Friday, August 15, 2008

Lunch on The Equator: Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives

The opening of Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives in the fourth quarter of 2008 will herald a first-of-its-kind seaborne adventure – dining on the equator.

Guests will cruise aboard Shangri-La’s luxury yacht 75 kilometres north from the resort to the meeting place of northern and southern hemispheres, drop anchor and savour a gourmet lunch with fine wines on the equator line.

In addition, guests will be able to fish, snorkel and visit Fuvahmulah, the third largest island in the country, on the full-day cruise aboard the 21-metre sailing yacht. The yacht features two luxury cabins with en-suite bathroom, an indoor lounge area, spacious timber decks with sun loungers, and an on-deck dining area.

The Indian Ocean day-journey will begin with breakfast on deck, where passengers can keep a lookout for the many spinner dolphins swimming in the area. Champagne corks will fly upon reaching the equator line, celebrating arrival at one of the world’s most unusual lunch venues.

Later the captain will anchor the yacht by Fuvahmulah, an island famous for Thundi beach, located at the northern-most tip and formed by small, white, unusually smooth and shiny round pebbles. Guests will be able to snorkel or stroll along the picturesque shore. The cruise ends with sunset cocktails on deck as the yacht sails back to the resort.

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives will be the first luxury resort in the southern Maldives, on Addu Atoll. The resort will feature 142 villas with views of the ocean or the island’s natural lush vegetation. The Maldives’ second international airport, Gan International Airport, is an eight-minute boat ride away from the resort and Male International Airport is 70 minutes by domestic flights operating around the clock.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and manages 55 hotels under the Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 28,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. The group has over 50 projects under development in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Japan, Macau, Maldives, Philippines, Qatar, Seychelles, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States. For more information or reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.

Source: www.ftnnews.com

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