Just outside of Manama lies the imposing, centuries-old Qal'at al-Bahrain, originally built by the Portuguese in order to defend their outposts in the Gulf. The site has been in use for almost 5,000 years, and the archaeological digs around the fort showcase the rich history of the area, including the ruins of two earlier forts.

This majestic building of Beit Sheikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa was once the seat of power for the ruling Sheikh, and it is one of the finest and best-preserved traditional Gulf buildings found anywhere. A marvel of architecture, the rooms are kept quite cool in the summer heat through an inventive system of draft towers. Though unfurnished, the meticulous decoration in the different rooms deserves hours of examination.

On Savaii, Pulemelei Ancient Mound is a historical site located on Letolo Plantation. At 12 metres tall, it’s the largest ancient structure in Polynesia. This massive man-made mound measures a whopping 61x50 metres. The mystery of how and why it was built still remains unsolved. It’s marked on some maps as Tia Seu Ancient Mound.

Due to the tropical climate and fertile soils, the rainforests of Samoa are a lush and vibrant paradise. Native wildlife such as seabirds, skinks, flying foxes, geckos, as well as a plethora of unique flora call the forests home. Le Pupu-Pue National Park on Upolu is one of the best with extensive walking tracks and a listed 42 bird species. Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Reserve, in the southeast, is another bird watchers haven where you may see the rare Samoan tooth-billed pigeon. In the Falealupo Rainforest Reserve, take the treetop canopy walkway built about 40 metres above the ground among giant Banyan trees!