Aitutaki, Cook Islands

With close ties to New Zealand, Aitutaki in the Cook Islands is a dream place for closet castaways. Aitutaki ticks all the boxes for the ultimate exotic tropical holiday, with a bright azure lagoon, lush peaks, magnificent beaches bristling with palms, and some of the friendliest people in the South Pacific.

The Cook Islands' largest island and primary tourist destination is Rarotonga, but Aitutaki, a 45-minute flight away, is the crown jewel, an archipelago of 15 stunning tropical isles. In the Cook Islands, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing are all popular activities, and the island provides a glimpse into relaxed village life, which comes to a halt on Sundays for church services. The lagoon is surrounded by more than 20 motu (small islands). In its southeast corner, the small island of Tapuaetai (One Foot Island) is a popular Cook Islands day excursion with a stunning view of the lagoon. Choose a deluxe over-the-water bungalow if you truly want to overspend. You may paddle to your own private motu from here, sit beneath a palm tree, and pretend to be Robinson Crusoe for the day.