Maldives Holidays : Why the Maldives?

The Maldives are very relaxed and informal and the experience can best be described as a luxurious version of a week or two on a deserted tropical island, with quality accommodation and food and usually an extensive range of watersports.

Sub aqua diving in particular is superb, with many deep reefs to explore and virtually every resort has a fully equipped dive school offering a range of courses. Each resort occupies it's own island and whilst there are fishing trips, excursions to other islands and, for those staying at resorts accessed by speedboat, a day trip to Male; the experience is very much about taking life slowly and unwinding on the beach or in the water. Service is usually excellent, with a staff to guest ratio often exceeding 1:1. The only indigenous goods in Maldives are fish and coconuts - just about everything else is imported.

A typical day might involve a leisurely breakfast, either served in your room or buffet style in the restaurant, many of which are open sided, thatched buildings with a sand floor, perhaps followed by a swim, snorkel or dive. Lunch can be by the pool or alfresco on the beach, or of course served in the restaurant, often followed by a nap in the shade!

After the hottest part of the day it's probably time for another swim, dive or perhaps a game of waterpolo or volleyball. Then change into a fresh pair of shorts and tea shirt, followed by cocktails watching the sunset and dinner in the restaurant, or perhaps al fresco on the beach, or on a deserted sandbank under the stars!

There is no self catering accommodation and all meals need to be taken at the resort's restaurants. All inclusive or full board options are therefore better value and recommended. Any additional meals or drinks purchased in resort will cost significantly more than booked as part of a package and will be subject to a 10% service charge.

The Maldives are easily accessible from Europe and Asia and many resorts have a very cosmopolitan environment and whilst British visitors account for the largest number of guests after Italians, the islands are also very popular as a holiday destination for German, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian holidaymakers.

In summary the Maldives are particularly good for:

• A honeymoon or romantic break on a desert island
• Sub aqua diving
• No news no shoes doing nothing in unique luxury setting
• Combining with a two centre holiday to Dubai or Sri Lanka
• Watersports and diving
• The amazing view of the coral atolls from the air
• Water bungalows