Maldives Holidays Vacations
Sandy beaches, swaying palms, shiny lagoons, and crystal clear waters… the Maldives have long been hailed as the ‘last paradise on earth’ by tourists. Comprising over a thousand coral islands, this picturesque country is a sheer haven for scuba divers who have long been fascinated by the sheer glut of dancing colors and cornucopia of life underwater.
All resorts in the Maldives have professional diving schools with multi-lingual instructors who conduct courses for beginners as well as the advanced.The best time to visit the Maldives is between December and April when you are guaranteed to get the maximum sunshine. |
However, the Maldives aren’t the best place for backpackers looking to travel cheap and live like the locals.The good news is that entry into the Republic of Maldives does not require a prior visa. Entry permit is granted to visitors on arrival at designated ports of entry, based on the immigration requirements.Once inside the country there is a plethora of luxury resorts to pick from. You could check into the lovely Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa straddling two islands commanding spectacular water villas and the only underwater restaurant in the whole world.
For honeymooners looking for a more private getaway, a 30-minute dhoni ride from the airport takes them to the more isolated Laguna Beach Resort with its glistening lagoons and glacier-white sandy shores. Or you could book a cruise boat holiday and lie back and soak in the serene tranquility of this tropical paradise.Many scholars believe that the word ‘Maldives’ derives from the Sanskrit ‘maladvipa’, meaning ‘garland of islands’. Medieval Arab travelers like Ibn Batuta referred to the islands as ‘Mahal Dibiyat’, where the word ‘mahal’ means ‘palace’.
The earliest inhabitants of the island nation – as per oral traditions – have been identified as Dravidians from nearby Sri Lanka and India. In textual terms, the early settlers are said to have been Buddhists, in the 3rd century B.C. Islam came here in 12th century and later, the Portuguese (16th century) and the Dutch (17th century) took over. In the late 19th century, it became a protectorate of the British Empire.
In 1965, the Maldives – till then known as the ‘Maldive islands’ – obtained independence from Britain and in 1968, it became a Republic. Because of its rich marine life, fisheries is one of the main sources of economy for the island nation. The other source is, well you guessed it – tourism. And it’s not too difficult to divine why, is it? |
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