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Nova Maldives launches festive season experience inspired by connection and wellbeing

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Nova Maldives will welcome the festive season with The Garden Within, a thoughtfully curated programme taking place from 19 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.

Inspired by Nova’s enduring spirit of connection, the festive programme brings together meaningful celebrations, restorative wellbeing, creative expression and shared experiences designed to feel warm, effortless and good for the soul, each one threaded with presence and the pleasure of feeling completely at home. From barefoot days and unhurried moments to joyful gatherings, the programme invites guests to reconnect with themselves, with others and with the natural beauty of island life.

Island Festivities at Twilight

The Magic of Christmas brings the island’s community together beneath twinkling lights for the Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa Claus’ arrival, setting the tone for a season of celebration.On Christmas Day, the celebrations continue with the storytelling, music and craft of the Grand Holhuashi, a tradition dating back to the seafaring villages of old Maldives, when communities gathered at day’s end to mark the moment together. As the year draws to a close, cocktail parties and gala dinners carry guests into New Year’s Eve, culminating in a spectacular firework display at midnight to welcome in the new year.

Throughout the season, live performances from resident bands Supremacy and The Kabans, fire shows on the beach, tiki nights at Wink, and an intimate Shisha & Cigar Lounge keep the island’s evenings alive with rhythm.

Wellness Inspired by the Cosmos

To tend to what’s within, EsKape Spa will welcome guests with limited-time rituals that encourage wellbeing during the festive season, including Reikilogy, blending Reiki with foot reflexology, and Abhyanga, a traditional Ayurvedic warm oil massage making use of rhythmic movements to bring about relaxation.

Beneath a canopy of stars, a quieter sensual invitation unfolds at the Soma Nāda Sound Journey, where soothing vibrations draw guests inward to sit with stillness and reflection beneath the Cold Moon of Christmas Eve. Visitors can also craft their own herbal potli in the Arogya Potli Workshop, held on Sunday mornings throughout the period, gathering fragrant herbs and spices into a small hand-tied pouch to bring a piece of Nova’s garden home.

Harvest from the Sea

Every evening, the treasures of the ocean garden make their way onto the table. In the day, leisurely Dim Sum & Sushi light bites keep peckishness at bay, while aspiring cooks at Soul Kitchen can trade recipes for hands-on secrets in the Truly Maldivian Flavours workshop. By night, diners can choose between two special menus at Mizu, Nova’s overwater restaurant: the Japanese feast Nova Sora Umi: Blooming Ocean, inspired by the collision of sky and sea (offered daily); and the six-course Umi no Sachi: Bountiful Harvest of the Sea, which lays out the ocean’s finest, course by course (offered on Christmas and New Year’s Eve).

Beyond the table, couples can opt for a beachside feast of grilled lobster and sparkling wine beneath the stars at a more private corner, or sail out to a sandbank to enjoy Prosecco and canapés on a Castaway experience, far from any menu, where candlelight, the tide and each other’s company are all that’s on offer.

Explore the Underwater Garden

For ocean-lovers, Whale Shark Snorkelling and Manta Quest outings offer front-row seats to South Ari Atoll’s gentle giants and manta ray’s silent ballet, while beginner-friendly scuba tours welcome first-timers into the deep. To encourage travellers to give back to the ocean, guests can participate in reef clean-ups, and become a patron in the resort’s Coral Garden Sponsorship, where they’ll be able to plant a coral frame of their own under Nova’s marine team’s guidance.

“The Garden Within reflects something Nova has always stood for – meaningful connection that honours presence and wellbeing,” says Abdulla Aboobakuru, General Manager of Nova Maldives. “Festive season here is a planting season. Through moments spent moving, resting and creating together, we hope every guests leave feeling they have grown closer to themselves, their loved ones, and the world around them, returning home with space within them for something new to grow.”

Travellers can let their soul take root at Nova this festive season, with villas sleeping up to three people from £457 per night on Full Board when booked direct at www.nova-maldives.com.

Food

Michelin-starred Chef Charles Coulombeau to host exclusive residency at V Villas Maldives at Mirihi

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V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection will welcome Michelin-starred French chef Charles Coulombeau from 26 to 28 November 2026.

The three-day programme opens with sunset cocktails and canapés, followed by a fine dining evening at Muraka Restaurant and a special cooking class with the chef.

Coulombeau leads the kitchen at La Maison dans le Parc in Nancy, France, which holds one Michelin star. His cooking pairs modern French technique with influences from his time in Japan, bringing ingredients such as citrus and seaweed into dishes shaped by seasonal produce.

The culinary programme:

  • Thursday, 26 November | Sunset cocktails and canapés. The programme opens with sunset cocktails and Michelin-inspired canapés, offering guests a first taste of the chef’s approach ahead of Friday’s fine dining event.
  • Friday, 27 November | Fine dining at Muraka Restaurant. Coulombeau will present a special dinner at the resort’s overwater Muraka Restaurant, where guests can experience his modern French cooking overlooking the Indian Ocean.
  • Saturday, 28 November | Special Cooking Class. Guests will have the opportunity to learn directly from Coulombeau and explore some of the techniques behind his cooking.

V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection offers an intimate island retreat in the Maldives, with beach and overwater accommodation, dining overlooking the ocean, and experiences on and beneath the water.

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Dr Tridendra Shakya to lead wellness residency at Finolhu Maldives

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Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, is set to welcome renowned wellness practitioner Dr Tridendra Shakya for an exclusive residency at Fehi Spa from 15 December 2026 to 31 January 2027. Set against the tranquil backdrop of the Maldives’ UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Baa Atoll, the residency invites guests to explore a more mindful approach to wellbeing through personalised treatments, traditional healing practices and restorative experiences.

Hailing from Kathmandu, Nepal, Dr Shakya brings 17 years of experience in naturopathy and holistic wellbeing, drawing upon ancient Eastern healing philosophies and contemporary wellness practices. His approach centres on understanding each individual’s needs, combining therapeutic techniques with lifestyle guidance to encourage relaxation, balance and a deeper connection between mind and body.

Throughout his seven-week residency, Dr Shakya will offer a carefully curated selection of therapies encompassing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, reflexology, cupping, manipulative massage and therapeutic yoga. Personalised wellness consultations, incorporating pulse diagnosis alongside lifestyle and nutritional guidance, will allow guests to explore treatments tailored to their individual wellbeing goals.

Among the signature experiences is Yin & Pin, a combination of gentle passive stretching and acupuncture designed to encourage deep relaxation and release muscular tension. Acu-Massage brings together acupuncture, Marma point massage and traditional cupping techniques, while the Head to Toe Reviver draws upon the principles of reflexology to provide a restorative experience particularly suited to travellers seeking relaxation after a long journey.

The programme also explores the relationship between movement, breath and mindfulness. Therapeutic yoga sessions incorporate supportive postures, breathing exercises and meditation techniques adapted to individual needs. Guests can also discover Motion Meditation, blending the graceful movements of Tai Chi and Qi Gong with mindful breathing, or experience Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation practice that encourages profound relaxation and mental stillness.

For those seeking a more personalised wellness journey, the residency includes specialised experiences focusing on sleep, stress management, spinal care and traditional yogic cleansing practices. Each experience begins with an assessment, allowing Dr Shakya to tailor his approach to the guest’s individual preferences and wellbeing objectives.

The residency complements Finolhu’s existing wellness offering at Fehi Spa, where the island’s natural beauty provides an inviting setting for relaxation and rejuvenation. Surrounded by turquoise waters, powder-soft beaches and lush tropical vegetation, the resort offers an opportunity to step away from everyday routines and embrace a slower, more considered pace of life.

With its distinctive blend of barefoot luxury, contemporary design and immersive island experiences, Finolhu continues to introduce thoughtfully curated programmes that enrich the guest journey. Dr. Shakya’s residency adds a new dimension to the resort’s wellness offering, inviting guests to incorporate moments of restoration and self-discovery into their Maldivian escape.

Dr Tridendra Shakya’s residency will take place at Fehi Spa from 15 December 2026 to 31 January 2027. Complimentary initial consultations are available, with advance reservations recommended. For further information or reservations, guests may visit www.finolhu.com or contact stay@finolhu.com.

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Drink

V Villas Maldives at Mirihi announces exclusive wine Dinner with Hunter’s Wines

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V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection will host an exclusive Hunter’s Wine Dinner on Monday, 16 November 2026, inviting guests to experience an evening of fine wine, thoughtful gastronomy and personal storytelling from one of Marlborough’s pioneering family-owned wineries.

The evening will be hosted by James Macdonald, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Winemaker at Hunter’s Wines, alongside Chelsea Macdonald and sommelier Khail van Niekerk of Grape Expectations Maldives.

Part of the founding family, James holds a degree in Oenology and Viticulture from Lincoln University and has completed several vintages overseas. Today, he helps lead Hunter’s Wines while preserving the winery’s signature Marlborough character and guiding its continued evolution.

Founded in 1979 by Ernie and Jane Hunter, Hunter’s is Marlborough’s oldest independent winery under continuous family ownership. Its internationally recognized wines reflect more than four decades of winemaking expertise, innovation and respect for the land.

For this special occasion, the culinary team at V Villas Maldives at Mirihi will present a curated menu designed to complement a selection of Hunter’s wines. The featured collection is expected to include MiruMiru sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer, guiding guests through the diversity and distinctive character of Marlborough.

Throughout the dinner, James will share the stories behind the wines, the Hunter family journey and the winemaking philosophy that has helped establish Marlborough as one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions.

“V Villas Maldives at Mirihi is committed to creating memorable experiences that connect our guests with exceptional personalities, craftsmanship and stories from around the world. We are delighted to welcome James and Chelsea Macdonald and to offer our guests an intimate discovery of Hunter’s Wines in the distinctive setting of Mirihi” said Mohamed Shareef, General Manager of V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection.

The event reflects the resort’s approach to experiential dining, where refined cuisine, a carefully curated wine programme and Mirihi’s intimate island atmosphere come together to create meaningful moments for guests.

V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection is an intimate private-island resort in South Ari Atoll. Set amid a renowned house reef and surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maldives, the resort brings together contemporary island living, personalized service, distinctive culinary experiences and meaningful encounters inspired by the spirit of Mirihi.

The resort features 42 villas, two restaurants, AKOYA Sea Lounge, Mirihi Spa, a wine cellar offering more than 300 labels, and a collection of ocean, wellness and cultural experiences.

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