Fact Sheets & Video - Cook Islands

There's so many ways to tie the knot these days. You can take the traditional road- formal reception, lots of guests, big church, big dress, and a big price tag to match.

Or you can escape to the South Pacific Cook Islands for the most relaxing and romantic experience of a lifetime. No fuss, no formal pomp and ceremony, just you, your partner, an idyllic beach a balmy evening and the smell of Frangipani's in the air.

Rarotonga, the main island of the Cooks is geared up for lovers. The slow pace of the island is perfect for honeymooners or couples just looking for a total escape.

There's gorgeous beaches to explore, fantastic snorkelling, horse riding on the sand, restaurants, bars and much more. One of the most beautiful places to stay is the Rarotongan Beach Resort and Spa. Located on the Lagoon of Love - the Rarotongan offers an exclusive Honeymoon bungalow, a new Polynesian spa experience and (if you're here to say 'I do') a wedding planner to take care of your every need.

A wedding here may cost up to $7000, a big saving on the average $28,000 cost of a wedding back home!

Whether you choose to run away just the two of you, or opt to bring along special friends and family, The Rarotongan Beach Resort and Spa offers a number of venues for the ceremony itself and the celebration thereafter.

The Rarotongan is set right on one of the South Pacific's finest beaches, Aroa Beach, nestled between the coral reef and the mountains.

Ranging from the fabulous white sand beach at sunset, or Tropical Garden Gazebos with their sand-floors and canopies of thatched palm fronds, the verandah looking out across the blue lagoon or a nearby quaint island church made of limestone and coral, the resort will meet your requests.

All couples marrying at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa plant a baby coconut palm in order to seal their vows. Often guests give the plant a special name to remember it by, and many also write to the Resort to ask how their 'baby' is doing.

The resort is only 10mintues from the international airport and the town centre at Avarua. There are 156 rooms and suites set on absolute beach front.

All rooms come equipped with individual remote-controlled air-conditioning, a private verandah with outdoor furniture, filtered and UV purified water on tap, King beds in all rooms, fan & insect screen, bath / shower, hairdryer, IDD phone with voicemail, automatic wake-up call services and dataport for e-mail & internet access (for those with their own laptop),a stocked mini-bar & fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, daily housemaid service and room service.

Microwaves are also available for the convenience of families (hire costs NZ$10 per day). The six room categories range from a basic garden room to the luxurious Honeymoon suite. Just a few steps from your room, you can snorkel straight off the white sand beach in Aroa lagoon, which is naturally protected by an encircling coral reef.

It's thought that the snorkelling is so good here that many guests have compared it to that of the Maldives or our very own Great Barrier Reef. Aroa Lagoon is both an important fish breeding area and a traditional marine reserve and you swimming or snorkelling is possible at any tide in the Lagoon.

Snorkeling gear can be hired from the activities staff - they'll also tell you the best spots to go. Snorkelling and fish feeding activities are part of the Resorts Daily Activities Programme, and for something quite special talk to the staff at the Activities Hut about night snorkelling and see how different the reef life is by night.

For those that are serious about tying that knot, here are a couple of things you need to know before you book anything. Couples need to be in the Cook Islands 3 full days prior to the ceremony to obtain their marriage licence.

Documents required are your individual passports and birth certificates, plus divorce and death of spouse papers if applicable. The legal age of consent to marriage is 21 years, otherwise written approval by parents is required.

There is a charge of $50 for processing the licence. The registration may waiver the three day requirement in special circumstances but your wedding coordinator must apply in advance and a small fee is applicable.

Marriages in the Cook Islands are legally binding and internationally recognised.

FURTHER INFORMATION

7 night Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa package from $2119 ex Melbourne, $2139 ex Sydney, $2359 ex Adelaide, $2775 ex Perth. Includes return flights, accommodation & breakfast. Save $1100 a couple! Prices quoted per person & based on twin share. Includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Deal is for the first 100 callers. Deals are available for viewers not on AEST. Valid until 30/11/06. Prices correct at 26/6/06.

Air New Zealand Holidays - Ph: 1300 365 747

Cook Islands Tourism Corporation - www.cook-islands.com

The Rarotongan Beach Resort and Spa - www.rarotongan.co.ck