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Unwrap enchantment of Maldives this festive season with unbeatable stay at Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives

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The festive season is just around the corner, and there has never been a better time to dive into the adventure at the newly opened Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives. To ensure your festive getaway is nothing short of legendary, this breathtaking underwater-themed paradise will present an action-packed lineup of activities to keep the whole family feeling jolly. Promising a series of unmissable adventures like engaging crafts and scavenger hunts for young guests and elegant sunset cocktails for adults, all set against the glistening sea views, now is the perfect opportunity to book your dream holiday getaway.

December 22nd

Kick off the festivities in style at the Kids’ Club from 11am where young guests will have the chance to make their very own holiday ornaments, the perfect souvenir to remind you of your family getaway. Alternatively, venture to the Sailhouse for an afternoon of crafting delicious gingerbread houses, followed by a magnificent tree decorating and lighting ceremony at Mirage Bridge to finish the day on an extra merry note.

  • Holiday Ornament Making: 11am to 12pm at Kids’ Club
  • Festive Gingerbread House Making: 3pm to 4pm at Sailhouse’
  • Festive Tree Decorating & Tree Lighting Ceremony: 30pm to 7.30pm at Mirage Bridge

December 23rd

Promising a splash of adventure from dawn till dusk, kick off the day with the Beach & Sand ‘Snowman’ Challenge and sculpt your own sandy masterpiece. Stick around as the whole family dives into the fun with the Pirates of the Sea treasure hunt, where mysteries of the Mirage await to be uncovered. Finally, join the fun with Uncle Octopus’ Lazy River Race, bringing the island community together for waves of laughter and celebration.

  • Beach & Sand ‘Snowman’ Challenge: 10am to 11pm at the Beach
  • Family Fun Day/Pirates of the Sea: 3pm to 4pm at the Beach
  • Uncle Octopus’ Lazy River Race: 4pm to 5pm at the Lazy River

December 24th

This festive eve, there will be an extra sprinkling of magic in the air at Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives as Santa makes his way to the island to deliver toys to all the children. As the excitement builds, gather the gang for a special holiday scavenger hunt to find things left by Madame Stingray on her first visit to the Mirage or let your little ones show off their skills at the Seaside Strikers Beach Football Match. To finish the day off, kids can unleash their creativity with a festive eve art activity at the Kids’ Corner, where they can count down to the big day with paint, glitter, and plenty of holiday cheer.

  • Magical Island Scavenger Hunt – Festive Edition: 10am to 11am at the Kids’ Club
  • Seaside Strikers – a Beach Football Match: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club
  • Christmas Eve Kids’ Art Corner: 6pm to 9.30pm at the Kids’ Corner at the Main Pool
  • Festive Eve Cocktail & Gala Dinner: 6pm to 9.30pm at the Sailhouse and Main Pool

December 25th

On December 25th, the elves at Centara  Mirage Lagoon Maldives will be pulling out all the stops to ensure your holiday is anything but ordinary. Begin the big day at the Kids’ Club where young guests will have one more chance to get a good word in with the big man with a Letter to Santa & Santa’s Arts & Crafts session. Next up, head to the Sailhouse to tuck into a festive day brunch packed with all your favourite holiday goodies before enjoying a special appearance from Santa on the beach. Once the sun has set, treat the kids to a fun-filled evening at Madame Stingray’s Pyjama Party.

  • Letter to Santa & Santa’s Arts & Craft: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
  • Festive Day Brunch: 30pm to 3pm at the Sailhouse
  • Santa’s Arrival: 3pm to 4pm at the Beach
  • Madame Stingray’s Pyjama Party: 7pm to 9pm at the Beach/ Main Pool

December 26th

Still got some holiday spirit left in you? Dive into a day packed with fun, starting with Jellyfish Limbo and Shark Attack Tag at the Kids’ Club. Then, embark on an Underwater Treasure Hunt with Papa Turtle before he returns, and wrap up the day with a beach volleyball match for the whole family at the E-Zone – because nothing screams the holidays quite like some friendly competition!

  • Jellyfish Limbo & Shark Attack Tag: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
  • Underwater Treasure Hunt: 2pm to 3pm at the Kids’ Club
  • Block Busters – A Friendly Volleyball Match: 4pm to 5pm at the E-Zone

December 27th

Prepare to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the Maldives as you explore the pristine beaches as a family with a seashell hunting and crafts activity or take the plunge with guided lagoon snorkelling and an underwater scavenger hunt. For something a little more chill, make yourself cosy at the Kids’ Club for a festive movie night under the stars.

  • Down by the Sea – Seashell Hunting & Crafts: 10am to 11pm at the Beach
  • Under the Sea Scavenger Hunt – A Guided Lagoon Snorkeling: 3pm to 4pm at the E-Zone
  • Kids’ Movie Night: 7pm to 9pm at the Kids’ Club

December 28th

Soar into the holiday spirit with an exhilarating kite challenge on the beach, testing how long your kites can dance in the breeze. After conquering the skies, gather your crew for a game of frisbee in the ‘Game of Throws,’ soaking up the sun and island vibes. When it’s time to cool down, head to the Dolphin Pool Bar for BLU! SPLASH, where the beats are fresh, the cocktails are chilled, and the laughter flows as freely as the island breeze.

  • Up Up and Away – A Kite Flying Challenge: 10am to 11am at the Beach
  • Game of Throws – A Frisbee Friendly Match: 1pm to 2pm at Teens
  • BLU! SPLASH by the Pool: 3pm to 5pm at the Dolphin Pool Bar

December 29th

Keep the festive buzz alive and freshen up your mocktail-making skills as you mix, stir, muddle, and shake up sparkling holiday concoctions at the E-Zone. Meanwhile, young adventurers are invited to step up to the challenge at Papa Turtle’s epic Sea Creature Obstacle race. Finally, reunite the whole family with a blissful ‘It’s a Sunset Affair’, serving plenty of refreshing beverages and mesmerising island views, followed by a spectacular kids’ talent show to mark the end of another day in paradise.

  • Bubbly Blast – Holiday Mocktail Making: 11am to 12pm at the E-Zone
  • Sea Creature Obstacle Race: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club
  • It’s a Sunset Affair: 30 to 7pm at Mirage Beach
  • Get your Sparkle On – Kids’ Spectacular Talent Show: 7pm to 9pm at Mirage Beach

December 30th

Let the countdown to the new year begin with a morning of sea creature-themed arts and crafts at the Kids’ Club or dive into an afternoon of discovery with the Island Sea Creatures Hunt, where little adventurers can uncover the secrets of the Mirage. As the day turns to night, gather at the Amphitheatre for a magical movie experience under a starlit sky, the perfect way to wind down after a day of sandy escapades.

  • Create Your Own Sea Creature Crafts: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
  • Discover the Mirage Underwater World Themed Island Playground – Island Sea Creatures Hunt: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club
  • A Theatre Under the Stars: 9pm to 11pm at the Amphitheater

December 31st

Allow your little explorers to bid farewell to 2024 at the Kids’ Club with a DIY Memoir session, capturing all their favourite moments of the year with drawings, photos, and stories. For something more high-energy, head to the E-zone to battle it out in a beach badminton match.

As the countdown approaches, make your first toast with a refreshing pre-dinner cocktail on the beach before heading to the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner for an unforgettable bash. While the kids let their imaginations run wild at the Kid’s Art Corner, adults are invited to ring in the new year in style with a dazzling poolside party packed with live music and a DJ spinning the freshest beats – make sure to reserve your bottle of sparkling in advance!

  • DIY Year 2024 Memoir: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
  • Island Smashers – A Beach Badminton Match: 4pm to 5pm at the E-Zone
  • The last day of 2024: 6pm to 7pm at the beach
  • New Year’s Eve – Kids’ Art Corner: 7pm to 11pm at the Kids’ Club
  • New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner: 7pm to 9.30pm at the Sailhouse
  • The New Year’s Eve Party: 10pm until late at the Poolside

January 1st

Kick off 2025 with a touch of magic as young adventurers at the Kids’ Club create their own time capsules, filled with dreams and memories, and bury them in the enchanted sands of Mirage Beach. After the little ones have sealed their wishes for the year ahead, the whole family is invited to a flavourful New Year’s Day brunch at the oceanfront Sailhouse. To wash down all the delicious food, continue the festivities with a lavish sunset cocktail on Mirage Beach.

  • Make a Special Time Capsule Project: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
  • New Year’s Day Brunch: 7am to 2.30pm at the Sailhouse
  • First Toast of the Year – Sunset Cocktail: 6pm to 7pm at Mirage Beach

January 2nd

Continue the underwater-themed adventure at the Kids’ Club where young guests can unleash their inner artist with a unique Stained Glass crafting session. Next, get the whole family involved with an afternoon of unmissable games, crafts, delicious food, and special surprises by the beach or let the little ones loose with a fun-packed Kids’ Night Out at the Kids’ Club.

  • Stained Glass Under the Sea: 10am to 11am at the Kids’ Club
  • Family Fun Day: 4pm to 5pm at the Beach
  • Kids’ Night Out: 7pm to 9pm at the Kids’ Club

January 3rd

Your festive trip to the Maldives would not be complete without exploring its vibrant marine life and the Guided Lagoon Snorkelling and Under the Sea Scavenger Hunt is the perfect option. Follow Papa Turtle’s trail to uncover hidden treasures beneath the waves, then head to the beach for a lively Crab Hunt & Crab Race. To end the day, get comfy with loved ones for a magical family movie night under the open Maldivian sky.

  • Under the Sea Scavenger Hunt – A Guided Lagoon Snorkeling: 10am to 11am at the E-Zone
  • We are going on a Crab Hunt & Crab Race: 4pm to 5pm at the E-Zone
  • Under the Stars Family Movie Night: 8pm to 10pm at the Kids’ Club

January 4th

Step up to the challenge as Papa Turtle invites young guests to the Waves of Fun Obstacle Race, promising to be an absolute whale of a time. Additionally, stick around the Kids’ Club for a friendly water balloon fight.

  • Waves of Fun Obstacle Race: 10am to 11am at the Kids’ Club
  • Jellyfish Races – A Water Balloon Friendly Fight: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club

January 5th

Let the spirit of adventure continue well into the new year at the Kid’s Club. On January 5th, kids can test their wits with a series of mind-bending puzzles at the Might Mind Ocean Adventure or take the fun to new heights with an exciting kite flying challenge.

  • Mighty Mind Ocean Adventure: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
  • Up Up and Away – A Kite Flying Challenge: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club

January 6th

Wrap up your festive island escape with activities to enchant the whole family. Beginning at the Kids’ Club, youngsters are welcomed to a sandcastle-building competition followed by a beach football match. Finally, promising the perfect ending to an unforgettable trip, gather your nearest and dearest for an evening of dazzling festive colours, scrumptious food, and live music at Suan Bua Beach.

  • Build Your Own Sand Castle Challenge: 10am to 11am at the Kids’ Club
  • Seaside Strikers – A Beach Football Match: 4pm to 5pm at the E-Zone
  • An Orthodox Christmas Evening with Traditions & Toasts: 7pm to 11pm at Suan Bua Beach

For bookings and more information, please call +960 401 5555 or email cmlm@chr.co.th

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Vietjet to connect Maldives and Vietnam with new service via Sri Lanka

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Vietjet will launch a new service connecting the Maldives with Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s biggest city and commercial hub, via Colombo from 5 December 2026, giving travellers in the Maldives a new way to explore Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and beyond. Bookings are now open, and the airline is rolling out a three-day sale featuring Eco tickets from USD250 one-way (including taxes and fees) and 20% off Deluxe base fares on the new route.

From now until 21:30 on 10 October 2026 (Maldives time), travellers can enjoy these special deals when booking Maldives–Ho Chi Minh City flights via www.vietjetair.com and the Vietjet Air mobile app. Passengers can book Maldives–Colombo and Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City sectors separately. The promotion also applies to other routes across Vietjet’s network, for travel until 30 September 2027 (blackout dates may apply).

The new Maldives–Ho Chi Minh City service will further strengthen Vietjet’s presence in South Asia and bring Malé into its international network. Operating three round trips per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the route provides more options for travellers from the Maldives to explore Vietnam and Sri Lanka in a single journey, while also opening up opportunities for visitors from both countries to combine their travels with a getaway to the world-renowned island paradise.

The new route brings together three distinctive destinations. Colombo offers access to Sri Lanka’s beaches, tea country and wildlife, while Ho Chi Minh City combines a dynamic modern skyline, vibrant food scene, and historic landmarks, serves as a gateway to Southeast Asia. Through Vietjet’s hub in Ho Chi Minh City, passengers can also connect to destinations across its flight network, including Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Vietjet is Vietnam’s largest private airline, operating a modern fleet of 135 aircraft and an extensive network of more than 250 routes across Asia-Pacific and, soon, Europe. Vietjet was recently named “Asia’s Leading Airline Brand 2026” at the World Travel Awards ceremony in the Maldives, while CAPA – Centre for Aviation honored it as “Asia Low Cost/Hybrid Airline of the Year” in its 2026 Aviation Awards for Excellence. According to Brand Finance, Vietjet’s brand value rose 117% to USD 906 million in 2026, making it the world’s fastest-growing airline brand and placing it among the world’s Top 50 most valuable airline brands for the first time.

On every Vietjet flight, passengers can enjoy a selection of freshly prepared Vietnamese and international specialties, including pho, banh mi and Vietnamese iced milk coffee, served by the airline’s professional and dedicated cabin crew. Vietjet also brings cultural and artistic experiences to the skies at 10,000 metres, adding a distinctive touch to every journey. In addition, members of the Vietjet SkyJoy loyalty programme can earn and redeem reward points across Vietjet services and more than 250 partner brands spanning travel, dining, shopping and lifestyle.

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JOALI BEING recognised among leading spa resorts in Condé Nast Traveler Awards 2026

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JOALI BEING, the transformative well-living island in the Maldives, has announced its recognition in the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler US Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, securing No. 8 in the Best Spa Resorts in the US & Around the World category.

Now in its 39th year, the annual Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate excellence in global travel, recognising the world’s most exceptional hotels, resorts, spas, destinations and travel experiences. This year, Condé Nast Traveler received more than 798,867 survey responses from readers across the United States, reflecting the experiences and preferences of discerning travellers worldwide.

Rooted in the philosophy of the Joy of Well-Living, JOALI BEING offers a transformative approach to holistic well-living, guided by its Four Pillars of Mind, Skin, Microbiome and Energy. Set amidst the natural beauty of Raa Atoll in the Maldives, the island brings together personalised well-living journeys, expert-led experiences, biophilic design and immersive nature-inspired rituals, inviting guests to reconnect with themselves and discover a renewed sense of balance.

Graeme Freeman, General Manager of JOALI BEING, commented: “We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition from the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. At JOALI BEING, we believe that well-living is a deeply personal journey, and our purpose has always been to create experiences that inspire meaningful, lasting change. This honour is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust our guests place in us.”

This latest accolade further strengthens JOALI BEING’s position as a leading destination for transformative well-living, reflecting a continued commitment to thoughtful luxury, innovation and meaningful guest experiences.

A stay at JOALI BEING is a transformative journey where guests return home feeling lighter, happier and more energised.

Villas start from USD 2,442 per night for two guests sharing an Ocean Pool Villa on a B&B basis. For bookings and further information, please contact reservations.being@joali.com.

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Machchafushi Maldives brings Nikon photographers to South Ari Marine Protected Area

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Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, is set to host an exclusive underwater photography and media experience from 14 to 17 October 2026, in partnership with Youth Global Program in partnership with Nikon Middle East & Nikon India. The programme is supported by Lexar Middle East and Hollyland Middle East. Led by Nikon’s underwater photographers and welcoming select international media, the programme will offer an immersive exploration of Machchafushi’s exceptional marine environment and the underwater world of the South Ari Atoll.

Set within the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), Machchafushi offers an exceptional setting for an exclusive underwater photography experience. The resort’s award-winning house reef, spanning more than five times the area of the island itself, creates an expansive underwater landscape shaped by vibrant coral gardens, diverse marine life, and a series of distinctive dive sites.

The experience will take Nikon underwater photographers and select media beneath the surface of Machchafushi, offering the opportunity to capture the island’s marine environment from a unique perspective. From coral formations and marine life to the deeper waters surrounding the island, the programme will showcase the diversity and character of the South Ari Atoll, including the renowned Kudhi Maa shipwreck, which rests between approximately 12 and 30 metres under the surface and has become an established artificial reef.

Together, Machchafushi’s award winning house reef, vibrant coral gardens, diverse marine life and Kudhi Maa create a compelling underwater canvas, offering visiting photographers and media an opportunity to experience and document a lesser seen perspective of the Maldives.

Beyond the reef, the programme will introduce participants to the wider Machchafushi experience, connecting the underwater environment with the island’s natural surroundings, dining, wellness and slower rhythm of island life. Together, these experiences offer a broader perspective of Machchafushi and its place within the South Ari Atoll.

The collaboration brings together Nikon’s expertise in photography and Machchafushi’s distinctive marine environment, creating an exclusive platform to showcase the underwater character of the South Ari Atoll through the lens of leading underwater photographers and international media, with support from Lexar Middle East and Hollyland Middle East.

Taking place from 14 to 17 October 2026, the experience will offer an opportunity to discover and document Machchafushi beyond the shoreline, from its award-winning house reef and vibrant marine life to the distinctive underwater landscapes surrounding the island. Through the photographers and media attending, the experience will bring a different perspective of the Maldives to audiences around the world.

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