Daily Archives: December 15, 2021

The Maldives may be the smallest country in Asia, but its also the worlds most dispersed, with its 115 sq m (298 sq km) of land divided across 1200 islands that lie scattered across a whopping 90,000 sq m (233,100 sq km) of Indian Ocean. Its no surprise then that sea and air travel are the key modes of transport.

Many travelers come to "fly and flop", but if youre too itchy-footed to spend two weeks in one spot, its easier than you might think to travel throughout the country. From public buses to luxury yachts, heres how to get around in the Maldives.

There are 17 regional airports scattered throughout the Maldives, with regular domestic flights provided by FlyMe and Maldivian. If youre traveling to local islands, ask your guesthouse to book flights for you, as theyll be able to access discounted tickets. Flights do sell out, so try to book far in advance if you want to avoid an overnight stay in Mal (though theres plenty to see there if you do get stuck).

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No runway? No problem. Seaplanes run by Trans Maldivian Airways and Maldivian allow locals and tourists to reach almost any island in the country, and give passengers unbeatable views of the countrys key selling point: countless sandy islands ringed by aquamarine water. The endless blue is so alluring, sightseeing flights are a popular pastime for visitors with deep pockets.

Resorts often charter seaplanes or in some cases, own their own to transport guests from A to B as quickly and smoothly as possible. Flights only take place in daylight hours however, so youll want to book an international flight that lands in the morning to take advantage.

If you plan to see the Maldives independently and youre on a budget, traveling by public ferry is your best option. They connect all inhabited or "local" islands (not private resorts, which require speedboat or seaplane) and prices range from $5 to $30. But be warned: timetables can be complicated and services unreliable. If youre planning on island hopping, be prepared to spend lots of time waiting around you may even need to spend the night on interim islands to get to your destination. Check online timetables to see whats possible, but its worth contacting your guesthouse directly to get the most reliable information.

There are various types of speedboat journey in the Maldives. Many visitors take speedboats to their chosen resorts from Velana International Airport or Mal, which are arranged well in advance. They typically cost $100 to $400, but the fare is often absorbed into the price of the vacation package. Prefer to have your pick of the seats? Private transfers can cost anything from $65 to $1200, depending on the distance traveled. Local islands are served by scheduled speedboats too ($30 to $110 one-way) and are quicker and more convenient than ferries. Check Atoll Transferfor more details.

If you want to hop between uninhabited islands, stopping at empty beaches and off-the-radar sandbars, consider chartering a dhoni a Maldivian boat made of coconut timber traditionally used for fishing and ferrying cargo around the archipelago. Your chosen guesthouse or resort will be able to help you arrange a charter; local boats start from $70150 a day, while resort prices range from around $400800 a day exact costs depend on how far you want to travel, and for how long. You can arrange a group dhoni cruise in advance check out the tours from G Adventures or Responsible Travel for inspiration.

Dream of sailing around the Maldives in a luxury yacht usually reserved for the likes of Hollywood A-listers? Planning a very fancy family reunion? Private crewed yacht and catamaran charters are widely available, but come at an eye-watering price: anything from $20,000 to $300,000 a week. Depending on your deal you can follow set routes or decide your own itinerary on the fly. Some luxury resorts offer day trips or overnight trips to give guests a taste of the billionaire lifestyle.

Road cyclists looking for long-distance rides and hill climbs wont find what theyre looking for on these low-lying islands. But if pedaling along palm-lined trails towards the breakfast buffet sounds like your kind of bike ride, youll want to choose a larger resort island such as Soneva Fushi, Anantara Kihavah and Six Senses Laamu, where each villa or bungalow comes with your own private bicycles. Many guesthouses also offer free bike rentals or cycling tours check out Beach Villa Ukulhas and Barefoot Eco Hotel for starters.

Buses in the Maldives are cheap and comfortable, but services are limited to Mal and Addu City. The handiest one for travelers is the shuttle between Velana International Airport and Hulhumal.

Besides the traffic-clogged capital city and a few inhabited islands, the Maldives is blissfully car-free. Pint-sized Mal is eminently walkable, and other large local islands are easy to traverse by bike though taxis are available if you need them.

The Maldives isnt the easiest place to travel if you have accessibility needs for example, there are no jet bridges at the airport, meaning youll need to embark and disembark via the aircraft stairs; guide dogs (all dogs in fact) are prohibited throughout the country; and getting on and off speedboats and public ferries can be a hassle if you use a wheelchair. But staff are unfazed by such challenges and are more than willing to offer manual assistance it also helps to let your resort or transfer operator know about your requirements in advance.

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The best ways to get around the Maldives: whether you island hop or fly and flop - Lonely Planet Travel News

Four long years ago, America went into convulsions over revelations that Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein sexually preyed on women pursuing careers in show business. Thus was launched the #MeToo era in which women openly spoke of sexual violence at the hands of rich, powerful men.

Numerous cases have since come to the fore, many seemingly of merit but some colored by spite, mental disturbance or money. Not all accusations, even ones with substance, are equal.

Start with the extraordinary case of hedge funder Jeffrey Epstein, who lured underage girls to his palaces in Palm Beach, Florida, and the Virgin Islands. Epstein is said to have committed suicide by hanging, though many suspect he was murdered.

The real scandal was not his allegedly insatiable lust but his procuring of girls younger than 18. The girls, at least one as young as 14, could not legally give consent even if they verbally did.

But some of the injured parties were in their 20s, which makes the extent of their victimization less clear. A wealthy and handsome single man surrounded by vast luxury could have been seen as a conduit to a life of glamour.

Filthy Rich, a documentary about Epstein, spends a good amount of time with Sarah Ransome. She was young but in her early 20s when she flew to Epsteins private island on his private plane. There, she claimed, he raped her several times.

But when they got back to New York, Ransome moved into an apartment owned by Epstein and the sex continued. I still believed he would help me get to fashion school, she said. And he was giving her money.

And she has a book to sell.

What do you do with this? The documentary neglected to mention that Ransome had previously worked as an exotic dancer and escort. On camera, she played the ingenue, saying in a sing-song that when she arrived in New York, I didnt know anyone and I didnt have money. She cried unconvincingly.

Rape is a heinous crime, whether or not the victim is a woman of experience. But Ransome kept going back.

She tried to finesse this by writing that her mother was a severe alcoholic and she was raped twice in her early teens. She said that this traumatic history left her susceptible to abuse by the likes of Epstein. That would be undeniably true, but Epstein came later.

There is the ongoing case of E. Jean Carroll, a writer who accused Donald Trump of raping her, which he denies. Shes currently suing the former president for defamation for calling her a liar and saying shes not my type. Does making a crude remark constitute defamation? The Biden administration doesnt seem to think so.

The rape accusation is also problematic. Carroll waited 23 years before going public with it in a story for New York magazine and when Trump was president. She appeared on the cover modeling the dress she wore that day.

And she had a book to sell.

The former Elle magazine columnist wrote that she and Trump had recognized each other at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in New York, at which point she agreed to help him find a gift for an unidentified woman. Carroll ended up accompanying him into a dressing room in the lingerie department with a flimsy thing that Trump wanted her to model. She said she was simply joshing.

A very serious crime may have then occurred. But it has yet to be verified, and again, this wasnt a case of a young girl being plucked off the streets.

The details change the heat of these stories. They matter, even when they involve predators and creeps.

Froma Harrop is a nationally syndicated columnist. She can be reached at fharrop@gmail.com.

Continued here:

OP-ED: In these #MeToo accusations, details matter - Observer-Reporter

As a Travel Writer for the past two decades, I have often heard that exclamation from travelers Oh! To be in the lap of luxury while vacationing! The very idea evokes images of gorgeous balmy beaches or powdery snow and ski. Again, for some it is the lush green rainforests and spectacular wildlife drama the Call of the Wild, so to say. Yet, for another set of travelers, they are excited to embark on voyages that are literally ripples of luxury on waters be it the oceans or the great rivers of the world.

Irrespective of the discerning choices of todays new-age luxury travelers, one thing stands out they are always on the lookout for destinations that awesome in terms of beauty and natural panorama.

The quintessential new-age jet-set contemporary traveler wants surprises, escape routes, hidden treasures of nature, and a bewildering array of recreation options to complement the bewitching charms of the lands and regions they visit. The expected destinations where just about every lane is dramatic and charming. As visitors, they want to be spoilt for a choice and Oh! Yeah! They wanna be pampered.

And, for all these, they are prepared to pay big time.

Here is my bucket list of 20 top destinations to embark on a Luxury Travel for 2022.

Necker Island used to be a little known destination until British business tycoon Richard Branson stumbled across this speck of paradise way back in the 1970s and to put it succinctly in his own words I had no idea where they were located or that they were actually called the British Virgin Islands, the billionaire entrepreneur writes in a blog about purchasing Necker Island. But one Thursday in 1978, I was told that they existed and that I could potentially own one.

Necker Island offers not just sea, surf, and sand. It offers a sleek peek into the mysterious luxury and opulence of the rich and the famous when they are in the holiday mood. From Nelson Mandela to Princess Diana, Necker Island has played host to some of the most glamorous people on Planet Earth.

Hawaii is so dramatic that just about every lane is charming. From the best-kept secrets of the Napali Coast to biodiversity-rich national parks, visitors are spoilt for a choice when it comes to choosing the perfect place for holidays.

Apart from natural treasures, Hawaiian people are a blissful lot and peace is of paramount importance to the natives here, superseding even trade, commerce, and all that big talk about money that actually drives the contemporary world.

Davos the very name spells the ultimate in Swiss luxury. Davos has indeed come of age as an international Alpine holiday destination and today this stunning Alpine town with its impressive set of congress resorts, relaxation avenues and a plethora of winter sports activities have catapulted Davos into a much preferred Swiss vacation spot.

If you are a business magnate, Davos hosts the annual and the most highly acclaimed international congress of the World Economic Forum (WEF) which has been held in Davos since 1970. Every year in the month of January alone, Davos is host to over 200 high-flying guests from the worlds of politics, business, science, and civil society.

When it comes to viewing wilderness in all its glory, nothing surpasses the excitement and drama that one is assured of in one of the worlds greatest Wildlife Reserves Kruger National Park.

Much of Kruger is bushland and the luxury lodges offer rare and exclusive entre to over half a million acres of unspoiled wilderness. Indeed, these days it is hard to come by Wildlife Reserves that can boast of Big Five in the same Reserve (Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard, and Buffalo). But then, Kruger is an exception! And hopefully, it will always be so!

Indeed, Mongolias deep-rooted spiritual treasures monasteries, cold deserts, Eagle hunters, and their nomadic lifestyle have become a topic of discussion for the new age traveler on the lookout for bucket list tourist destinations.

Although the towering figure of Genghis Khan dominates Mongolias historical landscape, a plethora of outdoor activities too ranging from Camping to Dog Sledding and much more awaits the discerning global traveler.

As a tourist destination, the biggest advantage that Nagaland enjoys is that Tourism is still not commercialized. The Ultimate Travelling Camp (TUTC) are pioneers in Luxury Camping in some of Indias most remote locales.

The Camp is operational from November to 12 December and coincides with the annual Hornbill Festival, which is a riot of colors. This Festival has carved a niche for itself in the global tourism arena.

Alaska Worlds Last Frontier, which is all about icy wilderness, fjords, and mountain peaks that almost touch the sky is undoubtedly mother natures most blessed revelation.

It is not just through an adventure that you can explore this frozen wilderness, you have the option to unravel the mysterious side of Alaska luxuriously, if not opulently, viz-a-viz a cruise liner. Choosing to opt for a luxury cruise along Alaskas coastline is like having a date with nature itself.

Bora Bora is a perennial favorite of the A-Listers, primarily for the element of privacy that it affords and the fact that Paparazzis find it difficult to penetrate inside their private lives. A vast majority of the hotels have their own private islands and no wonder all these come for a prize would you believe that the stunning St.Regis hotel reportedly charged the celebrity couple Nicole and Keith $17,000 per night!

How about spending time in a secluded log cabin that offers you the liberty to kick off your bloody shoes, reconcile and slow down your system and attune yourself with the pace of the mountain environment? The centuries-old htten or Mountain Log Cabins for todays discerning travelers are a revelation for modern-day travelers! The Tirol region in particular is mountain grandeur at its best.

If you are a party hopper, there can be no better place to party than in Brussels. The contemporary music scene is booming with energy and innovation, courtesy of the thriving cosmopolitan population of this fascinating city.

Make it a point to savour the locally produced Belgian Lambic Beer and I was told that the Yeasts that go in the manufacturing process are acquired from the Senne valley. The Kriek beer is the most sought after and easily available in the bars.

Nestled ideally between the Alps and the Mediterranean, Monaco truly offers an amazing picturesque setting. Let me tell you, the Principality of Monaco is an extremely cultured place and is replete with elegant museums and some of the nicest hotels of the world, which is well supplemented by extravagant gastronomy.

Being Switzerlands largest city, Zurich also happens to be a financial nerve center and culturally very pulsating. In spite of its Expensive City tag, I can vouch for the fact that no other city in the world combines creativity and nature in such a harmonious manner as Zurich.

The dramatic Fijian landscape has lured many rich & famous people to its shores. For instance, Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who was so mesmerized by the ethereal charms of Laucala island that he decided to buy the island and develop perhaps one of the worlds most outstanding islands hideaways.

The Dolomites high, majestic and magical are unique. So unique that UNESCO has designated this incredible mountain system as a World Heritage Site. The real gem is Cortina dAmpezzo, which is popularly referred to as the Pearl of the Dolomites. Old World towns invite you with their quintessential charming residences, medieval cathedrals, narrow streets, and a set of warm hospitable people.

Kerala has carved a niche for itself as one of the worlds premier backwater destinations. Kumarakom Tourist Village, which happens to be the most popular site on the shores of the shimmering lake is in itself a gem of its own. Attain alleviation through yoga & meditation, the famed Kerala Ayurvedic massage therapies, fishing to name just a few.

Chitwan National Park is one of Asias best-managed National Park and has a tremendous reputation for resolving conflicts between the Park and the indigenous people.

What is more, Chitwan is the habitat of the rare and endangered One-horned Rhinos 645 as of 2015, which indeed is praiseworthy.

The Maldives with its white powdery beaches, graceful palm trees, and endless stretches of white silvery sands offers some of the worlds most pristine coral reefs and a bewildering array of underwater sea life on planet earth.

With 1,190 coral islands dotting the landscape offers todays discerning travelers with a bewildering array of tropical indulgences ranging from Jet-skiing to Wind Surfing.

Bordeaux is undoubtedly the largest and oldest fine wine-producing region in the world. It has 113,000 hectares of vineyards and 57 appellations producing some 800 million bottles of wines every year dry white, sweet white, rose, Clairet, and Cremant de Bordeaux.

Nice a wonderful French Riviera city, one which is a very popular destination for honeymooners and sun-worshipers. From the Sultan of Brunei to Lakshmi Niwas Mittal (the worlds richest Indian), they all come here to party. If statistical records are anything to go by, each year the French Riviera hosts 50% of the worlds yacht fleet, which in itself is astonishing.

Land of Reggae music, Rum, and endless stretches of some of the worlds best beaches. Nature aside, who doesnt know Usain Bolt, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff .. In Nassau Valley where the world-famous Appleton Estate is located has been silently brewing the famous Jamaican Rum for the past 265 years.

Subhasish Chakraborty has been working as a Travel Journalist for the past two decades and has been editorially involved with numerous international In-Flight magazines of renowned airlines like Cathy Pacific, Dragon Air, Bhutan Airlines, Air Asia, Airport Authority of India and many more. He was also involved with the UNWTO (World Tourism Organization) as a Consultant.

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Playground Of The Rich & Famous: 20 Places For Luxury Travel In 2022 - Salon Priv Magazine