I regularly take calls from potential clients keen to visit the Maldives but worried that more than a week will drive them to distraction. As you probably know The Maldives are predominantly small unspoilt and natural islands offering guests the opportunity to experience a world largely untouched by commercialism, so many clients feel that after a few days of tranquility and relaxation they are ready to try something else. Enter the Multi Center Holiday! There are several airlines that fly to both the UK and one of the surrounding destinations to the Maldives so combining both locations in one holiday saves money on the flights and has the benefit of making you feel as if you have been on two holidays.
Maldives and Dubai - Emirates Airlines are the National Airlines of the UAE and based rather conveniently in Dubai, half way between the UK and the Maldives. All the Emirates Airlines flights stop in Dubai on the way out and back to the Maldives giving us as travellers the opportunity to stop over en route and experience what it has to offer. The flights from the UK are from Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham and both Gatwick and Heathrow to Dubai taking approximately 6 hours before connecting on to the Maldives, a short 4 hours away.
Dubai offers a totally different experience from the Maldives and whilst is can't beat the Maldives for beaches it does have a lot to offer and well worth a short stop especially as your flying through the airport. Dubai is a man made, vibrant, high raised city by the beach. Its filled with hotels of all standards, restaurants, bars and an unsurpassed level of customer service. The hotels have been compared to the glitz of Las Vegas as so many are theming themselves to offer something different from the neighbouring hotel and competitor. More importantly Dubai is an eclectic blend of the Western and Arabic culture and customs.
Maldives and Sri Lanka - Although close to the Maldives, Sri Lanka is a world apart, from these tiny unspoilt islands. Sri Lanka is the same size as Ireland and full of wildlife and beautiful scenery with a wealth of history.
You could choose to stay on one of Sri Lanka's beaches and experience the change in culture, or combine the Maldives with a Sri Lankan Safari - the wildlife is excellent here especially in Yala National Park renown for the tigers or perhaps undertake a classical Sri Lankan tour with car and driver taking in all the highlights in this largely unspoilt country. Its important you look at the foreign office web site to keep yourself up to date on the troubles that have taken place in the very north of Sri Lanka, its not an area that benefits from tourism but by reading the foreign office web site you'll get the up to date picture. Sri Lankan Airlines operates a direct service taking 12 hours between Heathrow and the Maldives several times a week and also a daily service between Heathrow and Colombo taking aprox 9 hours and Colombo and the Maldives, a further 2 hours which makes Sri Lanka and the maldives a very attractive combination. Its also a very effective way of lengthening your holiday from a 10 night holiday to a 14 nights holiday as accommodation in Sri lanka is half the cost of the accommodation in the Maldives allowing you to add a few extra days for very little money.
Maldives and Kerela - Long Sandy beaches, scenic spice and tea plantations. Extensive and fascinating backwaters describe the idyllic coast state of Kerela. Kerela is famous though out India for is therapeutic expertise in Ayurvediac treatments and most hotels have excellent Spa's.
Maldives and Bangkok, - Here is your opportunity to combine the Thailand with the Maldives. Bangkok represent the exoticism of the east, a lively mixture of both the ancient and the modern. Bangkok has retained its traditional charm amidst the disco's, bars, nigh markets and heavy traffic. An exotic city with glittering temples, culture and warmth.
Maldives and Singapore - Sri Lankan Airlines based in Colombo half way between these two destinations offer a superb service from Heathrow down to the Maldives and across to Singapore giving you to chance to combine the Maldives with the garden city. A bustling mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian races cultures and cuisines. Singapore offers fabulous shopping, plenty of sightseeing and a large variety of restaurants to choose from.
A great tip when planning your trip is to look at a map of where the Maldives is located, its likely that the surrounding countries will operate flights to and from and so logistically it will be possible and if cost is important then selecting the locations that the aircraft has to stop in is always a good bet.
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