Seychelles is a destination made up of 115 island jewels, each with its own character, secrets and story to tell. Island-hopping between the 16 islands currently offering accommodation is easy too, with scheduled plane and ferry services to suit just about any itinerary. And, wherever you decide to stay, either in a 5-star cocoon of luxury or in any one of a selection of charming small hotels, self-caterings or picturesque Creole guesthouses, you will be met with courteous service and the friendly smile of a people who live in harmony and reassuringly close to their roots.

Praslin
Your first stop might be Praslin, Seychelles’ second largest island where the vegetation is so special it was once seriously believed to be the original site of the Garden of Eden. A few steps into the extraordinary forest known as the Vallée de Mai (one of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Seychelles) will show you why. Here, in this ancient forest of towering palms grows the incredible Coco-de-Mer palm which produces fruits that are Nature’s exact replica of the female pelvis while one of the world’s rarest birds, the Seychelles Black Parrot, flits back and forth in the twilight. After a stroll through this legendary glade you will be ready for a swim at one of the most famous beaches on earth, the achingly beautiful Anse Lazio, just one of many places where you can also enjoy memorable Creole cuisine within sight of the ocean and with your feet in the sand.

Alphonse
a small coral island of the Amirantes, this beguiling island in the southern part of the archipelago is bathed by turquoise waters

La Digue
La Digue Island is merely a 30 minute ferry ride from Praslin and, as you set foot on this magical island where the main forms of transport are still bicycle and ox-cart, you will feel yourself transported back to yesteryear. Try the turquoise lagoons or undersea gardens.

Anse Source d'Argent (photo below) is reputed to be the most photographed beach in the world. With its soft white sand, clear turquoise water and huge granite boulders sculptured by the elements and time itself, it is not difficult to see why photographers and film makers still love to come here. The sea is sheltered by the reef, and is very calm and shallow, with only sand underfoot which makes it safe for children.

Bird Island
the meeting place for sea turtles and thousands of birds

Desroches
a kingdom for divers

Or, you might wish to follow your imagination to more distant horizons where low-lying coral isles and magnificent atolls have been cast like inviting stepping-stones across the waters of the Indian Ocean. Several romantic island hideaways now boast excellent facilities either in sumptuous resorts offering elegant accommodation amid surrounds of breathtaking natural beauty or in rustic island lodges with homely beachside cottages. All will offer you adventure, great cuisine and the opportunity to experience the very best that unspoiled Nature has to offer.