Vacation

About Vacation

Vacation Ideas with Norm is packed with beach, island and honeymoon trip inspiration, from Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea to the Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa. Host Normand Schafer visits resorts, lagoons and local experiences to help you choose the right island, the right stay and the right activities for a relaxing, romantic or family vacation. New episodes every week. Plan your next beach or island getaway with Far and Away Adventures at farandawayadventures.com.

Publisher

Normand Schafer

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Jul 2023

Latest episode

16 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

141 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Oct 2026

   A Relaxing Moorea Vacation: Overwater Bungalows & Lagoon Views

   Imagine arriving on Moorea and discovering a turquoise lagoon framed by white sand and lush green mountains. Normand Schafer welcomes Hikura from Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort to discuss what makes the island such an appealing choice for a relaxing French Polynesia vacation. Far and Away Adventures.com, https://farandawayadventures.com/, helps travelers plan personalized escapes shaped by their preferred accommodations and experiences. Moorea has an atmosphere that encourages visitors to enjoy the moment. Hikura explains that even residents of Tahiti travel to the island for weekend breaks because the scenery and pace feel so different. The ferry crossing becomes part of the experience, offering views of the mountains and glimpses of everyday Polynesian life before travelers arrive at the resort. At Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea, the lagoon and beachfront provide a natural setting for slowing down. Hikura describes the quiet water directly in front of the resort, where a protected environment supports snorkeling among coral and tropical fish. Normand shares his enthusiasm for exploring the exceptionally clear lagoon and remembers using sea scooters during a previous visit. When you're ready to turn a dream of island relaxation into a well-planned getaway, let Far and Away Adventures help you select the Moorea experiences that fit your vacation style. The vacation experience continues through meals beside the lagoon. The resort's two restaurants showcase French culinary influences and Polynesian flavors, while traditional food and entertainment add an element of local culture. Visitors who want more activity can explore the island or take part in excursions without making every day busy. Accommodation choices allow travelers to create different kinds of beach vacations. Garden bungalows offer one atmosphere, beachfront bungalows place guests closer to the sand, and overwater bungalows provide a distinctive lagoon experience. Hikura explains why some visitors combine these categories. She also shares an anniversary story involving a surprise move to an overwater bungalow, showing how a special moment can become a highlight of a trip.

2. 

   15 Oct 2026

   A Peaceful Raiatea Vacation at Opoa Beach Hotel

   Picture waking up beside Raiatea's lagoon, hearing the waves near your bungalow, and setting out to explore French Polynesia's cultural heart. Arnold from Opoa Beach Hotel joins Normand Schafer to describe a vacation that combines intimate accommodations, island discovery, and relaxation. Far and Away Adventures.com can help plan this style of getaway at https://farandawayadventures.com/. Opoa Beach Hotel offers the setting for this conversation. With only 10 lagoon-facing bungalows, Arnold describes a property where the atmosphere is personal and guests can enjoy a quieter rhythm. He and his partner purchased the hotel after years in hospitality in southern France, bringing their own definition of simple luxury to the experience.The location provides access to several distinctive activities. Taputapuatea marae, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a short drive away and offers an introduction to the island's cultural significance. Raiatea's countryside also features coconut farms, honey production, pineapple gardens, and botanical gardens that can be explored through land excursions. Rather than packing too much into a short visit, Arnold encourages travelers to stay at least three or four nights. The result is a vacation with room for both discovery and peaceful moments overlooking the lagoon. Contact Far and Away Adventures to explore a customized Raiatea vacation that fits your preferred pace. The hotel experience is also about what happens between adventures. Arnold discusses a pool, beach and lagoon access, a massage setting near the water, and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He also mentions cooking classes and coconut-leaf weaving when the weather is rainy. For a day on the water, Arnold recommends neighboring Taha'a. His description of a boat excursion includes a vanilla farm, rum distillery, pearl farm, lunch on a motu, and time in the coral garden. Normand shares why the colorful marine life there continues to leave such a strong impression on him.

3. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Make Tahiti's Lagoon Part of Your Dream Vacation

   Imagine spending a Tahiti vacation discovering colorful marine life, enjoying a lagoon sunset, and growing confident enough to try something new. Fluid Tahiti joins Normand Schafer to explore scuba diving, snorkeling, and scenic water experiences on the island. Far and Away Adventures.com, https://farandawayadventures.com/, helps travelers shape French Polynesia vacations around their personal interests.One memorable encounter illustrates the magic of being on the water at the right moment. During a sunset dive late in the whale season, the guest and two customers heard whale song beneath the surface. After completing the dive, they watched a large whale breach nearby against the evening sky. A vacation does not have to center on scuba diving, however. Fluid Tahiti also discusses half-day snorkeling trips that explore different wildlife areas. Another option is a lagoon sunset cruise facing Moorea, complete with views of surfers, Tahitian music, and stories about the islands. Tahiti's west coast offers a fascinating setting for those adventures. The guest describes an underwater area with white sand, turtles, coral, a submerged aircraft, and small wrecks. For experienced divers, additional sites offer the possibility of encountering gray sharks and other marine life. For visitors who picture Tahiti primarily as a place to relax and admire spectacular scenery, this conversation reveals ways to become more involved with the environment. Fluid Tahiti offers introductory scuba diving and describes how patient instruction can make the first underwater experience feel less intimidating. The guest says that watching nervous visitors emerge from the water excited and smiling is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. While such wildlife encounters cannot be promised, the story captures the delight of discovering something unexpected on vacation. Create your own balance of relaxation and discovery in Tahiti with planning assistance from Far and Away Adventures. Normand's closing suggestion is especially valuable: plan a water experience toward the beginning of your stay so you have time to enjoy your growing confidence throughout the trip.

Who has been a guest on Vacation

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Rob
• biologist
• photographer

Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

57

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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