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Celebrate castaway Christmas, New Year at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

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Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, the pioneer of sustainable, barefoot luxury in the Maldives, has unwrapped its Christmas & New Year 2024/25 line up. From a shark snorkel to crafting gingerbread water villas, a series of festive feasts with a twist, this island paradise is the ultimate location in which to spend the most wonderful time of the year.

The festive fun will centre around the theme ‘Tree of Life’, drawing inspiration from the timeless symbol: celebrating nature’s rhythms, the fresh energy of new beginnings and the strength of deep roots, growth and connection. Kicking off on the 22nd December 2024 all the way through to the 7th January 2025, the yuletide offerings include the below activities. 

Whether islanders prefer to get crafty or ground themselves with yoga, meditation and a hypnotherapy workshop, there’s seasonal serenity in store for everyone at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives. Guests can sign up for a gingerbread house making class, create wooden Christmas decorations using recycled wood and get into the festive mood with a special tree-lighting ceremony on the beach to the sound of the Gili Christmas Choir.

For those in favour of active pursuits, a tennis match or surf lesson with Santa Claus, a beach volleyball tournament, shark snorkel, and a dolphin cruise are all on offer. Little ones will revel in the opportunity to watch Christmas movies with their toes in the sand at Gili’s cinema under the stars, enjoy coconut shell dreamcatcher making, and receive gifts delivered to their villa courtesy of Santa on a speedboat!

Guests will have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in educational experiences and excursions that honour and celebrate the incredible natural wonders of the world.

Join the island’s marine biologists in crafting the Gili Coral Tree, head on a Gili Water Plant Tour, where guests can explore how the island turns ocean water into clean drinking water or opt for the Tree Expedition and Tree Grafting workshop where nature lovers will discover the fascinating technique of grafting (creating new trees by combining different parts from different plants). Little ones will love playful activities such as branch decoration class and gardening with the island’s head organic gardener.

Sustainability and conservation are at the heart of Gili Lankanfushi’s vision, with an emphasis on preserving the natural environment, protecting the fragile marine ecosystem and leaving only footprints behind. Thanks to the island’s Coral Lines project, guests can now get involved in the island’s sustainability initiatives during their stay.

An array of very special ‘bucket list on the beach’ gastronomic experiences will be on offer to guests. Foodies will be spoilt for choice with culinary offerings ranging from an Indian Tandoor feast and a Brazilian barbeque served churrascaria-style to a Mediterranean spice souk bazaar and a “Roots” wine dinner, where the chef and sommelier will curate a paired dinner inspired by a tree’s life-giving and anchoring root.

Gili Lankanfushi enjoys an unspoilt island location in the Maldives’ North Malé Atoll, just 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé Airport. Perfectly suited for couples, families, solo travellers and groups alike, the resort combines rustic eco-design, unparalleled service and stunning natural scenery with a laid-back-luxury, ‘no news, no shoes’ philosophy.

Nightly rates at Gili Lankanfushi start from £1,070/$1,440, based on two adults sharing a Villa with breakfast included. For more information or to book please visit www.gili-lankanfushi.com.

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Amilla Maldives unveils first dedicated pottery and ceramics studio on the island

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Amilla Maldives has announced a groundbreaking partnership with The Clay Studio Maldives, introducing the island’s very first dedicated pottery and ceramic production space. This innovative studio will invite guests to embark on a grounding, tactile journey, deeply rooted in local artistry and mindfulness.

Set to provide an unhurried sensory experience, the upcoming studio aligns seamlessly with Amilla’s signature gentle rhythms and commitment to holistic well-being. Designed as a meditative retreat, this space will encourage guests to slow down, connect with the earth, and tap into the creative flow of working with clay.

Through this collaboration, the resort will further enrich its vibrant tapestry of cultural and artistic programming. The studio will offer a welcoming haven for all generations, featuring thoughtfully crafted workshops in wheel throwing, hand building, and pottery painting. Guided by skilled artisans, adults, couples, and inquisitive young minds from the Sultan’s Village kids club will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the quiet satisfaction of creation.

Each session will empower guests to transform raw clay into personal narratives, crafting authentic, locally fired keepsakes. These unique creations will serve as meaningful mementos of their time on the island, tangible souvenirs that are truly “Made in Maldives.”

This partnership with The Clay Studio Maldives beautifully reflects our commitment to celebrating local creativity. By bringing this contemporary ceramic tradition to our shores, we look forward to honoring homegrown talent and offering our guests an intimate, immersive way to engage with Maldivian creative culture.

The forthcoming clay studio will add a tactile dimension to Amilla’s carefully curated blend of wellness, nature-led experiences, and the serene ease of island life.

For more information about Amilla Maldives, please visit www.amilla.com.

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InterContinental Maldives invites guests to reconnect through yoga and mindfulness

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With International Yoga Day fast approaching, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites guests to reconnect the mind, body and spirit through a curated programme of new wellness focused experiences at its award-winning AVI Spa. Celebrating the global day of mindfulness and movement, the resort will introduce a series of restorative spa activities designed to inspire balance and relaxation, and allowing guests to find their inner calm amidst the serenity of the Indian Ocean.

Guests can begin their days with Aqua Yoga at The Retreat, available from 6am–11am. This gentle, water-based yoga practice combines mindful movement with the soothing support of water, helping to improve flexibility and enhance balance. Guests are encouraged to welcome deep relaxation in the tranquil overwater setting. As evening falls, the 60-minute Floating Sound Therapy session begins at AVI Spa, running from 6pm–8pm. Floating effortlessly on water, participants are immersed in a deeply calming sensory journey as the soothing vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls and delicate chimes create a calming atmosphere of relaxation and renewal.

Wellness and mindfulness are at the heart of the InterContinental Maldives experience. Inspired by the turquoise waters that surround the island, the overwater AVI Spa serves as a sanctuary for restoration and rejuvenation. The award-winning spa features six tranquil overwater treatment villas, each designed to harness natural light, ocean sounds and the calming rhythm of the sea. From holistic therapies to immersive wellness rituals, expert therapists guide guests through transformative experiences that nurture both physical wellbeing and emotional balance, making InterContinental Maldives an idyllic destination for wellness-focused escapes.

AVI Spa is hosting a full-day wellness experience dedicated to mindful movement and wellness. The day will begin at sunrise with an energising yoga session designed to awaken the body and mind. Guests will then enjoy a nourishing breakfast to support their wellness journey. Throughout the day, guests can firstly immerse themselves in Floating Yoga, balancing across calm waters. Guests will have the opportunity to explore their strength, balance, and flexibility through Aerial Yoga, using suspension techniques to deepen movement and core engagement. As the day unfolds, guests will reconnect through guided breathwork, and meditation practices focused on clarity and mindfulness. The day will conclude with a restorative Yoga Flow and Sound Healing session, offering the perfect opportunity to unwind and end the day in a state of balance and renewal.

Aqua Yoga (45 minutes) from $85++ per person, Floating Yoga (45 minutes) from $85++ per person, Floating Sound Therapy (60 minutes) from $170++ per person and Aerial Yoga (60 minutes) from $50 ++ per person. Breathwork & Meditation (60 minutes) from $45++ per person.

Overwater Pool Villa starting from $1,290++ per night with a variety of inclusions.

For more information, please visit www.maldives.intercontinental.com or email reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.

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Kandolhu Maldives unveils exclusive dining collaboration with Chef Benjamin Peifer

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This December, Kandolhu Maldives is set to host an extraordinary gastronomic event in collaboration with celebrated German Chef Benjamin Peifer. Recently named Chef of the Year 2025 by Gault & Millau, Peifer brings his highly distinctive culinary vision to the Maldives. His signature approach masterfully blends traditional Japanese techniques with carefully selected regional ingredients, with all dishes prepared over an open fire to create intense aromas and complex flavour profiles.

Benjamin Peifer’s journey from a baker’s apprentice to a two-star Michelin chef has forged a unique path in the world of high-end gastronomy. At his restaurant, Intense in Wachenheim, he creates an original fusion where traditional Palatinate pub fare meets Japanese haute cuisine. His goal is to deconstruct regional tastes into their core components and reimagine them, resulting in dishes that are both comforting and excitingly new.

Peifer’s culinary style is deeply connected to his personal history. After an unfulfilling start as a baker, he found his calling in the restaurant industry, drawn to its creativity and immediate feedback. He honed his skills at establishments like Zum Schwanen and Ketschauer Hof before opening Intense in 2017 with his wife, Bettina, who serves as the restaurant’s maître d’ and sommelier. He is known for reinterpreting everyday ingredients with exceptional technique and imagination, aiming to showcase the potential of what is readily available.

The collaboration features two distinct evenings of epicurean excellence, both beginning with a personal Meet & Greet. The first event on Saturday, 26 December, presents a bespoke four-course dinner, while the second evening on Tuesday, 29 December, offers an elevated five-course Wine & Dine experience. In keeping with Chef Peifer’s “no menu, trust the chef” philosophy, guests are invited to embrace a spontaneous and immersive culinary journey.

Discerning travellers and epicureans are encouraged to secure their reservations early to partake in this perfect blend of Maldives luxury and Michelin-starred artistry.

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