| Picture: Image Bank |
According to operators, the Indian Ocean islands are
proving increasingly popular as the ideal add-on to city breaks in
destinations including Singapore or Dubai.
Tropical Locations has seen a rise in demand for multi-centre
breaks that incorporate stops in the Indian Ocean, according to
head of product David Kevan.
“Multi-centres give clients the flexibility to really
personalise a holiday,” he said.
Amathus product manager Darren Eade echoed this. “Many people
think if they’ve paid to travel as far as Africa or India,
they may as well carry on and explore the Indian Ocean islands for
little extra cost.”
Short distances and good air links mean some destinations twin
better than others. Here are Travel Weekly’s suggestions for
a multi-centre holiday in the Indian Ocean.
| Shop ’n’ flop |
Where? Singapore and the Maldives.
Onward flight time: four hours.
Why? Shopping is a national sport in Singapore,
with dozens of malls in the Orchard Road shopping district alone.
Big spenders shouldn’t miss the Tanglin Mall, with its four
floors of boutiques and speciality shops while Robinsons,
Singapore’s oldest department store, has fantastic jewellery
and clothes.
In contrast the 1,102 islands that make up the Maldives are
ideal for beach lovers. Beaches on Cocoa Island, Nika and Fushi are
highly recommended while the warm waters are ideal for diving.
Sample product: Kuoni offers three nights at
the five-star Carlton hotel in Singapore with breakfast, followed
by eight nights at the first-class Cocoa Palm Resort and Spa in the
Maldives on a room-only basis from £1,341 including
flights.
| Culture vultures |
Where? India and Sri Lanka.
Onward flight time: one hour.
Why? For clients wanting to top up their grey
matter as well as their tan, Kerala in southern India is ideal. Its
capital, Cochin, has ancient palaces dating back to 1557AD,
incredible temples such as Kallil and the oldest mosque in
India.
A short hop away, Sri Lanka is brimming with cultural
attractions, as well as beaches, game parks and some fine
colonial-style hotels. Ancient ruins include Sigiriya, the ruins of
the legendary sky citadel and the Dambulla Cave Temples dating back
to the first century BC.
Sample product: Colours of India offers seven
nights in India – including two nights at the boutique
Malabar House Residency in Cochin and two on a houseboat –
followed by seven nights in Sri Lanka, including three nights at
the Gunfire Bungalow in Kandy and three nights at the five-star
Deer Park in Giritale, from £1,993 per person including
flights.
| Action and adventure |
Where? South Africa and Mauritius.
Onward flight time: two and a half hours.
Why? Clients in search of the big five should
head for South Africa’s vast game reserves. Bordering the
world-famous Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands has an impressive
scattering of small, upmarket lodges, including the recently opened
Dulini and the fabulous five-star Singita Ebony Lodge.
Nearby Mauritius is a 720sq mile island surrounded by one of the
largest unbroken reefs in the world – perfect for scuba
diving, snorkelling and game fishing. The destination also boasts
several top golf courses.
Sample Product: ITC Classics offers five
nights’ full-board at Singita Ebony Lodge in South Africa
followed by seven nights at the five-star Oberoi in Mauritius from
£5,171 per person including flights.
| Pure luxury |
Where? Dubai and the Seychelles.
Onward flight time: four and a half hours.
Why? Dubai boasts some of the most opulent
hotels in the world including the jaw-dropping Burj Al Arab, the
world’s first six-star hotel. The billion-dollar man-made
Palm Island resort, a mile off the coast, is scheduled to open next
year.
Just 16 of the 115 islands in the Seychelles archipelago offer
accommodation, and the majority of these are five star. The
eco-friendly North Island is popular and transfers to the tiny
island from the main island Mahé are by helicopter. Once there
guests can relax in one of 12 villas with their own 24-hour
butler.
Sample product: four nights at the Burj Al Arab
followed by six nights at North Island Resort, lead in at
£6,900 per person with Tropical Locations including
flights.
