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Home > Features > Maldives > Tips
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Fred Mawer's report on the Maldives - Tips
Posted On
02.07.07 |
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Book a holiday to the Maldives well in advance. Demand for seats on flights – particularly those in business class, or with extra leg-room on charter flights – often outstrips supply, and the best Maldivian hotels are virtually full all year round. Fred Mawer, travel writer
The hotel islands don’t all have the same facilities, so check with your Travel Counsellor that your chosen resort has the ones you want. Sanchia Gallifent, Travel Counsellor
If your transfer is by speedboat, make sure that you have some suncream and a sun-hat to hand. Once the boat starts moving and you feel the wind in your face, you forget how incredibly hot it is, and you will be burnt before you even get to your paradise island. Barbara Charlton, Travel Counsellor
If your transfer is by seaplane, your luggage may be taken by boat, arriving several hours later. So carry with you your swimwear, suncream and anything else you will need as soon as you arrive. (Ask your Travel Counsellor about the latest restrictions on the quantity of liquids you’re allowed in hand luggage.) You don’t want to be on the island in your travelling clothes when everyone else is in their swimwear! Jessica Taylor, Travel Counsellor
At some hotels, B&B is the most economical choice, as meals work out cheaper when you buy them there… Rita Hunter, TC customer …but at other hotels, drinks and snacks can be very expensive, so an all-inclusive package is better value. If cost is an issue, get your Travel Counsellor to compare the prices. Kirsty Williams, Travel Counsellor
The marine life is fabulous and you will really regret not taking a couple of throwaway underwater cameras. You can buy these in our supermarkets for about £5 (€7.50) each. On the islands you will pay around US$20 for the same thing. Barbara Charlton, Travel Counsellor
Snorkelling is usually a better bet than scuba diving. For islands where there is a house reef, the experts say that you will actually see more by snorkelling than by diving. Chris Wouldhave, Travel Counsellor
Given the islands’ size, even minimal building work can ruin the atmosphere. So before you book, check with your Travel Counsellor that none whatsoever should be going on. Fred Mawer, travel writer You are not allowed to bring alcohol into the country, but you can buy your duty-frees at your UK departure airport and arrange to collect them on your return. Barbara Charlton, Travel Counsellor |
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