A week of relaxation in the Maldives

SHIP'S LOG: 01-08 Milan - Rannalhi (Lauda Air) 09-08 Rannalhi - Milan (Lauda Air)

TRANSPORT

Outbound trip with a stopover in Colombo (Sri Lanka) and a direct return Male-Malpensa. About 10 hours of travel in absolute comfort. Lauda Air confirms itself as a top-level airline. Last leg by fast boat. About an hour of slalom among the atolls, ideal for immersing yourself in the magnificent landscape of South Male Atoll.

COSTS

From the catalogue: 2,040 Euros per person excluding tax (All inclusive: don't worry, there's wine and beer too at meals, but not in bottles) Last Second: about 1,800 including taxes (Thanks Salvatore!!!)

ACCOMMODATION

Fan Village. Little houses with four small apartments, two on the lower floor and two on the upper floor. Even today I wouldn't know which floor to recommend. We were put in room 144 (a number, a guarantee) on the lower floor and we were very comfortable. The houses are right by the beach and ours in particular was on the most spectacular side, the one where the sun rises and sets. And the one with the most spectacular coral reef (don't forget to buy the waterproof postcard, 6€ well spent, showing all the fish of the Maldives so you can recognise them in the water...). Only downside: nearby there's the power generator which slightly spoils the atmosphere. Very discreet entertainment (and that's what we expected) with very passionate and friendly staff. One note: the mobile phone works but costs a fortune. Texts work. Beware of viruses: if you get strange messages, don't open them...

CLIMATE: Magnificent. Incredible luck: the week before and the week after were plagued by the monsoon. In total we had two half-days of rain.

WHY GO

- For the snorkelling and diving - For the enchanting beauty of the island - For the relaxation - For the thrill of the sunsets - To swim with the turtles

SUMMARY VERDICT

Snorkelling: 5 out of 5, the best Island: 4 out of 5, hard to imagine anything more beautiful Village: 3 out of 5, nice but I expected more typical little houses in the structure Entertainment: 3 out of 5