Back in May, we were incredibly lucky to embark on a fabulous educational familiarisation trip to the beautiful Sun Siyam resorts in the Maldives, hosted in partnership with Beachcomber Tours.
By James & Natasha Oliphant
Not Just Travel
For us, these trips are about so much more than simply visiting beautiful places. They give us the opportunity to experience resorts first-hand, explore what makes each island unique and, most importantly, understand exactly what we are recommending when we help our clients choose their perfect holiday.
Sun Siyam World: Endless Possibilities
We had visited Sun Siyam World before, but this time we were able to see the island through completely different eyes. Returning to a resort you already know can be fascinating because you notice things you may have missed previously, experience different areas and gain a much deeper understanding of what the resort can offer.
Sun Siyam World certainly didn’t disappoint. It is vibrant, fun and packed with experiences, making it an incredibly versatile resort with something for couples, families and groups alike. There is so much happening that you could easily spend your entire holiday exploring everything the island has to offer.
But our journey didn’t stop there.
Experiencing Sun Siyam Iru veli
During our trip, we also had the opportunity to revisit the beautiful Sun Siyam Iru veli.
Again, this was an island we had experienced previously, but this visit felt completely different. Having the chance to see the resort with fresh eyes, explore areas we hadn’t experienced before and, importantly, stay in a different type of accommodation gave us a whole new appreciation for the island.
The accommodation was beautiful, and experiencing a different room category really helped us understand the variety available to our clients.
And then there was the food.
The dining experience at Iruveli was outstanding. From the quality of the food to the overall presentation and choice, it was another real highlight of our stay.
We also got to experience some of the activities organised by the island, many of which were completely new to us. These experiences really showed us another side of Iru veli and helped change our perception of the resort. Sometimes it is only by stepping outside your previous experience of a destination that you truly appreciate everything it has to offer.
And Then Came Iru Fushi…
Although we enjoyed every part of the trip, there was one island that ultimately stole our hearts — Sun Siyam Iru Fushi.
There was something about Iru Fushi that instantly appealed to us. The moment we arrived, we felt that wonderfully relaxed Maldivian atmosphere.
It felt peaceful without being too quiet, luxurious without feeling overly formal, and modern while still retaining that warm, welcoming character that we have always loved about the Sun Siyam properties.
The accommodation was another highlight. Modern, stylish and beautifully designed, the villas felt incredibly comfortable while still giving you that feeling of being somewhere truly special.
But what really stood out to us was the atmosphere.
Iru Fushi had a genuine family feel. It felt welcoming, friendly and incredibly easy-going. We could immediately see why it would work so well for families, but equally, we absolutely loved experiencing it as adults.
That balance is something we really appreciated. It is a resort where families can have an incredible holiday, while couples and adults can also enjoy a relaxing, luxurious escape.
Why Familiarisation Trips Matter
We feel incredibly lucky to have experienced this trip with Beachcomber Tours. Being able to visit these beautiful islands, experience different accommodation, taste the food, take part in activities and speak to the teams on the ground gives us knowledge that you simply can’t get from a brochure.
For us, that’s what being your travel experts is all about.
We don’t just want to tell you that a resort is beautiful. We want to know it. We want to experience it. And we want to understand who it is perfect for.
Our May trip gave us a completely fresh perspective on resorts we thought we already knew — and that is one of the most valuable things about travelling with an educational purpose.
And if you ask us which island stole our hearts?
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi.
We really, really loved it — and we think you might too.
If you’re considering a Maldives escape, get in touch with us. We’ve been there, experienced it and can help you find the island that’s right for you.
Back in May, we were incredibly lucky to embark on a fabulous educational familiarisation trip to the beautiful Sun Siyam resorts in the Maldives, hosted in partnership with Beachcomber Tours.
By James & Natasha Oliphant
Not Just Travel
For us, these trips are about so much more than simply visiting beautiful places. They give us the opportunity to experience resorts first-hand, explore what makes each island unique and, most importantly, understand exactly what we are recommending when we help our clients choose their perfect holiday.
Sun Siyam World: Endless Possibilities
We had visited Sun Siyam World before, but this time we were able to see the island through completely different eyes. Returning to a resort you already know can be fascinating because you notice things you may have missed previously, experience different areas and gain a much deeper understanding of what the resort can offer.
Sun Siyam World certainly didn’t disappoint. It is vibrant, fun and packed with experiences, making it an incredibly versatile resort with something for couples, families and groups alike. There is so much happening that you could easily spend your entire holiday exploring everything the island has to offer.
But our journey didn’t stop there.
Experiencing Sun Siyam Iru veli
During our trip, we also had the opportunity to revisit the beautiful Sun Siyam Iru veli.
Again, this was an island we had experienced previously, but this visit felt completely different. Having the chance to see the resort with fresh eyes, explore areas we hadn’t experienced before and, importantly, stay in a different type of accommodation gave us a whole new appreciation for the island.
The accommodation was beautiful, and experiencing a different room category really helped us understand the variety available to our clients.
And then there was the food.
The dining experience at Iruveli was outstanding. From the quality of the food to the overall presentation and choice, it was another real highlight of our stay.
We also got to experience some of the activities organised by the island, many of which were completely new to us. These experiences really showed us another side of Iru veli and helped change our perception of the resort. Sometimes it is only by stepping outside your previous experience of a destination that you truly appreciate everything it has to offer.
And Then Came Iru Fushi…
Although we enjoyed every part of the trip, there was one island that ultimately stole our hearts — Sun Siyam Iru Fushi.
There was something about Iru Fushi that instantly appealed to us. The moment we arrived, we felt that wonderfully relaxed Maldivian atmosphere.
It felt peaceful without being too quiet, luxurious without feeling overly formal, and modern while still retaining that warm, welcoming character that we have always loved about the Sun Siyam properties.
The accommodation was another highlight. Modern, stylish and beautifully designed, the villas felt incredibly comfortable while still giving you that feeling of being somewhere truly special.
But what really stood out to us was the atmosphere.
Iru Fushi had a genuine family feel. It felt welcoming, friendly and incredibly easy-going. We could immediately see why it would work so well for families, but equally, we absolutely loved experiencing it as adults.
That balance is something we really appreciated. It is a resort where families can have an incredible holiday, while couples and adults can also enjoy a relaxing, luxurious escape.
Why Familiarisation Trips Matter
We feel incredibly lucky to have experienced this trip with Beachcomber Tours. Being able to visit these beautiful islands, experience different accommodation, taste the food, take part in activities and speak to the teams on the ground gives us knowledge that you simply can’t get from a brochure.
For us, that’s what being your travel experts is all about.
We don’t just want to tell you that a resort is beautiful. We want to know it. We want to experience it. And we want to understand who it is perfect for.
Our May trip gave us a completely fresh perspective on resorts we thought we already knew — and that is one of the most valuable things about travelling with an educational purpose.
And if you ask us which island stole our hearts?
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi.
We really, really loved it — and we think you might too.
If you’re considering a Maldives escape, get in touch with us. We’ve been there, experienced it and can help you find the island that’s right for you.
Back in May, we were incredibly lucky to embark on a fabulous educational familiarisation trip to the beautiful Sun Siyam resorts in the Maldives, hosted in partnership with Beachcomber Tours.
This milestone year is made even more special with Dinarobin being named the only Mauritian hotel in TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best 2026 awards, ranking an impressive 19th among the world’s top 20 hotels.
This milestone year is made even more special with Dinarobin being named the only Mauritian hotel in TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best 2026 awards, ranking an impressive 19th among the world’s top 20 hotels.
Michelle Laldenga, Senior Reservations Consultant, shares her stay on Denis Private Island, a peaceful Seychelles retreat where nature, privacy, and simple island living take centre stage.
Matt Phillips of Travel Chaps explores the Maldives’ shift from its traditional honeymoon reputation to a more family-focused island escape, visiting four standout resorts: Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, Heritance Aarah, Constance Halaveli, and Constance Moofushi.
As travel picks up back to Oman, Lisa, Senior Reservations Consultant, has just returned after experiencing one of the country’s most talked-about luxury resorts.
We asked our agents, who recently joined us on a fam trip to Mauritius, which Beachcomber Resort stood out as their favourite and here’s what they told us.
Denise Jaye, a former employee at Beachcomber Tours, shares her recent experience of staying at Adaaran Select Meedhapparu in the Maldives, offering an honest insight into what it’s really like from arrival through to departure.
From Muscat’s grand mosques and vibrant souks to the mountains of Jebel Akhdar, the deserts of Wahiba Sands, and hidden oases like Wadi Bani Khalid, this Oman journey blends stunning landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality.
Mary Moran, Senior Reservations Consultant, described her trip to Dhigali as unforgettable, noting that encounters with playful dolphins and breathtaking sunsets made the escape truly magical.
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WIN A LUXURY MAURITIUS HOLIDAY
To celebrate the launch of our brand-new website, we’re running two exclusive competitions, one for our customers and one for our travel agent partners. Both winners will enjoy the ultimate island escape with a 7-night stay for two at the newly refurbished Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, one of Mauritius’ most exceptional resorts.
