SEYCHELLES

The breathtakingly beautiful Seychelles islands are surely the most romantic destination there is. They cast a siren-like spell over everyone who experiences its crystalline turquoise sea washing the pristine coral reefs and the powdery beaches that encircle the vast granite pinnacles which emerge from the verdant green rainforest. The islands stretch like an array of jewels across nearly one million square kilometers of the Indian Ocean east of Kenya, and even have their own unique suggestively shaped fruit, the famous 'coco de mer' double coconut, to emphasise their seductive charms. Only a few of the 115 islands are inhabited, most of the local population (known as Seychellois) being gathered on the main island, Mahé, around the capital city of Victoria.

The Seychellois are an alluring mix of freed African slaves, Arab, Indian and Chinese traders, and British and French settlers and seafarers who go about their business speaking a Creole patois. The multi-party democratic Republic was once a thriving pirate's haven but today it serves as a refuge for sun seekers, honeymooners and nature lovers who congregate in the top quality hotels and resorts on the main island shores. Whether you come to dive among the more than 800 species of fish in the island waters, marvel at flocks of colourful birds flitting among rare jungle trees, soak up the equatorial sun on silver sands or to cement your marriage vows, the Seychelles archipelago will impress as being just about as close to paradise as it is possible to get on earth.

Seychelles is constantly hot and humid, with an average annual temperature of 84°F (29°C), and the average sea temperature is the same, seldom dropping below 81°F (27°C). The heat is usually tempered by sea breezes. The islands lie outside of the hurricane belt, so storms are rare, but tropical rains fall during January and February. It is easy to escape the showers, though, because it can be sunny on one side of an island while it rains on the other.

VISA INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS

No foreigners require a visa to enter Seychelles. A one-month visitor's permit is issued on arrival and may be extended on application. All visitors do, however, require a passport valid for the duration of their visit, return or onward ticket, sufficient funds to cover their stay (a minimum of US$150 per day), and proof of accommodation. Extensions are possible if applied for at least a week before expiry of original visa.

Americans: United States citizens with a passport valid for the duration of their stay will be issued with a visitor's permit valid for up to a month on arrival.
UK nationals: British citizens need a passport valid for the duration of their stay, and will be issued with a visitor's permit on arrival, valid for a month.
Canadians: Canadians require a passport valid for the length of their stay and will be issued with a visitor's permit on arrival, valid for a month.
Australians: Australians need a passport valid at least for the length of their stay and will be issued with a visitor's permit on arrival, valid for a month.
South Africans: South Africans must have a passport valid at least for the duration of their stay and will be issued with a visitor's permit on arrival, valid for a month.
Irish nationals: Irish citizens require a passport valid at least for the length of their stay and will be issued with a visitor's permit on arrival, valid for a month.
New Zealanders: New Zealanders require a passport valid for the length of their stay and will be issued with a visitor's permit on arrival, valid for a month

ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO IN MAHE

Despite the fact that it is heavily populated and well-developed, the island of Mahé, the largest of the Seychelles archipelago, contains plenty of hidden treasures, not least of which is a legendary pirate's cache purportedly buried at Bel Ombre. The southern end of the island still sports deserted beaches, and even the busy northern urban enclave, which includes the international airport and capital city, Victoria, exudes laid-back charm.

Forming the backbone of the island is a spectacular mountain range that includes Morne Seychellois, the island's highest peak. Around the peak is one of the island's beautiful national parks, offering good hiking and stunning scenery. More than 60 idyllic beaches fringed with swaying palm trees can be found along the shoreline, offering a host of activities from excellent dive centres to various watersports operators. There are several interesting sights to see, particularly in friendly Victoria. Although not renowned for its nightlife, Mahé is the liveliest island after dark and resorts like the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Beach Resort and Casino, several nightclubs and restaurants that serve up traditional Creole delights provide the evening entertainment.

Beau Vallon Bay

The mile long beach encircling beautiful Beau Vallon Bay on the northern coast of Mahé Island is the most popular beach resort area in the Seychelles, boasting several hotels and a selection of dive and watersport centres. Beau Vallon also has a number of dive sites within the bay, including two wrecks and several coral reefs. The Marine Park of Bay Ternay is also easily accessible from the bay.

An oasis of green shade, ideal for a stroll, the century-old Botanical Gardens at the south end of Victoria extend for six hectares (15 acres), planted with a wide variety of indigenous and exotic trees, including the Seychelles islands' unique 'coco de mer' palms. The orchid garden is particularly lovely. There is a restaurant and souvenir shop in the Gardens.

Step back into the days of the buccaneers at the Seychelles National Museum of History, which features excellent displays of historic artefacts relating to the cultural and natural history of the islands. Exhibits include a range of interesting objects from shipwreck salvage, coral, voodoo dolls and old household objects to items that belonged to well-known pirates in days of old.

Located in the centre of Victoria, the Seychelles Natural History Museum features some fascinating exhibits like the bones of an extinct type of crocodile, a shipwreck, various stuffed animals and other curiosities of the natural world.

Having the dubious honour of being the smallest capital city in the world, Victoria can also be considered one of the quaintest and most charming, easily explored on foot. The best place to soak up the friendly atmosphere is at the busy daily market (closed on Sundays), where local crafts are on sale along with fish, fruit and vegetables. A hint of French and British colonial days still remains, reflected in buildings like the courthouse and main post office. Among the colourful houses there is also a cathedral and a clock tower built as a copy of the one housing Big Ben in London. The city is also something of an art centre, and works by local artists are popular buys at local galleries.

A treat for nature lovers, guided tours are offered from Victoria harbour to the St Anne National Marine Park, which covers six islands off the coast of Mahé near the city. The Park encompasses one of the most important nesting sites for Hawksbill turtles, and beneath its clear waters, ideal for snorkelling, the glory of the coral reefs can be enjoyed. Glass bottomed boat trips are also available.

Praslin Island

Anse Lazio, Praslin © Angelo Cavalli / STMA

The popular holiday island of Praslin lies 21 miles (34km) north-east of Mahé in the Seychelles archipelago, a popular stop for cruise liners and a vacation destination for honeymooners and beach lovers. The island's favourite beach, Anse Lazio, is one of the world's most exquisite, but the entire island is ringed with beautiful secluded beaches, sporting coral reefs and crystal clear waters. Praslin is known for being the exclusive home of the rare 'coco de mer' palm, that produces the world's largest nut, and delights ornithologists with glimpses of some of the world's rarest birds, like the black parrot and fruit pigeon. Several large resort hotels have been developed on the island, but this has not interfered with the natural beauty or abundant flora and fauna, or its reputation as being as close to the Garden of Eden as one can get. There are a few villages sprinkled across the island, housing the permanent population of a few thousand souls, most of whom work in the hotels and resorts or depend on fishing for a livelihood.

Exquisite black pearls are cultured at the only oyster farm in the Indian Ocean, but that is not all you can investigate at this attraction which, apart from displaying the art of cultivating pearls in the Black Lip Pearl Oyster, also explains the breeding and feeding of the Giant Clam species, Tridacna maxima. The farm features a touch pool and aquarium, and of course the black pearls are on sale in the onsite jewellery store.

Praslin artist, George Camille, is famed not only locally, but his works have been exhibited extensively in London and Paris. He works in a variety of mediums in an effort to capture the colour and excitement of Creole life. His works may be viewed or bought at his popular studio at Cote d'Or on Praslin Island.

First stop for most visitors to Praslin island in the Seychelles is the fantastic Vallée de Mai, hidden in virgin forest, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. Apart from the rich variety of plant and animal life in this beautiful spot, the main attraction here is that this is the only place in the world where the 'coco de mer' palm grows, producing a nut that weighs up to 40 lbs (18kg): the largest nut in the world. What makes this nut even more renowned is that it is shaped like a female pelvis. Its rarity, shape and alleged aphrodisiac properties have led to it becoming a collector's item. The Vallée is also home to three of the world's rarest birds: the black parrot, fruit pigeon and Seychelles bulbul. Guided tours to the Vallée are conducted every day from all the resort hotels on the island. There is also a self-guided walking trail through the area.