MALDIVES


well-established reef, teeming with marine life. We’re told this stretch of shoreline is the best place to spot turtles, blacktip reef sharks and even the occasional manta ray. oÀ ÌhoÃi i>}iÀ Ìo iÝ«loÀi v>ÀÌhiÀ >wil`] Ìhi "Vi>n iÛi Centre offers a host of activities, including night snorkelling, swimming with whale sharks and a hammerhead shark expedition at nearby Big Blue Point.


Lasting memories "ÕÀ moÀnin} ÃÜim ÜiÌh ÌÕÀÌlià ià jÕÃÌ oni ov Ìhi m>}iV>l moments the Veligandu team orchestrates for us. Another comes when we board the resort’s elegant yacht for a sunset dolphin-spotting cruise. The sky is already beginning to blush as glasses of chilled champagne are pressed into our hands. Soon, dozens of dolphins surround the boat, arcing gracefully from the surface and entwining with one another in a playful rhythm, while the sky blazes ÜiÌh wiÀÞ >mLiÀ >n` VoÀ>l hÕið 7i Ü>ÌVh in ni>À-ÃilinÌ >Üi >à n>ÌÕÀi «ÕÌà on iÌà ÃhoÜ°


ÛinÌÕ>llÞ] Ìhi m>jiÃÌiV


creatures disappear into the deep, leaving behind a sense ov Üon`iÀ Ìh>Ì lin}iÀà lon} >vÌiÀ Ìhi l>ÃÌ Ì>il yiVk Û>niÃhið >Vk on l>n`] Ìhi inVh>nÌminÌ VonÌinÕið "n oÕÀ wn>l


evening, we’re treated to a candlelit dinner on the beach. >nÌiÀnà yiVkiÀ in Ìhi LÀiiâi >à Ìhi >Àom>à ov }Àilli` Ìi}iÀ «À>ÜnÃ] Àiiv wÃh >n` Liiv Ìin`iÀloin Ü>vÌ ÌhÀoÕ}h Ìhi >iÀ from a barbecue feast. We dine with our feet in the sand, the ocean as our soundtrack and a canopy of stars above. It's a perfect way to end a special trip – and a lasting


reminder of the heartfelt hospitality we’ve experienced throughout. The warmth of the team here feels genuinely «iÀÃon>l] noÌ jÕÃÌ > «oliÃhi` ÃiÀÛiVi° ÕÀin} oÕÀ ÃÌ>Þ] }iniÀ>l m>n>}iÀ >ÌhÕhÕll> joinà > «iVkliL>ll ÌoÕÀn>minÌ with two returning guests, picking up where they left off monÌhà LivoÀi° ƂnoÌhiÀ ni}hÌ] ÃÌ>vv `>nVi joÞvÕllÞ ÜiÌh visitors during Thundi Bar’s evening entertainment. In a destination with so many luxury resorts, it’s not


jÕÃÌ «iVÌÕÀi-«iÀviVÌ ÃiÌÌin}à oÀ `ili}hÌvÕl iÝ«iÀiinVià Ìh>Ì set a property apart, but something as simple as these encounters – and Veligandu delivers it all in abundance.


BOOK IT: The nightly rate for a Sunset Ocean Pool Villa is


$2,792 in peak season on an all-inclusive basis. VELIGANDU.COM


Resort REVAMP


General manager Fathuhulla Ibrahim – who has been at Veligandu for 12 years – shares an insight into the resort’s renovation


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aspiretravelclub.co.uk


JUNE 2025 ASPIRE 71


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