The Maldives: Time To Fly Away

For many of us dreamers, the Maldives is the epitome of a true paradise on earth. This country, made up of atolls (islands), is located southwest of India, near the equator in the Indian Ocean. It is one of the few places that has been open to travelers with negative COVID-19 tests (and now vaccinations) throughout 2020 and on into 2021. With most resorts located on private islands, keeping people safe and secluded has always been a part of the Maldivian Islanders’ way.

Being avid scuba divers, we came to the Maldives to see everything under the famous brilliantly blue, comfortably warm waters. Others we met were celebrating honeymoons, anniversaries, or other important life moments.

Because we wanted to experience the world-class scuba diving found there, we chose to visit two different resorts to see the diverse parts of this legendary underwater destination. But most visitors choose just one resort to call home, as spending time traveling defeats the purpose of vacationing in paradise.

As divers, the best times to journey to the Maldives (say Mal-deeves) isn’t high season, which happens from January to April, when there is little rain, warm temperatures, low tropical humidity. And while that means excellent visibility under the water, it isn’t when the famed whale sharks and manta rays come to visit. That’s typically May to November, especially in the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in Hanifaru Bay near Baa Atoll.

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort We went in August and had perfect sunny weather, albeit with humidity reminiscent of a New York August. But nothing else was remotely like New York, beginning with staying in an overwater bungalow at the Mercure Maldives Kooddoo on Gaafu Alifu Atoll in the southern part of the country. That gorgeous resort has a beautiful coral lagoon that creates the atoll’s calm innerlagoon water. Just drop in off your villa’s deck with snorkel gear in hand and take in the beauty of it all.

The Mercure has only 68 villas, two restaurants, two bars, and a white-sand beach complemented with an infinity pool. Like most resorts in the Maldives, it has its own dive operation, with expert dive masters to guide you, whether you’re a beginner or much more experienced like we are. Heading down amidst the beautiful coral and clear water, watch for manta rays, sharks, and the thousands of tropical fish that call this part of the world home. And if you’d rather sip frozen drinks complete with umbrellas and work on your tan, do it. Info: all.accor.com.

Heritance Aarah Resort Our next stop was the Heritance Aarah Resort on the Raa Atoll, a luxurious place not far from Male (and close to the Baa Atoll). Choose between an overwater ocean villa or a pool beach villa and settle in. This all-inclusive resort offers five bars, six restaurants, and room service as well, with seafood cuisine leading the way, melded with Indian, French, and Sri Lankan cuisine choices.

Lazing all day looking out over the water is tempting, especially if you’ve chosen to stay in an overwater suite with its infinity pool, but with so much to see in and under those crystal-clear warm waters, you’ve just got to jump in. There’s flyboarding, sailing, snorkeling, kite or windsurfing, and jet skiing on offer here, plus scuba diving and the chance to see more underwater beauties.

Being under the water here is akin to swimming through the most incredible coral-filled aquarium your mind can imagine. Sea turtles meander by, white-tipped sharks slice sleekly past, and—if you’re lucky—a school of spotted eagle rays or perhaps a silvery crowd of sharp-teethed barracuda slide into view. It’s truly heavenly. Info: heritancehotels.com. A trip to the Maldives is just what the doctor ordered after more than a year in quarantine, but we warn you— once you go, your new post-pandemic dreams will be of returning. After all, there are 245 different resorts to see there before you die.

Heritance Aarah Resort

The quickest way to get from New York City to Male, the capital of the Maldives, is to go via Dubai. Expect it to take 19 hours (or more) to get there, for you will be traveling about 8,700 miles; Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad, all topnotch airlines, are the quickest choices. Upon arrival, you’ll then catch a small seaplane to your resort island.

For more information on the Maldives, log on to visitmaldives.com. •

Some may want to hike mountains—others to sip their morning coffee while watching the morning mist dissipate through the forest leaves. Wanderlust—once loosely associated with hippie culture—is quickly becoming a game-changer in the travel industry. Just as people are shifting to the preference for open-air shopping experiences, some travelers opt to ditch the square, homogenized rooms of traditional hotels searching for more. The trend of unique travel experiences such as tiny houses, yurts, geodomes, and safari-style glamping offers travelers a union of simplicity and the great outdoors—with touches of convenience and even luxury.

The Mohicans Treehouse Hotel is a 77acre opportunity to live out your childhood tree fort dreams. With a Midwest location, it offers six lavish ground cabins and nine state-of-art treehouses—including The Silver Bullet treehouse made from a vintage 32-foot Airstream trailer. Two of the treehouses were designed by Pete Nelson, star of Discovery Channel’s hit series Treehouse Masters. The property welcomes dogs and has a nofireworks policy. If these lush treehouses are good enough for the rugged Matthew McConaughey, they’re an absolute yes for me. Info: themohicans.net.

Here’s the new benchmark in glamping. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the National Parks with Under Canvas’s safari-style tents, king-size beds, West Elm furnishings, and woodburning stoves. Locations include Acadia, Lake Powell-Grand Staircase, Grand Canyon, Moab, Yellowstone, Glacier, Zion, Great Smoky Mountains, and Mt. Rushmore.

Make grub over your firepit or visit the onsite restaurant and bar available at most locations. Each works in tandem with nature, offering locally sourced produce, hot breakfasts, bottomless coffee, charcuterie boards, salads, and fresh fish. You might read a book and enjoy the tranquility—but if you’re looking for more, each property has an Adventure Concierge to help coordinate curated excursions. Info: undercanvas.com.

Explore the beauty of Bar Harbor, Maine, and its surroundings atTerramor (“Love of Land”). Here, the folks are dedicated to that mantra, offering complimentary gear such as binoculars, telescopes, walking sticks, and more. Visit the restaurant and bar, take a dip in the pool, or head out on the trails—then retreat to your lux safari-style tent. Accommodations include electricity and Wi-Fi along with overhead fans, Pendleton blankets, and screened porches. The resort is dog-friendly and has a private, fenced-in park where pups can stretch their legs without a leash. Info: terramoroutdoorresort.com.

Getaway builds collections of tiny cabins within a two-hour drive of major cities. The peaceful retreats capture nature and feature a respite from our tech-tethered lives. Absolute simplicity is the gift offered here. Getaway’s custom-built tiny cabins come with everything you need for a simple escape to nature: a comfy queen bed or bunks, linens, a two-burner stove, minifridge, hot shower, airconditioning, an outdoor fire pit, and a minilibrary. Info: getaway. house.

Suppose you’d rather enjoy the outdoors in a vineyard. In that case, Clay Lacy Aviation, an award-winning leader in private luxury jet travel, is partnering with Ross Wine Tours to deliver luxury wine excursions. The company’s nationwide fleet includes aircraft located in New York and along the East Coast. They’re offering custom-tailored wine voyages in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. To explore wine itineraries or create one of your own in consultation with Ross Wine Tours, contact David Lincoln Ross (rosswinetours. com). Once your itinerary is confirmed, Ross Wine Tours will coordinate travel arrangements with Clay Lacy Aviation for a safe, secure, and seamless travel experience. Visit the press page on their website for details. Info: claylacy.com. •

Hocking Hills is about to have its moment of cultural arrival. Boasting 10,000 acres of unexplored forest in Ohio with spectacular hiking trails, zipline canopy tours, rappelling, kayaking, and other outdoor pursuits—it’s an adventurer’s delight. Located within easy reach are plenty of wanderlust-worthy options ranging from tiny houses and cabins to geodomes and yurts. The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls offers luxury cabins, yurts, geodomes, and cottages. Want to check out the tiny house buzz? The Box Hop offers chic, upscale minimalist options. Whether you visit Hocking Hill Treehouse Cabins, Canopy Ridge Cabins, or the Hocking Hills Caboose (that right, a converted railroad car), you’re in for a unique adventure. Info: explorehockinghills.com.