Thanks for the handy tips. Does anyone know when the best time would be to book our honeymoon? We are not getting married until 22nd April 2006, but we want the best deals, flights, etc.
We are also thinking of doing a stop over in Dubai, would it be best on the way there or back?

Best deals usually can be had by booking in advance. April 2006 in on sale with charters but you can only book a confirmed scheduled flight 330 days in advance. You can book it and the travel agent will just confirm your flights when they come online.

As for Dubai, I have heard that it is much better to do it on the way out as it can be hectic and crowded if you're doing a lot of shopping and so if you did it on the way back it would ruin all that rest and relaxation you had in the Maldives!

Thanks for your help, I think he now wants to just go to the Maldives, just need to pick the island

Hi Little Bird

A few suggestions for you...

I've been to the Maldives four times now, and I went on honeymoon last new year 2003/2004 to what I consider is the best Island for honeymooners... It's call Mirihi and I couldn't find it in many brochures, so I booked direct with them and got a flight seperately. Have a look at their website: http://www.mirihi.com especially the virtual tour and guestbook and the very private balconies on the water bungalows . It is more expensive than some of the other islands, but it's first class - I couldn't fault it in any way.

The first couple of times, we flew Sri Lanka Airways with a refuelling stop at Dubai and a plane change in Sri Lanka. The stop at Dubai on one occasion was quick, about an hour off the plane to look around the very cheap duty free, but the second time was nearly three hours and we weren't allowed of the plane! One stopover at Sri Lanka was about three hours, so not too bad and the other was 9 hours - total travel time nearly 24 hours - They did take us to a hotel, but we just wanted to get to the Maldives. So, the moral of this story is that the other two time we made sure we had direct flights - it makes such a difference. I think Monarch and Britannia fly direct from Gatwick and Manchester and they both have a 'plus' upgrade - sort of business class, extra legroom etc for about £200 each extra. I'm 6'2" and we upgraded for our honeymoon and it was well worth it on a 13 hour flight. The other thing is, check on the transfer from Male Airport to your resort. Some have boat transfers of 5 or 6 hours! upgrade or choose a resort with a sea-plane transfer - you'll get fantastic views of the Maldives from a sea plane and the ride is an experience in itself.

Mosquitoes: I am a mozzy magnet, but I have never had a problem in the maldives. In fact, on Mirihi the sprayed the whole island to be sure!

Anyway, I hope this epistle has been of some help and if you would like any further info or photos, just ask or PM me.

Regards and wherever you go, have a great time!

Nick

Hi Little Bird,

We have just come back from our second visit to Lily Beach and yet again had a fantastic time. Have posted the thread to the report I did if you haven't already seen it as you were asking for reviews.

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=31584&highlight=

Already planning a third visit next year !!

Have also been to Mauritius, but unfortunately stopped on the North East side of the island and had a pretty turbulent time with the weather. Must agree with the other HT'ers though that it is a wonderful place to visit. We hired a car for a day and visited the area around Grand Baie. We also took a couple of taxis to various places of interest and it was brilliant. We definitely want to go back, but would this time stop in the NW area.

My opinion is the Maldives is the best place to go, but there again that's maybe because of where we stayed in Mauritius, going back somewhere else may change my mind.

Wherever you go though it will be incredible.

If you need any other info just PM me, am happy to answer any queries, and supply photos.

Sean

Thanks for that Nick, We were looking at flying from BHX via Dubai with emirates, but not too sure how long the connection is. It's just a lot easier to fly from BHX on the Sunday, as we are getting married on the sat before. We were looking at Kuredu, but not sure if the island is too big for what we actually want. Also looking at the discussions a lot of people have mentioned Lily Beach? I have not heard of the island you mentioned, or infact seen it, but will check it out and have a look.
Thanks for the tip on the mozies.

We are also looking at staying in a jaczzi beach villa, these look fantastic, but not quite sure if we will use it? Any thoughts???

Nicky

After Dubai, is it direct to Male? if not I would suggest you think again.

I've not been to Lily Beach, so I can't comment, but after 4 visits I think one of the most important things (for us) is the house reef. Some islands have reefs which are a mile offshore across a lagoon, some are impassable (one of the islands we stayed at was Hakurra Club - lovely island, great water bungalows, but the steps that down to the sea from the water bungalows led to 2 feet deep sea with very sharp corral everywhere, and a long way to the reef - too shallow to swim and a long wade with footwear). The best (in our opinion) are islands that have a close house reef - Mirihi for example has about 50 feet of blue water and then the reef. Lagoons sound nice, but if you want to snorkel, it's a long way!

As for size? It's up to you. I prefer small. Mirihi can be walked around in 30 minutes. The smallest island I stayed on (villi varu) was walked around in 15 minutes. I guess as its your honeymoon, you're not going to want Butlins, so smaller is better. I think after you've seen the Mirihi website you may not want anywhere else. I know WHEN I go back it's going to be a hard choice not to go to Mirihi, but like I said it is quite expensive, so I guess next time will be cheaper version. I will go to a different island next time because I like to try different things, but my priorities are:

1. Direct flight
2. Sea plane transfer (unless it's VERY close to the airport
3. Good house reef (No huge lagoons) close to the island
4. small size
5. The look of the rooms

Jaccuzi's... Hey, every little helps, but don't pay too much for things you may not use much.

Like I said, PM me for more - I'll happily give you my number and you can have a very long chat with my wife - she'll fill you in as you girlies always seem to do!!!!

Nick

Your island does look lovely Nick, have you any idea which brochure it would be in. I agree with you and a lot of other people as the smaller the better, just so that we can chill out after all the wedding stuff, gonna be knackered. Just cannot decide which one is best for us. I am getting more and more confused with which one to go to.
We went to Egypt earlier on in the year, and snorkeld their, it was amazing, but you couldn't walk out into the sea from the beach due to the coral, I really want to be able to do this, this time. Not really bothered about too much entertainment either, just as long as we can have a drink with lunch and a couple to watch the sun go down, would be OK with me..and go for a little walk before and after dinner, to walk off the fantasic meals everyone talks about sooo much.. Just can't decide..... Is this Island ALL incl??? That does mean a lot to both of us.

What you describe is Mirihi. You walk into the water wade, then swim for 50 feet then you are snorkelling over the reef. Be warned though, as I said before, not all islands are like this. They also do trips, snorkelling and diving. We went on a snorkelling trip and swam with Manta Rays. I was hoping for whale sharks, but we never found one.

No, It's not AI. There is a rate card on the website. But to be honest, unless you are real drinkers, I've found that AI isn't necessarily cheaper. Prices seem to be roughly what you would pay in London i.e. £3 for a pint of lager (although usually served in halves - if memory serves $2.50 for a beer).

I never found it in a brochure. I took a chance and booked direct with them. They were great and met us at the airport and really looked after us for the whole stay. There was no brochure rep, but there isn't anyway on the Maldives - too spread out. We saved a lot of money and I'm really glad I did it.

Regards

Nick

We are looking at Kuredu for or honeymoon, we both feel as though it has enough and the best for us. Has anyone been?

Nick, your island is in Tradewinds brochure we found it!!, it does sound fab, but we really do want all inc.

Can anyone help pm Kuredu. Want beach villa, with all the works.....?

Hello there,my daughter was in Kuramathi,in the Maldives this april,from the 18 th for 2 weeks.What a place!!!after seeing the photos,I'm thinking of going with them when the return next April.pure paradise!!!!it rained twice in the 2 weeks that they were there,but during the night.anyone thinking of going to the Maldives,you must give Kuramathi a try,I'm going to.

Hi, pleased you seem to have settled on Maldives - never been to Mauritius but myself and wife are Maldives nuts! We have been 3 times to Vilamendhoo and love the place. Unfortunately they don't have the water bungalows so if your heart's set on those, maybe this is of no use? However, I will always take any opportunity I can to recommend Vilamendhoo to anyone. Gorgeous, unspoilt Island with fabulous snorkelling (one of the best 'house' reefs I understand), PADI dive school, two Bars, superb service etc. etc. Food is the highlight too - so much to choose from that while it may 'repeat' in cycles, you never need eat the same thing twice in a fortnight - superb quality also.
Regards
Martin

Hi little bird
Lily Beach doesn't have too many mozzies, and those that are there are delt with by spraying once a week, I have stayed in the standard room and the water villa, I must say that it would be a waste of money to stay at the water villa, don't get me wrong it was great and there are good points for both but having stayed in both I feel that the high standard of the normal villa's ment that there was no need to upgrade.
By the way the Island is fantastic.

Regards
Joe