Sharing the latest Forbes Feature! World’s Best Bucket List Trips. Forbes Contributor Laura Begley Bloom asked Global Adventuress for our recommendations on the World’s Best Bucket List Trips and we shared our favorites list – what to do, where to stay, dine, spa & more in the Maldives & Seychelles.
Laura writes: “What’s on your travel bucket list? It’s safe to say that it’s probably not the cheapest vacation on the planet, since there’s something about the words “bucket” and “list” that usually comes with a high price tag. So I tapped into a handful of travel experts and got them to share their best tips for how to plan an affordable trip to some of the world’s most amazing—and most expensive—places. Compare this to my 2017 story on the cheapest ways to afford the world’s most expensive places. Now there’s no reason not to start planning your dream trip“
Here are a couple recommendations from Global Adventuress – the Maldives & Seychelles:
MALDIVES
An aerial view of the Maldives. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICIA STONE/@GLOBAL_ADVENTURESS INSTAGRAM
Where: The Maldives
Chosen By: Patricia Stone is the founder of Global Adventuress. She’s traveled to 170 countries and shares her handpicked favorites at unique destinations. Her award-winning site has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Toronto Star and USA Today. Follow her on Instagram @global_adventuress.
Why: The Maldives is a tropical escape like no other. This paradise lies on the equator southwest of Sri Lanka and India, spanning 500 miles north to south across the Indian Ocean. The Maldives archipelago of 27 ring-like reef formations surrounded by lagoons was created by volcanic activity long ago. These atolls look like pearl necklaces with 1,192 small coral islands. Only 190 are inhabited by locals and over 200 are resort islands.
What used to be a billionaire’s getaway is now affordable for budget travelers. Pack some patience, and you can take the slow boat to dozens of local islands with white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and the bluest waters you’ll ever see. Go off-season (July to September) when rates are low, and you’ll find you have beaches all to yourself. Independent travel is new here, so plan ahead.
A classic Maldives resort. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICIA STONE/@GLOBAL_ADVENTURESS INSTAGRAM
Stay in a guesthouse on a local island and get to know the Maldivian way of life. On Mahibadhoo, stay for as low as $20 at Zala’s Liberty Guest House on a white-sand beach with a coral reef. Enjoy meals like chicken, curry and rice, grilled fish with roshi bread for $10 per person. Don’t miss the free breakfasts, and buy local fruit and snacks for lunch to save money. There’s even a dive center on-site. Other local islands to consider include Maafushi, Fulidhoo and Guraidhoo. Or stretch your budget and stay at a luxury resort for a night or two.
There are plenty of free things to do. Bring your gear and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. Some places offer water equipment for free. Get off the grid, relax on the beach, read a book. Shop around to find a good price for a snorkel or fishing trip or a boat trip to private sand banks ranging between $25-50 per person.
When it comes to getting around, take the public ferry or traditional dhoni to local islands for as little as $1. Timetables can change, so be sure to check the schedules. Or save time and go by speedboat; tickets start at $29 each way.
SEYCHELLES
Tropical bliss in the Seychelles. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICIA STONE/@GLOBAL_ADVENTURESS INSTAGRAM
Where: The Seychelles
Chosen By: Patricia Stone is the founder of Global Adventuress. She’s traveled to 170 countries and shares her handpicked favorites at unique destinations. Her award-winning site has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Toronto Star and USA Today. Follow her on Instagram @global_adventuress.
How to Save:The Seychelles is a group of 115 granite, mountainous and coral islands off the coast of East Africa. This Indian Ocean oasis presents intimate hideaways with pristine beaches, blue waters, coral reefs and nature reserves encircled by verdant palms. Expect abundant wildlife including one of the largest tortoises in the world, the giant Aldabra.
Visit one or all these three islands: Mahé, Praslin and La Digue and you’ll discover tucked away, peaceful places to get away from it all. Select from a range of small hotels and guesthouses. Stay at Le Relaxon the beach for $100 or enjoy mountain views from Casa Dani for $50. Or go all out and indulge and retreat to the exclusive private North Island where Prince William and Kate Middleton honeymooned.
Buy fruit, breadfruit chips and grilled fish at Victoria market on Mahé. Taste Seychellois Creole food like the octopus curry at Chez Jules. Try the traditional Satini salad and Ladob dessert with bananas in coconut milk.
Hiking in the Seychelles. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICIA STONE/@GLOBAL_ADVENTURESS INSTAGRAM
Island hop across the 16 islands. Cycle the island of La Digue and find your favorite beach enclosed by giant boulders. Hike to the highest peak, Morne Seychellois for panoramic views. Snorkel at the Ste Anne Marine Park. Walk around Moyenne Island and find pirate’s graves. Relax on beaches like Beau Vallon or Anse Source d’Argent. Visit Praslin’s Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO-designated nature reserve. Walk under giant palms and learn about the indigenous coco de mer, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see a black parrot. Dive with hawksbill turtles or sail and spot dolphins.
Island hop on Cat Cacos for as low as $16 per person one way or take the interisland public ferry. Most islands have a public bus to get around, and on small islands like La Digue you can rent a bicycle.
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