Sun-drenched beaches, sweeping ocean views, gently swaying coconut palms and warm tropical nights - the French-English nation of Vanuatu is a truly magical place. Steeped in the colourful culture of the South Pacific, Vanuatu offers a rare combination of modern-day luxury and breathtaking, untouched scenery.

Vanuatu is situated between Fiji and New Caledonia, about 1,400 miles east of northeastern Australia. Formerly called the New Hebrides, Vanuatu has been an independent Republic since 1980. It is made up of more than 83 separate islands and straddles what is known as the “Pacific Ring Of Fire.”

It is a world filled with diversity, and guests have the option of visiting heavenly waterfalls or bustling village markets during the day, before retreating to quaint bungalows or five-star resorts at night.

Whether you are looking for romantic locations, rich cultural experiences, or simply a place to unwind and pamper yourself, Vanuatu is sure to delight and inspire. It is little wonder that Vanuatu was recently named by an international survey as the happiest place on the planet!

The Ni-Vanuatu people are fun loving and gentle by nature - rich in their culture and traditions but poor in terms of material wealth. Tourism is crucial to the Vanuatu economy and visitors are always greeted with enormous warmth and respect. Yet because Vanuatu is a young county, weddings and events are cheap compared to other tropical destinations.

Just think, the more money you save on your wedding, the more you'll have to spend on an indulgent, romantic Vanuatu honeymoon!

Some quick facts on Vanuatu:

Language: The local dialect is Bislama - a form of Pidgin English. However, most Ni Vanuatu working in tourism speak English quite well & some also speak French.

Culture: The local native Ni Vanuatu are mainly of Christian faith, combined with their traditional custom beliefs, including black magic.

Weather: Vanuatu has a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons, opposed to summer and winter.

Local currency: The vatu. Foreign currency exchange rates vary a bit but 1,000 vatu is worth around $12.50 AUD.

Banks: There are 3 in Port Vila - ANZ, National Bank of Vanuatu & Westpac.

Drinking water: The local drinking water is high in Calcium but is generally fine to drink.

Transport: There is a public transport system in the form of mini-buses that will take you just about anywhere within the Port Vila town limits for 100 Vatu. Taxies are also used but are more expensive.

For more information on Vanuatu please click here to visit the Vanuatu Tourism website.