Maldives

The Maldives, formally the Republic of Maldives, is an archipelagic republic in Asia's Indian subcontinent, located in the Indian Ocean. It's roughly 750 kilometers (470 miles; 400 nautical miles) from the Asian continent's mainland, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. You've seen photographs of the Maldives before: picture-perfect private homes hung above azure blue seas, alabaster white sand beaches, and breathtaking sunsets plunging towards the horizon. The visual splendor of the Maldives is breathtaking, and you won't really appreciate it until you visit.

The Maldives is popular with honeymooners seeking privacy as well as adventurers seeking to explore the depths of the sea on a scuba diving and snorkeling vacation. Relaxation may be found in one of the island spas, and all tourists should spend a day exploring Malé, the Maldivian capital. This region's hotels are likewise remarkable, ranging from underwater hotels to overwater bungalows to breathtaking resorts. However, getting to and living in this tropical paradise takes time (there are no direct flights from the United States) and a lot of money. Located between the Arabian and Laccadive seas, roughly 500 miles southwest of Sri Lanka, the Maldives is about as isolated as you can get – and that's just another one of its many allures.