Port Vila, Vanuatu

The Vanuatu archipelago, consisting of 13 large islands and 60 smaller islands stretches for 450 miles through the southwest Pacific Ocean. Formerly known as New Hebrides, the name was changed to Vanuatu when the nation gained independence in 1980. An abundance of vividly colored flowers brighten the islands along with fifty-four types of native birds, among them green pigeons and multihued parrots. The warm waters, calm lagoons and miles of beautiful beaches provide the visitor to this off-the-beaten-path island with a perfect setting for a variety of recreational activities.