rarotonga
Escape to the warmth of an exotic South Pacific paradise – think beautiful beaches, fragrant frangipani and roast suckling pig.
Run away to New Zealand’s favourite island – Rarotonga. You can drive around it in 45 minutes – no traffic lights, no McDonald’s and no building taller than the highest coconut tree. If you ever wanted to go troppo, this is the place to do it. Many of my friends went to Raro years ago for short work stints and have never come back – they’ll be looking after us.
Rarotonga is the largest of the Cook Islands, blest with volcanic peaks, rain forests, lagoons, reefs and dense vegetation full of native birds and plants. This is a five night stay at the four star Pacific Resort Hotel – very authentic, boutique and right on the water’s edge.
I will be present for all activities and will be the one wearing flowers in my hair and a coconut bra. The purpose of this gorgeous tour is to really understand and respect the local culture, cooking traditions and art. We will have cooking lessons, visit plantations, go swimming with turtles, learn how to make a tivaevae (Polynesian quilt), learn traditional dancing, visit ancient taro fields, sing in church with the locals and cook the best fish on the island – Mahi-Mahi.. There’ll also be time to lie around on the palm studded white sandy beaches. Our final night party will be the usual quiet affair with singing, fire dancing and dressing up.
IMPORTANT: For this tour you must be physically fit and healthy with no mobility issues. There is a lot of walking involved.
Tour details
2021 Rarotonga tour
16 – 21 March 2022
Cost
NZD 4,500 per person
(based on twin share)
This includes 5 nights accommodation and use of resort facilities, internal transport, cooking classes, activities, all meals & selected wines with dinner.
NZD 1,500 accommodation single supplement subject to availability.
Maximum of 10 guests.
Accommodation
We stay in Premium Beachfront Suites at
Pacific Resort Rarotonga
About our tours
My mission has always been to provide really authentic gastronomic and cultural experiences, far from the well-trodden tourist circuits and into the homes, restaurants and kitchens of people with real food soul.
We sample everything, from the chic to the humble because... variety is the spice of life! As usual the most difficult task has been to choose between all those delicious recipes... those tempting wines... those magical interiors... those overflowing markets... Someone's got to do it - why not you? I hope you can join us.
“The culinary tour of Rarotonga was more than just about food, although that was all so absolutely amazing.
Beautiful island, friendly and welcoming locals, fabulous group of like-minded ladies on tour and we had so much fun! Interesting and busy days culminated in gloriously delicious and entertaining evenings. Thank you, Peta, for a well organised and extremely enjoyable visit to Rarotonga, loved it, keen to go on another tour with you sometime soon”
“Thanks for an amazing week away, I totally enjoyed all the experiences.”
