Maldives: Romance Island, the adults-only island of Sun Siyam Olhuveli

Departure from Italy on a scheduled flight to Malé, with a stopover in Abu Dhabi. Dinner and overnight on board. It is worth keeping a swimsuit and a light change of clothes in your hand luggage for the arrival.

Arrival at Malé international airport, on the island of Hulhulé, next to the capital. After entry formalities, meeting with the assistant and departure by speedboat to South Malé Atoll, about 40 minutes across islands and lagoons. On arrival at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, check-in on Romance Island and settling into the Romantic Beach Pool Villa, with a private pool on the beach. The rest of the day is for settling in, a first swim in the lagoon and a walk along the jetty that links Romance Island to the resort's other two islands. Dinner and overnight.

A free day on full board, with no plans. After the long flight it is worth taking things slowly. The morning passes between the private pool and the beach in front of the villa, with shallow, calm water close to the shore. With mask and fins, just a few steps out you see the first colourful fish over the sand and coral. In the afternoon, a walk along the jetty to the resort's other islands, to get your bearings among restaurants and facilities. In the evening, sunset from the beach and a first unhurried dinner.

A day devoted to the coral reef. The Maldives are made up of about 1,200 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls, and the richest part of the trip lies below the surface. The resort usually organises snorkelling trips by boat to the best spots on the reef, where you can easily meet sea turtles, parrotfish and small blacktip reef sharks, harmless to people. For certified divers, or those who want to try for the first time, the resort's dive centre usually offers guided dives and introductory courses. Optional activities, to be booked separately.

Another day at leisure, still on full board. Sun Siyam Olhuveli is known for kitesurfing, thanks to its wide lagoon and steady wind in some months of the year. Beginners can usually take lessons with an instructor, to be booked separately. Alternatively, the lagoon suits non-motorised water sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, while for a bit of speed there are usually water-skiing and jet skis. In the late afternoon, back to the villa and a swim in the pool before dinner.

A free day. Among the outings resorts usually organise, to be booked separately, is a boat trip to a sandbank, a strip of white sand that rises from the sea and changes shape with the tides. You step off barefoot, swim in the shallow water and often stop for a picnic. The trip is usually made on a dhoni, the traditional wooden boat of the Maldives, used for centuries for fishing and for travelling between islands. Back at the resort in the early afternoon. Dinner is at the resort, on full board.

A day designed for two. In the morning, a couples' treatment at the resort spa, to be booked separately. In Maldivian spas, massages often use coconut oil and island ingredients. The afternoon passes slowly between the villa and the lagoon, with a last kayak paddle or simply resting in the shade of the palms. For the evening, resorts usually offer a private dinner on the beach, with a table laid on the sand and the sound of the sea all around. It is an extra to be booked separately, in place of the full-board dinner.

The last full day in the Maldives. In the morning, a final swim with mask and fins at your favourite spots in the lagoon. In the late afternoon there is another optional idea, usually arranged by resorts and booked separately. Sunset fishing with a hand line, the traditional technique of Maldivian fishermen, with no rod and the line wound around a spool. At many resorts the catch can be cooked for dinner. Then packing and the last dinner at the resort.

Breakfast and, depending on the flight time, time for a last swim. Speedboat transfer to Malé airport, about 40 minutes. Scheduled flight to Italy with a stopover in Abu Dhabi and arrival in Italy.