AUSTRALIA

More than most other developed countries, Australia seizes the imagination. For most visitors its name is a shorthand for an endless summer where the living is easy; a place where the adventures are as vast as the horizons and the jokes flow as freely as the beer; a country of can-do spirit and easy friendliness. No wonder Australians call theirs the Lucky Country.

Every aspect of Australian life and culture, whether its matey attitudes or its truly great outdoors, is a product of its scale and population - or lack of it. In size, it rivals the USA, yet its population is 23 million, leading to one of the lowest country population densities on Earth. The energy of its contemporary culture is in contrast to a landscape that is ancient and often looks it: much of central and western Australia - the bulk of the country - is overwhelmingly arid and flat. In contrast, its cities, most founded as recently as the mid-nineteenth century, burst with a vibrant, youthful energy.

NEW ZEALAND

Kiwis - the people, not the emblematic flightless bird - can't believe their luck at being born in what they call "Godzone" (God's own country). Year after year, travellers list New Zealand in the top ten of places they'd like to visit - and you never meet anyone who has been and didn't love the place. And what's not to like? With craggy coastlines, sweeping beaches, primeval forests, snowcapped mountains and impressive geysers, the scenery is truly majestic. The forests come inhabited by strange birds that have evolved to fill evolutionary niches normally occupied by mammals, while penguins, whales and seals ring the coast. Maori have only been here for 800 years but retain distinct and fascinating customs overlaid by colonial European and increasingly Asian cultures that together create a vibrant, if understated, urban life.

FIJI

Sun-drenched beaches, turquoise lagoons, swaying palm trees - Fiji supplies all the classic images of paradise. No wonder, then, that every year thousands of travellers come to this South Pacific archipelago for the ultimate island escape. With over three hundred islands to choose from, Fiji is an amazingly versatile destination. Whether you're after a luxury honeymoon retreat, a lively backpacker island or a family-friendly resort you won't be disappointed. You'll also find a warm, hospitable people, an intriguing blend of Melanesians, Polynesians and Indians.