A travel expert has shared a glimpse of her visit to a stunning archipelago so beautiful it could be mistaken for the Maldives – but tourists must do one thing before they visit
A travel guru has shared a glimpse of her trip to an island paradise so enchanting, it rivals the Maldives – but there’s one thing all visitors must do before they set foot in the country.
There is no shortage of stunning beaches across the world, and the likes of Bali, the Philippines and Spain might first come to mind when planning a seaside break. However, in peak times, these destinations can see a lot of footfall, making them less relaxing than you might hope. Chloé Jade Meltzer is championing a different archipelago as the ultimate destination for your next long-distance holiday, and it’s much less well-known than its more popular counterparts.
She describes Palau, with its over 500 Pacific islands, as a haven of “extremely lush, green land, absolutely incredible diving, and really great food,” ideal for a serene retreat.
“I just landed in a country so beautiful, they make you sign a pledge when you arrive. A pledge to respect the land,” she said.
“This is a country that loves its oceans so much that they banned most sunscreens. And [it has] an extremely low crime rate.
“I am so excited to share this beautiful country because although I’ve only been here a very short while, it’s already become one of my favourite places in the entire world. This is such a special place and I feel so lucky to be here.”
Chloé lauded Palau’s “beautiful waterfalls” and said it was one of the best spots for diving in the world, as those brave enough to snorkel in the turquoise waters are “guaranteed” to see manta rays.
“It is the westernmost country in all of Micronesia, and still it sometimes feels like it’s so far from anywhere else in the world,” she said.
But what about the pledge? The Palau Pledge is addressed to the children of Palau and sees visitors vow to “preserve and protect your beautiful and unique island home.”
The pledge continues: “I vow to tread lightly, act kindly and explore mindfully. I shall not take what is not given. I shall not harm what does not harm me. The only footprints I shall leave are those that will wash away.”
The pledge is stamped in your passport on arrival and signed. Visitors to Palau must also complete the Palau entry form within 72 hours of arrival. Once filled in, the form generates a QR code which must be presented during check-in and on arrival to Palau.
Brits can visit Palau for up to 30 days without a pre-arranged visa. Visitors staying for up to 30 days will be issued a tourist visa on arrival but may need to show proof of return or onward travel, according to the FCDO.
If you’re looking to travel to Palau, you can fly with one of three airlines from the UK. The most popular route goes from Heathrow Airport to Palau International Airport in Koror. The journey takes an average of 27 hours 42 minutes one-way and a return journey will generally cost upwards of £1,300.
