Africa
Granite boulders, powder-white beaches and the rare coco de mer.
Seychelles is an archipelago of granite and coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. Mahé, the largest, holds the small capital Victoria and the forested peaks of Morne Seychellois National Park. Praslin's Vallée de Mai protects the giant coco de mer palm, and La Digue's Anse Source d'Argent, with its sculpted boulders, is one of the most photographed beaches in the world.
The pace is slow: island hopping by ferry, cycling on La Digue and long lunches of grilled fish and Creole curries. Snorkelling and diving are excellent. April, May, October and November, between the two trade-wind seasons, bring the calmest seas and clearest water; December to March is wetter, and May to September winds can churn up some beaches.
April, May, October, November.