Luxury Maldives Holidays

Maldives stands out with private islands, luxury huts and villas stepped right over deep blue waters and coral reefs, creating the ultimate blissful experience. The Maldives seem to represent everything that comes to mind when you think of an island paradise - for most people, they are what holiday dreams are made of. These coral islands on long-extinct volcanoes offer astonishing natural beauty and unparalleled tranquillity, as well as some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world. Yet there is much more to the Maldives than just a place to unwind and laze on a beautiful beach.

The Maldives in the Indian Ocean consist of 26 atolls, which are giant formations of coral that have fragmented into almost 1,200 islands. Of these, only around 200 are inhabited, and between 90 and 100 of these are holiday resorts, with each resort having its own private island, ensuring the utmost in secluded luxury. Otherwise, vast areas of the Maldives are virtually untouched by humankind, and here you can see, hear and feel nature undisturbed.

The Real Maldives

The capital of the Maldives is Male, where all tourists arrive, and from which the majority fly straight out to their island resort. This is a pity, as this tiny crowded capital is the best place to meet the real Maldivian people, and is also home to most of the country's cultural attractions. With its many colourful pastel buildings and its fascinating markets, it is well worth visiting for at least one day of your luxury holidays to Maldives.

One of the best-known of Male's attractions is the Hukuru Miskiiy or Old Friday Mosque, the Maldives' oldest mosque, dating from 1656 -- originally an old temple that faced westwards to the setting sun, not towards Mecca, so that worshippers face the corner of the building. With its walls intricately carved in coral stone and Arabic script, and beautiful fine lacquer work and wood carvings throughout the interior, it is a unique and fascinating place to visit, along with the nearby Grand Friday Mosque with its huge golden dome. Another must-see in Male is the three-storey National Museum, located in a corner of the Sultan's Park, and containing an intriguing collection of historical artefacts, some dating back to pre-Islamic times.

Arts and Music

The dominant religion in the Maldives is Islam, but it is tempered with many other influences, including the folklore and Buddhist traditions that were prevalent in the islands before Islam arrived in the 12th century. This mixture of influences is very apparent in Maldivian arts, including the geometric designs in the mats woven from local materials, the ornaments, and the embroidered necklines of women's dresses. The music played on the traditional bodu-beru, or big drum, is reminiscent of the sound of African drumming, while the dhoni, the unique Maldivian sailboat built with skilled craftsmanship, resembles the Arabian dhow.

Getting Around

There are virtually no cars in the Maldives, and boats are the Maldivian equivalent of the car. You are very likely to be transported from Male to your resort by sea-plane, though some resorts offer speedboats as an alternative. To get to a neighbouring island quickly, you either charter a speedboat, or use the inter-island aviation services.

By far the best way to experience the beauty of the islands, and discover the amazing coral reefs, is by private yacht or catamaran, or else by a sailboat or dhoni. A sunset cruise aboard a dhoni is a blissful way to end the day -- sailing round uninhabited islands, enjoying drinks and snacks while local musicians play the bodu-beru to attract dolphins. There are also surfing safaris, fishing safaris, and whale-watching and dolphin-watching safaris.

Coral Reefs and Calm Lagoons

One of the greatest delights of the Maldives is that, thanks to the area's early geological history, every single island has its own so-called house reef, a ring of coral encircling the island and creating its own enclosed lagoon. The waters round each island are thus completely protected from ocean swells and tidal currents, so bathing is totally safe and no hotel needs a swimming pool. The lagoons are edged by the most superb beaches in the world, with perfect, soft, whiter-than-white sand.

As well as providing a safe haven for bathing, of course, the reefs and lagoons are among the world's richest areas for diving and snorkelling, with an unequalled range of marine diversity. As well as whales, dolphins, turtles, manta rays and sharks (the non-dangerous kind), there are literally thousands of species of gorgeously coloured fish. An alternative to diving or snorkelling for enjoying the marine life is to take a trip in a whale submarine -- and several resorts have under-water restaurants.

The Maldives market themselves as "the sunny side of life", and sunshine holidays here are as close to perfection as you can get. As well as the idyllic beauty and utter tranquillity, the islands boast some of the world's finest and most exclusive hotels, with every resort seeking to outdo the others in attaining greater heights of luxury. It's no wonder that the Maldives is top of the wish-list for honeymoons or anyone seeking a luxury romantic tropical paradise -- it's hard to imagine a destination more enchanting and more magical.