Maldives

Known for beautiful white-sand beaches, crystal-clear blue water, and spectacular coral reefs, the Maldives are synonymous with luxury. More than a thousand islands make up this tropical nation, a truly enchanting destination for any traveller. 26 atolls encircle patches of still water, making swimming and diving in these areas very safe.

Capital Male is the busiest place in the country, and its throbbing, pulsing streets might be small but stand in dramatic contrast to the rest of this utterly laid-back region. Don’t miss the informative National Museum, the 17th-century Old Friday Mosque which boasts ornate carvings etched into coral stone, and the seething fish market, right next to the harbour where fresh catch is brought in. Swim with hammerhead sharks at Rasdhoo Atoll, manta rays at Manta Reef, or with whale sharks at Ari Atoll. Grey-tip reef sharks can be seen, along with a staggering diversity of other marine life, cruising along North Ari Atoll’s caves, ledges, and overhangs. There’s a party scene at Maafushi, the country’s most cosmopolitan island, and great snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay, the heart of the Baa Atoll Unesco World Biosphere Reserve.