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A technological breakthrough changes the perspective on renewable energy – the world´s largest solar power system floating at sea has been installed at LUX* South Ari Atoll. This unique technology called SolarSea gathers solar energy directly on the ocean to power the island in an eco-friendly fashion.
As part of the resort’s commitment to sustainability, LUX* South Ari Atoll has pledged to minimize carbon dioxide emissions. To achieve this goal, the five-star luxury resort partnered with the leading solar provider Swimsol, an Austrian-Maldivian company, which provided a solution to overcome the limited space available for solar panels on small tropical islands.
Consequently, Swimsol developed the first and only patented floating solar power system that is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the waves, storms and saltwater.
“Innovation is key to achieving true sustainability, and we are happy to partner with Swimsol to work towards our goal of minimizing our ecological footprint. As one of the biggest resort islands in the Maldives, we aim to lead the way with eco-tourism and marine conservation work in our region as part of our commitment to good governance, social responsibility and respect for environmental standards”, said Jonas Amstad, General Manager at LUX* South Ari Atoll.
The resort is already using a rooftop system with the same solar company. Once all suitable roofs were covered with solar panels, the resort decided to expand beyond the shoreline with twelve SolarSea platforms. Thereby the solar capacity increased by 40% and reached 678 kWp, enough to power all guest villas with solar energy during the peak sun hours. The result is cheaper energy and a saving of more than 260,000 litres of diesel per year that previously were needed to produce the same amount of electricity with combustion engines.
Additionally, guests can follow a live “solar tracker” on their in-villas IPTV that will indicate the energy produced, diesel saved as well as the equivalent of carbon dioxide emissions savings to offset the number of long-haul flights.
The ocean benefits as well – the platforms provide shelter for juvenile fish and invertebrates, acting like fish-aggregating devices. To avoid any negative effects, the platforms float above the sandy seabed, avoiding the coral reefs. Free-swimming coral larvae can even use the platforms to grow into adult colonies, which can then be replanted on the ocean floor.
Today, the combined rooftop and SolarSea system at LUX* South Ari Atoll is one of the largest solar installations in the country. Plans to further increase the solar capacity are already underway.
Hussain Simad, Managing Director at Swimsol Maldives, has big plans. He said, “Swimsol is the only company with this patented technology in the world right now and our goal is to enable every island to run purely on solar energy. It is a fantastic opportunity to work with LUX* South Ari Atoll to achieve this with their immense support and passionate enthusiasm in making a difference.”
Following in the steps of its parent company, The Lux Collective, of which the purpose is to make each moment matter and to care about what matters, LUX* South Ari Atoll is committed to contributing in any way, big or small, to make eco-tourism a success in the Maldives.
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Summer’s end doesn’t have to mean the end of travel season, and if you’re a savvy adventurer, you’ve probably already taken advantage of great deals on flights this time of year. Europe reveals its best self in September—the hordes have gone home, the weather is still warm but pleasant, and wine aficionados can enjoy the buzz of harvest season. If swimming with whales is on your bucket list, September in the South Pacific boasts cooler temperatures, clear visibility in the water, and hundreds of migrating whales. Wildlife safari calling? The dry season is at its peak in Southern Africa in September, which creates the ideal scenario to get close-up views of big game. Take a look at some of our favorite September journeys.
Pilgrim’s Way: Walk the Ancient Trails of Northern Spain’s Camino de Santiago
September in Spain is sensational. With pleasant daytime temperatures, far fewer crowds than in summer, and autumnal colors just beginning to burst, this is the perfect month to journey across a landscape alive with legends. Our 9-day adventure along the best portions of Spain’s Camino de Santiago allows you to hike as much or little as you like, welcomes you each night in carefully selected hotels and paradors (no crowded hostels!), and brings you all the way to the earth’s end, Finisterre, where you can take the traditional pilgrim’s barefoot walk along the beach, soaking up the sun and the lovely September breeze.
View Pilgrim’s Way Itinerary
Amalfi and Capri: Ravello, Mt. Vesuvius, and Spectacular Coastal Hikes
On the world-renowned Amalfi coast and the isle of Capri, la dolce vita is best enjoyed when the coastal trails are relatively quiet, Mt. Vesuvius is free of crowds, and the locals are happy to see you. September brings a calm quiet to this breathtaking region of Italy that makes it even easier to enjoy. Not only that, but with the heat a bit less intense than in summer, your hikes on the spectacular coastline will be bellisimo. Sip a limoncello, dine on scialatielli with fresh-caught seafood, and take in the eye-popping views of the azure coast in the quiet month of September. Saluti!
View Amalfi and Capri Itinerary
Swimming with the Humpbacks in Tonga’s Remote Tropical Isles
Every year from around mid-June to October, humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to Tonga to court, mate, and give birth. While you can interact with the whales in the waters of Tonga throughout this season, September is the sweet spot. Here’s why: by September, the whales have settled in and are more relaxed. The calves are always curious, but the mothers are hesitant earlier in the season to let them interact with people. Later in the season, the mothers allow people to get much closer. Since the whales start to leave in October, September is the ideal month to seek out encounters with these magical creatures.
View Swimming with Humpback Whales Itinerary
Hiker’s Journey to the Caucasus: Lodge-based Hiking in the Republic of Georgia
In the small country of Georgia where hospitality is a way of life, the warm Georgian welcome will make you feel at home any time of the year. In general, though, it’s best to avoid the summer heat of lower elevations as well as the cold winters up in the Caucasus Mountains. September brings cooler temperatures in the lowlands while the mountains are still warm enough to enjoy. An added bonus: Kakheti is one of the world’s oldest wine-growing regions and autumn is harvest season. In September, you can join in the feasting and festivities of this country’s national pastime!
View Hiker’s Journey to the Caucasus Itinerary
Great Wildlife of Southern Africa: Cape Town, Greater Kruger, Victoria Falls, and Hwange
As southern Africa’s winter turns to spring in September, Cape Town is bursting with color and thousands of plants are in full bloom. Table Mountain displays carpets of wildflowers, and whales are still visible along the coastline. In Greater Kruger and Hwange, spring arrives a little later so vegetation is still sparse after the dry winter. This is ideal for safaris—limited foliage means great visibility. Wildlife gathers in great numbers around the fewer water sources left at this time of year, making for incredible opportunities to watch animals in action. September is also one of the best months to visit Victoria Falls—it’s not too hot and the falls are still flowing on both the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides.
For a thrilling safari that takes you deep into the remote corners of Zimbabwe, our Wild Zimbabwe adventure is also an excellent choice this time of year—active days are balanced with gorgeous overnights in award-winning lodges, and it’s the optimal time to view the “big five,” including one of the world’s largest elephant populations.
View All African Safaris
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LUX* North Malé Atoll introduces The LUX* Break; its very own surf point with ideal conditions for kite and wave surfing. Whether seeking exclusive kite surfing spots or the perfect mix of waves to ride just minutes from the resort, LUX* North Malé Atoll serves it all for avid surfers and beginners alike.
Guinness world record holder for the first to cross The Bering Strait from Russia to Alaska in 2011, as well as four-time Russian national champion of Kite Freestyle, Evgeny (Jackson) Novozheev, has given his seal of approval to LUX* North Malé Atoll’s various surfing spots.
“The resort is a kite surfer’s paradise with its wind conditions, shallow waters and warm temperatures. The breezier months from May to September offers wind speeds between 11 and 20 knots, complemented by the spacious lagoon as well as the nearby sandbank, which is perfect for kite surfers to take off in any direction. Beginners can also use the sandbank as a playground to learn to manoeuvre the equipment. Overall, the light to medium consistent winds are perfect for kite foiling” says Jackson.
The LUX* Break, just five minutes from the resort, serves up gentle, rolling waves during certain conditions between May and October, exemplary for all levels of experience for riding the waves. For surfers seeking additional adventures, the resort provides guided excursions to five of the country’s most famous surf spots located 20 to 40 minutes by speedboat.
In collaboration with Best Dives Maldives, the resort offers the highest standards of equipment for rent from PASSION MKIX and VISION MKIX kites to BLISS 39 V5 LTD and PLACEBO V6 M boards, as well as board binding, fins, harnesses and pumps.
For beginners, experienced instructors are on hand for one-on-one instruction. The resort can also organise private speed boat transfers with catered lunch as well as a photographer to capture the exhilarating moments.
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300 guests flew to Maldives this May to attend the first Indian Wedding at the Furaveri, Maldives.
Furaveri, Maldives natural setting and the beautiful untouched landscape captured the imagination of a couple who had chosen Maldives as the venue for their dream wedding however were looking out for many months for the picture perfect Resort to be able to cater to the high demanding requirements of the Indian wedding.
The wedding saw over 300 guests flown in from all over India and from various parts of the World including America and Europe. The wedding party had booked the entire Resort for the event and the celebration continued for three days which included Indian Drummers, Henna and Make-up Artists and a celebrity DJ flown all the way from India.
Mr. Mohamed Hilmy, General Manager Furaveri Island Resort & Spa said, “The negotiations to finalize the Resort had been going on for almost 2 months and the family was totally blown away with the way the entire team were able to anticipate and cater to every need of the family during their visit in March and this created an emotional engagement with them.”
Mr. Hilmy wanted the event to be a showpiece event and the first in many in Maldives. He is not new to hosting weddings as he has spearheaded and hosted many wedding celebrations in Maldives and around the World in his previous roles, however what made this Indian wedding unique was the fact that a huge number of people flew in to attend a traditional Indian ceremonial wedding infused with Maldivian elegance. This also put Furaveri in the tourism map for destination weddings, which is very popular among Indian elites.
“We put in a lot of effort into planning the nitty-gritties along with the family and the professionals from India and Maldives. There was a lot of excitement among the team as this is a great opportunity to showcase our property and Maldives as a destination for such huge events,” he added.
“Our ultimate goal is to promote our Resort and the destination and showcase the Truly Maldivian Hospitality and Heritage while our guests experience a memorable, unique and unforgettable comfort that will stay with them forever.”
A special team was formed to take care of the guests, right from the arrival at the airport to their departure and assisted them throughout the 3-day event.
Whilst keeping in line with local customs & regulations set by local authorities, Furaveri has delivered the expected results to the group who were besotted and amazed with the way we curated their dream wedding which was beyond their expectations. We have given the confidence to anyone and everyone across the globe that at Furaveri anything is possible. You wish, we curate and deliver – That’s our promise.
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On an invitation given by Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation, a team of journalists from USA has arrived in Maldives. The purpose of this trip is to reach a wider audience in creating awareness of the destination and featuring the products of Maldives in USA.
As part of a series of FAM trips organized by MMPRC, this is the fifth group to visit in order to further increase the exposure of the country. The visit from the team is expected to be from 13th August 2019 till 18th August 2019.
The media teams stayed in Heritance Aarah resort and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo resort. Exploration of the spiritual side of life was a highlight during the trip with wellness and rejuvenation sessions, along with a glimpse of the local way of life during the festive period of Eid. Other activities such as sailing on dhoni, seeing the underwater beauty, dolphin cruise and water sports was also experienced by the team.
The team comprised of freelance writers who has had their content appear on a variety of publications such as Travel + Leisure, Jetsetter.com, Trip Savvy, National Geographic Travel, USA Today and New York magazine to name a few. Their experiences would be featured as articles and photographs in their respective publications in the USA.
Based on the tourist arrival figures this year, the USA remains amongst the top 10 source markets for the Maldives. It is ranked as the 8th biggest source, with 3.2% of the market share. The number of arrivals were recorded as 27,684 from January to June 2019 which is a 34.5% increase from the same period in 2018. Through our series of FAM trips, MMPRC hopes to reach wider audiences in these markets to promote the Maldives.
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Where luxury and exclusivity are at home, new French chef Sebastien Pinson now cooks with a unique blend of creativity and passion at the Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa in the Maldives. Chef Pinson brings sophistication to the award-winning restaurants of this luxury resort in the Maldives and has already proven his expertise as a former Michelin Star chef.
With 20 years of experience, Pinson knows exactly what is needed to create an enthusiastic and productive work environment.
The recognized chef, Pinson perfected his cooking skills around the world. So he already cooked in South America, the Caribbean, the United States, Asia and Europe for the most famous resorts and hotels. He has already earned several awards, including a Michelin star.
Guests who enjoy his exceptional cooking skills will get to know the taste of a perfected food and feel how the perfectly coordinated interplay of food, wine, ambience and service will make the meal a memorable evening.
Thanks to its uncomplicated and, above all, delicious cuisine, the chef always succeeds in convincing his connoisseurs of his incomparable talent. With the help of local ingredients, Pinson conjures masterpieces that have little to do with ordinary food and more with true art. If you are lucky, you can watch the master chef cook in one of the restaurants of the Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa , refining his “Signature Dish”, the sole, according to your individual wishes.
The Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa has four different restaurants and bars, over which Sebastien Pinson takes charge.
The resort prides itself on offering its guests the finest and most diverse of specialties throughout the day, as the Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, one of the most luxurious resorts in the Maldives, is known for its culinary delights. From an Asian restaurant, a grill restaurant and an upscale a la carte cuisine to a casual pool bar at the resort, guests are spoiled for choice every day: one superlative or the others?
As a chef, Sebastien Pinson is a lover of the diverse cuisine and therefore particularly fascinated by the concept that resort have the opportunity to choose between different kitchen options every day.
The world is full of flavors, colors and smells, each country has its uniqueness, every chef has his little secrets, we should always make the best of it. My team and I are very happy that we can all use our diverse experiences and backgrounds. It always gives our guests the unimaginable culinary experience they seek, “says Chef Sébastien. With the new chef at the Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa’s restaurants and bars, guests can look forward to perfection in the resort’s cuisine and be assured they will not miss anything at this Maldives resort!
“We are pleased to have Chef Sebastien onboard and to lead the team. With him, I am excited to see his exceptional creations for our guests that will delight and amaze their senses during their stay”, says Christian Szabo, general manager of Hideaway Beach Resort and Spa.
“We always consider our guests to experience the finest dining considering Chef Sebastien’s expertise, we will continue to enhance our culinary delights and do our utmost to cater everyone’s desire”, says Mr. Michael Wieser, CEO of Lily Hotels & Resorts Pvt Ltd.
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Fushifaru Maldives is honored to win ‘Maldives Leading Beach Resort’ award at the 26th edition of the World Travel Awards.
World Travel Awards honor the top travel destinations worldwide as rated by travel professionals as well as by travellers. Known as the “Tourism Oscars”, the World Travel Awards are renowned as the most prestigious and comprehensive in the global industry and recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.
On the resort’s stunning beach, over 100 residents and guests celebrated this remarkable victory at a magical sunset cocktail event, exulting traditional Maldivian elements that Fushifaru Maldives is renowned for. The trophy made a grand entrance on a jet ski arriving at the beach in style, where it was received with an authentic Maldivian welcome and was escorted between the rejoicing audiences.
“Winning the award is an outstanding affirmation of the trust our guests place in our personalized services and serve as positive motivation for us to continue raising the bar in being the resort of choice for leisure travelers. All our resident hosts and staff are dedicated to provide our guests with inspiring and memorable experiences during their stay. With 49 villas, our resident hosts are able to cater to every guest’s wish to ensure a magical Maldivian adventure.” says General Manager Ahmed Siaar.
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Whether you are exploring a polar region for the first time or have already conquered the Antarctic, the archipelago of Svalbard offers untouched Arctic wilderness, unique wildlife, and a fascinating history of trappers, whalers, and explorers. On the Arctic Wildlife Safari, we came across fascinating landscapes and creatures.
A quick three-hour flight brought me from Oslo to Longyearbyen, where I spent the day exploring the local shops, museums, art gallery, and northernmost brewery. This mining town is the gateway to Svalbard and was the perfect place to rest and recharge before embarking on the Sea Spirit for my expedition cruise.
Our first morning greeted us with incredible views and icebergs. We took our first Zodiac cruise through a sea of magnificent blue icebergs and made our way toward the Negribreen Glacier where we got to experience our first of many calving events.
Throughout our trip we had some great land excursions and hikes that took us through snow, mud, and rocky terrain but always rewarded us with breathtaking views. Some travelers had the opportunity to kayak and take in Svalbard from a different perspective.
Thanks to the help and expertise of our fantastic expedition team, we had incredible wildlife encounters: reindeer were abundant, seals were playful, and the seabirds seemed to surround us throughout our journey. We even had a few polar bear sightings from our Zodiacs!
The walrus encounters were by far my favorite. They are so playful and swift in the water, but once they come on land, they move at a slow and somewhat awkward pace. I had so much fun watching and photographing these unique animals.
We had the opportunity to visit Ny-Ålesund, a former mining town and launch pad for North Pole air expeditions. We had incredible weather and stunning views during our tour of this Arctic research town.
One of most incredible things about an expedition in the Arctic is the chance to experience the unpredictable weather. One morning we woke to clear blue skies and in the same afternoon we were taking a Zodiac cruise in the snow and walking on the ice—true Arctic weather!
My expedition cruise in Svalbard was a truly incredible experience. I was blown away by the stunning landscape and ever changing layers of texture of color and would recommend this trip to anyone looking for a unique adventure!
—Text and photos by WT staff Denise Santos, Arctic Wildlife Safari.
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Aaahh! Three hours in the making and the formal outfit design is done! I may have gone overboard… oops.
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Lil hipster gal
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down at the river
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I was told by many people before joining Wilderness Travel’s Snorkeling Raja Ampat trip that it would “ruin” snorkeling for me because the area is renowned for harboring one of the most pristine reef ecosystems in the world. The adventure definitely set a high bar for future snorkeling excursions, but it was beyond worth it! As someone who studied Marine Biology with a focus on coral, I was in heaven! Here are just a few of my favorite memories from the trip.
The sheer number of coral species and the vast fields of healthy coral colonies was mind blowing. Raja Ampat lies in the direct center of the Coral Triangle, and has the highest diversity of coral species of anywhere else in the world, with over 650 species of hard coral. For reference, the Great Barrier Reef has about 400 and the Caribbean has around 60.
Our group encountered many unique species that I hadn’t seen before, like the extraordinarily colorful nudibranchs (also known as sea slugs or Spanish dancers), archerfish, which live in the mangroves and hunt insects on the leaves by spitting water at them, and tunicates, also called sea squirts, which of all the invertebrates, are actually the organism most closely related to humans.
Being off the grid was also one of the highlights for me. It’s so rare to be away from any kind of internet connection for almost 12 days, and it’s amazing how that can make one more present in their surroundings.
Sailing past stunning limestone islands, kayaking in remote lagoons, and enjoying the sunsets and stars at night was such a mesmerizing and rejuvenating experience.
I also encountered the biggest coral colony I have ever seen! Corals like this one only grow a couple centimeters a year, at most, so this colony is probably over 1,000 years old. Coral colonies of this growth form actually have rings that can be used as indicators of past oceanic conditions, similar to how tree rings are indicators of past climactic conditions.
And finally, just a few more coral and anemone photos since I couldn’t get enough. Enjoy!
—Text by WT staff Sydney Dillon, photos by Sydney Dillon and Sam Maurer, Snorkeling Raja Ampat. Check out Sydney’s other blogs about Palau and 5 Ways to Help Protect Our Oceans.
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a happy seal
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Dusit Thani Maldives, an award-winning luxury resort on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll – the Maldives’ first and only UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve – has introduced a luxury ‘Floating Breakfast’ concept offering a memorable way to start the day in the privacy of its pools.
Guests can choose one of two options: Floating Breakfast with a Demi Bottle of Champagne (375ml), or Floating Breakfast with soft drinks only. The first option is for two persons, and, alongside the Champagne, also includes Eggs Royale; smoked salmon with green asparagus; a selection of baked goods and pastries; assorted fruits and nuts; various cheeses; light gourmet bites such as Iberico ham with tomato ciabatta, and other delicious treats. The second option is for two persons and comes with a selection of baked goods, dried fruits, various cheeses, light gourmet bites, freshly-squeezed seasonal juices, and tea/coffee.
‘Floating Breakfast’ is available via In Villa Dining at the resort’s signature two-bedroom Beach Residence, as well as at villas and pavilions which have private pools.
Located just 35 minutes by seaplane from capital city Malé, and 10 minutes by speedboat from Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport in Baa Atoll, Dusit Thani Maldives comprises 94 villas and residences, along with three restaurants, two bars, and Dusit’s signature Devarana Spa. The resort is surrounded by a rich house reef, white sandy beaches and a turquoise lagoon. A well-equipped Kids Club adds to the resort’s family-friendly appeal.
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Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) organizes “Journey to the Sunny Side” Roadshow in two prominent cities in Korea, Seoul and Busan from 8th August to 9th August. Maldives Roadshow in South Korea marks the fourth event commenced in the series of “Journey to the Sunny Side” Roadshows planned by MMPRC to further promote Maldives in the global market.This is a joint promotional activitie with SInpaore Airlines.
This two-city roadshow targets the South Korea travel trade audience to maximize the Maldives brand exposure. This event will be a platform for Maldives tourism industry partners to feature their products and network with the top travel trade industry partners of South Korea. In addition,Vakkaru Maldives, Slepndid Asia, Hulhule Island Hotel, Eon Resorts, Villa Hotels & Resorts, Furaveri Island Resort, Bandos Maldives, Robinson Club Maldives and Orca Media Group are exhibiting in this event, to further strengthen the relationship with Korean tour operators. A raffle draw winner will be chosen from each city to spend holidays in the Maldives, by sponsorship from Villa Hotels & Resorts.
The South Korea market has promising potential for Maldives. A total of the 34,400 tourists from the region visited the Maldives in 2018. Statistics from January to June 2019 show, 17,358 tourist from the region arrived to Maldives; a growth of 9.1% compared to the same period of last year.
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Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has taken part in the 03rd annual Maldives Day event organized by the Resort Life of Maldives held in Tsarsky City Resort, Ukraine. The aim of this event was promoting Maldives as a destination in an interactive way and to highlight unique aspects of Maldives tourism product with top tour operators and Medias from Ukraine.
The event was a one day event held in the evening. A total of 08 participants from across the Maldives tourism industry exhibited at the event. They are Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fenfushi, Cocoon Maldives, Robinson Club Maldives, Heritance Aarah, Adaaran Hotels & Resorts, Ayada Maldives, The Residence Maldives and Vakkaru Maldives.
The event kicked off with greetings from the Join up Head of Maldives Destination Mr. Eugene Khadzhynov. During the event a presentation about the destination was given by MMPRC in addition to the meetings held with industry professionals and top agents. Furthermore, various activities were carried out to engage with the visitors including the distribution of the promotional materials.
A total of 6,066 tourists from Ukraine visited Maldives from January to May 2019. This is a positive growth of 8.3% compared to the same period of 2018.
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