Maldives

Unlike the islands of the coast of Malaysia and Thailand, the Maldives is not a volcanic Island that has risen as a result of colliding plates. The Islands that make up the Maldives are actually deposited on the tops of coral reefs, which means that the highest place in the Maldives is a mere 8 meters above sea level- a holiday to the Maldives will certainly not satisfy mountain enthusiasts. This unique geography has allowed for some outrageously luxury resorts to open over the last decade. Each tiny Island is home to a single resort, and each resort is spread out across the island with villas ranging in size and facility options. And because each resort is its own island, most villas are either on the beach or a few seconds walk from it.

Those that have been on holiday to the Maldives will describe the crystal clear waters, and the unique shade of turquoise that colours the water surrounding the islands. Even those who have never been on holiday to the Maldives will recognise images of the Island paradise instantly as being something quite different to every other island resort the world has to offer. And this is perhaps the crux of it. The Maldives is truly unique. There are many islands in tropical climates with nice beaches and hotels- but the combination of sugar white sand, warm waters and secluded islands protected by coral reefs is unique to the Maldives.

Another unique characteristic of the Maldives is the loss of a sense of time. Go on a two week holiday to the Maldives and by day 5 you will not even know the day of the week without asking- that is, if you even remember how many days you have been on holiday! Loosing track of time however in no way means getting board. Cheap Maldives holidays do not exists, and the hoteliers know that- so they make sure that their guests get everything that they would expect for the sums they have spent. This means the resorts are packed with facilities from Water-sports to land based group activities. Dining on most Islands is an event in itself, and one that can easily take out 2 hours from your schedule. Considering that you do this three times a day, you are only left with 10 hours to lounge by the pool or the sea under the sun!

There are of course some people who simply cannot fathom the idea of being stuck on an island for two weeks- however beautiful the surroundings. Even these people however love the Maldives but as part of a multi centre holiday rather than a holiday in its own right. With an increasing number of airlines flying to the Maldives, you have the choice of a stop over in Dubai, Abu Dhab, Istanbul, Singapore, Sri Lanka and various cities in India. Sri Lanka tends to be the most popular combination choice destination with the Maldives, but Dubai is probably the most popular actual stopover destination because of the number of flights on offer combined with the array of hotels available.