The capital Malé is a pleasant city of mosques and markets and narrow winding streets. It is the only place of any significant size in the Maldives; even then, it’s only small by city standards. Most visitors head straight out to the more remote islands and atolls.

The many islands of the Maldives stretch out in a neat line to form an exclamation mark in the Indian Ocean, with resorts scattered right across the archipelago. Choosing where to go is largely a matter of choosing your resort. Some of the best of them include Dhoni Mighili, set in the Ari Atoll, with just six bungalows, each partnered by a 65ft dhoni (a hand-crafted Maldivian sailing boat); or Kanuhura, where all villas come with personal butlers and private verandahs extending onto the sand; or Soneva Fushi, the ultimate in rustic-chic on a private 100-acre islet; or Reethi Rah, an octopus-shaped resort which sits on its own island in the North Male’ Atoll, with 6km of dazzling white-sand beaches, lagoons and turquoise bays.

A Maldivian holiday is all about sun, sea, watersports, and deep relaxation. Each of the resorts and its corresponding island lagoon caters exactly for these things. Private rustic-style villas are generally placed discreetly on a secluded piece of beach, or on decking above the crystal waters of a lagoon. Wherever you stay, the activities on offer take full advantage of the idyllic setting: desert-island picnics, sunset dhoni fishing, diving, dolphin watching, or traditional bodu beru drumming down on the beach... You get the picture.