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What the dickens? Amilla Maldives’ fun-packed festive season

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Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences is renowned for its spectacular events and it’s newly-released Festive Season schedule suggests it will live up to its reputation this year too.

From the build-up to Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, right through to Orthodox Christmas, the Baa Atoll private island resort will be sizzling with live entertainment. 

Amilla will be welcoming back the Area 51 Performers, a troupe of highly-skilled entertainers, who will surprise and delight guests of all ages with performances and workshops from December 22 right through to January 7. 

It all kicks off with ‘What the Dickens! An Island Christmas Carol Cabaret’ on Christmas Eve.

Amilla’s youngest guests will participate in a show based upon the theme of ‘the Past, Present and Future of Sustainable Fashion’. This will be followed by a delicious Christmas Eve Gala Dinner with traditional fare.

The Maldivian group, Limestone Band, will set the soundtrack to the festivities with their signature upbeat rock and dance music. 

Christmas day will see a long lazy Christmas brunch followed by Santa arriving Island style to distribute gifts. 

The entertainment will continue as Amilla gears up for New Year’s Eve. A talent show on December 30 will give kids the chance to show off their skills, with help from the Area 51 Performers. 

This period would not be the same for Amilla’s Russian guests without a visit from Ded Moroz (‘Grandfather Frost’) who will arrive on New Year’s Eve with his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden, to distribute gifts to the children.

It will be a wonderful opportunity for children of all nationalities to learn about another culture.

The New Year’s Eve celebrations will be an island-wide extravaganza. Amilla is thrilled to announce it will be welcoming back DJ Scotts Mills, from BBC Radio One. He will be supported by Limestone Band on the main stage.

The ‘Out of the Blue’ themed party will whisk guests away to a Venetian underwater world with mythical creatures, opera, violins and much more. 

Then, Orthodox Christmas Eve will see a fresh twist on a traditional tale, ‘The Song of Babushka’.

Amilla’s Kids’ Club team will lead children through an active retelling of the fable, leading up to a Gala Dinner fit for a Tsar, with performances representing gold, frankincense and myrrh.  

Another headline act, Dima Bilan, of Eurovision fame, will be joining the party on Orthodox Christmas Eve (January 6).

After a performance from Limestone band, he will rock the main stage with his hit songs right into the night, accompanied by Amilla’s in-house performers.

Dima will perform a follow-up show on January 13 as well.

With so much action, Amilla will be the centre of festive fun this year and into 2022 and the resort’s Villas and Residences are filling up fast for this period.

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Marine encounters: spinner dolphins at Canareef Resort Maldives

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At Canareef Resort Maldives, one of the most popular experiences for guests is the dolphin tour. The abundant presence of dolphins in the surrounding waters ensures that each cruise offers a remarkable encounter with these marine creatures, creating lasting memories for visitors.

Every dolphin tour at Canareef provides an opportunity to observe pods of dolphins gliding and leaping across the waves. Guests often describe the sight of spinner dolphins darting through the clear ocean as a defining image of the Maldives’ natural marine beauty.

Morning cruises and sunset tours alike are guided by experienced staff, who share insights as dolphins appear in their natural environment. Many guests recount moments when dolphins swim alongside the boat, a spectacle that creates a unique sense of connection.

The activity is regarded as more than just an excursion; it is considered a celebration of nature and a highlight of a stay at Canareef. It allows guests to experience the Maldives in a way that underlines why dolphins are seen as ambassadors of the islands.

For travellers seeking encounters with dolphins amid turquoise waters, Canareef presents an ideal opportunity. The resort also offers seasonal promotions, including early booking discounts for the remainder of this summer, next winter, and summer 2026.

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Maldives beaches rated among world’s best for rest and rejuvenation

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Following a rise in searches for ‘calmcations’, long-haul travel specialists Travelbag have revealed the best destinations for a tranquil escape in 2025, with the Maldives named among the world’s most serene beachside getaways.

According to Travelbag, 72 per cent of British travellers go on holiday to relax and recharge, while 47 per cent seek experiences that help them feel more grounded and mindful. Searches for the term ‘calmcation’ – holidays focused on peace, quiet, and switching off – have doubled in the past three months, reflecting a growing shift away from busy itineraries towards more restorative travel.

To identify the most relaxing destinations, Travelbag analysed 36 global locations and ranked them against key serenity indicators, including noise and light pollution, cleanliness, the quality of green spaces, and local travel congestion.

Queenstown, New Zealand, secured first place as the world’s ultimate destination for tranquillity. Framed by the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu, the town recorded exceptionally high scores for cleanliness (91.7) and quality of green spaces (94.4), alongside low levels of travel congestion and minimal noise and light pollution.

The Seychelles followed in second position, celebrated for its unspoiled natural beauty and exceptionally low noise and light pollution score of 16.7. Its islands, including La Digue, Praslin and Silhouette, remain havens of peace and natural charm.

Cairns, Australia, rounded out the top three, combining tropical serenity with well-maintained green spaces and an impressive cleanliness score of 69.6.

Also ranking among the top global destinations is the Maldives, long regarded as one of the world’s premier escapes for those seeking peace and seclusion. With its iconic turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and private island resorts, the country continues to attract travellers in search of restorative experiences.

According to Travelbag’s analysis, the Maldives achieved an impressive average beach rating of 4.63, placing it alongside the world’s leading beachside destinations. Beaches such as Bikini Beach, Baros Beach, and Reethi Beach were highlighted as examples of the country’s serene appeal.

Danny Hugill, Destination Executive for the Maldives at Travelbag, commented: “The Maldives is one of our most cherished destinations – an idyllic collection of tiny islands that offer unmatched opportunities to unwind. Long celebrated as a top honeymoon destination, it remains the ultimate place to escape, slow down, and enjoy the tranquillity of nature.”

The findings underline the Maldives’ continued appeal in a market increasingly shaped by wellness, mindfulness, and relaxation. While destinations such as New Zealand and the Seychelles excel in specific indicators of serenity, the Maldives’ unique combination of luxurious seclusion, natural beauty, and consistently high-rated beaches ensures its position as a global ‘calmcation’ favourite for 2025.

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October at Soneva: culinary journeys, wellness retreats and world-class guests

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As the golden light softens the edges of the day and autumn arrives in the Maldives, Soneva’s resorts are inviting families to embrace a slower pace. Surrounded by settings where jungle meets shoreline and barefoot living is part of everyday life, October brings immersive experiences, diverse dining and guest appearances designed to create memorable moments.

Soneva is renowned for its sense of space – and this October, that space is offered as a place to connect, explore and dream. Guests are accommodated in expansive villas, whether set above the water or nestled within the forest, with each generation free to follow their own rhythm. Younger visitors are welcomed at The Den, where activities include chocolate-making, coral reef discovery and storytelling beneath the stars. Adults are offered opportunities such as sailing excursions, wine tastings by the beach and relaxed days defined by a tropical tempo.

The Soneva Stars programme in October features a notable guest line-up. Tennis player Andy Murray will lead sessions on the courts, Olympic swimmer Therese Alshammar will conduct family swimming classes, and British astronaut Tim Peake will introduce guests to stargazing alongside stories from his career in space. The atmosphere is intended to remain relaxed, with experiences that are both engaging and uncommon.

Culinary experiences remain central to the Soneva offering. October’s highlights include Michelin-starred chefs joining the Soneva Stars programme: Tim Siadatan of Trullo and Padella will appear at Soneva Fushi for the first time, while Chet Sharma of Bibi will prepare a Diwali dinner at both Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani. Dining venues range from Flying Sauces, a treetop experience reached by zipline, to So Hands On by Chef Akira, an intimate six-seat sushi counter crafted in sake-finished pine. At Soneva Secret, each villa includes a private chef, offering a personalised dining experience.

For guests seeking tranquillity, October also marks the return of the SOUL Festival at Soneva Fushi, taking place from 9 to 13 October. This retreat gathers global figures in wellness, movement and transformation, offering barefoot rituals, sunrise breathwork and reflective discussions.

October at Soneva is framed by golden hours and starlit nights, with experiences designed to be shared across generations.

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