Your clients don't need to be on honeymoon to love Fiji

Next morning, I wake up bright and early for a leisurely boat ride along the Navua River followed by a visit to a typical Fijian village.

Before we set out, head guide Neimani assures me villagers don’t feel like they have to perform for tourists during these visits. “It’s a chance for us to show people coming from outside of Fiji our culture,” he says. “We try to keep it as authentic as it can be.”

During the tour, Neimani introduces us to the village’s main traditions such as lovo, a banquet cooked in an earth oven, before taking us to the kava ceremony – the cornerstone of every visit.

The ceremony consists of the villagers welcoming foreigners into their own homes by offering them kava – a drink made by pounding the sun-dried kava root and mixing it with cold water – followed by traditional dances.

Despite its bitter taste and narcotic properties, kava is so popular that, when offered, I gulp it down, taking in its peppery flavour.

Before sending me and the other tourists on our way, Neimani shows us how to dehusk a coconut and how to weave its leaves to make the most beautiful carpets, bags and hats.

I spend the next two days at Nanuku Resort Fiji, one of the country’s most luxurious offerings. Spread across 500 acres, the hotel attracts a widespread clientele of international jet setters, hip young families and even some diplomats. The resort has 37 bures (the Fijian word for room) – which are divided into 22 villas and 15 suites – and each bure has its own pool, cabana and outdoor rainfall shower for ultimate privacy.

Then I make my way to the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa. Opened in 2009 on the southern coast of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, the five-star resort offers the kind of quiet luxury often associated with the international chain.

Spread across 35 acres, facilities include three swimming pools, an 18-hole golf course and four restaurants and snack bars.

Children can spend their time at the kids’ club while adults can take part in a reef safari before indulging in a pampering session at the award-winning spa.

Surfer’s paradise

After a day at the InterContinental, I make my way to Matanivusi Beach Eco Resort, where I am a guest of owners Brian and Donna McDonald.

The Australian couple opened the 12-room resort in 2007, focusing on sustainable practices before it was fashionable. Matanivusi’s green ethos is in fact reflected in the relatively small number of rooms available as well as in the use of sustainable draining and energy systems.

“We wanted everything we did to be sustainable,” Donna tells me, adding that Matanivusi was one of the world’s first resorts to become Stoke certified, a sustainability certification with standards built specifically for surf and ski operators.

The resort has, in fact, become a staple for surfers of all ages and levels as well as for tourists who enjoy a communal, laid-back vibe.

“We don’t want anyone to feel as if they are on the outside,” Donna tells me. “We come together to eat dinner so everyone chats with each other and becomes friendly.”

I explore the beautiful, lush green interior of Viti Levu island on a wild dune buggy ride courtesy of Terra Trek Tours before heading out to Suva to be reunited with Sara.

After my visit with her, I take a flight back to Nadi before getting on a ferry to Castaway Island – a 174-acre private island in the middle of Fiji’s Mamanuca archipelago, where I am greeted by general manager Steve Andrews.

Operating since 1966, Castaway is the longest-running resort in the Mamanucas – featuring 25 bures as well as two pools, three restaurants, a tennis court and a spa, all set across 37 acres.

The two chilled days I spend at Castaway fly by between grooving to the sound of J-Lo at floating bar Cloud Nine and enjoying my book lying peacefully by the pool or on the beach.

The nights feel extremely special as I soak up the still peace of the beach and contemplate the Milky Way, a dazzling blanket of stars.

As a solo traveller, I feel completely safe in Fiji. Hopping from island to island, it feels very authentic and its people are so welcoming.

Travelling somewhere so remote has allowed me to take in every sunset and picture-perfect landscape at a much deeper level, giving me a renewed appreciation for my life, and flying back to London, I don’t feel as blue as I usually do after a holiday because I know these memories will stay with me for a lifetime.

Book it: First Class Holidays offers a 14-day Fijian adventure, including return flights, four nights’ B&B at the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa; six nights’ half-board at Castaway Island Resort; one night B&B at Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa; and a Sigatoka River Safari, from £6,558pp, twin share, based on a 4 November 2024 departure; fcholidays.com