This may be an awful thing for a travel editor to confess, but the islands of the South Pacific have always seemed a little intimidat­ing to me. Thousands of miles from my home in suburban New York, and perhaps even farther away in terms of lifestyle, ease of transportation, and sheer cost, I have to admit I haven't even given them a spot on my bucket list until recently. But I began to notice that luxe locales like the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tahiti, and sometimes even chi-chi Moorea were turning up in Budget Travel's Real Deals. Hmm. Turns out, if you choose the right destination—an island that enjoys a modest standard of living without catering to the ultra-wealthy—and pick the right resort or book a package deal, some of these warm, alluring destinations can and should be on your travel list. Let's get this out of the way up front: It's impossible to adequately summarize the history, culture, and geograph­ical diversity of the islands that stretch across thousands of miles in the southern hemisphere smack in the middle of the world's largest ocean.

From French Polynesia (including Tahiti and Moorea) in the east, across the Cook Islands, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands in the west, what we refer to as the islands of the South Pacific are a rich stew of jungles, coral reefs, beaches, volcanoes, native cultures, and European colonial influences. hot topic black butler backpackThe good news is, English is spoken just about everywhere, and an afford­able—and unforgettable—experience is possible for what we like to call "real people."flcl backpackHe notes that package tours can often be a good way to see the South Pacific on a budget. nike sb backpack malaysia"Packages that include flight plus hotel are the most popular, because those are the two largest expenses you will encounter on a trip to the South Pacific," he says. cheap mcm backpack malaysia

"Shop in the vacation sections of airline websites that serve this part of the world. Airlines will bundle dates and destina­tions based on how many seats they need to fill on various flights. crumpler camera and laptop backpackThey can also negotiate better deals with the resorts at certain times of the year." dry top backpiece gw2Kahler suggests, though, that if you research package deals, you need to be careful that a package doesn't confine you to the grounds of one resort—unless that's the kind of isolated experience you are looking for. "Travelers who are willing to look for smaller, locally owned properties might get a better glimpse of the local culture, and it's entirely possible they'll find rates that are as good or better than the package tours." He also notes that, unlike many other parts of the world, where oceanfront property is reserved for high-end rooms, the South Pacific often offers budget accommodations that are right on the beach.

"The notion of staying right on the ocean in a bungalow with a thatched roof might seem romantic or luxurious, but many times these places are very basic in terms of amenities. You may not find air conditioning, or designer shampoos and bed sheets, but stylish? , suggests that you first determine what your budget is, then conduct your research—or work with a travel company—to find the combination of lodging category and island that's right for you. "If you combine two islands, start with a lower room category, then splurge on the second island," Woodward suggests, noting that, as with many destinations, being flexible with your travel dates can help you find deals on flights, and that a package deal will not only save you money on your airfare from the U.S. but also on inter-island airfares The South Pacific islands are lovely—and fragile. Easily damaged coral reefs fringe many islands, and as we've seen in areas such as the Caribbean, tourist dollars can also bring havoc to the environment.

Woodward points out that you can visit the South Pacific in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way. "A lot of resorts use ocean water for air conditioning, purify ocean water for drinking, and bottle water in reusable glass containers rather than plastic." The Cook Islands top the list of affordable South Pacific destinations, with a comfortable but not out-of-reach standard of living, New Zealand-in­fluenced culture, and an inviting array of natural wonders like coral lagoons, caves, and lush forests. The islands themselves are distinct from one another, with opportu­nities for you to soak up a luxe resort experience, forest hiking, and even some deserted islands. Rarotonga's Muri Lagoon is a must, as is snorkeling on the Aitutuaki atoll. For a taste of the islands' village life, tour the pretty gardens of Ma'uke. And for a literal taste of Polynesian cuisine, enjoy one of the islands' classic pork-based feasts along with a performance of local traditional dance. Explore the caves of Mangaia, including the burial chamber of the ruler Te Rua Rere.

Resorts here are within reach: Palm Grove Resort Rarotonga offers individual bungalows on a five-acre beachfront property that also includes beautiful gardens filled with local flowers; the resort's calm, shallow lagoon is great for beginner and advanced snorkelers (palmgrove.net, from $185). Edgewater Resort & Spa allows you to enjoy beach and garden views, a lagoon, swimming pool, and two restaurants just a short distance from downtown Avarua (edgewater.co.ck, from $189). These "magic words" will save you big 20 Yummiest Ice Cream Shops in America Let a local show you how locals live Swanky Hostels From $11/Night (Really!) Northwest Nirvana in Oregon Cool holiday festivals worth traveling to 29 Reasons We Love BelgiumThe Truth About 10 10 Car-Free Fall Foliage Trips of the These unique hotels transform travel Coolest Small Towns in America 2015 Meet Montana's Urban Trailhead How I (Finally) Learned to Ski In Fall, This Beach Town Belongs to You

7 Reasons To Fall For Florida Most Instagrammed Places in America! 12 Best Fall Foliage Trips Great places to ring in the New Year The Best Way to Win Valentine's Day Is... You've Got to Take a Taste of Alabama Why Canada tops our 2017 travel list 25 Perfectly Gorgeous Coastlines! These Travel Sites Honor American Women Eat Like a Local in Queens Awesome 4th of July Getaways! Confessions of a National Park Ranger 10 Affordable Spring Trips You Can't Air travel booking secrets for 2017 12 Perfect Family Vacation Spots "The Crash Detectives" Are Travel's Why Arkansas Belongs on Your Bucket List 7 Lies Every Traveler Tells Impressive hotel pools you'll want to 12 Best-Ever Affordable Memorial Day Trips American History Comes Alive at These Secrets of Italy's Emilia Romagna Region 33 Ultimate Summer Vacations! 12 Must-Read Tips for Traveling With Your 10 Coolest Small Towns in America 2016