With a capital whose name translates as 'Abode of Love', there has to be something going on in the Friendly Islands that we don't know about. Most Tongans are warm and welcoming, but it's difficult to see how they could be otherwise when home is a series of lush Pacific islands, bordered by unbelievable beaches, surrounded by coral reefs, basking under a tropical sun. That's hard to beat. But there's a more active side to island life, with possibilities for hiking through Pacific rainforest to crater lakes and to the lips of active volcanoes, diving to shipwrecks and underwater canyons, abseiling down seaside cliffs or watching the local rugby team go through its paces.

Among the few Pacific peoples never to be colonised, Tongans have maintained their customs and traditions while fervently embracing various brands of Christianity. You'll be welcomed on feast days, party and drink kava at festivals till you drop, be impressed by the Sunday church turn outs, and then escape to deserted beaches where, between snorkelling in untouched coral gardens and sipping coconut juice, the most you need to do is watch the waves slap against the shore.