This paradisical collection of 15 volcanic outcrops sprinkled over two million square kilometres of South Pacific Ocean is not as far as you think it might be. Getting to the Cook Islands means a six-hour flight from Sydney to the main island of Rarotonga, but if you’re going all that way it’s worth going the extra mile – or 264 kilometres – to Aitutaki, an island girdled by a lagoon so dazzlingly pale turquoise it could be the work of a Hollywood special effects team.

Unlike some South Pacific nations where canned cuisine is hard to avoid, the kai (food) of the Cook Islands is fresh, distinctive and part of the experience."

Uncover the hidden gems of the Cook Islands: Your guide to the best dining and accommodations in Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Click here to read more