Hotmail
The next great honeymoon spots
Destination Weddings & Honeymoons |
|
The Maldives: Indian Ocean Exotica
The Inside Scoop: “Long haul” doesn’t even begin to describe the air journey from North America to the Republic of Maldives (pronounced MALL-deeves), which lies in the middle of the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Madagascar. But once you’re there, the 26 major islands of this exotic archipelago are tailor-made for tropical bliss. Speedboats and seaplanes (with barefoot pilots) make domestic travel a breeze.
Claim to Fame: Most Americans have probably never heard of the Maldives, but for a growing number of Europeans and Australians, the islands are an irresistible indulgence. First and foremost they are a dive destination, ranked as one of the world’s top 10 scuba spots. But they have also become a refuge for the rich and famous seeking a patch of sand without paparazzi; recent visitors include Val Kilmer, Pamela Anderson and Simon LeBon.
Why it’s Hot: Wildlife and waves. Lots of islands flaunt colorful tropical fish. But the Maldives are also a gathering place for the big guys that lurk beneath the water – giant grouper, manta rays, whale sharks, turtles, tuna and dolphins. Scuba divers search their whole lives for these kind of waters, and surfers have discovered the huge breakers that roll in all the way across the Indian Ocean from the Antarctic. If you didn’t bring your own stick, there’s a gnarly little surf shop in Male, the nation’s capital.
What Makes it Unique: The exotic ambience. Imagine India meets the South Pacific, curry and coconut palms, silk saris and secluded beaches. Many of the resorts are nothing short of gorgeous, with overwater bungalows that rival those in Tahiti and thatched-roof villas arrayed along glimmering white sand. The food is awesome, especially if you like tropical fruit, fresh off-the-boat ahi tuna or anything that goes with sambol and chutney. Maldivian spas, where you can enjoy Ayurvedic yoga, Balinese bodywork and European-style facials in a single morning, are gaining quite a reputation around the world.
Try This: Maldivian sand massage offers a whole different take on tropical bliss. As you lie on your stomach at the edge of the surf, a skilled masseuse scrubs your skin and kneads your muscles with sand and seawater, an experience so relaxing it’s impossible to keep from nodding off. Follow this up with a cooling shower and a quick coconut-oil massage and you’ll feel like a new person.
Where to Stay: The luxurious Soneva Fushi resort offers spacious two-story beach villas, some of them equipped with romantic treehouse rooms that you can exit by streaking down a slide into your own private pool. The brand-new Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru, scheduled to open this fall, will feature sumptuous land and water villas with outdoor showers and private pools.
The Grenadines: The Secret Caribbean
The Inside Scoop: This string of 31 paradise islands that float between Grenada and St. Vincent have long been typecast as the jet-set capital of the Caribbean, the tropical stomping grounds of Mick Jagger, Janet Jackson, Michael Caine and other superstars. Showcased in the Pirates of the Caribbean flicks, this sun-splashed archipelago is also considered the best place in the West Indies for sailing (but fortunately not nearly as dangerous as when Jack Sparrow plied these waters.)
Claim to Fame: There aren’t many places left in the Caribbean where you can find yourself alone on a gorgeous white-sand beach, where you’re the only one floating in the teal-colored pool at the bottom of a waterfall, where the person waiting on your table is the former prime minister (more on that later). Not that the Grenadines are in any hurry to change, but a place this special can’t stay undiscovered for long.
Why it’s Hot: Extraordinary quiet – almost to the point that you crave a bit more action. Islanders who rank as the most hospitable you will come across anywhere in the Caribbean. And pretty good value for the money. That’s not to say the Grenadines are cheap – you don’t even want to set foot on Mustique is you have to ask the price. But there are other islands, like Bequia and Union, that won’t bust your budget.
What Makes it Unique: Port Elizabeth on Bequia is a popular stopover for the yachting crowd that migrates through the Caribbean each winter. Several hundred boats at a time may anchor in the town’s narrow harbor during high season, creating a party scene that spills over onto the town beach, where bars and restaurants cater to both the boat people and shore-bound visitors. In a waterfront eatery called Frangipani, you might find none other than Sir James Mitchell waiting on you – he’s the father of the young woman who runs the joint and the former prime minister of the archipelago. That’s one of the things so endearing about the Grenadines: a complete lack of the airs and graces that you may find on some other paradise islands. A place where even the onetime head of state isn’t too cool to fetch you a beer.
Try This: Although the Grenadines are aptly famous for sailing, the islands are also ripe for speedboat adventure. Cruise down to the Tobago Cays and act out your desert-isle fantasies on any one of five tiny uninhabited islands. Scuba and snorkeling is divine, or simply cuddle up beneath a coconut palm on your own white-sand strand. At the opposite end of the archipelago, powerboat up the western shore of St. Vincent to black-sand beaches, secluded jungle waterfalls and various bays used in the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean.
Where to Stay: The sprawling Raffles Resort on Canouan Island flaunts a luxury spa, golf course, Trump casino, four gourmet restaurants and two white-sand beaches. At the other end of the sleep spectrum are charming B&Bs like the hillside Sugarapple Inn on Bequia.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM LUXURY |
 Luxury Section Front |
| Add Luxury headlines to your news reader: |
Resource guide