Even if you’re an avid traveler and believe you’ve seen the best our beautiful planet has to offer, you haven’t truly experienced everything until you’ve been to the Maldives.
Whether you’re a newlywed couple seeking the perfect honeymoon destination or someone who just wants to unwind after a hard year’s work, to say that these islands are your ultimate heaven would almost be an understatement.
In order for your stay here to be truly memorable in the most sublime way possible, we have comprised a list of things for you to do, see and pack, so you’ll be all set for your paradise vacation.
A good traveler does their due diligence
Before you embark on what will be a trip of a lifetime, it’s always good practice to equip yourself with all the necessary information.
The first piece of information is that you don’t need to apply for a visa, as you will be granted one upon your arrival. Sure, as with entering any foreign country there will be some paperwork to fill out, but no real bureaucratic hassle is involved.
Now, among as many as 1200 islands, approximately 100 are yours to explore as they are proper tourist-y destinations. There isn’t really a right or wrong time to visit as the weather is always incredible, although you can expect heavy yet warm rain during summer.
Don’t let that be a deterrent – there’s something incredibly sublime about jumping into the crystal-clear blue water after feeling the warm rain on your skin.
How and where?
The very best part about preparing yourself for a trip like this is that there’s not much work you have to do on your own.
There are tons of incredible travel companies, including the highly professional Maldives Travel Connection that will take care of everything for you. All you need to do is sit, scroll through the catalog and pick an offer that is most convenient for you.
You can book a stay Vakkaru Maldives in an Over Water Villa and jump in the water as soon as you wake up, from your very own private dock and luscious terrace, or you can pick something more affordable, yet none the less luxurious such as an entire week at the Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives in an Ocean Front Beach Villa.
The important thing is, each of the packages you pick will provide you with not only heavenly accommodation but a safe and comfortable trip and even transportation to the island of your choice, usually via a seaplane.
This is the beginning of your week in heaven as you’ll be able to see the surreal islands beneath you as you reach your destination.
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, Maldives
Heavenly, simply heavenly
If you’re newlyweds who just want to be together and do nothing but veg out, you have come to the perfect place. These islands boast incredible white sand beaches, so many shades of blue and green that you can’t even name them.
Then, there are your private villas, where you can enjoy supreme privacy, have your meals delivered so you don’t even need to head down to the restaurant.
Now, even though the Maldives is an Islamic country, the tourist islands are allowed to serve alcoholic beverages, and once you’ve tried their cocktails, you’ll remember them forever.
The islands are quite peaceful, so if all you want to do is swim, love, sunbathe and enjoy cocktails, that is perfectly fine, as the incredible vistas that surround you from every angle are enough to make you feel like you’re in heaven.
For the thrill seekers
Those who say there is little to do in the Maldives accept rest and relish the vista could not be more wrong.
For those who crave some adventure time, there is so much to do, it’s actually hard to do it all in a week or so.
First of all, there is the perfect destination for diving with hammers – Rasdhoo Madivaru – and this is for the true adventure types. If you are the kind of person who likes their fun to be on the completely safe side, snorkeling and diving alongside exotic fishes and cute little reef sharks might just be your cup of tea.
Finally, there are regular water sports, the kind most destinations of this sort offer – kayaking, kiting and surfing. As far as an active stay goes, there is more than plenty to cater to any taste.
A different kind of nightlife
If you do decide to step away from your little private piece of heaven and go have some real nighttime fun, the Maldives will not disappoint.
You’ll get a chance to visit your very first underwater bar, which you have to admit is a truly magnificent experience even if you just imagine it. There are also rooftop bars with DJs, so you can dance the night away.
For those on the more low-key side, there are great lounges and restaurants with great fusions on the plate – a song for your palate.
A touch of history
For those who are into sightseeing, Male – the country’s capital is always waiting for you.
You may not get plenty of chances to mingle with the locals there, and you should be modestly dressed for this occasion as the dress code is different here compared to the islands; which is understandable as this is an Islamic country.
As for the sights, even though the capital is fairly small, there is still plenty to see. The things that should find their way on your list are the national museum, the Islamic center, and the Old Friday Mosque.
You may not make friends with locals, but seeing these places will certainly give you a good sense of their culture.
Finally, as far as packing goes, you have nothing to worry about.
Pack your most casual clothes as chicness and polished attire are completely redundant here.
Let your hair down, leave your makeup and heels at home, as you can even go to restaurants in your most casual attire.
This isn’t the best part of the Maldives, given everything stated above, but being able to just relax and not worry about your looks is definitely an added incentive.
About the writer:
Marie is a lifestyle blogger who loves unusual trips, gadgets and creative ideas. On her travels, she likes to read poetry and prose and surf the Internet.
Her favorite writer is Tracy Chevalier and she always carries one of her books in her bag. She is an avid lover of photography and a regular author at High Style Life. You can find Marie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.
1 comment
Nice article. Thanks for the blog link!