For those seeking a world of unrivalled beauty combined with as little or as much adventure and relaxation as they can handle, the Seychelles should be high on the list of places to visit. Comprising 115 islands a few degrees south of the equator in the western Indian Ocean, the Republic of the Seychelles captivates you with its dramatic scenery, natural environment and timeless quality of life. Hustle and bustle is unheard of and temperatures seldom drop below 24°C making it a year round destination.
For nature lovers, few places in the world come close to replicating the beauty of the archipelago with its geographic diversity of lush forests, white sand beaches and warm azure waters. 41 of the islands constitute the oldest mid-oceanic granite islands on earth and the Seychelles is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the legendary Vallée de Mai where the fascinating Coco-de-mer nut grows; and Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atoll.
With almost half its landmass constituting national parks and reserves, the Seychelles is a living museum of natural history. If you are lucky, you can feast your eyes on rare species of flora & fauna such as the jellyfish tree, the paradise flycatcher, the smallest frog, heaviest land tortoise and the Seychelles warbler.
A great way to appreciate this stunning environment is to take a guided nature tour or venture on one of the many treks available. The Anse Major trail in the North East of Mahé follows the rocky coastline taking in the Morne Seychellois National Park with its ‘glacis’ rock faces. The reward for your efforts is paradise - the small secluded beach of Anse Major. If however, you prefer a gentle approach, then try a helicopter tour or a boat trip and savour the views from a different perspective.
Water babes will be only too happy to take to the crystal clear waters, where the undersea world is stunning. Not only is the Seychelles famous for having some of the best beaches in the world, the Indian Ocean provides sublime opportunities for swimming, snorkelling, water sports, fishing and diving. Most resorts offer snorkelling boat trips, deep sea fishing excursions and Scuba diving centres with instructional programmes and guided dives.
There are also great opportunities for island hopping between the 16 islands that currently offer accommodation, including day excursions if you don’t want to venture far from your bolthole. You’ll find a good selection of accommodation available and new hotels, B&B’s and resorts are regularly opening. One of the very first hotels to be built in Mahé, the Northolme, has recently undergone a dramatic transformation and is now the luxury five star Hilton Seychelles Northholme Resort & Spa.
The Northolme was where Ian Fleming stayed in the 1950’s and where he gained inspiration for one of his 007 James Bond plots in the best-selling thriller, "For Your Eyes Only". Guests at the resort can even enjoy the Ian Fleming Suite in one of the Oceanfront Villas featuring a true Bond-style king sized circular bed, LCD flat screen, whirlpool bathtub, rainfall shower and balcony with steps into the crystal clear lagoon waters.
The Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa is a scenic 25-minute journey from Pointe-Larue International Airport in Mahé and is home to just 40 secluded villas elevated on stilts and nestled amidst the beach coves and boulders of Beau Vallon Bay. It effortlessly combines barefoot luxury with refined relaxation making it an idyllic hideaway. Whilst there, try some traditional Creole cuisine at one of the two restaurants or sooth your soul at the resort’s fabulous Duniye Spa located on a giant granite boulder which has a complete repertoire of health and wellness services, including Ayurvedic treatments and yoga. For the ultimate escapism, the resort can even arrange a Robinson Crusoe picnic on a nearby deserted island.
If it is history and culture you are after, the Seychelles again ticks all the boxes. The islands are rife with old pirate tales and lost loot. Seychellois believe there are still huge caches of buried treasure hidden amongst the islands including that of infamous 18th century buccaneer ‘The Buzzard’. For over two centuries, the islands have remained a melting pot of different races, traditions and religions and the first settlement can be traced back to the French in 1770. Since then the islands have been home to European settlers, political exiles, adventurers, traders of Arab and Persian origin as well as Chinese and Indians. Today the diversity of cultures is evident in the Republic – from its multi-ethnic people and three national languages to its vibrant arts, Seychellois architecture and delicious Creole cuisine.
Whether you are seeking the sunshine, culture, abundant nature or even pirate treasure, one thing is certain – you will be carried along by the easy pace of Seychellois life, so be prepared to leave your worries behind and immerse yourself in total relaxation.
