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BANISH THE WINTER BLUES WITH THOUGHTS OF THESE DREAMY ESCAPES. PERFECT INSPIRATION IF YOU’RE ABOUT TO BOOK YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY
THE UPSKILLING VACATION
‘you can surf in the Maldives?’ was the question I was met with when I told friends of my next adventure featuring sun, sea, sand... and hopefully some surf. Closely followed by a somewhat doubtful, ‘Good luck, I’ve heard surfing is hard!’
Enter the era of ‘upskilling’ holidays, a growing trend for travel in 2024 that means your Insta post from paradise isn’t complete without proving you’ve also ticked off learning something new. And what could score you better bragging rights than learning to ride the waves in style?
Many of us crave more action on a beach holiday than just getting in and out of a hammock. But rather than committing to a specialist vacation, resorts are finding ways to let you learn a new sport and some self-improvement, combining it with that all-important R&R.
Rest and relaxation do not come quicker than at Gili Lankanfushi, a stunning island resort made up of 45 overwater villas surrounded by picture-perfect palm trees. Picked up at Malé airport by speedboat, I was presented with a watermelon cocktail and a tote bag stamped with a ‘no news no shoes’ slogan to drop my trainers into, and that was the last I saw of them for five days. The island encourages a barefoot luxury ethos and it felt ideal for inducing escapism and perhaps even for getting me in the right frame of mind to channel my inner Surfer Girl (if I could find her).
Met at the jetty by Alif, my very own Mr Friday (the private hosts are named à la Crusoe), he was only ever a WhatsApp message and taxi boat ride away from answering my every need. The villas on stilts are huge – all wooden rustic and stealth-wealth vibes – with the comfiest beds and a bathroom where you can shower in the open, overlooking the lagoon as manta rays and baby sharks swim under your feet.
So why tear myself away from this luxurious relaxation? I’d always wanted to learn to surf, but I didn’t want to commit to a surf holiday. And if you’ve always wanted to try it but can’t face the temperatures off the British coast, where better to try it than in the warm (a soothing 25 degrees), crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean?
The hotel has teamed up with a luxury watersports company, Tropicsurf, and our two impressive instructors, Atria and Jemma, are with us through every stage (and can teach all abilities). A big part of learning to surf is feeling safe but encouraged, and here you get the chance to master the basics in the serene surroundings of the calm lagoon right on the shore of the island.
Our pro surfers first teach
