port

Huahine, French Polynesia

Submitted by Andrew.TyLaFontaine on

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.

Ta’aha, French Polynesia

Submitted by Andrew.TyLaFontaine on

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.

Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia

Submitted by Andrew.TyLaFontaine on

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.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

Submitted by ryan.hall on

The Fari Islands may well be the crown jewel in a chain of coral atolls renowned for pristine white sands and impossibly blue waters. On a voyage with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, blissful hours in this remote retreat include exclusive access to the luxurious amenities and world-class hospitality of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives. Relax in a private cabana on an idyllic beach overlooking the turquoise lagoon, or go farther to discover the vibrant marine life under the surface on a snorkeling or diving expedition.