Page 25 - 364655 LP243790A Travel Matters Magazine 52pp A4 (July 2022)

INDIAN OCEAN
CLASSIC COLLECTION HOLIDAYS - WHY CHOOSE THE MALDIVES?
The Maldives’ unique, away- from-it-all isolation means these beautiful islands regularly top the list of Forbes’ Dream Destinations.
With beaches of white sand perfection, luminescent turquoise waters and dazzling coral reefs, this edge-of- the-world archipelago resembles
most people’s idea of paradise. It’s a destination in which to enjoy a truly unforgettable holiday of a lifetime with extraordinary escapism, unique experiences and unrivalled relaxation.
Each resort is its own private
island and caters for every type of holidaymaker: couples, honeymooners, families and groups of like-minded friends and every type of holiday: adventure, adrenalin, romance
and relaxation.
PEERLESS LUXURY & CUSTOMER SERVICE
Some resorts offer peerless luxury, others focus on charm, character
and authenticity, but even the more modest properties will feature multiple dining options and spa facilities. Wherever your clients choose to
stay, customer service is universally excellent. Personalised greetings are delivered in beautifully spoken English from staff members who, owing to high staff to guest ratios, regularly outnumber guests.
While there’s no shortage of overwater villas, standout experiences include underwater bedrooms with transparent walls, undersea restaurants for immersive dining with a view of
marine life and holistic spa treatments administered both over and under
the water.
PLENTY TO DO
Beyond the resorts, superb water clarity affords some of the world’s
best diving and snorkelling. Coral walls dazzle, underwater caves delight and you can mingle with brightly coloured tropical fish in waters so warm no wetsuit is required. There’s no better place on earth to discover turtles, manta rays and many species of shark, including the magnificent whale shark.
Scenic sunset cruises, private luxury yacht charters for overnight sailing adventures, island hopping and seaplanes are some alternative ways of mitigating carefree holiday relaxation. Or try fishing from traditional Dhoni sailboats, enjoying cinema under the stars and observing the night sky from an island observatory.
FINDING THE RIGHT RESORT
Consider the size of the island, how remote your clients would like to be and whether the style should be contemporary or traditional. Think of how important a wide choice of facilities and restaurants might be.
If there’s a focus to the holiday - diving, well-being or water sports - some resorts will be better suited than others. For transfers, seaplanes are stunning but speedboats may be quicker.
And for accommodation, reflect on whether they would prefer direct access to the ocean or the beach.
SOME EXPERT TOP TIPS
Manage the budget and mix things up. Visitors can arrive by seaplane, return by speedboat or domestic flight and share their time between beach villas and overwater villas. Carefully consider meal plans and all-inclusive options: extras can be expensive.
Book the fast-track immigration option on arrival. For shorter holidays speedboat transfers save on waiting times and budget. For seaplane transfers, arrive no later than
15h30 in Malé.
Think about booking accommodation for customers with a private pool whether that’s a beach villa or over water - don’t lose sight of the fact that having a private pool may be far more important than deciding whether that pool leads to the beach or ocean first.
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