Maldives

The Maldives is one of those rare places that actually looks as good in real life as it does in pictures. The sea really is that blue. The sand really is that white. Those explosions of rainbow-coloured fish are not edited and the resplendent sunsets need no filter whatsoever.

While it’s undeniably popular with honeymooners, the Maldives in fact offers something for everyone. It can be both a place of guilt-free extravagance and quiet contemplation. It will tick all the boxes for couples, but also makes for a fun family getaway, with spacious villas providing plenty of room, thrilling watersports and amazing kids’ clubs. It is also home to some of the most dazzling marine life on the planet, especially in spots like the beautiful Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where giant manta rays gather in their hundreds to feed on microscopic plankton.

Thankfully, more and more resorts recognise the need to protect these precious ecosystems, with many running reef restoration programmes, employing resident marine biologists and carrying out vital research as part of increasingly comprehensive sustainability programmes.

The resorts we work with are among the best in the country. Some are reached by speedboat from the main island Male, while others are accessed by seaplane or domestic flight transfers. Far from an inconvenience, these breathtaking flights are often a highlight of the holiday, providing a bird’s-eye view of the Maldives’ watery wonderland.