France

To describe Bora Bora as paradise is no overstatement. The island is a vision of vivid blues and verdant peaks, topped by slow-drifting, milky white clouds around the centerpiece of Mount Otemanu. Water shapes everyday life here and sailing the serene lagoon by outrigger canoe or snorkeling among the coral gardens are adventurous ways to get a sense of how the island breathes. Visit a working pearl farm to see how rare black pearls are cultivated, or encounter Bora Bora’s military history at the World War II cannons perched above Faanui Bay.

Lying more than 1,000 nautical miles south of Hawaiʻi, Fanning Island, also known as Tabuaeran (meaning “heavenly footprint” in Polynesian), feels like a secret kept by the sea; there are no big hotels, no cars, no crowds—just sandy paths, pandanus trees, and the hush of waves on coral reef. Just over 2,000 people call the island home; unsurprisingly, local life moves gently. Children greet you in Gilbertese with songs, and women weave mats from palm leaves or sell shell jewelry from market stalls. In the water, the pace picks up with tropical sealife flitting about their daily duties.

Often called the sacred heart of the South Pacific, Raiatea was once Polynesia’s spiritual and navigational center—a legacy still felt at Taputapuātea, the island’s ancient marae and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Like many of the Society Islands, its hinterland is dense with forest, home to towering mape trees, wild hibiscus, and several species of critically endangered birds. Kayak along the Faaroa River, the only navigable river in French Polynesia surrounded by pristine rainforests, and look for the elusive Tiare ʻApetahi, Raiatea’s rare, endemic flower.

Taking its name from vahine, the Tahitian word for woman, Huahine is a destination immersed in Polynesian folklore. According to legend, its topography resembles a reclining pregnant figure; low mountains and gently sloping terrain covered in coconut palms, vanilla orchids, breadfruit trees, and banana groves. This landscape stretches across two connected islands—Nui and Iti, the big and the little—which are linked by a narrow bridge over Maroe Bay.

Flower-shaped Taha’a floats in the same turquoise lagoon as Raiatea and Bora Bora—close in distance, yet a world apart. It may not share their spotlight, but the island carries its own quiet charisma. Step ashore and you’ll feel it; the scent of vanilla drifts on the breeze, and family-run estates share their stories of how each orchid is hand-pollinated in a ritual known as “marrying the vanilla.” Taste the island’s spirit—literally—in small-batch, artisanal rum distilled from heritage sugarcane and infused with vanilla or local tropical fruits.

Although just 10 miles from its big sister Tahiti, life on Mo’orea moves a little slower. Start the day with a café et croissant (this is a French territory, after all), then follow the coast past white churches and fruit stalls. Escape the midday sun by wandering though ancient marae tucked beneath the peaks, or climb to Belvedere Lookout for sweeping views of Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay, twin inlets named for the explorer who visited in 1777. Naturally, as a designated Ramsar Wetland, the lagoon takes center stage.

Papeete pulses with rhythm—market stalls piled high with vanilla pods and papayas, voices rising over the scent of monoi oil and freshly baked baguettes. It’s easy to find the quieter stories that unfold as well, among the local artists carving Polynesian folklore into wood and inking them as tattoos, or with the musicians tuning ukuleles beneath towering flame trees. As the capital, Papeete balances city life with its beautiful nature and postcard-perfect beaches, from the iconic black sands of Pointe Vénus in the northeast to the soft white sands of Vaiava on the west coast.

A charming seaside town in northern Corsica, L’Île-Rousse takes its name from the red hue of the rocky islets just offshore, one of many features in the landscape contributing to this destination’s natural beauty. Perched on the headland, the Lighthouse of Pietra offers sweeping views of the scenery. The town also boasts beautiful sandy beaches with crystalline waters perfect for sunbathing, swimming or snorkeling. The heart of L’Île-Rousse is the main square of Place Paoli, where a statue dedicated to the town’s founder stands in the shade of plane and palm trees.

A cable car ride to the top of Mont Faron provides the perfect orientation to Toulon with 360-degree views of the city and its environs. Then descend to the scenic waterfront for a stroll along La Rade, where palm-fringed sidewalks are lined with brasseries and bistros serving classics like mussels and fries or ratatouille, each dish paired perfectly with a local Provence rosé.

With a fleet of colorful fishing boats bobbing along the quay, pastel-hued buildings and palm-fringed promenade, Sanary-sur-Mer is one of France’s most picturesque ports. The compact town, including its beaches, is easily navigated on foot but its unstudied charm is best captured over a glass of rose at a waterfront cafe. Sanary is also an ideal base for exploring Provence’s Var coast. Next door is Bandol, the coastal town at the heart of a tiny, highly-acclaimed wine appellation.