Bula! In Fiji the ubiquitous 'bula' is more than just a greeting, it's a wish for happiness, good health and the energy of life.

Despite the country suffering four military coups and numerous destructive cyclones, the overwhelming impression when arriving in Fiji is of immensely happy people. A popular destination for Australians, Fiji received almost $59 million in aid from Australia last financial year in support of the two countries' strong and enduring bilateral relationship.

Now, the island nation is forging ahead with plans to make Fiji accessible for tourists once again while keeping both visitors and locals safe. As part of Phase 2 of the Fijian COVID Safe Economic Recovery Framework, the Fijian Government has announced the 'Luxury Vacation in Paradise' initiative in partnership with Fiji Airways and the Fijian tourism industry.

The overarching approach of the initiative is to allow tourists to enter safely and holiday in Fiji, with the quarantine period being part of the Fijian holiday experience. The VIP Lane refers to an end-to-end travel pathway where safe travel begins from the point of origin, includes port of departure and mode of travel to port of arrival and transfer to a designated private resort.

Movement is organised and contained within the lane and the return journey to point of origin follows the same pathway. Throughout this pathway there is minimal contact with the local Fijian population while following clear guidelines for quarantine and testing for those who will be coming in contact with them.

A recent two-hour Fiji Airways flight on board the Airbus A350 reaffirmed the Fiji Airways Travel Ready program and the state of readiness of Fiji's national airline to welcome visitors back. It should be pointed out that this is a luxury travel option, but following are some of the attractions that regular visitors will find during more normal times.

Five top destination picks

Check out these destinations within a destination.

1. Denarau: Find happiness 15 minutes away from Nadi International Airport with a range of resorts that cater to families and couples alike.

2. Mamanuca Islands: Island-hop your way through this archipelago filled with family-friendly and luxury resorts.

3. Yasawa Islands: Adventure is calling with remarkable landscapes, friendly marine life, hospitable locals and remote beaches waiting to welcome you.

4. Savusavu and Taveuni: Enjoy the laid-back vibes of the northern islands. The lush tropical beauty and simple, slow pace make it the perfect place to relax and reboot.

5. Coral Coast: Just an hour's drive from Nadi International airport it's an entirely different vibe down here, with brilliant palm-lined beaches and sparkling fringing reefs.

Discover all of the diverse regions

Five hidden gems to discover

Don't leave without exploring at least some of these gems.

1. Manta Ray dances: These giants of the ocean glide majestically through the waters of the Yasawa Islands and Kadavu Island and will 'dance' for audience swimmers!

2. Underwater Cathedral: The Sawa-I-Lau Caves in the northern Yasawa Islands are sculpted by centuries of wave erosion eating away at limestone caves that you can swim in.

3. Nectar lab: Nestled in the lush forests of Taveuni Island, the Gaiatree Sanctuary is home to a stunning organic spice plantation garden and nectar lab to provide you superfood treats.

4. Eco Island: The eco-chic Nukubati Private Island is Carbon Zero certified and 100 per cent self-sufficient with one of the largest solar power plants in the Fiji Islands.

5. Floating Pizzeria: Floating in the Mamanuca Islands is Cloud 9, a pizzeria and bar with its own resident DJs, offering you a one-of-a-kind pizza in paradise experience.

Five cultural landmarks to visit

Connect with Fiji's culture at some of the most historically significant spots among the 333 islands.

1. Levuka: Fiji's first capital is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. This quaint seaside town allows you to reminisce what life on the island used to be like 50 years ago.

2. Grand Pacific Hotel: Opening its doors in 1914, this historic hotel in Suva now hosts dignitaries from all over the world—including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and more recently Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

3. Momi Gun Site: Originally built to keep Fiji's paradise protected during WWII, this gun site is now a popular place to visit and offers panoramic views of the Coral Coast.

4. Navala Village: Nestled into Fiji's highlands, this traditional village from the 19^th Century has preserved its thatched buildings and offers visitors a true off-the-grid experience.

5. Wairiki Mission Church: Visit this peaceful landmark in Taveuni that represents the end of tribal wars and the preservation of Fiji.

The capital

Because Fiji is predominantly a resort and island destination, many travellers don't bother to visit the capital, Suva, but it's worth a look for its British colonial architecture, the Fiji Museum, the lively food market near the main wharf and the nearby handicraft centre. Suva is on the south-east coast of Viti Levu, Fiji's main island. Note that it is a 200-kilometre, three-hour drive from Nadi International Airport, the point of arrival for most overseas visitors, although Suva does have its own airport, Nausori.

If you go to Suva, beware of the wood carving scam where someone will ask for your name and then proceed to carve it onto a cheap wooden sword, which will then be presented to you with a demand for about $40. Decline the offer before they start carving. You may encounter this stunt in Nadi as well.

Getting there

It's likely that Fiji will first form a travel bubble with Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific islands to allow free travel between the participating nations. In anticipation of reopening its borders more broadly, Fiji has announced the Care Fiji Commitment: fiji.travel/en/regions/australia/care-fiji-commitment

Fiji Airways flights are currently cancelled until 28 February 2021. Then I'll feature some more things to see and do in Fiji.

                                                                                 Paradise found: Tokoriki Island 

​fijiairways.com/en-au/flights

signatureluxurytravel.com.au/fiji-vip-lane