Now that it’s sufficiently cold and gloomy outside, I’m feeling extra sentimental about the sunshine, salty air and tan lines that come standard with a visit to the Seychelles. After our time on safari in the Masai Mara, we made our way to this little known grouping of islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean—touted for magnificent white sand beaches lined with granite boulders and crystal clear turquoise waters. Located about 1000 miles due East of Kenya, the Seychelles consists of 115 islands, mostly uninhibited, with exception to the three main islands: Mahe (the capitol), Praslin and La Digue. These three islands provide the majority of tourism, but a handful of other private islands containing no permanent residents also offer very luxurious and secluded accommodations including North Island (the honeymoon destination of Prince William + Kate as well as George + Amal Clooney), Fretgate, Felicite and Silhouette to name a few.  Once under the rule of France, the culture in the Seychelles is a mix of African, Indian and Creole. French and Creole are the main languages spoken in addition to English. Continue Reading…

I remember the first picture I saw of the Seychelles, in disbelief at the site of volcanic boulders jetting up from the white sands and turquoise sea, like nothing I had ever seen before. A chain of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles look almost surreal—reminiscent of Jurassic Park meets Robinson Crusoe. In addition to the many beaches, Seychelles has countless activities to offer, including boating excursions to more remote islands, snorkeling the coral reefs, hiking trails, biking, quaint villages, rainforest exploration, vanilla plantations, tea farms, a local rum distillery, and so much more. Continue Reading…