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Taste of paradise awaits with new plant-based menu at vegan-friendly Nova Maldives

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The bright new star resort Nova presents a tempting new menu of delicious plant-based dishes for guests who are determined to be healthier and happier in 2023. We’re all now familiar with the many benefits of a plant-based diet, both for our bodies and our planet. Many thousands of us, including celebrities over the world have gone vegan to feel healthier and do better for the environment.

That’s not so difficult to do at home, but what happens when you’re on holiday? Now, the good news is you can give up meat but still enjoy flavoursome dishes that make the most of local produce when you travel abroad – you just have to head for the Maldives.

The Maldives has always been veggie-friendly, bursting with aromatic flavours, exotic spices and fresh, plant-based ingredients. Today, it’s an absolute paradise for vegetarians and vegans, especially thanks to chefs such as Sanjeet Gopee, Nova’s Executive Chef, who has just created a new plant-based menu of mouth-watering dishes, which are also lactose-free and gluten-free, at the island resort’s Flames restaurant.

“We at Nova embrace and celebrate authentic Maldivian cuisine, which offers a myriad of plant-based options,” says Sanjeet whose new menu is both imaginative and tempting.

How about Pumpkin Salad to start with, featuring grated coconut, Maldivian spinach, lime dressing and pumpkin seeds, followed by Kofta Quinoa, a quinoa dumpling with Maldivian spiced rich tomato sauce served with saffron rice? To finish, guests can choose a Coconut Tasting Platter of young coconut mousse, coconut candy and coconut truffle…

The menu includes an array of mouth-watering flavours starting from appetizers with a selection of Mezze – Hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh and roasted beetroot carpaccio, a grilled shimeji mushroom, celery root and granny smith salad, a citrus and garden greens featuring green papaya, shaved coconut, grilled asparagus, fresh avocado, grapefruit pulp, mango-chilli dressing and pomegranate. Soup lovers can enjoy the roasted Pumpkin soup – flavoured with nutmeg, pandan oil, and crispy pumpkin seeds. Guests will tantalise their tastebuds with the main course featuring a plant-based burger patty in an activated charcoal gluten-free bun or a quinoa and breadfruit galette. The menu also features a braised king trumpet, with sous-vide cooked mushrooms, breadfruit rosti, grilled asparagus and confit cherry tomato. All the dessert lovers will be delighted by the flavour of the pineapple carpaccio with saffron, coconut sorbet and mint glaze or the pandan semifreddo with vegan chantilly cream and dark chocolate shortbread.

No wonder this is one of the best travel destinations for plant-based food in 2023.

“A plant-based diet is important for various reasons, including its potential to combat climate change, as switching to a plant-based diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce an individual’s carbon footprint and improve health outcomes,” says Sanjeet.

Studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and other plant-based foods can also help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and certain cancers. Plant-based foods are rich in fibre, which helps promote healthy digestion, prevent constipation and aid weight management.

A well-planned, plant-based diet can provide all the nutrients you need, including protein, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. And it tastes good!

“It also promotes animal welfare as adopting a plant-based diet is one way to reduce the demand for animal products and promote more humane and sustainable farming practices,” says Sanjeet. “With a growing global population, there is a need to find ways to increase food security and produce that is both sustainable and nutritious. Plant-based diets can help meet these goals, as they require less land, water and other resources to produce compared to animal-based diets.”

Nova, the bright new star resort in the Maldives ensures to take you to an exquisite culinary vegan journey. Discover more about the full new plant-based menu via: https://nova-maldives.com/dining/flames. Book your good soul days and get in touch with us at: hello@nova-maldives.com

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Bavarian traditions meet island living at Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s Oktoberfest

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Sun Siyam Olhuveli has announced that it will host its own take on Oktoberfest from 1 to 5 October 2025, bringing one of the world’s most recognised celebrations to a tropical island setting. The resort will combine Bavarian traditions with Maldivian hospitality, offering guests a week-long programme of music, food, and festivities.

A highlight of the event will be a performance by international DJ twins Kristina and Anna Grushina. With a strong global following of more than two million on social media and chart-topping success on Spotify, the sisters are renowned for their high-energy sets that transform any stage into a vibrant dance floor. Their performance on the resort’s beachfront is expected to be a key feature of this year’s festival.

Alongside live music, the festival will present German brews and themed culinary experiences inspired by Oktoberfest. Guests will be able to enjoy Bavarian-style dishes alongside a selection of hops and lagers served beachside. To add to the atmosphere, family-friendly activities and games will be organised throughout the resort, creating a spirit of connection and celebration in an island environment.

“We are excited to bring together international music talent, authentic gastronomy, and our island’s natural beauty in this celebration,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli. “Every year, Oktoberfest and many other celebrations at Sun Siyam Olhuveli continue to highlight culture, community, and entertainment in a way that is unique to our resort and to the Maldives.”

The five-day festival will not only celebrate Oktoberfest but also demonstrate Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s ability to host immersive experiences that blend international entertainment with the relaxed lifestyle of the Maldives. Guests staying at the resort during this period will experience a beachfront festival of music, cuisine, and festivities designed to leave a lasting impression.

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W Maldives to host ‘The Joy Rituals’ wellness programme in September 2025

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W Maldives will introduce The Joy Rituals, a two-week wellbeing programme in collaboration with Happy Hormones Yoga founders Rajendra Kumar and Katrin Berger. Scheduled from 15 to 27 September 2025, the initiative will feature yoga, meditation, laughter, and sound healing sessions designed to encourage guests to reconnect with their inner energy while experiencing the natural surroundings of the Maldives.

The programme includes sunrise and sunset yoga, breathwork and meditation, laughter yoga, immersive sound healing, and lectures on health and happiness. Aqua Yoga in the lagoon and evening meditations under the stars will provide distinctive experiences. The schedule coincides with World Wellness Weekend, held from 19 to 21 September 2025, aligning the resort’s programme with global wellbeing initiatives.

Rajendra Kumar, a two-time world record holder and gold medallist in yoga, is recognised for his focus on laughter and presence in practice. His record for continuous laughter lasting three hours and 47 minutes reflects his approach to joy as a form of self-discovery. Katrin Berger, a certified yoga teacher, sound healer, and molecular biologist, integrates science and spiritual practice in her sessions, combining sound healing with yoga to encourage balance and connection.

Commenting on the collaboration, Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives, said, “At W Maldives, we are constantly looking for bold and inspiring ways to elevate the guest experience. The Joy Rituals with Happy Hormones Yoga brings a fresh dimension to wellness, blending the playful spirit of W with transformative practices. It is a chance for our guests to find balance, energy, and joy in one of the world’s most breathtaking settings.”

Rajendra Kumar added, “Yoga is not only about physical postures, it is about living fully, freely, and with a smile. Through The Joy Rituals, we want to remind people that laughter and joy are powerful tools for healing and awakening. Bringing this philosophy to W Maldives feels like the perfect match of spirit and setting.”

Katrin Berger also shared, “Our work is about creating harmony in both body and mind. With sound healing and yoga, guests can release tension, restore balance, and feel more present in their lives. At W Maldives, surrounded by nature and beauty, this experience becomes even more profound. We are thrilled to share The Joy Rituals with guests from around the world.”

Guests may book the Stay, Dine, and Fly package, which includes daily breakfast, a three-course dinner, and roundtrip seaplane transfers. The programme offers visitors an opportunity to engage in two weeks of movement, laughter, and wellness in a Maldivian island setting.yog

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Excursions

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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