A thatched ocean cottage resting on stilts above a lagoon of such crystalline, turquoise water it takes your breath away when you see it from your pillow in the morning ... Days spent lazing on palm-backed beaches of fine, sugar-white sand, with nothing more to think about than what to have for lunch, or whether to spend the afternoon dhoni cruising, snorkelling off the reef or enjoying a massage in the spa.

If this sounds like your idea of a perfect holiday, then the Maldives are for you. The formula couldn’t be simpler. This is life stripped back to basics: no distractions, no culture shock to contend with or shopping to quicken the pulse. Just sublime sea water, pristine sand, blissfully blue skies, gently swaying palm trees and coral reefs filled with kaleidoscopic fish – quite literally on your doorstep.

When faced in the 1970s with the quandary of how best to exploit their one and only natural resource – pristine coral atolls – the government of the Maldives chose high-end exclusivity as a strategy. Guests would be whisked directly to luxury resorts, sited on their own individual island at a respectful distance from the largely Muslim local population.

The philosophy has evolved somewhat in recent decades. Independent travel is now permitted. And ‘low-impact’ and ‘environmentally sustainable’ have become the watchwords –hardly a surprise given the threat posed by rising sea levels.

Highlights of the Maldives

• Perfect paradise beaches of sugar-white shell sand and shallow turquoise water

• Dreamy accommodation in sea-facing chalets and over-water villas

• World-class reef diving and snorkelling

• Succulent fresh seafood, expertly prepared by gourmet chefs

• Transfers by sea plane and speedboat