The Maldives

Viewed from the air, each of the 1,190 coral islands of the Maldives has a dazzling green centre of palm trees fringed with white sand and bordered by the perfectly clear, turquoise Indian Ocean; a paradise for sun worshippers, snorkellers and divers. The airport, Male, is located roughly in the middle of the many atolls; resort islands are reached by either speedboat or seaplane depending on the distance.

The seasonal climate changes in the Maldives are less extreme than in India or Sri Lanka; however, during the wet season from May to August, with tropical showers and overcast sky, hotels are less expensive and many offer complimentary nights. British Airways operate direct flights from Gatwick to Male in winter months only. For those looking to combine the Maldives with Sri Lanka or India, there are daily flights from Colombo, Bangalore and Trivandrum.

The choice of hotels is huge but we have focussed on those properties which we think exemplify the ideal of barefoot luxury; however, if you would like a quote for a hotel not featured on these pages, please call us.