Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (CITC) is Ecxited to Announce The Opening of Te Vara Nui Cultural Village, Rarotonga's Newest Interactive Cultural Attraction Set amongst luscious gardens and peaceful water features, in the Muri Beach district, Te Vara Nui showcases the essence of Cook Island culture in an inspired outdoor setting. "With this new facility we have created not only the best cultural village experience in the Cook Islands but also the most stunning outdoor entertainment venue ever designed in Rarotonga," said Glenda Tuaine, Marketing & Sales representative for Te Vara Nui.

Guests on the Te Vara Nui Village Tour will learn about the Cook Islands Polynesian history, traditional medicine preparation, ancestral fishing and navigation techniques and legends and beliefs of the Cook Islanders. Local artisans and craftspeople show visitors how Cook Islanders carve, weave, prepare local dance costumes and cook traditional foods. The tour includes a visit to the Marae (sacred enclosure for religious ceremonies) and much more. Interactivity is the key theme to the Te Vara Nui tour and visitors are invited to participate in many of these activities, learning and experiencing the true Cook Island way.


To complete the evening guests can add a Te Vara Nui Night Show Dining Experience to their tour and participate in a delicious traditional island night buffet. The buffet fuses local island tastes from Te Vara Nui's world-class umukai (traditional feast) with the culinary skills of a European Chef. The dining experience then comes alive with Rarotonga's' finest dancers and musicians as they perform by flaming torchlight on the floating and fixed stages of the picturesque waterfall garden. Te Vara Nui will delight and inspire guests of all ages and is an exciting addition to any travelers Cook Islands experience.

About the Cook Islands:
Only a 9.5 hour non-stop flight from Los Angeles and just a 3-hour time difference from the west coast of North America, in the Cook Islands you can escape the rush and clutter of everyday life, choosing simply to relax and absorb the vibrantly natural environment, sun-soaked beaches and a unique culture. The beauty and charm of our islands is matched only by the friendliness of our people. Here among your island friends, you will find the hospitality warm and spontaneous, the music and dancing exuberant and the mood relaxed. Perfect for honeymooners, adventure-seekers, families and those who wish to get away from it all; the Cook Islands have something for everyone!

For more information about traveling to the Cook Islands, contact: Laura Matar, Sales & Marketing Manager for Cook Islands Tourism, Corporation 1334 Parkview Ave., Suite 300, Manhattan beach, CA 90266
Tel: (310) 545-3539; E-mail: usamanager@cookislands.travel; or visit www.cookislands.travel and www.cookislandsgreenwedding.com.