Ask Lonely Planet: Family-friendly Fiji perfect for all ages

Navala Village is the last bastion of traditional Fijian architecture. Photo / Alan Gibson

My wife and I want to take our two children, aged 7 and 10, to Fiji for a week's holiday later in the year. Will there be things for them to do and enough to keep us interested?
John Portelli

Fiji is very child-friendly, making it an ideal family holiday destination. Fijians love children and children love Fijians.

Your kids will be fussed over, whether they like it or not. Most resorts cater for children and have kids' clubs for guests aged 3 to 12 offering special programmes of activities each day.

Some kids' clubs are pure luxury where children have their own pools, waterslides, play parks and restaurants.

Some of the clubs are free; others have a daily charge. Most resorts can provide daycare and babysitting, too.

And there's certainly enough in Fiji to keep you interested. If you're outdoors types with a spirit for adventure, then you'll enjoy world-class diving and snorkelling, or perhaps some kayaking, windsurfing or sailing. There's also horse riding, rafting and trekking.

There are more cultural pursuits, including the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami temple, one of the few places outside India where you can see traditional Dravidian architecture.

Navala Village, nestled in the Nausori Highlands, is one of the country's most striking villages and the last bastion of traditional architecture.

Also consider a homestay at a village such as those within the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park. This offers a unique insight for the whole family into everyday life in Fiji.

Following the 2006 military coup in Fiji there has been some deterioration in the rule of law in some parts of the country, namely Suva, though at present the situation is one of calm.

You should check on the situation before you leave, however, at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (MFAT's) Safe Travel website.

Having said that, go to Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree travel forum to read about other families' wonderful recent experiences in Fiji.

I'm mad about Thai food and would like to do a short cooking course while I'm in Bangkok, perhaps for a day or two. What are the best (most reputable) places and how much do they generally charge?
Jane Magill

A visit to a Thai cooking school is appearing more and more on many travellers' Bangkok itineraries. For some keen amateur chefs it is the highlight of their trip. Courses range in price and value but most of them run for half a day and give you a basic introduction to Thai ingredients and flavours and the chance to cook a few dishes.

Many courses include a visit to a market and finish with a lunch showcasing the class' newly found skills.

Baipai Thai Cooking School is housed in an attractive suburban villa and costs $78 for a four-hour course; the price includes transport from central Bangkok. Blue Elephant Cooking School (www.blueelephant.com) is Bangkok's most prestigious school and a half-day here costs $121.

There are also private five-day courses on offer for more serious chefs.

Silom Thai Cooking School has basic facilities but it includes a visit to a market and you get to cook six dishes, making it the best value at $43.

Silom also offers more intense one-on-one courses. May Kaidee's Thai Vegetarian & Vegan Experience is one of few meat-free cooking experiences and costs $52.

Be sure to read MFAT's travel advisory for Thailand at safetravel.govt.nz.