My Throwback Trip

These are strange times. Most of us are isolated, social distancing is the norm, and travel has been restricted. But that doesn’t stop us from reminiscing about our greatest trips. Let this collective train of thought be your ticket to a trip around the world.

Heritance Aarah in the Maldives is perfect for a romantic getaway.

Perfect for Me Time

With villas perched on turquoise lagoons that brim with marine life, the Maldives spoils you silly. It offers luxurious living and ample space for unwinding.

HAPPINESS DOESN’T REQUIRE MUCH,” the general manager of a resort in the Maldives had once told me over a sumptuous lunch during my first visit to the archipelago in 2018. When your everyday setting is made up of azure waters, white-sand beaches, the sound of waves invoking Zen-like calm, luxurious facilities, and hospitality that ranks among the best in the world, there’s no reason why your reality can’t be your happy place.

Over the last 18 months, I have visited the Maldives twice. The first time, I checked in at the Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa (hideawaybeachmaldives.com). As the name suggests, it is probably one of the farthest private islands in the archipelago, located in the northern Haa Alifu Atoll. If you’re looking for isolation, then this tops my list of all the places I’ve travelled to so far. And travelled I have, quite a bit. At Hideaway, I felt uninhibited, stress-free, and at peace. At a time when social distancing is the keyword, I can’t dream of a better spot in the world than this tiny slice of heaven.