I regularly take calls from potential clients keen to visit the Maldives but worried that more than a week will drive them to distraction. As you probably know the Maldives are predominantly unspoilt natural islands offering guests the opportunity to experience a world largely untouched by commercialism, many clients feel that after a few days of tranquillity and relaxation they are ready to try something else. Enter the Multi Centre Holiday! There are several airlines that fly from the UK to one of the surrounding destinations to the Maldives, therefore, combining the two locations in one holiday saves money on the flights and has the benefit of making you feel as if you have been on two holidays.
For example:
Maldives and Dubai
Emirates Airlines are the National Airlines of the UAE and are based rather conveniently in Dubai, half way between the UK and the Maldives. All the Emirates Airlines flights stop in Dubai on the way out and back to the Maldives giving you as travellers the opportunity to stop over en-route and experience what Dubai has to offer. Flights from the UK to Dubai depart from most UK airports with a 6 hours flying time, onward flights to the Maldives taking a further 4 hours
Dubai offers a totally different experience from the Maldives and whilst is can't beat the Maldives for beaches it does have a lot to offer and well worth a short stop, especially as you are transiting through the airport. Dubai is a man made, vibrant, a high rise city by the beach. It’s filled with hotels of all standards, restaurants, bars and an unsurpassed level of customer service. The hotels have been compared to the glitz of Las Vegas; all are uniquely themed offering something different from the neighbouring hotel and competitor. More importantly Dubai is an eclectic blend of the Western and Arabic culture and customs.
Maldives and Sri Lanka
Although close to the Maldives Sri Lanka is a world apart from the Maldivian tiny unspoilt islands. Sri Lanka is the same size as Ireland, full of wildlife and beautiful scenery with a wealth of history.
You could choose to stay on one of Sri Lanka's beaches and experience the change in culture, or combine the Maldives with a Sri Lankan Safari - the wildlife is excellent here especially in Yala National Park, renowned for its tigers, or perhaps undertake a classical Sri Lankan tour with car and driver taking in all the highlights in this largely un-spoilt country. Sri Lankan Airlines operates a direct service between Heathrow and the Maldives and also operates a daily service between Heathrow and Colombo connecting with a flight to the Maldives, thus making Sri Lanka and the Maldives a very attractive combination. It’s also a very effective way of lengthening your holiday from 10 to 14 nights as accommodation in Sri lanka is half the cost of the accommodation in the Maldives, allowing you to add a few extra days for very little money.
Maldives and Kerela
Long Sandy beaches, scenic spice and tea plantations, extensive and fascinating backwaters describe the idyllic coast state of Kerela. Kerela is famous throughout India for is therapeutic expertise in Ayurvediac treatments and most hotels have excellent Spa's.
Maldives and Bangkok
Here is your opportunity to combine the Thailand with the Maldives. Bangkok represents the exoticism of the east, a lively mixture of both the ancient and the modern. Bangkok has retained its traditional charm amidst the discos, bars, night markets and heavy traffic, an exotic city with glittering temples, culture and warmth.
Maldives and Singapore - Sri Lankan Airlines is based in Colombo, half way between the two destinations, and offers a superb service from Heathrow to the Maldives and across to Singapore giving you to chance to combine the Maldives with the garden city. This is a bustling mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian races, cultures and cuisines. Singapore offers fabulous shopping, plenty of sightseeing with a large variety of restaurants to choose from.
A good tip when planning your multi centre holiday is to look at a map of where the Maldives is located, it’s likely that the surrounding countries will operate flights to and from and so logistically it will be possible and if cost is important then selecting the locations that the aircraft has to stop in is always a good bet.
I've spent 25 years of my career in the travel industry, my passion being creating bespoke holidays to a variety of destinations to meet the needs of our valued clients. During my career I've worked for tour operators, as a holiday representative, in the customer services department of an airline, arranged business travel and tailor made holidays and sold holidays in a retail travel outlets. I now use my vast knowledge of the travel industry to run my own successful online travel business.
For more information on Maldives Multi Centre holidays or ideas for alternative holiday destinations
call Joanne on 01243 779 737
