Port Vila

Poppys is set on the shores of Erakor Lagoon and has its own private white sand beach.

Poppy's on the Lagoon is set on the shores of Erakor Lagoon and purpose designed to take advantage of the cooling breeze of the SE trade winds. The lagoon provides safe waters for swimming and water sports, and the gardens have been designed to show off a wide range of tropical plants. It is hard to believe when relaxing at Poppy's on the Lagoon that it is only a 15 minute walk (or a 2 min bus or taxi ride) to Port Vila's charming town centre, where there are plenty of restaurants and shops.

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Port Vila is the capital of Vanuatu and lies on the southwest coast of the island of Efate.

Free of skyscraper office blocks, the sleepy capital is set within a magnificent natural harbour. It's a charming potpourri of cultures, blending elements of Melanesian, English, French and Chinese tastes. Along the main street there are duty-free shops, restaurants and hand-craft galleries. Port Vila Market comes alive on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 6am to 1:30pm. Wander through rows of tropical fruits, vegetables, flowers, shells, artifacts, coconut crabs and souvenir stalls. Savour the aroma of brewed coffee and freshly baked pastries tinged with the scent of blooming frangipani.

Within walking distance of the centre of town, a range of resorts offers a dozen different ways to cool off. Swim, snorkel or scuba dive; try your hand at sailing, windsurfing or fishing.

And when you've worked up an appetite, choose from more than 20 different restaurants. The most fascinating landmark of Vanuatu's capital is the Cultural Centre, which contains one of the most extensive artifact collections in the South Pacific. But these are only a few of the sights and interests in Port Vila - after all, half the fun of a holiday is discovering these things for yourself.

All around Efate there are things to do or see. There are beach and island resorts to visit within an hour's drive - bathe in a hot mineral spring or shower beneath a cascading waterfall, paddle or fish in a large fresh water lake, play a few rounds of golf or go horseback riding along a deserted beach. There are daily bus tours of the island and scenic plane flights or you can charter a sailboat and see it at your own pace from the water.

What's Included