Travel Horizons: Maldives

Showing posts with label Maldives. Show all posts

1.04.2019

the saddest news | fire on Gili Lankanfushi

In very sad news, I learned yesterday that a fire broke out at Gili Lankanfushi. As you can see from the YouTube video, the damage is extensive. I understand that seven of its overwater bungalows— as well as the kitchen and restaurant — have been destroyed. I have no news about the rest of the resort. There are 45 total bungalows, so the destruction is hopefully limited. Thankfully, no one was injured.

Gili Lankanfushi is my favorite resort in the Maldives. I love its laid-back, sand-between-your-toes atmosphere which becomes apparent the moment you step onto its speedboat at the Male airport. Your shoes are gathered and put into a bag labeled "No Shoes, No News." For the duration of your stay, it's all about relaxation and sublime beauty. I took the photo below on my last morning, looking across the resort's pool toward four chaise loungers and the sea beyond.

I want to send my best wishes to my friends at Gili Lankanfushi. Grateful no one has been hurt, I'm hopeful the resort can quickly recover, as the livelihood of its employees depends on it.

copyright (c) 2019 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

11.29.2018

4BR residence in the Maldives for after Christmas

Gili Lankanfushi is my favorite sand-between-your-toes resort in the Maldives, an easy speedboat ride from the international airport in Male (so you can arrive at any hour). On boarding their boat, you're handed a bag in which to store you shoes ... and the logo on the bag says, "No News, No Shoes." Truly a place to relax and enjoy the crystalline waters of the Maldives.

Their 4BR Private Residence has just become available for December 27 - January 5. If you've been meaning to make plans for a family vacation but haven't gotten around to it yet, you will love Gili Lankanfushi. Perfect for families, your children will enjoy the waterslide while you can all enjoy at this elegant yet casual resort.

This availability won't last, so contact Team Ourisman right away if you'd like to grab this...

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

5.28.2018

would you stay in this room?

Conrad Maldives underwater bedroom

Lots of guests would say "yes" to a stay in The Muraka at Conrad Maldives Rangali. This unique suite is a bi-level residence with living space both above and below the ocean. Pictured above is an underwater bedroom, its ceiling is 5 meters beneath the water's surface. Guests can lie in bed and watch the tropical fish swimming above and all around them.

But lots of guests would say "no" (including me). While I like new adventures in limited doses, I can just imagine the claustrophobia I would feel at the thought of trying to sleep in a room that's entirely underwater.

Would a stay in this underwater suite excite you? It's set to open in November, 2018.

2.09.2018

picture yourself in paradise

Cocoa Island is an idyllic spot in the middle of the Indian Ocean, home to one of the many heavenly resorts in the Maldives. One of my clients sent me this video, taken during their stay on Cocoa Island.

Words cannot possibly add to the experience they enjoyed. Sun-filled blue skies, crystal clear water, soft white sand, warm weather even in the middle of winter. Like the title of this blog says, picture yourself in paradise!

Is a trip to the Maldives in your future? Just get in touch, and we can make the winter vacation of your dreams come true.

1.01.2017

Where are you headed in 2017?

So many places to visit, but just one lifetime. What direction are you headed in 2017?

This signpost was photographed last March at Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives. If you're looking for a beach destination, you couldn't ask for a more beautiful setting than the Maldives. The water is warm and clear — a simply delightful place to escape winter and relax in the warm tropical sun.

2016 took me to four continents — Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America — and so many fabulous destinations — The Maldives, Australia, London, Paris, and the south of France. I've blogged extensively about each of these trips and taken notes about where to stay and what to do.

Where are you headed in 2017? If your plans are already set, get in touch and ask us how we can provide you with better value at luxury hotels than you can get online. How, you ask? Through our affiliation with Virtuoso and our preferred partner relationships with the top luxury hotel families in the world. If you need help prioritizing your bucket list, still get in touch ... and we can discuss a world full of possibilities.

Enjoy the holidays with your family and loved ones ... and best wishes for the New Year!

copyright (c) 2016 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

3.18.2016

overwater or beach bungalow?

view from beach bungalow at Velaa Private Island, the Maldives

Clients frequently ask me about overwater bungalows at ocean resorts in the South Pacific — at destinations like Bora Bora, Fiji, and the Maldives. There's something romantic about the notion, and American tourists in particular really want to stay overwater.

The concept was invented by Hotel Bora Bora. Blessed with the best natural beach on the atoll, the resort built a limited number of bungalows along the beach. But because there's only so much beach frontage, the resort created additional guestrooms by constructing boardwalks out over the water leading to bungalows on stilts.

overwater bungalows at Six Senses Laamu, the Maldives

Overwater bungalows were an instant hit, and everyone started copying them. Most of the rooms in Bora Bora are overwater, and I observed the same phenomenon during my recent trip to the Maldives. The advantage to living overwater is that you can slip from your private deck directly into the warm ocean water to swim, snorkel, or lounge.

I'm a contrarian on the matter. Given the choice, I'd prefer to stay in a beach bungalow. Why? The photo at the top of this article says it all. Guests in this beach bungalow at Velaa Private Reserve walk out their back door to a private pool, their own little stretch of beach, and the clear, turquoise ocean water. Besides, I'd rather get into the ocean from the beach where the water is shallow.

Given a choice, I'd choose a beach bungalow every time!

copyright (c) 2016 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

3.07.2016

the most joyous, serene smile on her face

She had the most joyous, serene smile. She was lying next to her husband on the lounge chair in the back of Gili Lankanfushi's speedboat, and her face radiated the happiest and most joyful smile I've ever seen. They had escaped London's cold 26º F winter weather on a non-stop BA flight from Gatwick and had awakened to the warmth, sunshine, and brilliant blue waters of the Maldives.

I chatted with her after our arrival at #gililankanfushi. She said Gili is their favourite place on earth. They come back every winter, even staying in the same villa. Having been here just 24 hours, I can fully understand why.

Gili Lankanfushi is as close to my ideal of a resort as anything could possibly be. Absolutely casual (no news, no shoes is their motto), informal luxury, spacious accommodations with gorgeous views, beautiful water, and very good snorkeling.

I wish the Maldives were closer to the U.S., but if you're from the UK like this couple, you can get here on a non-stop 10-hour overnight flight on British Airways. If you fly Club World with its lie flat beds, you'll arrive rested with a good night's sleep. We can book Gili Lankanfushi for our UK clients and provide you with added-value Virtuoso amenties that will save you quite a few £££'s. Drop me a line!

Back from the spa, I'm feeling especially mellow. If you could see me now, you might just notice a joyous and serene smile radiating from my face!

3.05.2016

death by ice cream

There are many compelling reasons to plan a vacation at Six Senses Laamu, a non-fussy, sand-between-your-toes, Virtuoso resort just 200 miles north of the equator in the Maldives. Gorgeous, clear sea water. Great snorkeling. A superb spa. Good food. It's even a good destination for surfers at the right time of the year when the waves are high.

But here's a reason you would not have guessed: free ice cream. There are 40 flavors of ice cream and sorbet at the Ice and Chocolate Studio, open daily from 12 noon to 10:30 p.m. You can have as much as you want, as often as you want, and you're encouraged to try all 40 flavors. Are you up to the challenge?

Death by ice cream, indeed!

3.02.2016

paths less taken | the Maldives

Sitting down to dinner at dusk, I noticed the tracks of a hermit crab who had been scurrying along the beach at Velaa Private Island, my home for my first three nights while visiting the Maldives.

To travel is sometimes simply to get away, to slow down, relax, and notice the small, beautiful details that often escape our attention. Sand, water, waves, sunsets, and paths less taken.

2.12.2016

two weeks from today | Dubai and the Maldives

Two weeks from today, I'll be a bit more than one hour into my non-stop flight from San Francisco to Abu Dhabi.

What a freaking crazy route map! The flight is 8,158 miles in length, and the direct route has a heading 3.1 degrees north of the North Pole. This means that we would fly just to the east of the north pole — but given the west-to-east nature of the winds, I suspect we'll be heading more to the east. Bottom line, I'm flying to the opposite side of the earth.

16 hours of scheduled flight time... I'm beginning to contemplate that reality. Fortunately, I'll be ensconced in the comfortable lie-flat business class seats of the Etihad-operated Jet Airways 777 jet, but 16 hours in the air is still a long time. 12 hours after take-off will be my normal bedtime ... and it will be four hours until landing (and only 1 p.m. in the afternoon when I do land).

Jet lag notwithstanding, I plan to hit the ground running, having a site inspection of Park Hyatt Dubai that evening ... and five more site inspections the next day (as well as a photo op at Ski Dubai).

Starting to get excited and (groan) starting to think about packing.

12.10.2015

next on my bucket list | The Maldives

My wife loves warm sea water and brilliant snorkeling, and she has been making her case for us to visit The Maldives for years and years. So, hopefully 2016 will be the year!

The current plan is to fly Emirates business class from SFO - DXB, spend a couple of nights in Dubai to do some site inspections, then fly on to Male on March 1st. I hope to stay at three different resorts — the two Four Seasons (Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giravaaru) ... and Gili Lankanfushi (pictured above).

Site inspections in The Maldives are a bit more difficult than city destinations, as transportation is by seaplane and speedboat. Still, I hope to be able to see a few additional resorts during my stay.

Looking for a last second deal at Gili Lankanfushi? They have published a 35% off rate for stays until December 27, 2015. Get in touch if you're interested! We provide Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities at both Four Seasons in the Maldives ... and Virtuoso amenities at Gili Lankanfushi.

copyright (c) 2015 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

7.20.2007

how to plan a romantic honeymoon

So you're engaged, and now you're planning a romantic honeymoon to begin your married life together. You may find that planning this trip is very stressful because there are too many choices! Do you want to take a cruise or spend a romantic honeymoon at a beach resort in a tropical paradise?

Where do you want to go? The world offers so many honeymoon destinations: Hawaii. Capri. Costa Rica. Tahiti and Bora Bora. Fiji. The Maldives. Mexico. Jamaica or the Caribbean. Do you want an all inclusive vacation? Do you want a totally flexible package?

This is perhaps the one time in your life when all these choices are not welcome. You're in the midst of countless decisions about your wedding, and you're getting frustrated by them. You are discovering that the two of you may have different decision-making styles, different priorities, even different expectations. You've had to deal with disagreements and conflict around your wedding ... and now you have the trip of a lifetime to plan. Both of you want it to be the most wonderful, romantic honeymoon ever, but you can't agree on anything. What's a happily engaged couple to do?

Here are some tips on how to plan a romantic honeymoon and keep your love intact!

1. Keep it simple. You'll want to avoid frequent packing and unpacking. Who wants the hassles of traveling to a dozen destinations on your honeymoon? This is a time for you to be together and enjoy each other. Talk about this question: What do we like doing for fun? Brainstorm destinations that would be fun to visit. Come up with separate lists, then compare and see what you have in common.

2. Set a budget. If your vacation costs more than you can afford, the expenses will add to your stress, both during the trip and afterwards (when the credit card bills come in). You can have a romantic honeymoon that stays within your budget and enjoy your memories forever (and avoid the debt).

3. Ask for help. Planning any kind of travel can be complex; if it were simple, you wouldn't be reading this blog! A good travel consultant will listen to the dreams you have for your honeymoon, respect your budget, do all the research, and offer you a few choices that you can talk over together. Whatever you may pay as a consulting fee, you will reap many times that investment in mistakes avoided, real value found, and a bottom line that you can afford. And, most of all, you will have a romantic honeymoon that's been planned by an expert so that all you have to do ... is enjoy it!

copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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