ZAP Wanderlust: Maldives

Visit Maldives Year 2016 aims to increase tourist arrivals to the Maldives to 1.5 million, and Zapwater did its part by hosting a media familiarization trip in April. The Zapwater Maldives team brought five journalists to the country for a week-long immersion trip, visiting four different resorts, like Baros Maldives, Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, Anantara Dhigu and aaaVeee. The group participated in numerous excursions and activations, including snorkeling, diving, cooking classes, spa treatments and more! Track their adventures on social media with the hashtag #VisitMaldives16, and see below for the full itinerary!

BAROS MALDIVES: The trip began with a stay at the Baros Maldives resort, and all attendees had private beach villas overlooking the ocean. The itinerary offered abundant leisure time, which was much appreciated by the group, and many of the journalists scheduled their own spa treatments, snorkel adventures and more. The full itinerary is included below:

Tuesday, April 19

• Arrival to the island
• Leisure Time
• Dinner at the Lighthouse

Wednesday, April 20

• Breakfast at Lime restaurant
• Cooking class
• Dinner at Lime restaurant

Thursday, April 21

• Breakfast at leisure
• Departure to Adaaran Prestige Vadoo

ADAARAN PRESTIGE VADOO: On Thursday, April 21, the group traveled by private boat to the next resort, Adaaran Prestige Vadoo. Upon arrival, the attendees were taken on a guided tour of the property before being checked into their rooms, all of which were over-water villas. The stay coincided with Earth Day, and each journalist was able to plant a tree on the property with a commemorative plaque in her name to mark the occasion. The full itinerary is included below:

Thursday, April 21

• Arrival to the island
• Property tour
• Lunch at leisure
• Sunset photo flip
• Sri Lankan dinner

Friday, April 22

• Breakfast at leisure
• Earth Day tree planting
• Departure

ANANTARA DHIGU: After spending one night at Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, the group traveled by private boat to the Anantara property, where they were greeted with fresh coconut water and then transported to their accommodations, all of which were private over-water villas. The stay coincided with a visit from marine biologist Dr. Andrew Bruckner, so many of the activities incorporated an environmental spin. The full itinerary is included below:

Friday, April 22

• Arrival to the island
• Lunch at Sea. Fire. Salt.
• Group coral adoption with Dr. Bruckner
• Marine biology presentation
• Dinner at Origami

Saturday, April 23

• Breakfast at Fushi Cafe
• Resort site inspection
• Spice Spoons cooking class
• Anantara Signature Massage
• Dinner at The Living Room

Sunday, April 24

• Breakfast at 73 Degrees
• Departure

AAAVEEE NATURE’S PARADISE: The trip ended with a two-night stay at a new Maldivian property, aaaVeee Nature’s Paradise. The group traveled to the island via seaplane and all remarked about the privacy of resort. Throughout the stay, the journalists were treated to traditional Maldivian cuisine, live music, and tours of nearby islands. The full itinerary is included below:

Sunday, April 24

• Arrival by seaplane
• Welcome drinks
• Leisure time
• Sunset fishing
• Live BBQ dinner

Monday, April 25

• Breakfast
• Introductory dive & snorkeling
• Lunch
• Local Island Excursion
• Sunset cocktail party
• Dinner

Tuesday, April 26

• Breakfast
• Snorkeling
• Lunch
• Departure

If you would like more information about any of the above resorts or activities, please feel free to email us.pr@visitmaldives.com.

Allie Duncan, Senior Publicist