Oceania
Crater lakes, stone ruins and island life far off the tourist trail.
Wallis and Futuna is a French overseas collectivity of three main volcanic islands, reached by flights from Nouméa in New Caledonia. Wallis (Uvea) is ringed by a lagoon and dotted with crater lakes, including Lalolalo, plus the Tongan-era fort at Talietumu. Its churches are striking, especially the cathedral in Mata-Utu. Futuna and neighbouring Alofi are steeper, greener and quieter still.
Very few tourists come, so there are only a handful of small hotels and little to book in advance. Traditional kingdoms and the Catholic church shape daily life, and customary ceremonies still matter. A hire car is the way to explore Wallis, with flights to Futuna. May to October is drier and more comfortable; November to April is hot, wet and cyclone season.
June, July, August, September.