Style
Arriving in
Images of Maldives may be very familiar, but there are important finer details about this South Asian island nation that will be helpful to you at the planning stage of a holiday. Getting there Between November and April British Airways will fly you direct to Malé from London, or enjoy regional departures with one stop from Birmingham, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle flying with the following airlines: Emirates, Etihad, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Sri Lankan Airways or Turkish Airlines. Book Business Class with Emirates and chauffeur service in the UK is provided. Alternatively Classic offer the services of Tristar Worldwide chauffeurs. We can also book ACE Handling’s VIP meet and greet service: a personal assistant to help at the airport. Cabin upgrades and enhanced flight services are available. When Business Class is not selected lounge facilities may still be booked. Classic Collection Holidays enjoys
12 | A Guide To The Maldives
partnerships with fully licensed airline companies specialising in the provision of private jets. To minimise jet lag set watches to Maldives’ time on boarding the plane, drink plenty of water and make sure a spa treatment for your first or second day in resort has been pre-booked. On arrival in Malé, and once you have cleared customs, our local team will be there to welcome and assist you. On departure they will help you with your luggage and guide you to the airline check-in desks. What to pack and dress codes Reef-safe suntan lotions can be an expensive purchase in resort, so buy beforehand. Avoid sunscreens which contain chemicals that are harmful to coral and marine life. Pack snorkel, surf and diving gear to save on local
rental costs. Take sun hats, sunglasses, minimal tropical-friendly clothing, swimwear, sarongs, sandals, flip flops and dive shoes. The Maldives is the perfect place for holiday reading; pack books or profit from the hotel library. Pack personal care products, toiletries and a small first aid kit. If you plan to travel to inhabited islands, take something light that covers from shoulders to knees to respect Muslim sensibilities. Don’t forget waterproof mobile phones or cameras and dry bags, to keep valuables beach safe, and a wet bag to separate wet items from dry ones after time spent on the beach, around the pool or snorkelling. Some hotels allow barefoot dining and casual wear in restaurants, others don’t. It’s best to check individual resort dress codes before travelling.
