Who does the Seychelles appeal to?
Honeymooners looking for a tropical paradise setting and beach lovers who are looking for the perfect destination in a completely non-commercialised environment. It would also make a beautiful spot for a wedding. The scenery is amazing with white crystal beaches and dramatic mountains in the background.  It is also fantastic for families as there are many hotels that have innovative Kid’s Clubs with daily activities, including feeding Giant Tortoises, treasure hunts, collecting and painting shells; with the focus on conserving nature.  For those who are keen to experience snorkelling and diving the islands have some of the best corals.

What surprised you the most about the Seychelles?
How easy it was to get around the islands either by a small aircraft or short boat ride (it’s ideal for island hopping). Plus everybody on the islands were incredibly friendly and extremely relaxed. Finally, the sheer beauty of the islands and beaches.  It can be a romantic paradise or a fantastic family destination.

Which was your favorite hotel and why?
Definitely the Domaine de L’Orangeraie. I loved the tropical gardens and the style of accommodation. It’s an excellent boutique hotel with great views. I also loved the island of La Digue. It is very relaxing and has stunning beaches. 

What is the flying time?
Approximately 10 hours. British Airways launches a new direct flight to the islands in March. Emirates also offer flights from regional airports via Dubai.

Would you combine a luxury holiday in the Seychelles with anywhere else?
With the Emirates flights being so convenient you could spend a few nights in Dubai. You can also combine Mauritius and the Seychelles, although there is the opportunity to do lots of island hopping in the Seychelles.

What else is there to do?
Valle De Mai is a nature reserve and World Heritage Site which is worth a visit. For the more adventurous there’s rock climbing and an aerial zipline which is  suspended within the forest canopy and an 18 metre high natural granite rock face.  Hiking and cycling are both popular, especially on the island of La Digue. You can also visit giant tortoises at the natural jungle national park on Curieuse Island. For foodies you can take part in a local creole cooking class. Visit Victoria on Mahe, one of the worlds smallest capitals, here you can visit the Botanical Gardens. There are many boat trips to experience and a great way to see these beautiful islands.

What kind of food is served?
Creole cuisine is highly inspired by French, Indian and African dishes with lots of fish curries. Native fruits such as papaya are served, as are many coconut based desserts.

What kind of holiday budget do the Seychelles appeal to?
Prices for some of the hotels may seem very high. However it is very exclusive and the high quality of the islands should be taken into account as there really is nowhere like it to compare. There are affordable options suiting lower budgets such as guest houses, which are beautiful and a great way to allow you to visit the islands at a more affordable price. 

Contact Lisa to plan your Seychelles trip.