Offering near-unrivalled beaches, The Maldives are the perfect beach destination. More than a dozen different atolls together offer up hundreds of potential beach escapes, each and every one gleaming with pure white sand lapped by crystal clear waters that are home to brightly colored corals, sea turtles, and a multitude of other tropical species. The nation’s resorts are a superb introduction to luxury without having to cost the earth, while more adventurous travelers are able to head out scuba diving, take to a surf board, or learn the secrets of the nation’s divine cuisine with a locally taught cooking lesson.