January 24, 2007

ASIA | MALDIVES

The Ultimate Valentine

By Mark Jolly

A private island and a luxury yacht are a whole lot sweeter than flowers and candy.

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You don’t have to be Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes to scale the heights of Maldivian indulgence. Now any weirdo adventurer with cash taste can enjoy their own castaway paradise. The Rania Experience is a new couples package that promises the ultimate fantasy island experience: three nights (minimum) on a private retreat (Faafu Atoll), which is home to a three-bedroom villa and is serviced by 30 hosts (including chefs, butlers, spa therapists and PADI dive instructors). The $12,000 per-night package also includes the half-hour seaplane transfer from Malé as well as full use of the Rania, a lavish 86-foot yacht luxury.

Honeymooners looking for more extreme action can join the Republic’s first skydive boogie, which runs from February 13-21. Yes, it sounds asinine to us, too, though with German operator Skydive Nuggets running the show, we’re expecting impeccable security. Just don’t ask too many questions while you’re out there: the South Asia Press Commission has just described the Maldives as “a journalist’s prison,” where reporters are “systematically harassed, intimidated and attacked.” And you thought the paps chasing TomKat had it tough?