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Magical festive season awaits at Vakkaru Maldives

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With the holiday season approaching, Vakkaru Maldives has announced an exciting array of events, exquisite dining experiences and holiday-themed activities for guests to enjoy when visiting the resort this festive season. Located in the heart of Baa Atoll on a secluded reef island with idyllic ocean views, powder-soft white sand and unique marine biodiversity, the resort is an ideal destination for a holiday in the sun.

From 23 December 2023, through 7 January 2024, Vakkaru Maldives will host a series of programming available to guests of all ages, with activities carefully designed to make the most of the festive season including fun-filled games, galas and live entertainment.

ISLAND NOEL: A Seaside Christmas Eve Celebration

This Christmas Eve, guests of Vakkaru Maldives can relish in a magical evening on the shoreline before Santa’s big arrival. The celebration starts with an island-style cocktail party on Isoletta beach followed by a lavish gala dinner surrounded by the waves on Vakku Beach, with heartwarming carols and live entertainment by a saxophonist duo, a four-piece band, fire dancer, DJ and more.

SANTA’S ARRIVAL: Christmas at Vakkaru

On 25 December, Santa will make a stylish arrival in paradise, bearing gifts for all the little islanders. Guests will meet Santa and the elves in the morning on Isoletta Beach, followed by exciting games, prizes and giveaways under the tropical sun. Later in the day, all tennis enthusiasts are invited to compete to become Vakkaru’s tennis star of the year in the Christmas Tennis Tournament hosted by the resort’s Resident Tennis Coach.

THE GOLDENEYE GALA: A Bond-style New Year’s Eve Soiree

The resort will welcome 2024 with a James Bond-inspired celebration, The Goldeneye Gala, that promises to bring the timeless allure of 007 and its undeniable glamour. The celebration starts with a cocktail party at Isoletta Beach, followed by a Gala Dinner at Vakku Beach, and a midnight

“Skyfall” of fireworks. The glamorous soiree will feature gourmet delicacies from around the world, an electrifying live band, and mesmerizing moves from fire and LED dancer, DJ and more.

ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS EVE: Gala Dinner

On the evening of 6 January 2024, guests can experience an enchanting Orthodox Christmas Eve at Vakkaru Maldives with a sumptuous buffet spread and live stations, set against the backdrop of a magical beachfront. Throughout the night, guests can enjoy live entertainment by resident performers.

Other holiday-themed offerings available to hotel guests include wreath making, coconut painting, wooden snowman crafting, Christmas card painting, and Santa sand art. Throughout the festive period, travelers will also have the opportunity to engage in various activities including wellness workshops, evening yoga, eco-friendly arts and crafts, treasure hunts, family-style beach Olympics, padel tennis tournament and more.

Beyond the holiday festivities, the resort also provides engaging experiences suitable for all age groups, including daily programs at Parrotfish Club and Coconut Club for young guests, tailored spa journeys at Merana Spa, invigorating sports at two flood-lit tennis courts and a padel tennis court, as well as exhilarating immersive excursions and watersports by Splash. For those seeking world-class wine experiences, the resort is home to one of the few hand-picked wine cellars in the Maldives, Vakkaru Reserve. The cellar features a collection worth US$700,000 extending to 680 labels from the Old and New World.

For further information on the line-up of holiday activities and events or Vakkaru Maldives, check the e-brochure or visit www.vakkarumaldives.com.

Love

COMO Cocoa Island, COMO Maalifushi unveil Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day celebrations

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This February, COMO Cocoa Island and COMO Maalifushi invite guests to experience two of the most cherished occasions of the year—the Lunar New Year, marking the Year of the Horse, and Valentine’s Day—in the unparalleled beauty of the Maldives. Each island resort presents bespoke celebrations that blend cultural richness, heartfelt romance, and signature COMO hospitality.

“We are delighted to welcome guests to celebrate renewal, connection and love across our two islands this season. Whether it’s the bold beginnings of the Lunar New Year or the intimate joy of Valentine’s Day, our experiences combine deeper cultural meaning with the serenity and natural beauty of the Maldives,” said Peter Nilsson, Managing Director, COMO Maldives. “From lantern-lit dinners by the sea to bespoke romantic moments under the stars, each celebration has been thoughtfully curated to inspire lasting memories.”

Lunar New Year: A Fresh Start by the Sea

At COMO Cocoa Island, the Lunar New Year programme embraces the spirit of bold renewal with experiences designed to reconnect body, mind and nature. Guests can explore pristine coral reefs, swim with reef sharks, rejuvenate with holistic treatments from visiting practitioner Kimiko Briody, and gather for a festive Oriental-style dinner that honours tradition and togetherness.

Meanwhile, COMO Maalifushi invites families and friends to celebrate amidst open skies and sea breezes. The highlight is a lantern-lit reunion feast by the ocean, where guests come together to savour seasonal flavours and shared joy. Throughout the day, world-class diving, snorkelling and curated cultural activities make for a meaningful start to the Year of the Fire Horse.

Both resorts offer Lunar New Year experiences crafted to reflect rich tradition, mindful wellness, and unforgettable island living.

Valentine’s Day: Romance, Curated the COMO Way

Love takes centre stage as COMO Cocoa Island and COMO Maalifushi present exceptional Valentine’s Day dining and romantic moments against the backdrop of Indian Ocean splendour.

At COMO Cocoa Island, couples can enjoy:

  • A complimentary wine tasting on Valentine’s Eve.
  • Signature Champagne cocktails under the setting sun.
  • A seven-course beachside dinner designed to celebrate love.
  • Bespoke experiences such as Private Yakiniku BBQs, served in-villa or beneath starlit skies. Available throughout the romantic season.

Meanwhile, at COMO Maalifushi, lovers are invited to a thoughtfully curated four-course Valentine’s Day menu crafted to elevate every moment. Complementing the dinner, a Valentine’s Package features sundowner Champagne, bespoke romantic touches, and personalised service for an unforgettable evening on February 14th, 2026.

Whether dining beside glistening waters, on a secluded sandbank, or within the intimacy of overwater villas, every experience is tailored to celebrate love’s lasting joy.

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Culture

Kuda Villingili presents family-focused Eid al-Fitr experience in Maldives

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Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has announced a three-day Eid al-Fitr 1447 AH programme, inviting guests to celebrate the occasion from 19 to 21 March 2026 in a tranquil island setting that brings together family, reflection, and shared moments.

Following the holy month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr at the resort is designed as a gentle transition into celebration, offering guests the freedom to mark the festival at their own pace. The programme brings together families, couples, and friends through curated dining experiences, relaxed island gatherings, and moments of quiet connection by the Indian Ocean.

Culinary experiences form the centre of the Eid programme. Celebrations begin with the Kuda Eid Feast Buffet Dinner at The Restaurant, featuring Middle Eastern and Maldivian dishes served under the stars, accompanied by soft island music. Guests can also gather at Spice for the Kuda Eid Lunch Feast, a five-course Middle Eastern fusion menu by the Qureshi brothers, inspired by traditional flavours and designed for sharing in the spirit of Eid. Evenings continue at The Bar with an Arabic Shisha Night, combining live DJ music with a relaxed social atmosphere.

Eid mornings at the resort offer a calmer start to the day, with a Signature Floating Breakfast served in the privacy of each villa pool. Guests can also enjoy Eid Signature Mocktails, created with floral and spice notes that reflect the season’s sense of gratitude and renewal. An interactive Art of Shisha Making experience is also available, encouraging conversation and shared storytelling.

The Eid programme has been curated to include guests of all ages. Younger visitors are welcomed at Kuda Fiyo, where Eid-themed creative workshops, treasure trails, storytelling sessions, games, and movement activities are organised to create memorable experiences while reflecting the cultural significance of the occasion.

For families and adventure-seekers, the resort also offers Eid al-Fitr Ocean Adventures. A personalised Big Game Fishing experience provides an opportunity to spend time together on the open sea, combining quiet reflection with exploration of the surrounding waters.

With its expansive island layout, eight dining destinations, and the Maldives’ largest swimming pool, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives presents an Eid al-Fitr celebration that blends tradition with contemporary island living, offering space, privacy, and a relaxed setting for guests seeking a meaningful Eid experience in the Maldives.

The full Eid al-Fitr 2026 programme can be viewed here. More information about the resort is available from the resort’s website.

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Cooking

Michelin-starred Chef Jaume collaborates with One&Only Reethi Rah’s TAPASAKE for four-hands dinner

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TAPASAKE Maldives, the destination dining restaurant set in the private island of One&Only Reethi Rah, will be welcoming Michelin-starred Chef Jaume to serve an exclusive four-hands dinner at the iconic overwater restaurant alongside their resident Chef Ahmed Jameel.

The first of its kind since the inception of One&Only Reethi Rah, TAPASAKE Maldives features breathtaking ocean views, bold contemporary design, and dining experiences that unite the precision of Japan and the soul of the Mediterranean in a flowing exchange of flavour, texture, and culture. In addition to the original restaurant in the Maldives, TAPASAKE also operates in Dubai, Mauritius, and Montenegro.

The exclusive collaboration features the authentic and sophisticated artistry of Chef Jaume, originally from Mallorca and Head Chef of Béns d’Avall in Sóller, Spain, awarded one Michelin star since 2021 and a Michelin Green Star in 2023. Chef Jaume’s cuisine is deeply rooted in family tradition, cultural heritage, and the Mallorcan landscapes, and with his meticulous eye for detail and instinctive sense of harmony, Chef Jaume transforms local, seasonal produce into refined compositions that evoke memory, place, and authenticity. Chef Jaume will be collaborating with the restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine, Ahmed Jameel, a native of the Maldives whose culinary work is founded in balancing both traditional and contemporary Japanese techniques.

Set against the soothing backdrop of the azure Indian Ocean, the Four-Hands Dinner offers an exceptionally curated menu celebrating Chef Jaume and Chef Jameel’s quiet artistry, refined technique, and harmonious blend of Japanese and Mediterranean cuisines, with each dish shaped to honour the purity of ingredients and the emotional power of flavour.

“We are excited to collaborate with Chef Jaume on this exclusive dining experience,” says Jan B. Tibaldi, General Manager of One&Only Reethi Rah. “Paired with Chef Jameel’s refined techniques and Chef Jaume’s sophisticated creativity and philosophy grounded in a deep respect for nature, this Four-Hands Dinner offers an exceptional evening to celebrate the fusion of soulful cuisine against the spectacular backdrop of the Maldives.”

The dinner will be held exclusively on 18 February at TAPASAKE Maldives, which will be open from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.

For pre-bookings and more information, please email guest.information@oneandonlyreethirah.com or call +960 664 8800. For more information about the resort, please visit oneandonlyreethirah.com

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