There’s been a lot of buzz lately about planning vacations that go beyond the traditional stay. Travelers are seeking deeply immersive experiences that highlight the rich cultures, traditions, and breathtaking sights on the other side of the world. United Vacations® is just the place to find your next escape. With more than 150 destinations across the Indo-Pacific, the opportunities to travel to that region of the world has become exponentially greater. Plus, United Airlines® continues to expand both their global reach and Premium Cabin offerings to ensure you arrive to your bucket-list destination as conveniently and relaxed as ever.

Thoroughly tantalized? Here’s the 101 on the Indo-Pacific to help you get started.  

What Is Considered the Indo-Pacific?

It’s a small phrase for a broad range. The key is the sea—lands within and bordering the Indian and Pacific Oceans form the most general definition, but the region includes the waters of the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, and extends as far as the west coast of Chile and its Easter Islands to Madagascar, the Seychelles, Maldives, New Guinea, Micronesia, Australia, Indonesia, India, and, in the Far East, China, South Korea, and Japan.

In other words, it’s everything that’s been on your bucket list.

These are places with centuries-old heritage and revered cultures that have been both lovingly and mindfully preserved. They’re set in waters rich with biodiversity, and offer 124 amazing ecoregions and 65,000 types of marine species. They’re often warm year-round and tropical, featuring incredible natural beauty and landscapes you won’t see on this side of the planet.

And, if you keep reading, you’ll learn they also each hold unique attributes and distinctive characters that will unlock a yearning to discover every corner of this region.

Hawaii

This archipelago of 137 volcanic islands and eight primary ones lies 2,000 miles southwest of the U.S. mainland in the Pacific Ocean and welcomes well over 10 million visitors per year.

To Do in Hawaii:
• Eat tropical fruit, poke, loco moco, freshly caught fish, and Pacific Rim cuisine.
• Explore the great outdoors, from Volcanoes National Park to the Kalalaui Trail.
• Island hop with an easy puddle-jumper flight between Maui, Oahu, Kauai, or the Big Island.

Japan

From cutting-edge technology to pop culture to ancient traditions, this small country has arrested American imaginations for ages.

To Do in Japan:
• Take a cooking or sushi-making class and feast on sashimi, nigiri, yakitori, sandos, ramen, curry, udon, mochi, and more.
• Immerse yourself in onsen culture, participate in a tea ceremony, watch a geisha performance, or attend a sumo wrestling match.
• Visit otherworldly sights, such as Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, Mt. Fuji, the Tokyo Imperial Palace, Osaka Castle, and the various Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.

Thailand

Easy connections between rural and urban areas make it an ideal city and sea vacation destination that offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in culture or relaxation as you see fit.

To Do in Thailand:
• Eat noodles from an outdoor stall, tour the local markets and sample wares throughout, and treat yourself to celebrated international restaurants.
• Get lost in the thrill of the 24/7 buzz of Bangkok, where night clubs, bars, and food vendors provide service into the wee hours, and a taxi and local event are never far.
• Go scuba diving in Pattaya, Koh Tao, the Surin Islands, Koh Chang, and Chumphon, white water rafting on the rivers, or hike and look for wildlife like monkeys in the jungles.

Australia

 Its kangaroos and koalas enchant, and the mighty and mystical marine life that populate the reefs are the stuff of legends. But humankind has created plentiful attractions of our own, including acres of vineyards for globally recognized wine, vibrant cities, and exciting ways to explore the Outback.

To Do in Australia:
• Drive the Great Ocean Road for coastal views or through the Outback for rugged landscapes and glimpses of Indigenous culture.
• See natural attractions like the sacred site of Uluru, the Blue Mountains, Fraser Island, Daintree Rainforest, and the Pinnacles and get caught up in its magic.
• Sip on local wine and accompany it with Australian barbecue

The Maldives

These 1,200 coral islands that make up The Maldives are actually located in the Indian Ocean. Part of South Asia, southwest of Sri Lanka and India, this remote destination is widely considered among one of the most romantic and immaculate places in the world.

To Do in The Maldives:
• Get underwater and explore over 1,000 species of fish and nearly 200 types of undisturbed coral.
• Take a 15-minute speedboat ride to Vaadhoo Island to see its bioluminescent waters in the evening.
•Explore the Majeedhee Magu street market for unique mementos to take home

Indonesia

Most people think only of the island of Bali when they consider Indonesia as a vacation destination, but it’s actually the 14th largest country in the world. A place of incredible cultural and biodiversity, its atmospheres range from the epic nightlife it’s become known for to some of the most stunning beaches, jungles, and marine environments on the planet.

Things to do in Indonesia:
• Go shopping! Buy tatik fabric, wood carvings, pottery, ikat, coffee, spices, Celuk silver jewelry, rattan bags, and spices.
• Immerse yourself in Balinese culture in Ubud, including seeing the rice terraces, temples, and attending a dance performance.
• Lay on a beach, with sea turtles in the Gili Islands, under cliffs at Nusa Penida, and by granite rock formations in Belitung Island.

Ready to travel to one or more of these unique Indo-Pacific wonders? Contact your travel advisor for more information today and let United Vacations® get you there!