeze and mist, a gorgeous and narcotic vanilla smell seems to blanket the whole lagoon.
“TheMost Beautiful Island In The World”
That’s how Pulitzer Prize-winning author James Michener described the magnificent island of Bora Bora, surrounded by a spectacular lagoon and a series of small islands. When you gaze into Bora Bora’s expansive lagoon, you’ll glimpse more shimmering hues of blue than you ever knew existed. Encasing this rich palette is a ring of tiny islets called “motus,” often compared to a delicate emerald necklace. And at Bora Bora’s interior stand two peaks- Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia – which seem to magically change their shapes when you view them from different parts of the island.
“Island of flowers and dreams”
In Hollywood movies, when you see a stock shot of a stunning tropical island, there’s a good chance you’re looking at Moorea-no matter where the film is supposed to take place. The island’s velvety, lush, green peaks and sheltered azure bays: Cook’s and Opunohu, are just that beautiful, rivaling the Bora Bora’s claim to fame. In fact, it is widely believed that Moorea--and not his beloved Bora Bora--inspired James Michener to write about mythical Bali Hai in “Tales of the South Pacific.” Covered in an abundance of fresh fruits and flowers, spectacular mountain peaks, peaceful multi-hued lagoons and palm-fringed beaches—Moorea’s awesome beauty is unsurpassed! Moorea is six times the size of Bora Bora and has better beaches, (Temae is just one of several white-sand wonders), better diving, (more than 20 dive sites, most along the coast), and more things to do, from hiking through the Paopao Valley to horseback riding on the sand.