Luxury holidays and sustainability on the Maldives don’t have to be a contradiction in terms. At least not on Soneva Fushi. While waste piles up on most of the islands of this paradise on the southern seas, here, special care is taken to protect the fragile natural environment. So, for example, the majority of the vegetables for the delicious meals is grown in the island’s own garden. A particular highlight is the glass recycling programme, which creatively combines saving resources with tableware production and art. This concept has now been going on here for 20 years; thus, Soneva became a pioneer for sustainable tourism.
Fragility is what links the natural environment of the Maldives and the basic raw material of the sustainability programme – glass – and makes a strong partnership. The founders of Soneva – Eva and Sonu Shivdasani – take on responsibility for the fragile souls of the islands entrusted to them and enable their visitors to experience positive luxury. The programme started with all the wine and water bottles, which are collected on Soneva Fushi and its sister island Soneva Jani, which is situated in Noonu Atoll. There is an 'Eco Centro' on Soneva Fushi, which prepares the material for further processing. In the glass-making factory, glasses, carafes, glass sculptures and many other items are moulded which capture the relaxed radiance and the soothing sparkle of their surroundings with their simple elegance. Thus, beautiful new things are made from the waste of the resort operation, in line with the motto of its own Eco Centro 'Waste to Wealth'. All production plants are on site, helping this ecological programme to avoid long transport routes. If you are interested, you can visit the glass studio and watch the glass blowers in action as they carry out their fascinating work – and perhaps buy a souvenir for your table at home in the adjoining boutique? Firstly, the glass items are available to purchase, and secondly, they serve as tableware for the hotels and restaurants to use on the island. The resort’s own filtered mineral water – another sustainability project – is also bottled in their own recycled bottles. Water no longer has to be imported in plastic bottles that damage the environment. This protects the environment and the funds saved flow into social projects. A particular highlight of the activities around glass recycling is the artist programme. A world-renowned glass artist is invited onto the island for three weeks each time. Here, he or she has the opportunity to make artworks using the recycled glass. Visitors to the island can be part of this creative process. It culminates in a preview to opening the exhibition of the works created. And why not give being an artist a try yourself one day? In special courses, you can develop your very own glass creation.
Turkish Airlines - Business Class
Anyone, like me, who appreciates superior comfort even on the outward journey, will enjoy the business class at Turkish Airlines. Their attentive service and exquisite catering are in a class of their own. The stay in the Business Lounge at Ataturk Airport was impressive: On around 6,000 sqm, a world of its own opens up that is so diverse, it makes the waiting time fly by in the twinkling of an eye. The offer goes far beyond what you would usually expect, for here conference rooms and lounges not only come as standard, but also fine shower rooms and massage loungers as well as a comprehensive entertainment programme. The private suites are my personal highlight, where you feel as though you are in a hotel.
