Great beaches, friendly locals and delicious cuisine make Maldives one of the best vacation spots in the world. The archipelago of Maldives consists of over one thousand islands although only about two hundred are inhabitable. The islands lie in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of India. The islands are geologically unique, being made completely out of coral. Malé, the island’s capital, is home to many cultural attractions such as the Fish Market and the Hukuru Miskiiy (which is the oldest mosque in the country and is also known as the Grand Friday Mosque), but has only a few good beaches. The best beaches are usually attached to resorts. The good food and the friendly locals, however, can be found throughout the country.

Although Maldivian cuisine has strong Indian, Sri Lankan and Arabic influences, it manages to be distinct from all of them. A traditional breakfast would consist of roshi, a type of bread, and mashuni, a fish curry flavoured with spices and coconut shavings. Mas huni is another popular Maldivian breakfast. It consists of shredded smoked fish garnished with onions and coconut. Fish, coconut and starchy foods like yams and rice, feature heavily in Maldivian cuisine and a typical lunch would consist of rice, some vegetables, fish broth and a fish dish. As can be expected, seafood plays a prominent role in any meal. Dinner is quite similar to lunch.

The island also has a number of delicious snacks that tourists may enjoy trying out. These include gulha, a pastry stuffed with smoked fish, keemia, fish rolls and bajiya, a pastry stuffed with fish, onions and coconut. Custard, bodibaiy (a dish made of sugar and rice), foniboakiba (a type of cake), githevo boakiba (made using flour, butter and onions), and huni hakuru fohi (a dish made using flour, sugar and grated coconut) are popular local desserts.

There are a lot of options for those looking for a Maldives hotel. Different resorts offer different facilities. Tourists who want Maldives island resorts with a good spa and excellent water sport and dining facilities can try a place like Naladhu Maldives. Situated on a private island, the resort is a cocoon of peace and tranquillity that guests may never want to leave.