Call off the search for paradise on earth – it’s been found…
Lying like a string of pearls in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, the 1,190 islands of the Maldives will blow even the most hardened traveller away with their sheer perfection.
Think of the most idyllic beach you’ve ever had the privilege of sunbathing on. Then double it and you’re coming close to imagining the 1,190 islands making up the Maldivian archipelago. Just 200 of the islands are inhabited and around 100 are making the most of the booming tourist trade – which welcomes more than 300,000 visitors a year – and operating as resorts.
Around 11 hours flight time from the UK via Dubai, the Maldives are the ultimate beach destination, hugely popular with honeymooners and those who enjoy the finer things in life, thanks to its reputation of having some of the most luxurious resorts in the world. Most visitors arrive at Male International Airport on the mainland – which lies southwest of India and 450 miles west of Sri Lanka – and then catch a seaplane or speed boat out to their island resort. The islands boast one of the largest seaplane fleets in the world – hardly surprising for a country that is 99 per cent water.
The crystal clear waters on each island are calm thanks to the ring-shaped reef structures which surround each, providing a barrier against winds and waves. Water sports and fishing are popular daytime pursuits with visitors, keen to experience the Maldives’ incredible bounty of underwater life, from rainbow coral reefs to the deep lagoons and calm bay areas such as Hanifaru. Snorkellers and divers can expect to see whale sharks, dolphins, turtles and multi-coloured fish galore.
When it comes to choosing accommodation, you may be surprised to hear that it’s not all budget busting. Granted, an A-list budget is needed to enjoy some of the waterfront villas with private plunge pools and roof terraces overlooking the ocean, but many hotels offer a range of great discounts at certain times of the year, to suit all wallet-sizes.
The five star Alila Villas Hadahaa Maldives hotel, set on a tropical island in the North Huvadhoo Atoll, 400km from Male international airport, boasts fantastic diving and stunning waterfront villas. The hotel is currently offering a “stay four nights pay for three nights” deal for those staying for under six nights, or a “stay seven nights, get one night free” deal. The offer applies to all rooms for trips until 23 December 2011. Mention the code VSO 01 when booking through www.vermillionmaldives.com.
The five-star Anantara Veli Resort & Spa is offering three nights free for those staying longer than 12 nights, or four nights free for those staying two weeks or more before 31 October 2011. Mention code VSO 02 and book through www.vermillionmaldives.com/hotels.htm.
If you’re after an affordable break to the Maldives, don’t head there during peak season – which is between December and April, the height of the dry season. The weather will still be warm – between 25.9 degrees centigrade and 30.4 degrees centigrade – between May and November, although the risk of tropical storms will be higher.
Visit the Maldives website at www.visitmaldives.com to read more.
