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French Polynesia

Moorea, French Polynesia. Paradise for some, as long as your accommodation is OK.

A tropical version of Fawlty Towers: Exactly what makes a bad hotel experience

There are a few contenders for the worst hotel I’ve ever stayed in. For a start, it certainly helps my appreciation of a hotel if it’s actually finished.

  • Lee Tulloch
Ecuador

The 20 countries to put on your travel list for 2026

Find new charm in the familiar, or forge a fresh trail. Here are the under-the-radar nations and re-emerging classics set to define travel in 2026.

  • Ute Junker
The Aranui 5 is half cruise ship, half freighter and will soon become a floating Olympic village.

To reach an untouched paradise, you need to travel on this unique ship

A hybrid between a cruise ship and a cargo ship, the one-of-a-kind Aranui 5 takes passengers and vital supplies to some of the most remote islands on the planet.

  • Helen Anderson
Taha’a is surrounded by a string of small islands known as motu.

There’s more to this paradise than just overwater bungalows

All the tourists in French Polynesia head to Bora Bora, which means the other islands can feel like your own private escape.

  • Emily McAuliffe
Bora Bora from the air.

One of the world’s most beautiful spots is getting easier to visit

A few years ago, it seemed French Polynesia was off the boil as a destination. But in 2023 the French territory announced a plan to double tourist numbers.

  • Brian Johnston
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Palm-tree perfection … Taha’a, French Polynesia.

Best lagoon in the Pacific? We’ve found a winner

Better than Moorea, or Bora Bora, or Aitutaki. But you won’t believe this patch of French Polynesia is real until you’ve seen it for yourself.

  • Brian Johnston
The seat has just 31 inches (79 cm) of legroom, but you probably won’t need to sleep.

Airline review: This ticket to paradise is excellent, even in economy

Even in economy class, this airline and its friendly staff get you in the mood for an island holiday from the moment you step on board.

  • Emily McAuliffe
Tahiti Iti has all the pristine wilderness appeal of French Polynesia’s outer islands.

This year’s most beautiful Olympic venue is 15,000 kilometres from Paris

There’s a smaller version of this French paradise that offers glimpses of what the original island nation was like.

  • Craig Tansley
Prepare for queues to move at a glacial pace.

This might be a five-star paradise, but its airport is a dismal one star

The queues are long and sweaty, the toilets are broken and the best thing about it is the view while taking off.

  • Brian Johnston
Papeete is more than just a gateway to French Polynesia’s other islands.

Nine things that will surprise you in paradise’s overlooked capital

Tahiti is often viewed merely as a gateway to the surrounding picture-perfect islands, but in Papeete you’ll find surprises around every corner.

  • Katrina Lobley