In all of his historic round-the-world travels, Captain James Cook only ever used the word "paradise" to describe one place - Norfolk Island. We couldn't agree with the old boy more. Come and see what the fuss is all about!

1.) Unique history - The Polynesians settled, then abandoned Norfolk Island some 400 - 800 years before the British came. After Cook's discovery in 1774, the British tried to establish not one, but two penal colonies on Norfolk Island. Neither was very successful. Norfolk Island really came into its own with the arrival in 1856 of its third settlement. The 193 men, women and children were from Pitcairn Island, descendants of the mutineers of the Bounty, the most famous naval mutiny in modern history. You can browse through several museums or explore the penal colony's ruins to recapture a bit of the island's beautiful, somewhat brutal, past.

2.) Unique culture - The Pitcairners left their mark on Norfolk Island in unique and interesting ways. There's a general air of friendliness to the island's inhabitants. Everyone and I mean everyone, on Norfolk Island waves as you drive by. You can savor Muddas - banana dumplings - and other local delicacies, created by the Polynesian wives of the Bounty's mutineers. Learn a bit of Norf'k, the native tongue, a mixture of Polynesian and 18th century English, or simply catch it in your ear as a couple of local fisherman discuss the day's catch. Check out the local phone book. The limited English surnames of the Bounty mutineers have created a need to distinguish individuals. Norfolk Island's telephone directory is the only one in the world to list knick names. You can find the number of Loppy, Toofie and Tatie Christian, as well as Hunky, Tardy and Pelly Evans! Every June 8 is Bounty Day, a local holiday commemorating the landing of the Pitcairners.

3.) Location, location, location - Norfolk Island lies northeast of Australia, a short 2 hours or so by air from Sydney. It's even closer to New Zealand. It's a wonder, given the small size of the island, and the large vastness of the Pacific, that Captain Cook ever found the place at all! While close enough to reach fairly easily from either of its larger neighbors, the island's remoteness adds to its charm and character.

4.) Climate -While no island in the South Pacific can be said to a bad climate, Norfolk Island's location gives it a bit of a unique climate. The days can reach 65 to 75, with the nights dropping into the 50's. The sub tropical climate of the island means it gets some 180 days of rain annually, with November as its sunniest, and July providing as many as 21 days of wet weather. You'll want to pack a sweater or light jacket and don't forget the umbrella!

5.) Natural Beauty - Norfolk Island's natural landscape reminds one more of England than a South Pacific island. The shoreline mostly consists of rocky cliffs, with just enough sandy beaches for pleasure tossed here and there. The interior of the island is hilly, with two mountains rising more than 1,000 feet above the sea below. Nearly 1/3 of the island is a national park, with trails for hiking or mountain biking. The entrance to Kingston's harbor is crossed by a coral reef, complete with the wreck of the HMS Sirius. The Norfolk Island pine grows throughout the island, its dark green jutting against gorgeous blue skies above pristine blue waters.

6.) Unique Opportunities - One of Norfolk Island's unique appeals to the traveler is the variety of recreational opportunities. Surfers will find the breakers in Anson Bay to be quite the "thing" even if the rip is a bit nasty at times. Snorkelers and divers will find the crystalline waters around the island to be a "paradise" of local fish and coral. Want to try your hand at the links? Norfolk Island offers a full eighteen holes (alright, nine holes with 18 tees) for your golfing pleasure. Fishermen can try their luck both on and offshore. For a more leisurely pace, try a two hour horse carriage tour of the island. Horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking will get you to the more remote areas of the island, as will several 4-wheel drive/ATV charter tours. Take a walking tour at sunset. Explore a subtropical garden, complete with guard ducks and a gazebo just perfect for a lovers' tryst. Shopping and dining on Norfolk Island are a treat in their own right. (See below.) And why come to the South Pacific and ignore the soft sandy beaches, prefect for a day of lazing about, lolling in the sun. Once the sun goes down, the fun doesn't have to stop. Norfolk doesn't have any night clubs, per se, although some of the resorts and restaurants do offer local entertainment nightly. Whether you're an outdoorsy type, a shopaholic, or you just want to relax and get away from it all, Norfolk Island has a host of choices for you.

7.) A Shopper's Paradise - Norfolk Island's Taylor's Road is a golden mile for shoppers. The island is sales tax, income tax and duty-free, so you can really shop till you drop and not have to worry about fatiguing your wallet. From diamonds to perfume, Italian leather to French fashion, Norfolk Island has it all, and all at low prices. Many items featured in Norfolk's shops aren't as readily available in either New Zealand or Australia, so don't count on finding it "somewhere else." The islanders have their own goods to offer, too. Buy a book on the island's unique culture and history. Read it while sipping a cup of locally grown coffee, or curl up with a glass of Norfolk Island wine. There's a brewery, too, for the more potent potable. All in all, Norfolk Island's more than 70 shops will cater to your every need, desire or whim.

8.) Dining Pleasures - One of the island's first tasks was to help provide the larger penal colony at Botany Bay in Australia with foodstuffs. Norfolk Island still takes its cuisine very seriously. From progressive dinners where diners are treated to different courses in islanders' homes, to cafe's and take-away stands, your choices for a good meal are plentiful and varied. Many restaurants serve local dishes, like mudda and hihi pai. Local seafood and produce still shine brightly on Norfolk Island menus. Portions are generous, so leave the diet at home.

9.) Casual Atmosphere - Nothing about Norfolk Island says formal or fancy. Nothing is hurried or stressful. From the soothing sounds of the waves against the shore as you engage in some morning yoga on the beach, to a quite night before the fire in your cottage, everything about Norfolk Island seems made to iron out the wrinkles and soothe the wearied soul. Norfolk Island has the purest air quality outside of Antarctica, so even the breathing is easier here!

10.) You - You can't afford not to take your next getaway to Norfolk Island. The South Pacific's best kept secret is waiting and watching for you. We're not a spa or a salon. Our healing, relaxing qualities won't wear off after 30 minutes. Our sun-drenched days and cool nights are balm for the soul. Our island is beckoning you, as it did the Pitcairners all those years ago. You owe it to yourself to come to Norfolk Island soon!