The Maldives are a group of islands, that still exude an aura of peace and tranquillity, that's unmatched by most tourist spots in the world.

Close your eyes. Imagine yourself sitting under a coconut tree, cocktail in hand, on an island, in the middle of nowhere, with an azure blue sea lapping at your feet as a young woman emerges from the water, dripping wet … The ultimate fantasy? These things only happen in the movies, right? Well, there still are places like this on Earth. Lot's of places, in fact, in a small cluster of islands called the Maldives. The Maldives is a group of 19 atolls (or 1200 islands!) , Which can only be described as a dream destination for Scuba Diving, Snorkelling and Windsurfing enthusiasts. It is also the perfect retreat for those wishing to get away from it all and enjoy a totally relaxed and unsophisticated way of life and just lazing under a palm tree. And what could be better than the fact that they're figuratively in our own backyard!

One of the main factors that make The Maldives an attractive tourist getaway is its population. Or rather, the lack of it. Only 250-odd islands out of the 1200 are inhabited, and the total population just surpasses 200.000 people. In fact, the capital, Male has a population of only 35.000 people. Add to this the fact that the Maldivian Government does every thing in its power to keep the islands as they are- pristine and pure. The strategy has been to develop a limited number of quality resorts, each on its own uninhabited island, free from traffic, crime and crass commercialism. Most tourists inhabit one of 65, carefully preserved resort islands, separated from the local population. And that's where real the beauty of this group of islands lies. You can enjoy a holiday here without being bothered by the locals. On the other hand, if you do wish to interact with the local Maldivians, it's up to you to take the effort.

Maldives is all about sea, sun, sand, surf and snoozing. The group of islands is around 750 kilometres long, 118 kilometres wide and only 4% of this total area is above water! It's a country of brilliant blue lagoons with amazing coral reefs and abundant marine life. Not surprisingly then, the real sight seeing in the Maldives occurs below sea level. So, garb the nearest mark and snorkel and jump in! The crystal clear water allows you to look around you for miles. Or at least it seems that way, as you gaze at brilliantly coloured butterfly fish, angel fish, parrot fish, rock cod, unicorn fish, trumpet fish, bluestripe snapper, Moorish idols, oriental sweetlips and many more fascinating forms of marine life. The Maldives is a diver's delight. A little further below the surface, you can swim upto within a few feet of the larger denizens of the deep. Sharks, stingrays, manta rays, turtles and dolphins all form a part of this larger than life marine panorama. Then there's the coral reef, with its share of sea urchins, sea horses, starfish and sea anemones, among all the other mind-boggling varieties of marine life, all of which go into making Maldives a true nature-lover's delight.

The Maldives have been subjected to a string of influences over the last 2,500 years. From the Dravidan culture to Buddhism, to Islam, the Portuguese and the British… this country has seen it all. Today, although the country is primarily Islamic by nature, traces of other influences remain. The tranquillity of the Buddhist way, the stately buildings of the Raj, the complexion of the Dravidans and many, many mosques scattered around the islands, each in their own way make the Maldives a pot-pourri of cultures and customs.

Malé, the capital of the Maldives, is probably the tiniest capital in the world, as it measures only 2 square kilometres! It's a city that's clean and tidy, with mosques, markets, a maze of small streets and a certain charm all its own. The island is packed to the edges with buildings, roads and a few well-used open spaces. There's not much to se in the city except the National Museum, which houses a few exhibits of the sultans' belongings and a smattering of archeological artefacts. Near the museum is the pleasant Sultan Park, and the imposing white Islamic Centre & Grand Friday Mosque which dominates the city's skyline. There are over 20 other mosques scattered around Malé, some little more than a coral room with an iron roof. The oldest is the Hukuru Miski, famed for its intricate stone carvings. One long panel, carved in the 13^th century, commemorates the introduction of Islam to the Maldives, while outside a graveyard holds the tomb of Abu Al Barakat and the tombstones of former sultans.

Malé takes its get-away-from-it-all resort role very seriously, so don't expect to find any casinos, discos, night cubs and bars on this island. The nightlife here is confined to teahouses and a few western style restaurants. A couple cinemas show Hindi epics and Hollywood blockbusters. So, what do the locals do when they want some entertainment? Head to the nearest island resort!

More >>