Soneva has unveiled the latest Soneva Stars calendar, seeing out the year with a line-up spanning space, sport, gastronomy, craftsmanship and wellbeing. Across Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret, guests are invited to train, learn and interact with remarkable personalities who have spent their careers at the top of their fields.

Among the year’s headline residences is Tim Peake, the first British ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station. Peake will host talks, interactive sessions and stargazing experiences at Soneva Fushi from 19 to 29 December, sharing insights from his extraordinary career in space exploration beneath some of the clearest night skies on Earth.

The sporting calendar will welcome a series of internationally recognised athletes. A Premier League record goalscorer and former Manchester United striker, Andy Cole will lead football sessions from 25 October to 1 November, while former world No. 8 Marcos Baghdatis (25 October to 5 November) and current ATP star Karen Khachanov (12 to 22 November) will host tennis clinics and coaching experiences, giving guests a rare chance to train with players who have competed at the sport’s highest level. In September, Olympic medallist and world champion decathlete Leo Neugebauer will lead a session at Soneva Fushi’s outdoor gym as part of his residency.

In the world of wellbeing, Sarah Chapman, the facialist whose client list reads like a who’s who of the beauty world, will bring her treatments to Soneva Secret from 27 October to 5 November, offering guests the kind of skin expertise usually reserved for a waiting list.

The culinary programme features acclaimed chefs including Chantelle Nicholson (22 October to 6 November), known for her ingredient-led cooking and commitment to sustainable gastronomy, and champions of elevated Scandinavian dining, Niclas Jönsson (22 October to 6 November) and Fiskebar’s Jamie Lee (14 to 26 December), who will present special experiences throughout the season.

The Soneva Stars calendar runs even deeper. Astronomers Dr James Gilbert and Dr Lars Lindberg Christensen amplify the resorts’ celestial programme, while glass artists Adam Holtzinger and Susan Špiranović lead a residency at Soneva Fushi’s glass studio. Enhancing the wellbeing offering, guests can work with osteopath Hortensia Corredoira, East Asian healing specialist Alexander Scrimgeour, performance coach JP Liendi, Bodyism’s Nathalie Schyllert and wellbeing expert Richie Norton, alongside football freestyler Marcel Gurk, across residencies running through to the end of the year.

“The most memorable moments unfold through the power of human connection,” said Neil Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer of Soneva. “With Soneva Stars, our guests train with Andy Cole, sit with Tim Peake to find out what it’s truly like up there and get a fresh taste of the ocean’s bounty with Jamie Lee. These experiences spark conversations and memories that stay with them long after they leave.”

No two Soneva Stars seasons are ever the same. Each residency is an expression of Just What Matters: meaningful connections, new perspectives and moments of genuine wonder and discovery.

Guests can explore the full Soneva Stars calendar to book remarkable experiences.

At Gili Lankanfushi Maldives wellbeing is a deeply personal journey. This season, the award-winning eco-luxury resort is enriching that journey with the arrival of two exceptional specialists, each bringing a unique approach to helping guests reconnect with themselves through movement, mindfulness and transformative experiences.

Joining the resort as Resident Tennis Pro, Nikola Vučković offers bespoke tennis lessons tailored to players of all ages and abilities. With more than 15 years of international coaching experience, Nikola combines technical expertise, tactical insight and personalised guidance to help guests build confidence and elevate their game. His distinguished career includes coaching players to success at European Championships, ITF tournaments and national-level competitions. In partnership with Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis, the personalised lessons cater to all skill levels, providing professional instruction and expert guidance to help guests improve their technique, develop their confidence and enhance their overall game. Whether stepping onto the court for the first time or refining advanced skills, guests can enjoy a rewarding and engaging tennis experience in a relaxed island setting.

Complementing the resort’s active lifestyle experiences is Dr Aradhana, a visiting wellness practitioner in residence until the end of September. With more than a decade of experience in holistic wellbeing, she offers a nurturing and personalised approach designed to help guests restore balance between the body, mind and emotions. Through bespoke therapies and immersive wellness sessions, Dr Aradhana creates a supportive space for relaxation, self-discovery and renewal, encouraging guests to reconnect with themselves and cultivate a deeper sense of wellbeing that extends beyond their stay.

Guests can also take part in E-Motion Flow: Moving Body to Release Emotions, a complimentary wellness session led by Aradhana that combines movement and breathwork to support emotional release, inner balance and overall wellbeing.

Together, these experiences reflect Gili Lankanfushi’s belief that luxury travel should nourish both body and soul. Whether discovering the joy of tennis, embracing holistic wellness practices or simply taking time to reconnect with oneself, guests are invited to embark on a journey that is as restorative as it is inspiring.

By bringing together experts from the worlds of sport and wellness, Gili Lankanfushi continues to create meaningful experiences that encourage guests to return home feeling refreshed, empowered and renewed.

As autumn settles in, travel’s mood shifts from where to why. Kandima’s “Oktober Adventures” turns the shoulder season into its most eventful yet, answering the call for ‘whycation’ holidays that are chosen for purpose, rather than coordinates on the map.

This month-long programme will bring together an inspiring line-up of sport talent residencies, live music, family-first entertainment and island celebration, starting with a lively beachfront Oktoberfest, and building towards a spook-tacular Halloween finale.

Beats, Brushstrokes and Beachside Nights

The social calendar kicks off with Oktoberfest, where Breeze Beach will be infused with Erdinger’s Bavarian spirit. Travellers can mix and mingle over chilled German beers, snacks, live acoustic set into the night. Later in the month, evenings shift into a run of signature theme nights, from the all-white glow of the White Party to the rhythm-fuelled Latin Night, with captivating fire show performances that dazzle.

Creative souls can also find their own quiet corner with an afternoon at KULA Art Studio, settling into a sit-down painting session with resident artist Zima to experiment with colours, shapes and forms in an unhurried setting, all against Aroma’s lakeside views.

Sport Programme Highlights: Meet the International MVPs heading to Kandima this Autumn

Active families are well catered for throughout the month, with coaching sessions and games guided by the resort’s fitness team throughout Family Football Week (20–27 October).

Some of the month’s biggest moments come courtesy of an exciting roster of gamechangers, each bringing their own passion, expertise and energy to the island.

• BM Tennis Lifestyle (11–31 October): A month of tennis with BM Tennis Lifestyle’s professional coaches in residency. Guests can join one-to-one coaching, family sessions, tournaments and social rallies on and off the court.
• Sebastian Melrose – Racing Driver (19–26 October): Scottish-Salvadoran racing driver and reality TV personality who began racing at 16 with the Scottish Formula Ford Championship is bringing motorsport workshops and open laps with guests to Fast Track, the resort’s iconic oceanfront e-go-kart circuit.
• Hadiya Hakeem – Professional Football Freestyler (22–29 October): Viral freestyle footballer having performed at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will host live performances and skills workshops for football fans who love the sport’s more expressive side.
• Ashley Neaves – The Tennis Mentor (6 – 15 November): Beyond October, Kandima’s guests can join one of multiple training and skills sessions led by professional tennis coach, Ashley Neaves, for ten days in November. Ashley will be running classes for beginners and experienced players, catering to children and adults alike.

Beyond the sports fields, a wider wellness and fitness programme promises days with fun contrasts. From slow mornings with sunrise yoga on the beach, opening into high-energy group fitness challenges, before the ocean takes over. Guests can venture out onto open water for jet skiing, windsurfing, fly boarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and parasailing, or slip beneath the surface for guided dives and snorkels with the Aquaholics team, throughout the week.

A Spook-tacular Finale

To close out the month, guests can look forward to Halloween Haunted Adventures (30–31 October), where the island gives itself over to a curated, haunted carnival playground. Children can lose themselves in Little Monsters Halloween crafts and costume-making workshops, while the whole family joins in for relay races and contests, before setting off on a trick-or-treat treasure hunt for Sweet Surprises Await.

As the sun sets, the resort opens its doors to the Halloween Party. Adventurous guests can sample eerie cocktails and snacks while brushing shoulders with roaming performers in full costume, as the night stretches on with music, mischief and mystery.

For full details on the programme’s brochure, visit this page. Rates in October starts from £238/night for Studios and 325/night for Villas on Full Board when booking directly.