We often yearn for a luxurious change, a break from the routine, or a short vacation to spend precious moments with our beloved in privacy on a honeymoon or a romantic trip. We also crave to revitalize our mind and body and to soothe our nerves. We look forward to breaking the shackles of routine life or go on an annual holiday alone, with friends or family. The reasons are numerous and endless. The first choice of any destination meeting all these desires and much more is the Maldives.
The Maldives Islands, the Manhattan of the Indian Ocean were originally known as King’s Island. They are spread over approximately 90,000 square km in the Indian Ocean southwest of India, with 26 breathtaking atolls boasting rich cultural traditions and natural treasures. The visible coral tips of the oceanic volcanic mountain range include all 1192 coral islands and sandbanks (200 inhabited islands, plus 110 islands with tourist resorts).
The concept of “one island, one resort” is unique to the Maldives; thus each hotel occupies one island. Tourists enjoy the complete privacy and luxury it offers. Every resort in the Maldives is developed on its own picture-perfect, private, palm island. There are many exclusive hotel brands of the world in the Maldives. They outperform each other to offer their guests unprecedented levels of mind-blowing luxury. The Maldives is synonymous with white sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons, overwater villas, Michelin Star quality food, a romantic, peaceful atmosphere amidst tropical bliss, moderate temperature, and a water sports enthusiast’s paradise. It has God’s bounty of crystal clear waters and is protected by reef structures.
The Maldives is amongst the top tourist destinations. It is also a prominent destination for a luxurious honeymoon. It is where the stars can be seen in the sky but also walk the earth. Many Bollywood and Hollywood stars have stayed and enjoyed their stay in the Maldives. Just last year, Maldives had 1.2 million tourists.
It beckons with many more reasons, as under, to savor the luxurious lifestyle available only at the Maldives –
Relax on the Beaches, enjoy the soft sunlight and the sea breeze in moderate temperatures. Feel the blissful cool waves, and the twilight magical hours. Redefine romance in solitude, amidst twinkling stars aplenty.
Swim with the majestic and enormous whale sharks as well as the smaller-sized reef sharks. Note with delight their punctually during their daily feeding time near some resorts.
Take a deep water diving session or snorkeling into the Coral Reef. Swim with the manta rays, sea turtles, and barracuda in the vibrant coral reef. Visit Kuda Huraa for its warm water without a wetsuit. Take umpteen photos with your waterproof camera for friends and family
Enjoy Water Sports like kayaking, canoeing, sea bobbing, jet-skiing, snorkeling, rollerblading (known as X-Jet Blades), etc or surf in the sunshine, monsoon wind, and the consistent waves of the Laamu Atoll.
Get Spa Therapy to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul at seaside cabanas, or the underwater Huvafen Fushi, or the Kuda Huraa for its transparent floor panels of the treatment rooms showcasing the marine life
Watch Bioluminescent Water under the Stars at the Vaadhoo Island in Raa Atoll. The phytoplankton dinoflagellates emit luminescent toxins with the movement of the waves as a defense mechanism to keep away fish and other creatures.
Enjoy Maldivian Culture with the popular Maldivian folk dance, Bodu Beru, often held during the evening on the beach
Relish the Local Cuisine which tastes like Ambrosia-Savor the Maldivian Curry with Tuna. Gorge with Garudhiy, a fish soup.The Masumi Roshi Tuna and Chapati, and many, more delicacies
Visit the Architectural Heritages like the Grand Friday Mosque at the Islamic Centre. Visit the Meedhoo Friday Mosque, Ihavandhoo Friday Mosque, and other monuments.
Explore Male and Suburbs-Visit the prison and royal bath at Villingili or swim at Hulhumale amidst fishes through the coral atolls. Explore Male on a rent scooty.
Where else can you enjoy the underwater life, the privacy, the solitude, and a different world, but in the Maldives?
BEST TIME TO VISIT– The best weather in the Maldives is between January and mid-April. You can relax on a rainy day, with a drink, eat, work out, or scuba dive. Enjoy the luxury of solitude and tranquility. However, it is preferable to check the weather before planning a visit. due to the unpredictable patterns in recent years
.HOW TO GET THERE: The Maldives’ main airport, Male International Airport (MLE, also known as Velana International Airport) is located in the North Male Atoll near the capital of Male. Most of Maldives’ secluded resorts are within a one-hour boat or floatplane ride from the airport. Many international Asian and European airlines, both charters and mainstream carriers land at the airport.
Gan International Airport, a second international airport in the southern atolls caters to domestic flights but also gets international flights from Colombo, operated by Sri Lankan airlines.
You can travel in the Maldives in three ways – boats, seaplanes (air taxis), and private yachts. In Male and the other larger inhabited islands, a taxi is preferable to take you around the island or go around in golf buggies. There is a round-the-clock ferry service between the capital and the airport. Also, Dhonis can be chartered or better still customized, adventurous and luxurious Maldives holiday with multi-deck launches with an aircraft-type cabin is the ideal option. Prices are normally negotiable.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: It is advisable that before departure, you may check with your government and the nearest Maldivian embassy or consulate what documents you need for travel to the Maldives.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES: People normally spend one week at one resort. Commuting between resorts is a very expensive as well as a time-consuming affair. It is preferable to contact your local travel agent for the best itineraries.
FOOTNOTE: A visit to the Maldives is a must for a luxurious holiday, to spend time in privacy, to rejuvenate your mind and body. Do plan your visit to the Maldives.