Hong Kong, June 14 -- Comprising nearly 1,200 idyllic islands grouped into a double chain of 26 atolls, the Maldives was one of the first destinations to reopen its borders in July last year. Francois Oosthuizen makes a case for visiting this Indian Ocean hideaway where you can easily have a whole island - or at least a big chunk of it - all to yourself.

Isolated, far-flung locations where it's possible to easily socially distance from others, multi-generational trips to reconnect with loved ones after more than a year of lockdowns and travel restrictions, and a surge in wellness-focused itineraries are some of the biggest travel trends predicted for 2021 - all of which make the Maldives a rosy proposition. Factor in the close-to-nature ...