When it comes to paradise, Maldives , Hawaii or Fiji come to mind take it from me: My job is literally to travel around the world. But if you want one of my best-kept vacation secrets, its this: A direct ten-hour flight on Air New Zealand from LAX will transport you to the little-known gem called Rarotonga of the Cook Islands. (A direct flight to the Maldives? Thatll take you 20 hours.) Heres my guide to the magical getaway.