DESTINATIONS INDIAN OCEAN | MALDIVES
ABOVE: Nova Maldives RIGHT: Romantic dinner at Oblu Select Lobigili
array of daytime performances to keep them entertained, from aerial artists to Maldivian traditional dancers, then join their parents at afternoon DJ sessions and tie-dye parties once the sun goes down. Book it: Mercury Holidays offers seven nights’ B&B at the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives in a Sky Studio from £3,712 per person, for two adults and two teenagers sharing two rooms. The price is based on a December 20 departure, and includes flights and transfers.
mercuryholidays.co.uk Or try: The Den at Soneva Jani has a dedicated rooftop area for teenagers that’ll help them detox from devices and escape school pressures: think a telescope deck, music room, foosball and table tennis. From December 10-26 this year, champion freestyle footballer Marcel Gurk will be holding workshops teaching teens how to perform some impressive tricks with the ball.
BEST FOR… COUPLES Each of the Maldives’ five Sun Siyam resorts picks a different theme for its Christmas celebrations, and this year, the plush 125-suite Iru Veli has chosen ‘metamorphosis’, to symbolise growth and renewal for the new year. Wellness treatments in the sea-facing spa with its Christmassy aromas will ease couples into the festive spirit, while the
travelweekly.co.uk Plush Iru Veli resort has
chosen ‘metamorphosis’ as the theme for its Christmas celebrations, to symbolise growth and renewal for the new year
elevated gala dinner on Christmas Eve promises to be a classy and elegant affair. The Chemistry cocktail bar (which is open until midnight every night) plays host to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and serves themed cocktails. Book it: Gold Medal offers seven nights’ all- inclusive from £5,549 per person, based on two adults sharing a Beach Villa. The price includes a 20% discount, gala dinner, seaplane transfers and flights on December 19.
goldmedal.co.uk Or try: Adult-only resort the Oblu Select Lobigili typically puts on a festive show to remember. Previous years have seen chilled-out Christmas movies and cocktails on the beach, plus gingerbread house-building sessions and romantic mulled wine and cheese-pairing workshops.
BEST FOR… SOLO TRAVELLERS Nova Maldives could be the perfect ‘treat yourself’ Christmas gift for a solo traveller. Activities at the resort are designed to help solos discover this idyllic archipelago in the company of fellow travellers, from communal teppanyaki restaurants to boat trips and art classes. The ‘Supernova’ festive season is the highlight of the resort’s calendar, encouraging guests to connect with nature (and each other) via celestial-inspired experiences, night-time snorkelling and tea ceremonies. This year’s programme, which runs from December 26-31, will include solo-friendly stargazing tours for the first time, either on a sunset cruise or from the sand – but always with free-flowing prosecco. Book it: Hummingbird Travel sells a seven-night full-board stay in a Sunset Beach Villa, arriving on December 21, from $6,689 net, with typical agent mark-up of 15%-20%. The price includes transfers but excludes international flights.
hummingbird.travel Or try: Coco Collection’s new Solo Adventure package reduces the usual cost of a Maldivian villa by up to 50%. Plus, the resort activities are especially sociable, from group snorkelling and fishing trips to Christmas Day beach volleyball with the staff, and a yoga session to see in the new year.
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