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Don’t visit the Maldives if shopping is the focus of your vacation. The local islands have relatively few worthwhile souvenir stores, and most of the resort shops are limited to expensive sun block, maps, photo books, and overpriced T-shirts. We’ve included one rare exception below:
One & Only Kanuhura One of the only traditional arts and cultural centers at any resort in the Maldives, Haruge (“meeting place” in Dhivehi) is a palm-roofed workshop for traditionally clothed local craftspeople who use ancient tools to weave mats, create woodcarvings, and build lacquered pieces you can buy. Maldives; 011-960-662-0044; www.oneandonlyresorts.com