#indian-ocean

[laimelady]

The Little Fisherman. (On Explore) by Fabien TECHER Via Flickr: Saint-Philippe, Reunion Island. We Explore #35 ⭐ www.flickr.com/explore/2022/04/05

[alluneedissunshine]

Pointe du Tremblet by Fabien TECHER Via Flickr: Saint-Philippe, Reunion Island.

[virginholidays-blog]

7 Things You Need to Know About the Maldives

1. The water really is that colour

The photos haven’t been photoshopped - the Indian Ocean really is so blue that it looks artificially enhanced. And the beaches are as white as sugar. This is the place that comes to mind if you close your eyes and think of paradise. Nearly all the islands have just one hotel and there’s no traffic, so the only sounds you hear are the chattering of palms and the fizz of the sea on the sand. 

2. It isn’t  just for honeymooners

The Maldives is popular with honeymooners, but because there are so many different types of resorts it’s perfect for active couples and families too. Kids will love digging in the soft sand and spotting rainbow fish in the calm shallows. Meanwhile, couples who don’t just want to soak up the sun can enjoy a range of activities, from cookery lessons and yoga classes to all-night clubbing.

3. You won’t need to remortgage the house

You can spend a fortune on five-star treatment in the Maldives, but you don’t have to. There are plenty of affordable islands- just pick one that suits your taste and your budget. Let’s face it, wherever you go, you’ll find a tiny pocket of tropical paradise with idyllic views.

4. You can dress for dinner

If you want to run around barefoot, there are plenty of low-key hideaways to suit you. But the Maldives can also deliver full-on glamour. At the Virgin Holidays + HIP Hotel One & Only Reethi Rah, you’ll find a sensational spa, luxury villas and understated elegance when dressing for dinner. 

5. There are things to do

Reluctant beach bums are well catered for in the Maldives. Naturally, most of the activity involves water. The scuba diving and snorkeling are among the best in the world. Hop on a luxury speedboat to HembadhuIsland to Vivanta by Taj Coral Reef resort, which has its very own shipwreck to explore. Above the surface there’s kayaking, sailing and dolphin-watching, and the famous waves of the North Malé Atoll are a surfer’s paradise.

5. All-inclusive isn’t what you think

Cast aside visions of neon cocktails and limbo-dancing competitions, all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives are in a different league. Here, things are much more upmarket, and all-inclusive means one thing: peace of mind. Constance Moofushi resort is one of the classiest, with chic thatched villas, á la carte meals and no nasty bill at the end of your stay. 

6. You don’t need to just go to the Maldives

To get two holidays for the price of one (and even more manageable flights) stop off en-route. You can break up the journey with some shopping in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, explore the jungles of Sri Lanka or get lost in the souks of Muscat in Oman. Virgin Holidays can arrange flights via any of these top destinations, adding that extra dimension to your trip.

7. Here, you are guaranteed to MAX YOUR MOJO:

For the ultimate indulgence, choose a Virgin Holidays + HIP Hotels property and a Travel Guru will assist you with every detail to ensure your holiday is utter perfection. With the appointment Service, they’ll even meet you face-to-face to talk through your holiday plans. What’s more, Virgin Holidays + HIP Hotels customers who fly premium economy get access to the award-winning Clubhouse at Heathrow. Sign up to the HipList and you’ll receive superstar treatment at a selection of hotels such as room upgrades and complimentary champagne. 

As featured in Style Magazine, May 19th

Hop on a luxury speedboat to Hembadhu Island to Vivanta by Taj Coral Reef, which has its very own shipwreck to explore.

TO BOOK VISIT US IN STORE, ONLINE OR CALL 0844 557 6342 TO SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR EXPERTS.

[virginholidays-blog]

Stunning Maldives night sky

[virginholidays-blog]

Your Indulgent Mojo in Mauritius...

...loves Creole curries, seafood salads and sweet potato cakes. For the best street food, head to Port Louis, where even the most nondescript stalls sell spicy stews and chunks of pineapple dipper in chilli and sugar. There’s posh nosh, too-at the elegant Auberge de Saint Aubin, for example, you can feast on vanilla-infused dishes before tasting home-made rum. A serious foodie? Why not time your trip to coincide with 2012 Masterchef winner Shelina Permalloo’s cookery classes at the glamorous Maradiva, a Virgin Holidays + HIP Hotels resort.

Your indulgent Mojo also enjoys a bit of retail therapy. For a shopping experience with a real buzz, head to the roadside central market on Farquhar Street in Port Louis, where you’ll find stalls buried under piles of vanilla pods, Mauritian spices and even herbal teas that promise to banish cellulite! Or go upmarket at the waterfront mall with its discount designer brands.

Let Virgin Holidays look after you every step of the way. Before you leave, its Concierge Service will contact you with recommendations, and can book excursions and activities before you’ve even stepped on the plane.

As featured in The Times, May 11th

[virginholidays-blog]

Your Laid-back Mojo in Mauritius

Likely to be located at the beach. Hotels on the coast tend to have their own stretches of pristine sand, among them the Maritim, perfect for families and located near Turtle Bay Marine Park (it also has a fine-dining restaurant in a colonial-style mansion, Château Mon Déeir).

Couples will love the absurdly romantic Veranda Paul & Virginie on the north coast, hidden among the tropical gardens. 

But if you want a bit of local beach life, head to Le Sud Sauvage. The “wild south” of the island doesn’t have as many beaches as the north, but as a result, they’re quieter and more unspoilt.

Blue Bay has milk-white sand washed by calm cobalt waters, while Gris Gris is a golden cove with mesmerising crashing waves.

You might also come across it in the back seat of a private chauffeur-driven car- an experience exclusive to Virgin Holidays. Let someone else do the driving so you can spend more time taking in the Tamil temples, whitewashed mosques and fields of thick sugar cane- much of which goes into the local rum. Several distilleries are open to the public, and with your own driver, you can really enjoy those tasting sessions.

As featured in The Times, May 11th

[virginholidays-blog]

Unleash Your High Octane Mojo in Mauritius

It's usually found in the mountains. The brochures harp on about the beaches, the colour of the ocean and the honeymooners, but they fail to mention that in the centre of the island, the landscape veers skywards.

Carved out by volcanic eruptions, the peaks here aren’t high enough to break any records, but with names such as Lion Mountain, they are perfect for awesome hikes. It’s an easy two hours to the top of Le Pouce, for example, where you’ll get panoramic views of the capital, Port Louis, the north of the island and out to sea.

But you could also find it away from the tangled jungle of the rainforest-some of the island’s green spaces are altogether more manicured but just as thrilling. Mauritius has more world-class golf courses than you can shake a five-iron at, including the Bernard Langer-designed 18 holes at Le Touessrok, the Four Seasons Golf Club, Anahita and the Heritage Le Telfair Golf and Spa Resort.

As Featured in The Times, May 11th

Instagram Photo by @heritageresorts

[virginholidays-blog]

Check out the white sands and emerald seas in the Maldives!