Ask people to name of a tropical island beach escape that they would love to savour their honeymoon or holiday of a lifetime on and the chances are that quite a few of them will come up with The Maldives. As a travel writer who has been lucky enough to have visited three times I know exactly why this. The Maldives really are paradise on earth!
My first visit to The Maldives was over a decade ago, just when they were really starting to open up to tourism in a big way. Heading back there recently I found many more luxury resorts have opened up, while others have been impressively revamped, but there is still that exclusive, luxurious feel I found before. There is still plenty of space too for everyone sprinkled around the myriad isles.
You might not realise how utterly unique The Maldives are. This pancake flat archipelago stretches its sandy tentacles out for over 800km. As it home to less than half a million people there is plenty of that space I talked about, especially as many of the population live in the capital of Male.
The world’s lowest lying country has made the news in recent years for its vocal stance on climate change. That doesn’t surprise me as it’s very much directly affected by rising ocean levels. As a tourist you don’t really notice this, but knowing about the issues adds a context and depth to a destination that simply may not be like it is now in a few years’ time.
All international flights arrive on the wee island that lies next to Male, now connected to the capital by a new bridge. I found it a blissfully easy connection to pop to the sea plane terminal. The Maldives boast the world’s largest sea plane fleet and the terminal is currently being expanded. You basically have a choice between visiting an island quite close to Male that you can reach by fast boat, or hopping on a sea plane to soar off to an even more remote isle.
On my most recent trip I managed to get to experience a brace of islands. I chose to fly off to the resort islands to the north in the Lhaviyani Atoll – my time here gives you a good idea of what to expect from a Maldivian resort. Each has its own character, but there are similarities between them all. Which is where The Voyageurs Collection come in to help you plan your stay.
Swopping in to Hurawhali Island Resort I took in the necklace of pristine white sands that you find fringing all the resort islands – I spotted a dolphin as we skimmed down towards the water. All of the resort islands boast the same Maldivian beauty – we are talking swaying palm trees and bath temperature, aquarium clear seas and surrounding reef that is breathtakingly alive with all manner of marine life.
Hurawhali, like many local resorts here, offers a choice between villas on the actual sandy island and others sprinkled out on wooden stilts that are connected by a wooden walkway back to the island. These overwater villas are the most sought after as they tend to be the most luxurious and the most private.
Wherever you stay you can always enjoy the sheer, simple pleasure of snorkelling. Pop on a snorkel mask and a pair of flippers and you are straight into the heart of the marine action. You can snorkel alongside everything from myriad fish species and silky smooth rays, and on to turtles and eels. Then there are the dolphins and even whale sharks. Like all the resorts they offer watersports here with myriad ways to get out on and under the Indian Ocean.
Although The Maldives does not produce much food by itself given its geography, other than world class, boat fresh fish, the resorts source the best of the best for guests from elsewhere. At Hurawhali this meant that I savoured highlights like prime Japanese Wagyu beef, with a glass of perfectly chosen red wine from France’s Bordeaux wine region.
Handily Kudadoo Maldives Private Island was just ten minutes away by speedboat. I has another sumptuous villa and their all-inclusive was brilliant as it also included, as well as food and drink, spa treatments and a yoga session! Even if you’re not usually a fan of all-inclusive resorts, The Maldives may well convert you!
It’s important that you pick the resort that works for you as there are a bewildering range these days. The Voyageurs Collection are experts in helping you to choose an accommodation that has the swathes of features like these two places to stay at, plus other highlights too. That is something that just booking direct with a hotel cannot give you. I’ve had a good look at that they offer and we are talking sailing on traditional Maldivian dhoni sailboats, candle-lit dinners for two under the stars and even an outdoor cinema experience that you will never forget.
The Voyageurs Collection specialise in Tailor-made Maldives Holidays so just get in touch with them if you are looking for some real, personal advice beyond the glossy brochures. Having been to The Maldives three times I can virtually guarantee that you won’t be disappointed with your unforgettable trip to paradise on earth!
This post is published in association with The Voyageurs Collection.
