Pictured left to right outside the new store are: Paul Hardwick, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents Director of Retail; Emma Bailey, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents; Tutti Taylor, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents; Councillor Candy Vaughan, Mayor of Eastbourne; Trevor Ridler, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents Business Development Manager; and Shirley Waters, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents..
Kuoni describe the Maldives as ‘the ultimate luxury island escape’ and it is their most popular holiday destination. Consisting of an archipelago of over 1000 coral islands, clustered into 26 atolls and sprinkled over a stretch of 540 miles in the crystal waters of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is the smallest country in Asia. The tourist industry was established here in the 1970s and these days it’s many people’s ultimate dream destination - a romantic favourite for couples, but also perfect for families with miles of beaches and a huge range of water sports for thrill seekers. Lucky, lucky Annie from our Felixstowe branch got to visit 4 of Kuoni’s beautiful resorts during a week’s visit, and she found out just how perfect this destination really is.
Visitors to the Maldives will fly into the capital Male and take a speedboat or seaplane connection to their resort. “Fly direct, and time your flight to arrive early morning in Male in order to catch a connecting seaplane, which depart daily until 3pm,” advises Annie, “This is a really efficient operation and a brilliant way to start your holiday!” The excitement of connecting by seaplane cannot be underestimated – imagine flying over turquoise water and circling your island resort before landing on the water to hop out – what a stylish way to arrive!
The Maldives incorporate a huge variety of terrain, from coast and reef to mangroves and the tropical interiors. The star attraction are the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean surrounding each island resort. These waters teem with life - over 187 species of coral form diverse reefs and, with over 1000 types of fish, plus turtles, rays, whales and dolphins, the diving and snorkelling is simply superb here. If under the water is not your thing, then stay on the surface for a huge variety of water sports, sailing and kayaking, and the option to view the marine life from glass bottomed boats. And let’s not forget the option of simply lazy on a beach or by the pool with a book and a cool drink - the Maldives are perfect for anyone to relax just as hard as they like.
Annie’s trip took her around four of Kuoni’s best-loved resorts to get a flavour of Maldivian paradise:
This 5-star resort is 25 mins by seaplane from Male on the South Ari Atoll. The resort has 81 villas, either set on the beach or sitting on stilts over the lagoon, with some offering a private pool. With contemporary architecture and clean crisp décor, that mirrors the sparkling waters surrounding the resort. This small and romantic resort has wide white-sand beaches and a glorious lagoon. Just offshore is a house reef for snorkelling, and a dive centre offering boat trips to spot turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks nearby.
There are various board-basis options available, and the resort has five venues for dining. For a really special occasion choose one of the Moodhu Grill’s five private overwater platforms for a truly memorable meal. It was Annie’s birthday whilst she stayed at this resort, and they made a suitable fuss of her!
This All Inclusive 4-star resort is just 15 minutes from male by seaplane, and is situated in the North Ari Atoll. With 70 bungalows, guests can choose from a beach or over-water location, and there is one restaurant for dining, with a Beach Grill for special occasions. The house reef has excellent snorkelling and daily boat trips head further afield.
This tiny island is just 200 x 150m wide, 25 minutes by seaplane from male, and situated in the North Ari Atoll. The 5-star resort offers various board-basis options for it 30 villas, and being so small it offers an exclusive boutique feel. The lush green interior of the island is circled by stunning white sands and coral reefs, and despite its tiny size it has a choice of restaurants and rooms more typical of a larger island. Beach villas have open air bathrooms and a jetted bathtub for relaxing under the sun or with an evening cocktail. Ocean villas are set over the water with private steps to literally step out the house and into the sea. Unusually for the Maldves they also have some duplex Pool villas offering spacious accommodation over two floors and private pool. For the ultimate escape an Ocean Pool Villa gives you the option to sit in your own private pool overlooking the ocean, before taking the steps down for a quick dip to cool off – so many ways to enjoy the sunshine in blissful privacy!
Kandolhu is a favourite among Maldives diving resorts with three dives each day on board a Maldivian dhoni. Night dives and day trips are also available, and the Dive School offers courses from beginner to expert, and don’t forget to borrow one of their GoPro cameras to document your underwater explorations. For fun on the surface as well as underwater, they also offer windsurfing, paddle boarding, sailing, sail, kayaking and glass-bottomed kayaking.
Transferring to Kuramathi, you have the option of arriving by a 1.5 hour speedboat ride, or a 20 minute seaplane flight for a supplement. This 4-star resort is large by Maldives standards, with 360 garden, beach and water villas with options for both families and couples, with or without pool, and either located in the lush forest, up close to the beach or over the lagoon water, as you prefer. Dining is offered as either full board or there are two all-inclusive options, and with a main restaurant and nine a la carte restaurants, there is a choice to suit every palate.
Kuramathi is a diver’s paradise, with the Rasdhoo Atoll featuring more than 20 sites just a short boat ride away. Sites vary between channels, walls, reefs and even a couple of wrecks and there is diverse marine life including sharks, rays, turtles, barracuda, tuna, and even the occasional whale shark. There is a dive school on the island for all levels, with an excellent programme for certified divers. The island offers kids clubs so that everyone can have the blend of relaxation and activity that they will love.
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If Annie’s trip has inspired you to visit the Maldives, please contact your local branch. You can find Annie at Felixstowe
