Seychelles, being one of the founding members of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP), has been active in the promotion of different activities for the purpose of being able to enhance the tourism in the country. As a means of increasing the rate of...
Seychelles Blog.
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How to get Seychelles
The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa some 1600km east of Kenya. The only international gateway to the Seychelles is the International Airport, near Victoria, the capital of Mahé, the main island.. All flights within the Seychelles arrive and depart from Mahé.
Airlines serving the Seychelles include Emirates (6 flights weekly), Etihad (4 flights weekly), Ethopian (3 flights weekly), Air France, Thomas Cook/Condor (once per week direct from Frankfurt), Air Seychelles (3 flights weekly to Mauritius, 2 to Johannesburg and 1 weekly flight to Singapore via Chennai, India), Transaero (from Moskow), Meridiana, Air Mauritius, Air Austral (twice a week from Paris), and Kenya Airways. Blue Panorama plans flights from Italy.
From Prague (Czech Republic) to the Seychelles via Abu Dhabi on Czech Airlines 3-4 times weekly.
Once you arrvie on Mahe, you can easily go from this island to other islands by some ways, such as…
a) by speed ferry: it runs between Mahe and Praslin (with onward connections to La Digue). The trip takes only 50-60 minutes.
Between Praslin and La Digue there is a ferry which crosses in 15-30 mins.
b) By plane: Mahe – Praslin costs about 105 € o/w by plane and although the hop with a Twin Otter or Short360 lasts only about 15 mins., you may end up spending hours at the airport, if you are unlucky and there’s a lot of demand. Most of the time, they are roughly on time, though.
c) By helicopter: You’d have to charter a helicopter to La Digue, which costs about 820 €.
Getting around the islands is not too difficult since they are all pretty small and can be explored by car, bus, taxi, bicycle, traditional ox-cart or on foot! You can also hire a car or boat and explore everything at your own pace.
Where to stay in Seychelles
Seychelles has an excellent selection of good value accommodation in all price categories. Here are some of the best places for your choice:
- L’UNION ESTATE
Anse Reunion, La Digue, Seychelles
There are just four villas on L’Union Estate, right on the beach, among gardens and coconut palms. Each has two air-conditioned double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a large sitting/dining room, fully equipped kitchen and a balcony, from which you can look west across to Praslin, or watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean. The estate is closed to the public at night, so it’s very peaceful.
- MAIA LUXURY RESORT
Anse Louis, Mahé, Seychelles
The resort’s 30 villas are set among tropical flowers and palms in the undulating grounds, which give them the maximum privacy. Generous terraces with panoramic views include dining areas, day beds, outdoor baths and private, infinity-edged swimming pools that seem to merge with the Indian Ocean below.
- CHATEAU DE FEUILLES
Pointe Cabris, Praslin Island, Seychelles
Located among mango and coconut trees with spectacular views of the ocean, the Château de Feuilles has nine rooms divided between the château and various thatched bungalows built of local architecture. It is a member of and offers activities such as sailing, fishing, diving, snorkelling and trips to nearby islands.
- FOUR SEASONS SEYCHELLES
Petite Anse, Baie Lazare, Mahé, Seychelles
Designed in the style of a village, the 67 villas resemble private residences, spilling dramatically down a forested hill on the southwest coast of Mahé. Some are perched high up in the hillside, others nestle closer to the beach, all offer the utmost privacy, giving the impression that you are totally and blissfully alone.
- FREGATE ISLAND PRIVATE
Frégate Island, Seychelles
Frégate Island Private was the pioneer among these nature reserves combined with resorts. It’s large enough to ensure that even if you stay a week you can take a different walk each morning, through dense forest, over bare upland terrain with thousands of seabirds wheeling overhead, along the coastline above the island’s seven beaches or through groves of coconut palms beneath which the tortoises graze ceaselessly.
- LE MERIDIEN FISHERMAN’S COVE
Bel Ombre, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles
Located on the southern tip of Beau Vallon, this well-established Mahé hotel was restored in 2004 and features granite walls, thatched roofs and a maze of fountains. There are 68 rooms and suites, decorated in contemporary or Creole style.
- PATATRAN VILLAGE
Anse Patates, La Digue, Seychelles
Located at the northern tip of La Digue island, Patatran Village offers good accommodation at a slightly lower cost. Each villa is detached, with a bright air-conditioned double bedroom, bathroom, and fridge, plus large sliding windows on to a private balcony overlooking Anse Patates.
- COUSINE ISLAND
Cousine Island, Seychelles
The hotel buildings are exquisitely pretty in the Seychellois French-colonial style, with steep-pitched roofs, white-painted wood, trellising and frilly fretwork along the eaves. There’s an excellent chef, nice and motherly waitresses, and a spa in the old plantation house overlooking the beach.
What to see in Seychelles
You are looking for inspiration for your honeymoon or your holiday? Then such ideal places in Seychelles will be the main draws:
- Aldabra
Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Aldabra is the world’s largest atoll. In this place, you can see giant land tortoises (there are about 150,000 tortoises in all). Recently, some tortoises have been exported to Curieuse, now a reserve for giant tortoises. Aldabra consists of 13 islands which make up about one-third of the Seychelles’ land mass.
- Anse Lazio, Praslin
Rated as one of the best beaches in the world by Giorgio Armani, Ansense Lazio deserves a special mention. Without any doubt, the powder-white sands fringed with large granite boulders are truly the place to kick back and enjoy the peace and views. The clear, warm turquoise seas are an invitation to snorkel.
- Anse Major, Mahé
Other amazing invitation is Ansen Major, which is only accessible on foot or by boat. If you don’t fancy the trek, seek out one of the island’s other 70 white-sand beaches, fringed with lush vegetation and coconut palms. It’s an amazing experience.
- Bird Island, Praslin, Mahé
With countless hatching sites, you’re in with a good chance of watching a hawksbill turtle lay her eggs here. Just imagine how exciting it is when you see the turtle upping her flippers to shovel sand into the hole with the eggs, she lies exhausted before dragging her enormous bulk over the sands and disappearing into the turquoise sea.
- Cousin, Bird & Aride islands
Coming this Islands, you will easily take photograph of the rare species on Cousin. The brush warbler, the Seychelles toc-toc and the fairy tern are among 1.25 million birds that nest here during April and May. However, remember to be part of an organised tour to see them. On Bird island, millions of sooty terns breed between May and October, while colonies of seabirds visit Aride from October to April.
- Frégate
This Robinson Crusoe island is home to the almost extinct magpie robin and many other bird species. Considered as the most easterly and isolated of the granitic islands, Frégate is an unspoilt vegetation and you must also have seen some picture-postcard beaches such as Anse Victorin or Anse Macquereau.
- Mahé Tour
A trip to the Seychelles is never complete without a visit to Mahé island, where you will take in the market, the Botanical Gardens (with Coco-de-mer, giant tortoises and orchids), and the replica of London’s Vauxhall Bridge Tower Clock in Victoria, before setting off around the island to visit colonial-style mansions in graceful decline and plantations of cinnamon and vanilla.
- Vallée de Mai, Praslin
This park has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You may know that Vallée de Mai is the unique place in the world where you will find the rare coco de mer palm. This palm produces the largest nut in the world. The place is also home to some rare birds such as the Seychelles bulbul, fruit pigeon, and the black parrot.
Taste of Seychelles
While travelling to Seychelles, you will have chance to enjoy some of the world’s most delicious cuisines that is actually a fusion of flavours from African, French, Chinese, Indian and English cooking. For a long time, spices have been combined to create an unique flavour.
Grilled fish or octopus basted with a sauce of crushed chillies, ginger and garlic are national favourites as are a variety of delicious curries lovingly prepared with coconut milk and innovative chatinis made from local fruits such as papaya and golden apple. As may be expected, seafood dishes feature predominantly in the local cuisine, appearing alongside the national staple, rice.
Some restaurants specialise in Indian, Chinese or Italian food and many feature popular international and specialist dishes.
Palm wine or calou is an alcoholic beverage that is locally made from coconut sap. It is also used in the preparation of many Seychellois dishes. Bacca is another alcoholic beverage that is made from sugarcane liquor and used for ceremonial events. Coco d’Amour is a tropical coconut liqueur that is made with coconut extract. Local beer includes Ekyu and Seybrew.
The variety of tropical fruit in Seychelles is huge with varieties of bananas. There are also citrus fruits such as grapefruit, oranges and limes. The Jamalac is a cone shaped fruit that has soft skin and tastes like an apple. There are plenty of mangoes, pineapples, jackfruit, papaya and custard apples. These are made into fresh salads, juices or chutneys.
Seychellois cuisine is unique because it is the mix of the flavours of many different ingredients that were brought to the islands over the centuries. With their own coconut and breadfruit base as well as the abundant fresh seafood, the Seychelles people have created something new. The main flavours are rich, hot and spicy combined in a hundred ways to make each dish flavourful and special. It is worth looking for traditional, local food to experience the true flavours. Hotels often use the word fusion as a blend of French and Seychellois cuisine, but the local restaurants and cafes will give the real thing.
Enjoy your Seychelles cuisine experiences!
Places to go in Seychelles
Planning a vacation in the Seychelles next year but aren’t sure where to go? After all, it’s a big place! For your reference, those place of interest will hopefully make the decision a bit easier for you.
Bird island Seychelles
Located 28 miles away from Denis Island and on the edge of the coast of the Seychelles, Bird Island is northernmost island of the Seychelles. During the period of the southeast trade winds (May-September), Bird Island is inhabited by a million sooty terns which lay their eggs on their exclusive territory.
Twenty-four comfortable bungalows, excellent beaches, a reputation for good food and a friendly atmosphere make here become a fabulous spot for diving, deep sea fishing, and observation nature.
Cousin Island Seychelles
Cousin Island is about six kilometers off the west coast of Praslin. This Island gives you an experience of total privacy offered by very few other places on earth. With four individual villas designed in French colonial style, exclusivity is the order of the day as a maximum of only ten people are housed at one point. Cousin Island is a private nature reserve, home to five endemic birds of Seychelles magpie robin as the Seychelles brush warbler, and a variety of endemic wildlife and spectacular marine life.
Denis Island Seychelles
Far from north of Victoria about 85 km, Denis Island is one of the islands is the most northerly of the Seychelles. With its lush vegetation Denis Island is a nice house for roaming turtles and seabirds.
Coming here, you will enjoy the plantation of coconut growing, live in one of 25 charming cottages which are recently renovated. Denis Island is truly perfect for a honeymoon with excellent cuisine.
Denis Island offers an excellent nature for walking and for playing tennis, diving, windsurfing, canoeing and of course the sun on its white sandy beaches.
Fregate Island seychelles
Frégate Island is located about 55 km from Mahé and is furthest from the inner granitic islands. This 2 square mile microcosm island is home to fifty species of birds including the rare Seychelles magpie robin, and other rare species of fauna.
This fertile island has a luxurious five-star lodge which offers optimum comfort and amenities. The fact is that it has become a haven of choice for Hollywood stars with sumptuous luxury villas.
La Digue Seychelles
Being close neighbor with Praslin and its satellite islands of Felicite, Marianne, and the sister islands, La Digue is the fourth largest island in the Seychelles. The warm atmosphere of this island with its intimate languid rhythm of life, traditional architecture and breathtaking beaches as legendary Anse Source d’Argent, it is an absolute must-visit to any traveller.The picturesque islands around are ideal for excursions to snorkeling and diving.
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