Flung across a 2 million-square-kilometre stretch of wild South Pacific water the 15 tropical gems that comprise the Cook Islands are a day-dreamy holiday destination. With a population size comparable to an average country town, the Cook Islands are effortlessly a place apart from the busy, populated world across the seas. The mix of coral atolls and volcanic islands exude an untouched charm with bush-clad volcanic peaks descending to glistening white sand shores and palm-fringed blue lagoons. The reef-enclosed main island of ‘Raro’ with the endearingly laid-back commercial hub of Avarua can be explored by bus, motor scooter, bicycle or jeep. Further north, the sublime lagoon of Aitutaki will take your breath away with its Pacific-postcard perfection.