Maldives

The Maldives is a chain of roughly 1,200 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls, and almost every resort sits on an island of its own. For travellers from Hyderabad it is one of the easiest international beach escapes: a short flight to Malé, a speedboat transfer across the lagoon, and within a few hours of leaving home you are standing on a jetty above water so clear you can watch reef fish beneath your feet.

Our package is built around the South Malé Atoll, close enough to the airport that transfers are by speedboat rather than seaplane. You split your stay between a beach villa and an overwater villa on a full-board plan, which keeps costs predictable on islands where every meal is taken at the resort. Days revolve around the house reef, where turtles, reef sharks and parrotfish are common sights, a picnic on a private sandbank near Maafushi, and a sunset cruise that often turns up spinner dolphins.

The Maldives rewards slowing down. There are no sightseeing checklists here, only the choice between snorkelling, a spa treatment, an afternoon by the infinity pool or simply watching the colour of the lagoon change through the day. It suits honeymooners and anniversary couples above all, but families with children who can swim comfortably will find the shallow lagoons and kids' clubs just as rewarding. Remember that local islands follow Islamic customs, so alcohol is only served at resorts and modest dress is expected whenever you visit Malé or an inhabited island.