A certain memoir once sent a generation in search of itself through pasta, prayer and a love story, the hunger for good food, inner calm and a little romance still runs as deep as ever Eri Maldives is reframing the formula for today’s couples, with two places set at the table.

This February, the North Malé Atoll hideaway unveils Eat, Play, Love from 12–16 February 2027,, made for couples and kindred spirits ready to trade the prix-fixe-and-roses routine for lingering meals, saltwater adventures and spontaneous moments worth keeping. The programme is built less around a place than a state of mind, in step with Booking.com’s 2027 Travel Predictions, which found that 81% of global travellers would now choose a holiday primarily by how they want to feel, rather than where they want to go.

Eat: The Way to the Heart

Valentine’s night proper belongs to A Valentine’s Feast, a five-course aphrodisiac menu served on 14 February with a glass of sparkling wine, at the kind of leisurely pace that makes phones feel optional. For something more tucked away, Dinner Beneath the Stars lays a table under a wide-open sky, opening with a signature cocktail and ending with a villa turndown.

Between courses, Sips for Two takes over the bar at Sip & Dip, pouring jumbo Valentine cocktails and swoon-worthy infusions made for sharing, best ordered with two straws and no rush.

Play: Making Waves

For pairs whose love language is quality time spent slightly out of breath, the reef does the matchmaking. Dive in Together is a guided scuba session for two, equipment included, an easy first step beneath the surface for newcomers and seasoned swimmers alike, with underwater camera for hire to capture that first shared descent.

Thrill-seekers can take the fast lane with Chase the Blue, a jet ski dash to a secluded reef followed by a guided snorkel, with photo kit and extra reef time for those not quite done with the water.

Love: Slow Hours and Soft Landings

As afternoon tips into evening, Love at Golden Hour carries lovebirds across the lagoon with sparkling wine in hand and a mellow soundtrack, while the sky pulls off what no filter ever could.

Physical touch takes centre stage at EsKape Spa with In the Ocean’s Rhythm, a 90-minute side-by-side ritual inspired by the tide’s ebb and flow, using sweeping palm strokes and bespoke aromatherapy oils to quieten busy minds. For those wanting the best for both, An Island Ritual for Two fills the hours from late afternoon to nightfall, carrying the calm of a shared massage into a dusk cruise and an intimate dinner, before a villa turndown closes the night.

Partners booking two massages also leave with a parting gift: A Lasting Touch, a complimentary massage oil or essential oil that keeps the spa-day glow alive long after the tan fades.

The Main Character Edit

For those after the full rom-com arc without lifting a finger, The Perfect Day for Love strings every chapter together: a private breakfast, a spa interlude, a twilight sail and a Champagne supper with live music, with a personal photographer capturing enough content for a relationship hard launch, or a camera roll to revisit on the next anniversary. In the end, the itinerary is just the frame; the real story is everything in between. That, above all, is what the island makes room for at Eri.

Rooms start from £321 per night on a Full Board basis when booking directly. All experiences run daily from 12–16 February 2027 unless stated otherwise, some requiring reservations at least six hours ahead.

As November unfolds over the Indian Ocean, the spirit of Thailand’s Loy Krathong comes to life across the Maldives. Celebrated through the symbolic floating of decorated offerings on water, the centuries-old festival is a time for gratitude, reflection and new beginnings. This year, Centara Hotels & Resorts Maldives brings the occasion to its four island resorts, where Thai heritage meets the distinctive character of each destination through cultural celebrations, culinary experiences and island festivities on 24 and 25 November.

The celebrations begin with creativity and discovery at Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, where, on 24 and 25 November, guests are invited to explore the art of traditional krathong making, learning about the symbolism behind these delicate floating arrangements. From colourful workshops and festive games to beachside challenges, the programme brings families together through cultural discovery and friendly competition. As daylight gives way to evening, an outdoor cinema experience beneath the stars adds another dimension to the island celebrations.

For families seeking a more immersive cultural experience, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives sets the scene on 24 November with a festive parade, hands-on krathong-making workshops and a special floating ceremony along its signature lazy river. The sight of handmade krathongs drifting along the water offers a memorable interpretation of the festival’s most cherished tradition. Thai culture continues to take centre stage through an evening of traditional dance and a specially curated Thai buffet, while distinctive culinary offerings at Suan Bua bring the flavours and traditions of Thailand to the island. The celebrations continue on 25 November with further creative workshops and a family movie evening beneath the night sky.

Further south, the celebrations take on a more intimate character at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, on 24 and 25 November. Inspired by the artistry and culinary heritage of Thailand, the programme brings together lantern-making, an authentic Thai dining experience at Suan Bua and an opportunity to discover traditional cooking techniques alongside the resort’s master chef. Throughout both days, SPA Cenvaree adds a wellness dimension to the occasion, inviting guests to make time for personal renewal.

Meanwhile, on 25 November, the spirit of Loy Krathong finds an adults-only expression at Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives. The celebrations bring together traditional krathong craftsmanship, Thai culinary discovery and an evening of beachfront festivities. The Thai Kin Khao beachfront buffet at Azure Beach features authentic Thai specialities and live cooking stations, complemented by an evening programme of cultural performances and cherished Thai rituals. A Northern Thai candlelight dance, a Muay Thai cultural showcase and a traditional dance procession set the scene for the symbolic floating of krathongs, followed by a traditional Bai Sri Su Kwan blessing ceremony offering wishes for happiness, prosperity and good fortune.

Though each island brings its own character to the occasion, the meaning behind the celebrations remains shared. From the gentle movement of krathongs across the water to the flavours, artistry and rituals of Thai culture, Loy Krathong offers an opportunity to pause, reflect and welcome new beginnings. In the Maldives, these traditions find a distinctive island setting, bringing the spirit of Thailand to life across Centara Hotels & Resorts Maldives.

The glow of charcoal beside the beach; Mediterranean seafood against the blues of the Indian Ocean. From 13–23 January 2027, Atmosphere Core’s Fire: Smoke: Soul brings back Chef Pasquale Palamaro of Michelin-starred Indaco at Regina Isabella, Ischia, Italy to the Maldives. Across VARU by Atmosphere, OBLU SELECT Sangeli and OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, he joins the resident Executive Chefs in a meeting of Mediterranean technique and Maldivian ingredients.

“Food has a wonderful way of bringing people and cultures together. With Fire : Smoke : Soul, Chef Pasquale Palamaro and our Executive Chefs share their craft, ideas and personalities through the flavours, ingredients and traditions of the Maldives. Ultimately, we want our guests to leave with more than a great meal. We want them to remember the people they met, the stories they discovered and the moments they shared around the table,” says Anupam Banerjee, Vice President – Food & Beverage, Atmosphere Core.

Continuing the exchange established through Mediterranean Soul, Maldivian Heart in 2025, this series pairs Palamaro’s affinity with seafood and island produce with each restaurant’s distinct character. Cooking classes offer guests a closer encounter with the craft; Four Hands dinners bring the chefs together as equal culinary partners.

“Every destination has its own culinary identity, shaped by its ingredients and traditions. Returning to the Maldives gives me the opportunity to continue this exchange, explore new expressions of Mediterranean cooking and create alongside the talented resident chefs,” says Chef Pasquale Palamaro.

VARU by Atmosphere | Embers, Seafood and Shades of Blue

At VARU, the journey moves between the warmth of Charcoal’s beachside grill and the Mediterranean seafood sensibility of NÜ. Embers, aroma and the open evening air set the tone at Charcoal; at NÜ, the sea becomes the thread connecting two island kitchens. Named for the Dhivehi word for blue, NÜ finds a poetic counterpart in Indaco, whose name evokes the indigo of the sea at twilight.

Alongside Executive Chef Ajaya Kumar Sahoo, Palamaro will explore responsibly sourced seafood, Mediterranean technique and the interplay of fire and smoke. The programme opens with a GM Cocktail on 13 January, followed by dinner at Charcoal on 14 January, then a cooking class and Four Hands Dinner at NÜ on 15 January.

OBLU SELECT Sangeli | Fire Beside the Lagoon

At Sangeli’s Just Grill, lagoon-side dining gives the collaboration a convivial rhythm. Mediterranean craftsmanship meets the immediacy of the grill in a setting that pairs culinary precision with the ease of island life. Palamaro joins Executive Chef Ravindra for this chapter, beginning with a Cocktail with the General Manager on 17 January and dinner at Just Grill on 18 January. A cooking class and Four Hands Dinner, both at Just Grill, follow on 19 January.

OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO | Smoke, Sea and Island Hospitality

The final chapter unfolds at Helengeli’s Just Grill, where Mediterranean flavours meet an island setting defined by warmth and an unhurried sense of welcome. Working with Executive Chef Anirudh Deshpande, Palamaro brings the series to a close through fire, smoke and shared craft. A GM Cocktail on 21 January leads into dinner at Just Grill on 22 January, with a cooking class and the concluding Four Hands Dinner at Just Grill on 23 January.

The Details That Give Dining Its Depth

The series places equal emphasis on what reaches the plate and the thought behind it: responsibly sourced catch, traceable ingredients, hyperlocal produce where available and circular kitchen practices designed to reduce food waste. Seasonal vegetables receive the same creative attention as seafood and grills, while considered wine and alcohol-free pairings, personal interaction with the chefs and each resort’s live band add further texture to the evenings.

Beyond the guest experience, the exchange of techniques and perspectives is intended to endure within the kitchens, enriching the cooking long after the final dinner.

For travellers who seek a destination through its food, Fire: Smoke: Soul offers a different way to experience the Maldives: through the character of an ingredient, the glow of an ember and the conversation between two island traditions. Three settings, each with its own identity; a shared belief that the most memorable tables have a story to tell. This January, guests are invited to discover the stories, flavours and creativity behind Fire, Smoke, & Soul at Atmosphere Core resorts.