AN ISLAND GETAWAY

The Definitive Guide to the Seychelles

I've had countless people tell me about their time in the Seychelles, ranging from romantic honeymoons to hiking and adventure excursions.With some fantastic hotel deals to be found, it seems everybody's discovering the island paradise - but with 115 islands to choose from, where do you start?

Beach: L'Anse Source d'Argent , La Digue

La Digue is one of the smaller populated islands in the Seychelles, with bags of character and a wonderful community of locals. L'Anse Source d'Argent is by far the most beautiful beach in the Seychelles, promising soft pink sands, rounded granite boulders and towering palm trees. It's also a great spot for snorkelling, if you feel like learning something new and discovering the coral reef underneath the water!

Culture: Port Victoria, Mahé

Victoria is the nation's capital, and the best place to head to if you're looking to learn more about the history and culture of the islands. Here you'll find the National Museum of History, the Natural History Museum, and the Victoria Botanical Gardens. Victoria is also the best place to find the markets and produce stalls, while a walk around the harbour will give you a fantastic insight into the hustle and bustle of central Seychelles life.

Exploring: Vallée de Mai, Praslin

Hikers and walkers will be in their element on a holiday to the Seychelles - the islands are covered with a network of footpaths and trails, the most impressive of which can be found of the island of Praslin, which is home to the stunning Vallée de Mai. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Vallée de Mai is a stunning forest of pam trees, home to a number of rare birds and animals and so beautiful it Is nicknamed "the original Garden of Eden".

Food: Fresh seafood and warm Creole flavours

Seychelles food takes influence from a number of different cultures, including Creole, Caribbean, Indian, African and French. The result is something completely unique to the nation, a delicious blend of Cajun spices, locally-caught seafood and tropical fruits and vegetables - grilled red snapper is a popular local dish that can be found in any traditional restaurant. For a classic Creole meal head to the Marie Antoinette in St. Louis, a family-run venture with a different menu every day.

Drink: Local brews and a rich, varied nightlife

The local beer is a light Bavarian-style called Seybrew, particularly refreshing after a day in the heat! For something a little heavier, the Takamaka rum is made on Mahé and is ideal in the evening when it gets a little cooler. Victoria is the best place to go for nightlife, with a number of beach bars, cocktail venues and clubs, while down on the beach you'll always find somebody to share a drink with under the stars!