Maldives | A little slice of heaven

What to do?

The Maldives, with its white, powdery sands and turquoise waters provides the world's best backdrop for honeymooners. The Maldives offers the ultimate in luxury honeymoons - where you can dine together on a private island and watch the sun go down. Or enjoy an ocean view jacuzzi with a glass floor so you can see the marine life and coral reefs beneath you.

With over 1,000 islands and up to 900 of them uninhabited, the Maldives is the perfect getaway for you to enjoy each other's company in dazzling seclusion.

The seas of the Maldives are warm throughout the year with visibility so clear you can see fish passing as far as fifty metres away. 3000 coral reefs, more than 1,000 species of fish, and free flowing tides of the monsoons make for perfect conditions in one of the world's richest diving area. You don't need previous diving experience as safari instructors will give you basic to advanced training and supervise all dives. If diving is still not your thing, take a snorkel but don't miss the underwater world by day or by night.

There is also equally fun stuff to do above the water. In a place where there is more sea than land, the Maldivians spend huge amounts of time in the water, swimming for recreation or playing water polo with friends. Every resort has a water sports centre where you can choose spend the day with the wind in your hair on a catamaran or a windsurfer. Other water sports offered are parasailing, kite surfing, kayaking, water-skiing or jet-skiing.

The Maldives is a mecca to surf-enthusiasts from all over the world, with massive monsoon swells with waves reaching between three and eight feet in the peak season between June and September.

A trip to the Maldives need not all be about lazing around in the sun and see. Catch a glimpse of how the native Maldivians live by travelling to an inhabited island. Some quaint fishing villages with lots of trees, swings and traditional wooden holhuashi - a gazebo style structures made with hollow tree trunks tied together to make a bench, often with a thatched roof. Islanders will sit on these to wind down after a day's work to exchange gossip, play cards and listen to the radio.

In Male, visit the Sultan Park, one of the green spots on the island. It replaces a section of the historic palace grounds of the sultans. The National Museum gives the gist of the life of the sultans' court with some interesting finds from an era before Islam when the Maldives was largely a Buddhist nation.

Where to stay?

Part of the charm of the Maldives is the largely uninhabited islands with no more than a luxury resort on them. Spend a few days at the Anaga Island Resort and Spa, www.angaga.com.mv. Stay in a beach bungalow with all of life's little luxuries as direct access to the beach and subeds just outside your door. Alternatively get a room on the water with a private sun deck right on the lagoon and a glass bottomed table that allows you to watch the fish from the comfort of your bedroom.

If you want to be close to the bustling, capital city of Male, but far enough to enjoy the slice of paradise that is the Maldives, rent a room at the Hulhule Island Hotel, www.hih.com.mv, just a 10 minute boat ride from the capital. Bask in the sunshine on the powdery white sands and plunge into the blue waters whilst pampering yourself in luxury.

For the scuba diving holiday of a lifetime, take a trip on the Carpe Diem www.carpediem.liveaboarddiving.net. 20 guest can take advantage of 10 ariconditioned rooms while cruising the country and visiting all the best spots. Aside from diving guests can go surfing, snorkelling, sun bathing, swimming or fishing.

Where to eat?

For the sleekest dining experience in Male, get yourself a meal at Aioli, www.aioli.com.mv. The boutique hotel-style restaurant offers an emulsion of cuisines from all over the world on their great outdoor balcony or two indoor dining rooms. Try the Wagyu rib-eye steak or the spicy aioli crab and prawn linguini.

The Thai room at Sala Family, www.salafamilymaldives.com, is worth a trip. The  stunning interior décor and fresh ingredients flown in on a daily basis, cooked up by Thai chefs provide the most authentic experience. The menu is as enticing as the place itself with a fantastic selection of soups, noodles and curries.

For a light lunch get yourself down to the Seagull Café, www.seagullmaldives.com. The full selection of Italian ice-cream and proper Italian coffee makes it a great place to stop for breakfast or as a treat for the kids in the middle of a busy day. Sit in the shaded outdoor area and order American-style dishes including a fantastic club sandwich.

How to get there?

Emirates offer daily flights to the Maldives. Flights departing from Malta on 5 April and returning on 19 April were priced at €1036.83, including taxes at the time of going to print. Flights include a stop in Dubai. Total flying time is approximately 11.5 hours.