The islands of the Indian Ocean are surprisingly varied, ranging from cultural melting pots to dots on the horizon - it’s important to pick the right one for you! The gorgeous islands of the Maldives are probably the most beautiful beach destination we’ve ever been to - picture postcard stuff, and then some! Each resort is an island in its own right, and as you can't really get off your island it’s important to make sure that your resort is ideal for you. The Maldives is perfect for relaxation and gentle activity - if it’s sightseeing and culture you’re after, you’re in the wrong place! Water based activities are popular - if you want decent snorkelling and diving (it’s world-class here) then look for an island with a house reef, or if you prefer to potter in the shallows with a good book and a glass of sauvignon blanc (we’re definitely the latter!) then you need an island with a lagoon. Some resorts come with hefty price tags, so it’s important to get things right! ...

As the wedding season approaches, we take a look at some of their most popular destinations for honeymooners. If your idea of the ultimate romantic honeymoon is to be alone with just the love of your life, then look no further than the Maldives . Hundreds of tiny islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a stunningly beautiful destination where romance comes easily. Lazy days on the beach, beautiful sunsets and understated service are the order of the day here – forget sightseeing and partying! Resorts do vary quite considerably, and as you can’t really leave your island once you’re there its important to get the right one for you. Larger islands tend to offer a range of facilities and more of a village feel, ideal for those who like a little more activity, while some islands are little more than a dot on the horizon, perfect for a real get-away-from-it-all. From the moment you land at the airport, the beauty and romance of the Maldives really does take your breath a...

The islands of the Indian Ocean are amongst the most beautiful in the world, and we’re huge fans of this region having visited most parts of it over the years. From the castaway beaches of the Maldives to the culture of India & Sri Lanka, this is a truly fascinating part of the world. Sri Lanka is a particular favourite of ours and we’ve all been several times - to our mind the best way to see this island is with your own private car & driver, to explore the interior before heading to the beach - or onwards to the Maldives . Sri Lanka is one of the friendliest destinations you’re likely to visit, with an incredible history and beautiful scenery. The nearby islands of the Maldives are just dots on the map, but their beauty really does take your breath away. Each island is individual so getting the right one is important - some have loads of facilities, some are total chill-out. Our favourites include stylish Velassaru, Kuramathi Island with is range of dining optio...

Well another year has passed already and here at the Escape Worldwide Long Haul Holidays we have had a great year with plenty of travel, which we love the most. I myself  have been to Cape Town and the Winelands in South Africa, also Sri Lanka, The Maldives, Dubai and the beaches of Florida. Yep plenty of amazing places, all in the name of research of course. All the places I have visited have there own special magic. With Dubai I was lucky enough to stay the stunning Atlantis the Palm which was simply brilliant and well worth a visit especially for families as the waterpark there was simply fantastic. I loved both Sri Lanka and the Maldives with the highlight for me, climbing Sigirya Rock Fortress, it was a bit of a challenge but well worth it when you get to the top, with simply amazing views and the remains of an amazing Rock Fortress! The Maldives again was simply stunning a real jewel in the Indian Ocean and a truly magically place for a honeymoon. The Stunning Ma...

As the wedding season approaches, Escape Worldwide takes a look at some of their most popular destinations for honeymooners. If your idea of the ultimate romantic honeymoon is to be alone with just the love of your life, then look no further than the Maldives . Hundreds of tiny islands scattered across the Indian Ocean , the Maldives is a stunningly beautiful destination where romance comes easily. Lazy days on the beach, beautiful sunsets and understated service are the order of the day here – forget sightseeing and partying! Resorts do vary quite considerably, and as you can’t really leave your island once you’re there its important to get the right one for you. Larger islands tend to offer a range of facilities and more of a village feel, ideal for those who like a little more activity, while some islands are little more than a dot on the horizon, perfect for a real get-away-from-it-all. From the moment you land at the airport, the beauty and romance of the Maldives ...

Darren and Mark from our office met up with TV presenter and explorer Simon Reeve this week, chatting about his BBC2 programme 'Indian Ocean' and his adventures in this beautiful part of the world. If you want to follow in Simon's footsteps then catch the next installment of his programme this Sunday on BBC2 at 8pm, or visit the destinations yourself by visiting  www.indianoceanescapes.co.uk  or calling Escape Worldwide on020 8989 0970 today. Snorkelling in the Maldives    " Before I went I presumed the brochures must have been airbrushed or photoshopped, but the Maldives really is that beautiful! When we went snorkelling, I found myself surrounded by 8 giant manta rays swimming in formation - it was so mesmerising I forgot to breathe and my snorkel fell out of my mouth!" Our Top Tip At the Kuramathi Island Resort , guests can visit the Eco Centre to get involved with the coral reef research and to learn about the programme to improve environmenta...

Firstly Happy Easter everyone! So what you planning to do with all the extra days off? How about planning your holiday. The following are some great ideas to get you started: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/Apr11c2.html A couple of my favourites: LUXURY MALDIVES from £1789 TAJ EXOTICA A real favourite of mine, the Taj Exotica is one of the most beautiful resorts in the Maldives, and our offer includes two free nights and complimentary airport lounges. I've stayted at the Taj Exotica and it is simply stunning! Flying from Heathrow on the 19th June, staying 7 nights on a bed and breakfast basis at the 5* Taj Exotica from only £1789 per person. Download the details http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/prices/offers/mle7.PDF See more great Maldives holidays at: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/ind/destin/mle.shtml LUXURY BORNEO from £899 SHANGRI-LA RASA RIA A superb hotel set on a gorgeous beach, complete with it's own Orang Utan sanct...

Here at Escape Worldwide  we love the Maldives and have all visited the place a number of times. Check out our photo tour around this stunning destination! We've taken all the photo's, yep it's a hard job! Check out how you to can visit paradise: http://www.indianoceanescapes.co.uk/ Happy travelling Darren Escape Worldwide - We've Been, We Know, Just Call! http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/

Hi all, This week we have some FAB special offers and holiday ideas, check em out: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/Mar11d2.html For starters we have a great offer to the 4*+ Calabash Hotel in Grenada, have a look at the details: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/prices/offers/carib3.PDF 7 nts B&B at the 4*+ Calabash Hotel  - from £1375 per person Or how about Christmas in Kenya , 5nts Safari  followed by 5nts in Mombasa  from only £2189 per person, See the details: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/prices/offers/saf3.PDF How about a bargain to Egypt  - 7nts Nile Cruise  followed by 7nts relaxing on the Red Sea  from only £899 per person and that on an All Inclusive basis as well! More details at http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/prices/offers/egypt10.PDF Finally, Maldives , only £912 per person staying at the 5* Kurumba in the Maldives , amazing value!  http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/prices/offers/mle6.PDF W...

Hi fellow travellers, another week and another set of great offers and holiday ideas from Escape Worldwide : http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/Sep10b2.html This week we are looking at Sri Lanka , Maldives , Mauritius  and one of our favorite places Zanzibar . The Maldives has to be on of the most stunning area of the Indian Ocean  with simply stunning beaches and great range of accommodation options. Sri Lanka  not only again has some great beach options but it also has tons of history and culture and a great place for a touring holiday. Mauritius again has simply stunning beaches with a lush green interior great for exploring. Finally probably one of my favorite places has to be the tropical island  of Zanzibar  with the most stunning beaches in the world, history, culture and friendly people. You just simply have to visit Stone Town . Where ever you decided to go Escape Worldwide  has a fantastic range of great holidays. ...

Hi fellow travellers, Getting pretty feed up with the snow and really need some sun? Then check out our latest news letter: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/special/2010cmbmleb.html This weeks it features some great beach holidays and tours to Sri Lanka , which has a fascinating mix of golden beaches, miles of them, and a rich diverse culture. I did a tour of Sri Lanka a while back and it was simply amazing, I particularly enjoyed visiting the tea plantations and factories , I've not looked at my daily cuppa in the same light since. Sri Lanka has mile upon mile of rich golden beaches on which to chil out on...perfect! We're also featuring some great holidays to the Maldives , which is a true tropical paradise. I was fortunate enough to stay at the Taj Exotica , which is a simply stunning islands with soft white sands and the most amazing coloured sea, heaven! Or why not combining both of them! Happy travelling! Darren We have tons of other great long-haul h...

Darren visited the Maldives last year: “The Maldives is one of those destinations that’s never really interested me, so when the opportunity came up to go, I was fascinated to see what all the fuss was about – and I was so glad I made it! Much as I love beach holidays, I also like things to see and places to visit while on holiday. The thought of spending a week or two on one island, in one hotel, doesn’t really appeal – I need local restaurants to try, local bars to discover and shops to buy souvenirs in. I’m not very good at lazing around and doing nothing, be it on holiday or at home! As the Maldives doesn’t really offer this style of holiday, I was a little apprehensive – but I shouldn’t have been! The first thing that struck me was the sheer beauty of the place – I hadn’t realised that beaches and the sea could be so stunning. Small islands often encircled by white sand, clear blue seas teaming with coulourful fish – there are no dramatic landscapes, no historic sights and no cult...

Darren recently spent five nights in the Maldives, hopping between islands to check out the facilities on offer, and generally doing very little in the Indian Ocean sun – he’d call it hard work but we know better! “I’d be the first to admit that the Maldives isn’t the kind of destination I’d normally go for, as I tend to like getting out and about, exploring local places and eating in different restaurants when I’m on holiday. However, after a few days here, I’m smitten! I’m amazed just how easy I found it to do absolutely nothing, and I’m already planning a return trip. Take somewhere like Kuramathi Island, for example – three resorts on one island stretching over 2 kilometres, with some shared facilities and enough going on to keep me entertained, but plenty of space to chill out. After a leisurely breakfast we set off to the tip of the island, not really realising that we’d be covering the entire 2 km to get there! At the tip of the island is a sand bar that stretches off in to the ...