Maldives, a destination synonymous with gods' country

Addu Atoll

Baa Atoll

Haa Alifu Atoll

Laamu Atoll

Noonu Atoll

North Ari Atoll

North Huvadhoo Atoll

North Male Atoll

South Ari Atoll

South Male Atoll

Maldives holidays map   

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A land embraced by mystery, The Maldives is a nation whose people originate from as many far away regions as there are stars in the sky. With its remote location, southwest of Sri Lanka and directly on the equator, this archipelago of 1100 picture-perfect coral islands has, historically, played host to South Indians, Arabians, Persians, Indonesians and Africans, all of whom happened upon this undiscovered paradise by chance.

Like the chimera of fabled Atlantis, the Maldives islands appear suddenly as a verdant haven within the Atlantic’s azure waters. They have been this way—pure, unsullied, and bright—since the very first adventurers happened upon them. These original inhabitants brought the peaceful philosophy of Buddhism to the island nation and an esoteric language called Dhivehi, based on the sacred sounds of Sanskrit. Later, Muslim settlers introduced the sonorous tones of their ritual prayer, and unique music and dance forms from many lands began to flourish in the hidden Eden of the Maldives islands. Today, the Republic of Maldives’ Muslim-based presidential republic operates in complete harmony with the welcoming and carefree atmosphere of its many Maldives resorts. English is widely spoken.

The Maldives islands are on the way to nowhere. They have never been a source of goods for merchants, nor a nexus of international commerce. They have never been harvested, farmed, or pillaged. The proud Maldivian people have never been conquered, enslaved, or subdued. This secluded world has only been loved and revered for the gift that it is, and today each island is preserved with a “one island one resort” rule that enables each honeymooner’s paradise to provide the full range of an island’s beaches for visitors’ Maldives Holidays.

Your Maldives holidays won’t be subject to changing seasons as most of us know them, unless you consider a state of perfection in the Maldives weather to be a season. The only change occurs when there is very little rainfall from December through March, then gentle rains do begin to nourish the islands and islets of The Maldives. Due to the surrounding coral reefs, the romantic Maldives are naturally protected from cyclones and tropical storms. This ensures a thriving, year-round tourist season filled with individuals embarking on Maldives travel from all over the world, perpetually pursuing their longed-for Maldives holidays and “weddingmoons.” These Maldives wedding-honeymoon packages are treats beyond the wildest dreams of even the most starry-eyed bride. The pure perfection of a nuptial ceremony here can’t be exaggerated, and Maldives wedding officials are particularly cooperative in assisting Australian couples who, due to international restrictions, must first register their marriage in their home country.

The people of The Maldives enjoy a rich folk tradition dominated by Bodu Beru drumming performances. Similar to the songs and dances of the many escaped African slaves who once found their way to shelter in the Maldives, these performances open with a slow, steady beat and the music gradually reaches a crescendo. Frantic dancers become consumed by the music and sometimes end in a trance-like state. Participants in Bodu Beru call it “vibrating the island,” and lucky observers—enjoying a culturally rich Maldives honeymoon—will note that many of the traditional lyrics are completely nonsensical. This is due to the mixture of languages from which the songs are derived. No matter, the Bodu Beru’s intention is clear—to celebrate life, love, and laughter after a hard day spent fishing for the ocean’s bounty.

On the Maldivian islands, sustenance is still taken from both the sea and the ever-present coconut palm. Maldivian meals are mouth-watering to every palette and feature fresh-caught fish simmering in pungent coconut curries. Maldivian meals often end with servings of sweet custard, mango, papaya, pomegrante, and wild banana. Finally, no Maldives holidays are complete without a generous helping of the local hot, sweet tea that finishes every meal.

Top-tier Maldives resorts provide the pinnacle of service . . . but mother nature provides the rest. Presenting wedding parties, families, and loving couples alike with the most meticulously perfected, world-class opulence, Maldives resorts—with their full-island beaches, silver-tray pampering, and five-star-rated spa-treatments—astound visitors with a plenitude of luxury. In each island oasis, calm, bathtub-warm waters welcome swimmers, snorkelers, divers, and sailors. Those on every type of visit—from a sumptuous honeymoon to business travel hosted by a Maldives hotel—will certainly enjoy their Maldives holidays. Every five-star Maldives accommodation overlooks a beach, where oceanic perfection means a tidal pond resplendent with tropical fish and a rainbow of living coral. Here, lovers and other escapists enjoy letting their cares disappear in the perfect azure shallows and glimmering bayous of the islands.

Although its location is remote, getting onto the Maldives map and into its indulgent resorts is quite a simple matter. The Maldives’ international airport on the island of Hulhulé, in the Male atoll, welcomes commercial flights from every corner of the globe. Private jets enjoy plenty of air space for their flights to Maldives as well, and no prior visa is required for entry. Nationals from countries as diverse as Australia, USA, and Israel are perfectly welcome and automatically issued 30-day visas.

So welcoming, in fact, are the Maldives, that once you take your first Maldives holiday, you won’t be able to wait for the next. But never fear, if the perfection of the Maldives becomes a habit, the only side effects are tranquility, bliss, and true inner contentment.