Stop at the Cook Islands

Spending 12 hours on a flight from the U.S. to New Zealand can be intimidating. A stopover on the idyllic Cook Islands is the perfect answer to a long flight and a wonderful way to relax and recoup from jet lag.

For no additional airfare costs on Air New Zealand, travelers can fly straight into Rarotonga for a few days’ respite before continuing on to Auckland. The plane will land lagoon-side, allowing guests to step off and immediately begin their vacation. Rarotonga is the ultimate island resort destination, with luxe hotels, inspired cuisine, shopping, and one of the most beautiful beaches in the South Pacific. Stopping here is a breeze in every way – not only is it easy to fly in and out, it’s also easy to navigate the island, allowing for maximum relaxation time on the beach.

Continuing on from Rarotonga to Aitutaki is a no-brainer. Just 45 minutes away, Aitutaki has consistently been hailed the most beautiful island in the world and is a favorite destination of Kit here at Esplanade. White sandy beaches stretch for miles, accompanied by a laid-back atmosphere, cold drinks, and crystal blue water stretching to the horizon. Whether traveling with a partner, family, or a group of friends, spending time on beautiful Aitutaki is the perfect start to vacation.

So rather than worry about surviving a long haul flight – add on a stopover at the Cook Islands and experience all the South Pacific has to offer!

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Christine at Esplanade Travel planned our recent trip which found us traveling to four very different and fascinating regions in Chile. The trip was absolutely beautiful, memorable and so suited to our specific interests! We have had the pleasure of working multiple times with travel consultants at Esplanade Travel and they continue to amaze us with the itineraries they develop and their close working contacts in other countries that always result in worry-free travel for us. We tend to stay in multiple areas with multiple connections and with the expertise in planning at Esplanade all of our reservations, contacts, pick-ups and drop-offs occur seamlessly. Our travels started in Santiago before heading south to the Lakes District, further south to Torres del Paine in Patagonia, then west to Easter Island. All of the lodges we stayed in were so comfortable with gorgeous views, the guides were super knowledgeable about the cultural and natural history of every location we visited, and the food was fantastic! On Easter Island our native guide, Sabrina, was able to provide us with her intimate knowledge, passed down to her from her ancestors, of the history and culture of the Rapa Nui people. I highly recommend Esplanade Travel to everyone, and I guarantee we will be contacting them to assist us with our next great adventure!

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