Tropical French Polynesia -- also known by the name of its main island, Tahiti -- is the very picture of paradise that many people carry in their minds. (Please consult my photo for proof.)

These sleepy South Pacific islands are so serene and romantic, half of French Polynesia's visitors are honeymoon couples. If you're looking for a relaxing getaway to an unspoiled, gentle world lapped by Tiffany-blue seas, consider a Tahiti luxury vacation.

Reasons to Plan a Luxury Vacation in French Polynesia:
Where do we start?

• French Polynesia is remote but not all that far away; getting there calls for a much shorter flight than, say, Bali, the Maldives, or the Seychelles
• French Polynesia's beauty -- jungle-carpeted mountain peaks and turquoise seas -- is matchless
• French Polynesia hotels are oases of tropical relaxation
• French Polynesia spas are justly celebrated
• French Polynesia's irresistible keepsake, Tahitian black pearls
• French Polynesia's snorkeling and diving are supreme
• French Polynesia's carefree days melt into moonlit, gardenia-scented nights. Heaven on Earth? Could be

French Polynesia Luxury Travel Basics:

• Location: Just below the equator in the South Pacific, halfway between in Peru and New Zealand
• Flying time: Eight hours and change from LAX, the U.S. gateway of French Polynesia's gracious national airline, Air Tahiti Nui
• Language: French and Tahitian; hospitality personnel speak English
• Currency: French Polynesian Francs. U.S. greenbacks are often accepted by retailers

• Visa? Not required for U.S. citizens
• Cruises: Principally on Paul Gauguin, a small luxury cruise ship that calls on rarely visited isles
• Climate: Sunny and sultry year-round
• Dress code: Very casual. Musts: a floral pareo for women, shorts for men; multiple swimsuits; flip-flops; good sunglasses, sunhat, sunblock

French Polynesia's Most-Visited Islands:

• Tahiti: Fun for a day or two, Tahiti's main island, which houses Faa'a International Airport, is a jumping-off point for quieter isles
• Moorea: A half-hour ferry ride from Tahiti, this stunning isle is filled with resorts, and has a restaurant, nightlife, and tattoo-parlor culture all its own
• Bora Bora: Ringed by an azure lagoon and topped by King Kong-worthy peaks, Bora Bora is well worth the hour's flight from Papeete
• Rangiroa: Not precisely an island but the world's next-to-longest coral atoll, a necklace of 240 mini-islands that Polynesians call "motus." Result: a trophy destination for diving, snorkeling, or finding your beach bliss
• The Marquesas: Hours northeast of Tahiti, the Marquesas, once the bastion of ferocious warrior tribes, are the wildest and least populated of French Polynesia's islands

French Polynesia's Exquisite Luxury Hotels:
French Polynesia has put its own stamp on beach resorts with its signature lodgings, "overwater bungalows." These are individual, thatch-roofed cottages built right atop shallow lagoons, and joined by boardwalks. Your private "OWB" is the place to be.

Read more about all of these ravishing Tahitian islands >>

Some of French Polynesia's most outstanding resorts:

• Sofitel Ia Ora, a private-feeling oasis on Moorea
• Le Taha'a Resort & Spa, French Polynesia's Relais & Châteaux hotel, on vanilla-laden Taha'a, with one of the greatest snorkeling spots in the world
• Four Seasons Bora Bora, a gloriously serene retreat on Bora Bora; 75% of guests are on their honeymoon

Movies to Get You in the Mood for French Polynesia:
These entertaining, Tahiti-set films hint at the exotic allure of a French Polynesia luxury vacation.

• Mutiny on the Bounty (1962, with Marlon Brando)
• Body Heat (1981; with William Hurt and Kathleen Turner; don't miss the devastating final shot)
• Couples Retreat (2009, with Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Kristin Davis)
• The Ultimate Wave Tahiti (2010, with longboard legend Kelly Slater)