On 15th January 2025, Fushifaru Maldives delighted dessert enthusiasts with ‘Sweet Escape,’ an exclusive dessert-tasting experience curated by renowned Italian celebrity chef Damiano Carrara. The event proved to be a resounding success, captivating guests with exquisite flavors and artistic excellence.

Damiano Carrara, widely recognised as a leading figure in the culinary world, impressed attendees with his expertise and charm. Known for his role as a judge on Bake Off Italia and co-host of Cake Star, he has earned a reputation for his dedication to pastry craftsmanship. In 2024, he further cemented his celebrity status by winning Pechino Express, a popular Italian reality adventure show, alongside his brother Massimiliano.

During the tasting, guests indulged in five handcrafted petit four desserts, each exemplifying Carrara’s renowned artistry and innovation. Every creation presented a story of elegance and finesse, offering a unique exploration of flavour and texture.

In addition to the event, Carrara took the opportunity to relax and enjoy the island with his family, describing his stay at Fushifaru as “really amazing” and expressing how much they enjoyed their time there.

The success of ‘Sweet Escape’ has further reinforced Fushifaru Maldives’ reputation as a premier destination for extraordinary dining experiences, leaving guests with unforgettable memories during their stay on this exquisite island.

Kandima Maldives invites you to celebrate love in all its beautiful forms this February 2025, set against a backdrop of azure waters and swaying palm trees. Step beyond the ordinary and immerse yourself in a world of exciting adventures and delightful surprises with the Kandima’s “An Island of Endless Firsts” Valentine’s Day programme. Whether it’s romantic love, cherished friendships, or self-love, discover endless ways to connect, explore, and craft unforgettable memories in this refreshingly playful paradise.

Rev up the romance and fuel your love story at Fast Track, Kandima’s thrilling new entertainment attraction. Experience love in the fast lane as you and your partner race head-to-head on the ocean-front karting track in an unforgettable challenge. The exclusive Valentine’s Combo treats you to 30 minutes of high-speed excitement, topped off with a playful photo session to capture your shared joy and laughter. For couples with a competitive streak, the Couple Karting Mini Grand Prix on Valentine’s Day is your chance to win a complimentary 10-minute karting session. Get ready to race, laugh, and fall in love all over again!

For couples craving a secluded, Kandima’s own Lover’s Island Castaway Retreat, where you and your partner can enjoy a secluded private island with a sun-drenched beach all to yourselves. Indulge in a chilled bottle of bubbly and a fresh fruit basket as you soak in the romance of this idyllic hideaway. For those seeking adventure, Kandima offers captivating marine explorations, including a sunset cruise. Choose between a lively group experience or the intimacy of a private yacht, complete with a curated selection of delicious drinks and canapés. As the sun dips below the horizon, keep an eye out for the magical encounters with turtles, dolphins, and other fascinating marine life.

Take your love to new heights with Kandima’s Romantic Fly-Away aerial experience at Aquaholics. Soar together on a mesmerising parasailing adventure during the golden sunset hour, from 5:15 PM to 6:15 PM. As you ascend, marvel at the Maldives’ stunning lagoons below, bathed in vibrant hues as the sun dips into the horizon.

As night falls, cosy up for a Movie Under the Stars, complete with a chilled bottle of bubbly and cupid-mix popcorn. For couples not ready to call it a night, Forbidden Bar Beach’s DJ-spun Afterparty will keep the sparks flying till midnight. Don’t forget to join the Valentine’s 3D Hand Casting workshop before you leave. Craft a unique ornament of you and your partner’s intertwined hands, an adorable keepsake for your unforgettable Kandima experience to take home.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Picture-Perfect Picnic by Aroma Lake, where a camera-ready hamper awaits. Filled with Prosecco, savoury snacks, and delightful goodies. Sip on thematic Cupid’s Cocktails throughout the day at Breeze Bar &

Beach Club or, surprise your partner with a heart-shaped Red Velvet cake and speciality coffee at Aroma and Deli, a limited-time item on the menu.

As the evening unfolds, indulge in a fiery Valentine’s BBQ at Zest Beach, where romance meets culinary delight. Savour a delectable set menu under a starlit sky, beginning with fresh oysters and a pre-dinner cocktail, complemented by a bottle of Prosecco with a gourmet dining experience, all with spectacular sea views as the perfect backdrop.

End your day with ultimate pampering at EsKape Spa’s Romantic Retreat, a luxurious 120-minute journey designed for couples. Begin with a soothing signature foot ritual, followed by a full-body massage and rejuvenating Indian head massage that dissolves deep tension and stress. Immerse yourself in a fresh coconut body polish and tropical flower bath, complete with sparkling wine for the perfect toast to love and future adventures. Surprise your loved one with an immersive in-room romantic set up complete with a personalised message. With just 48 hours’ notice, Kandima’s Krew can transform your bed with a blanket of rose petals, or completely transform your villa into a lover’s haven with bespoke top-to-toe villa décor.

At Kandima, love isn’t limited to February. With the LuvPerk offering, celebrate Birthdays, anniversaries, or romantic getaways of three and seven nights up. Delight your loved one with special touches like a sumptuous floating breakfast served on your private deck or a magical candlelit dinner on the beach. Whether it’s February or any time of the year, Kandima is where love gets playful, adventurous, and endlessly exciting. Come for the thrills, stay for the feels!

Have a look at the detailed Valentines programme here: An Island of endless firsts.

Lead-in rates for a stay at Kandima in February 2025 start from $300/night++ for a Studio and from $515/night++ for a Beach Villa, book direct online for extra savings and discounts on water sports, excursions, spa and many tailored options as per your travel needs.

Atmosphere Core, a leading figure in the hospitality industry, has announced a unique collaboration with award-winning Italian lifestyle winery Bottega SpA. A 4th generation family estate which first started producing grappa in the 17th century, Bottega presents an enviable portfolio of wines and liqueurs, made world-famous by its iconic GOLD Prosecco DOC.

Driven by shared core values of quality, authenticity, distinctive design, and all-encompassing service styles, this innovative partnership is set to inspire a new wave of wine hospitality in the Maldives. On top of direct product shipments from the Bottega estates for the supply of wines solely to its 9 private-island resorts, Atmosphere Core will also introduce South Asia’s first Bottega Prosecco Bar, a concept created by Sandro Bottega himself to enhance and share Italy’s great wine, genuine food and convivial lifestyle, offering travellers from around the globe a taste of true Italian sparkling life in highly fashionable environments.

Testimony to the quality and popularity of Bottega labels, the family’s estates have won more than 450 awards and accolades with their products now available in over 160 countries worldwide. In 2022, IWRS reported Bottega’s GOLD Prosecco DOC as the top-selling sparkling wine in the Duty-Free channel world-wide.

Commenting on the new collaboration with Bottega, Atmosphere Core Group Managing Director, Salil Panigrahi, stated, “We are committed to providing the best possible guest experiences, and meticulously curate the culinary journeys within our resorts to offer the highest quality of authentic food and beverage concepts, so our guests can return home with life-long memories. We can only achieve this by collaborating with the most dynamic wine producers in the world, and our announcement to partner with Bottega SpA in 2025 is a landmark moment for our company. I wish to personally thank Mr Sandro Bottega for granting Atmosphere Core this opportunity which goes beyond the presence of his labels in our resorts, but also provides us with an exciting platform to explore new immersive lifestyle hospitality concepts”.

With the intent set firmly on growing wine culture, Atmosphere Core regularly hosts partner winemakers and winery owners at its Maldives resorts to lead exclusive and immersive masterclasses for guests, while reciprocating this exchange with wine partners sponsoring resort colleagues to travel and visit their vineyards across the world.

Sandro Bottega, President and CEO of Bottega SpA, comments, “I’m proud to start a partnership with such a prestigious hospitality group as Atmosphere Core. Our main aim is to bring the Italian oenological culture to South Asia. Maldives is a luxury destination, that embraces the same values of quality and elegance of our flagship product: Bottega GOLD Prosecco DOC. Furthermore, we hope to also introduce our Bottega 0 Rosé and White, both without alcohol, they offer the same consumption rituality of the sparkling wines, respecting teetotallers and all those who, for any reason, choose to be cautious in their consumption of alcohol. I’m also excited of the opportunity to open a branded Bottega Prosecco Bar, that will represent an ambassador for Italian cuisine in the islands”.

Wine enthusiasts, global travellers, and valued partners can look forward to a year-round calendar of enriching and immersive wine-focused experiences that embody Atmosphere Core’s commitment to exceptional hospitality and authentic storytelling, fostering genuine connections between guests and partner wineries from 1er Cru Champagne, Stellenbosch, Galicia, the Canary Islands and now Italy.