The Maldives is stunning, but let’s be honest, every picture basically looks the same. So how can you decide on the right private island? Having investigated hundreds, first hand, here we share our top 5 resorts to help you find the right one for you. The Maldives are where people come to experience island life at its most relaxed — and most beautiful.
Tourism in the Maldives includes ecotourism, natural beauty, scuba diving, snorkeling, underwater scenery and listed as best recreational diving destinations in the world.
Here are our top 5 islands in Maldives
Fihalhohi Island
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Fihalhohi Island offers a great holiday with family and you will see the tropical natural beauty of the Indian Ocean.
Alimatha Island
Photo credit: visitmaldives.com
Alimatha Island of Maldives is rated as one of the best dive sites in the country and famous for its white beaches and aquamarine lagoons.
Ambara Island
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Ambara Island is located in Felidhoo Island. Our Vaavu Atoll sightseeing planner makes visiting Ambara Island and other Vaavu Atoll attractions simple and helps you make a travel plan personal to you.
Biyadoo Island
Photo credit: snorkelaroundtheworld.com
Biyadhoo Island is located 29 km from Male International Airport and famous for water sport activities such as windsurfing, canoe paddling, snorkeling, scuba diving and Catamaran.
Halaveli Island
Photo credit: constancehotels.com
Halaveli Island is a real paradise of the Maldives where the blue sky is as blue as the sea and the white sand of the beach are as white as the clouds in the sky.
Many people think about the Maldives as a dream holiday destination and never turn these dreams into reality because they believe that a Maldives holiday is too expensive. But with little research, we say that you can easily find deals that fit your budget! The differences are huge in service and in price level between the islands, there are 6-star luxury resort islands but fair hotels at affordable prices too. We recommend to set your maximum budget first, find a few hotels you like and start comparing prices on booking sites. It is always worth giving chance to travel agencies’ package prices. They might have good offers on complete (flight+hotel) options.
Maldives is an all-year destination with a hot, humid climate with two seasons. The monsoon season starts in May and ends in October. The rainiest months are June and July. The dry season runs from November to April. The best weather you can except between December and April
Singapore, an island city-state off southern Malaysia, is a global financial center with a tropical climate and multicultural population.
One of the main attractions in Singapore is its cultural diversity. Singapore is also environmentally friendly. The dominant language which is English also helps to boost tourism in the country which is one of the main incomes for the country. The transportation system in the country is also excellent which makes traveling convenient and easy. It is one of the easiest and most comfortable countries to navigate in Southeast Asia. ‘
Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands is located at Bayfront MRT Station and steps from the lively Central Business District. The opulent Marina Bay Sands resort complex includes a high-end luxury hotel, a mall with a canal running through it, the ArtScience Museum, and the Marina Bay Sands Skypark
Outside of Marina Barrage, Singapore has a number of nature reserves such as Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Singapore is one the second city in the world with the primary rainforest located within the city, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, a mangrove forest that protects a number of migrating birds. The National Parks Board has guided tours by park specialists on selected weekends.
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is a nature park spanning 101 hectares of reclaimed land in the Central Region of Singapore. The park consists of three waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden.
It covers 1.28 hectares and it is the larger of three cooled conservatories. In 2015 broke the Guinness World Record as the World’s Largest Glass Greenhouse. It includes several heritage gardens, an aerial walkway, plant sculptures, and at least ten dining establishments.
Gardens by the Bay is just one of the many initiatives towards a cleaner and greener future.
The Gardens by the Bay also boost the city’s surging tourism industry, which is a big part of the overall Singapore economy.
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a 160-year-old tropical garden located at the fringe of Singapore’s Orchard Road shopping district and one of three gardens, and the only tropical garden, to be honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Singapore Botanic Gardens’ sprawling grounds are perfect for picnicking, jogging, or escaping the city buzz. 60 acres of land were transformed from a disused plantation into the popular recreational garden you see today. The National Orchid Garden, which boasts the world’s largest orchid display, with over 60,000 plants and orchid plants. The Swan Lake is home to numerous species of aquatic plants and fishes.
Orchard Road is Singapore’s retail heart, with discount outlets, department stores and upscale boutiques, alongside luxury hotels, with over 5,000 establishments offering the ultimate lifestyle experience to tourists and locals alike.
To take a break from shopping and enjoy a bout of artistic immersion, visit the ION Art Gallery. This gallery features a range of international and local exhibitions.
The Singapore Flyer is a giant observation wheel at Downtown Core, Singapore. It opened in 2008, with construction having taken about 2½ years.
Designed by Arup and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with a capacity of up to 7.3 million passengers a year, the normally constant rotation of the wheel means that a complete trip lasts approximately 32 minutes.
The Flyer’s 28 air-conditioned capsules are mounted outboard of the rim of the wheel structure, providing continuously unobstructed views. Wheelchair ramps and lifts, handicapped toilets, and a dedicated parking lot for the disabled are also provided.
In 2014 Straco Leisure Pte. Ltd. announced the acquisition of Singapore Flyer.
Discover Raffles Singapore and enjoy the hotel’s spacious, comfortable rooms. Raffles Hotel is a colonial-style luxury hotel. It was established by Armenian hoteliers in 1887.
A unique dining experience at Raffles Singapore with five restaurants and six bars – including the iconic Long Bar, famous for its Singapore Sling.
Following restoration works in 2019, the hotel now boasts a whole suite of new amenities and a fresh new look.
Chinatown in Singapore is a sharp contrast to the rest of the city, with low rise buildings and culture bursting. The narrow roads includes Chinatown Food Street, with its restaurants serving traditional fare like Hainanese chicken rice, noodles and satay. You can find souvenir shops and indie boutiques in the area, offering clothes, crafts and antiques.
You can spend a whole day exploring from the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum, to a walk down South Bridge Road, and don’t forget to check out Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore.
Sentosa is a sunny island, home to exciting events, themed attractions, award-winning spas, lush rainforests and golden sandy beaches. Here you’ll find one of the largest oceanariums on the planet with more than 100,000 marine animals and the world’s largest wind tunnel for indoor skydiving. The 18-foot-tall acrylic ‘glass walls’—allow you to enjoy panoramic views of the South China Sea and Siloso Beach.
Clarke Quay is a historical riverside quay, located within the Singapore River Planning Area and at the fringe of Singapore’s Central Business District.. Clarke Quay is also the name of a road along the quay, part of which has since been converted into a pedestrian mall.
Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park, featuring 24 rides, shows and attractions in seven themed zones. Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park located within Resorts World Sentosa on Sentosa Island.
Guests can also immerse in a celebratory atmosphere with the Hollywood Dreams parade, which features amazingly detailed floats, special effects, a custom musical score.
Merlion Park is a famous landmark and a major tourist attraction, located near One Fullerton, near the Central Business District.
The Merlion is a mythical creature with a lion’s head and the body of a fish. The original statue of the Merlion used to stand at the mouth of the Singapore River. Later, the statue was relocated to a new pier specially built on the other side of The Esplanade Bridge adjacent to The Fullerton hotel.
Located along the Singapore River, this museum shows the history of the Asian civilizations. It is one of the pioneering museums in the region to specialize in pan-Asian cultures and civilizations. The museum specializes in the material history of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia.
You’d find the offices of the Colonial Secretary, Legislative Chamber, and Surveyor-General, all located there.
Want to learn more about Singapore? Check our other posts about Singapore.
Bhutan boasts magnificent mountain scenery, incredible architecture and colorful cultural heritage. Bhutan is an example of extraordinary culture, the striking architecture of its mountain forts, breathtaking views from the cliffs and images of Buddhist religious figures onto the craggy cliffs.
Here’s what you need to know before you travel to Bhutan.
When is the Peak & non-peak tourist periods?
The re are two peak tourist seasons. One in the Spring: March-May and another in the Fall: September – November. The months March, April, October and November are especially busy. As always when you are booking a flight, consider booking flight tickets at least 3 months ahead.
If you want to avoid the crowd of the peak tourist period, we suggest considering traveling during the non-peak period.
During the peak tourist seasons, the daily travel fee costs US$250 per day, when for the non-peak season is US$200 per day. If you want to travel to Bhutan but have a tight(er) budget, plan your trip during the off-peak months.
The minimum daily fee is:
$250 per person per day from March – May, and September – November
$200 per person per day from December – February, and June – August
If you’re traveling solo or in a private tour with only two people, you can expect to pay another another $40/$30 per day, per person.
Note:Indians, Bangladeshis, and Maldivians are not required to pay this daily fee. There are also some discounts available, primarily for students and children ages 5 – 12. For more details check the Tourism Council’s website.
Traffic incidents
Unfortunately, car accidents are very common in Bhutan. Some tips you can use to avoid any injuries is always to wear a seatbelt and avoid driving at night. There are many blind corners in the mountainous roads.
Never leave valuables inside the vehicle when parking near tourist sites or villages.
The seasons
The best months with optimum weather are April, May, September and October. The rainy season in Bhutan is from July – August and during this time, light rain daily is typical.
In the Winter is you can catch the endangered black-necked crane. The summer is a great time for mushroom picking -there’s a Matsutake Mushroom Festival.
Cellular and Internet Connections
There are two mobile network providers in Bhutan: B-Mobile SIM and TashiCell, offering 2G and 3G connectivity. Your local guide can help you purchase a SIM. Make sure your phone is unlocked. Most of the hotels in the major cities offer WiFi.
ATMs and Cash in Bhutan
Tours are prepaid so you’ll only need money for drinks, laundry, souvenirs, and tips; for this, bring cash as ATMs are not always reliable.
ATMs are located within all main towns throughout Bhutan, where money can be withdrawn using a Visa or MasterCard. There are three banks that accept foreign credit cards Bank of Bhutan, Bhutan National Bank and Druk Punjab National Bank. There are fees if you are using your Visa or MasterCard.
The ATMs do not always work and if they do, one is usually only able to withdraw small amounts, foreign currencies can be exchanged for Nu when you arrive.
No tobacco
Bhutan is the only country in the world that has banned the consumption and sale of tobacco, smoking is largely prohibited in public places. But you can bring your own cigarettes.
Tipping
Unlike Western countries, here you are not required to tip in restaurants and hotels, but you have to tip your guide.
Taking photos
Check first with your guide whether it is permitted before taking photos/filming inside Dzongs, monasteries, temples.
Guided Tours Only
You can only travel to Bhutan through a guided tour. There are only a few nations that can travel Bhutan without the guide restriction (as a tourist) are nationals from India, Maldives, and Bangladesh.
Flying
The country has only one international airport, located in Paro. Both landing and takeoff must be completed manually, and only eight pilots in the world are certified to land and takeoff from Paro International Airport.
There are currently only two airlines flying to Paro Airport – Druk Air, the national airlines and the privately-owned Bhutan Airlines.
Love the content. My husband and I run a diving center in Cyprus. We want to offer something more than diving to our existing customers. Anyone have any ideas? It can’t be coffee.
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Love the content. My husband and I run a diving center in Cyprus. We want to offer something more than diving to our existing customers. Anyone have any ideas? It can’t be coffee.