Maldives, January 2018: A secluded island sanctuary tailor-made for romance, luxury Maldivian eco-resort Gili Lankanfushi is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a brand new tasting journey, taking guests on a gastronomic voyage across the island.
Launching on Valentine’s Day, the Gili Aphrodisiac Journey will take couples on a culinary adventure through the island’s most romantic and isolated spots, whilst sampling a deliciously curated menu of aphrodisiac-infused dishes with carefully-paired cocktails and wines.
The journey begins by the beach as the sun sets, with Japanese canapés prepared by the island’s resident sushi chef alongside a tasting flight of quality sakes. As the sky turns inky blue, guests will wander through the jungle-lined paths to the west side of the island, where a spread of French delicacies awaits, including fois gras macarons with glasses of chilled champagne.
Gili Lankanfushi’s underground wine cellar sets the scene for the third stage of the journey, with a range of delicious cheeses and charcuterie paired with red, white and rosé wines, before heading high amongst the treetops for panoramic ocean views accompanied by canapés of the freshest local fish and a selection of unique and flavoursome spirits. The island journey ends above the sea, with a refreshing and palate-cleansing fruit sorbet and an aphrodisiac-infused cocktail, whilst listening to the sound of the gently lapping waves.
Gili Lankanfushi’s romantic dining experiences don’t end with the Aphrodisiac Journey; there are a host of private spots available for guests seeking extraordinary culinary experiences. A table dug into the sand beneath swaying coconut palms offers the best sunset vistas on the island, whilst foodies can dine at a table hidden within the lush greenery and fragrant herbs of the Maldives’ most extensive organic garden. Lovebirds seeking the ultimate seclusion can escape by dhoni to a secluded sandbar, bedecked with candles and paper lanterns, as live music sets the scene for the ultimate dining experience.
There are romantic experiences at Gili Lankanfushi to delight all couples, from enamored explorers to starry-eyed sun-worshippers. Wildlife lovers can spot dolphins leaping by the bow of the boat on a sunset dolphin cruise, whilst those looking for something more low-key can escape to the open-air Jungle Cinema for a private film screening, or to the overwater Meera spa for an indulgent couple’s massage. At night, guests can spot shooting stars as they slumber, from a bed set up on their private villa roof terrace. For those seeking the ultimate elopement, Gili Lankanfushi’s secluded overwater chapel, adrift in the turquoise waters of the lagoon, is the ideal location for a private and barefoot wedding or vow renewal.
To book: The Gili Celebrates Valentine’s package starts from $1,807++ per couple per night, including daily breakfast and dinner, return speedboat transfers, one Gili Aphrodisiac Journey for two, one private film screening in the Jungle Cinema, one couples jet-lag massage and one round of beachside sunset cocktails. There is a minimum four-night stay.
Call +960 664 0304 / Email [email protected]
For media enquiries,
Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives
Tammy Gan, Marketing Communications Manager at [email protected]
BIRD Luxury Travel PR
[email protected] or +44 (0) 20 7112 882
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Editor’s note: Located in the North Malé Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi opened in 2000 as the original over-water resort, Soneva Gili. In 2012, the island was acquired by HPL (Hotel Properties Limited), a Singapore-based company investing in hotels, lifestyle and properties around the world. Voted number one hotel in the world by TripAdvisor in 2015, Gili Lankanfushi is an easy 20-minute speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport.
Set in the middle of its own lagoon, guests enjoy a barefoot existence with 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean. Gili Lankanfushi’s 45 overwater villas, including the vast and secluded Private Reserve, offer unrivalled privacy.
