Detour
The coral reefs are dying, and environmentalists fear rising sea levels caused by global warming will subsume the Maldives by 2025. (Australia is weighing the idea of adopting the island nation's entire population of about 300,000, if and when that happens.) So why go? Because the Maldives is heaven on earth, with stunning azure waters, palm-fringed beaches and friendly locals. The republic's 70 islands, or atolls, offer deluxe resorts, including Hilton, Banyan Tree and Four Seasons. April's clearer waters and better visibility for diving--the top draw for tourists--is followed by low-season (and monsoons) in May. Explore Malé's mosques and markets or visit Seenu, on the Addu Atoll, for a glimpse of village life. One request: please tread lightly.
R E L A T E D L I N K S
• www.maldives.com
• www.maldive.com
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March 29, 1999
Hot Deals
Win 1 million miles from Asia Miles and Inter-Continental
Web Crawling
Simple cyber-cemetery search engines
Short Cuts
Ranking the air carriers' kitchens. The conclusion: skip the meal
Detour
The Maldives is heaven on earth, with stunning azure waters and palm-fringed beaches
Main Feature
The 21st-century consumer is likely to pay far more attention to how environmentally responsible his or her hotel is
POLL
Would you pay more for an eco-friendly stay?
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