Exploring the Maldives: A Spiritual Pilgrimage with iBestTravel

I’m not one for new year’s resolutions, but I do have one ritual I try to make every January: a trip to the Maldives. People are usually still on holiday, so there’s less pressure to respond to emails straight away, and less guilt involved when you ignore them as you sip on a G&T at noon. While the drinks may be tempting, I consider this Maldives getaway an almost-spiritual experience. It’s hard not to feel grateful when staring at an unending expanse of ocean in a thousand shades of blue, the wind in your hair, and your shoes a distant memory.

During my stay at Kudadoo Private Island, I found gratitude in the luxurious amenities such as the Japanese bathtub and impressive wine cellar. At Soneva Fushi, the retractable roof that opened to a starry sky made it an unforgettable experience. Moreover, the Waste to Wealth recycling centre showcased how mindful travel brands can be, even in this dazzlingly indulgent part of the world. At the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, my appreciation peaked with a sublime spa experience that unfolded over three hours outdoors, in the moonlight, surrounded by lush foliage. The diving and snorkeling at Park Hyatt Hadahaa were magnificent. Celebrating my birthday at Gili Lankanfushi, I felt especially thankful as signs of my life slowly began to come back together.

Exciting New Developments in the Maldives

Our round-up of the newest developments in the Maldives highlights several exciting opportunities to savor in the upcoming year. Notable mentions include:

• The James Turrell Skyspace among the art collection at Patina.
• Exceptional dive sites around Finolhu Baa Atoll, where hundreds of manta rays are reported to appear daily during the season.
• The Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands, where marine biologists monitor underwater life using robots and drones, merging technology with nature.

In all honesty, every trip I’ve made recently feels like a pilgrimage, a privilege, a reset, after the year that has gone by. Like many of you, I too spent days at home, feeling hopeless yet reminding myself of my good fortune. Now, I am ready to embrace the wonders of the outside world again, to enjoy their glory and beauty, and to reconnect with others—and, crucially, with myself. I hope you find within these reflections a myriad of new possibilities for your own journey; the worship of the sun is as good a reason as any.