Too good to be true!
The Seychelles offer a fabulous range of natural and cultural highlights.
Even a good knowledge of French doesn't help too much here. Seselwa, the French-based Creole language of the Seychelles, is a linguistic challenge, but the Seychellois know how to get around it with very good English, one of the official languages of the islands. During the transfer from Seychelles International Airport, our driver Alphonse chats away in an irresistible mixture of languages, showing us the sights of the island of Mahé as they whizz past us left and right.
How fortunate that the main island of the Seychelles is the inevitable first encounter with the island state. Here we can experience the country's visual delights concentrated over 154.7 km² and a north-south extension of no less than 28 kilometers. However, this can feel like a very long drive. On single-lane roads that sometimes lead through shimmering tropical forests in all available shades of green, sometimes over hills and then again over flatter coastal land, the versatility of the island state is served to us as an "amuse gueule". But without an experienced local driver, the road trip can also be a challenge.
Unlike in personal encounters, the Seychellois simply don't seem to have time when driving. There is overtaking and honking in blind hairpin bends, with children and animals jumping on the narrow roadside, which is actually the most beautiful playground in the world. Driving on Mahé is pure pleasure, if only because of the tranquil villages, the spectacular villas built on hills and the beguiling scents of plants wafting through the open windows. Rich smells of bougainvillea, hibiscus or wild vanilla, a beautiful endemic orchid. The island nation with its multi-ethnic mix has obviously found the true sunny side of life and is also considered a safe travel destination. This is particularly true at the moment because the country has already managed to vaccinate 70 percent of its 100,000 inhabitants against Covid-19.
Best of the best
With 72 granite and 73 coral islands, the Seychelles offer a microcosm of the "best of the best" in the Indian Ocean. Larger and smaller islands guarantee a broad spectrum of adventure and luxury experiences with exotic, sometimes steep hiking trails, ziplines through wild jungle, water sports above and below sea level, fantastic wellness and culinary resorts and dreamlike rental villas. The classic "One Island - One Resort" feeling is also available here: The top-class ones are North Island, Fregate Island or the Six Senses Zil Pasyon on Félicité. All three are not only true honeymoon paradises, but are also exemplary specialists in sustainable tourism and finance environmental and social programmes. Of course, they are not alone in this; there are countless organizations that are committed to the preservation of endemic animal and plant species. What's particularly great is that the Seychelles were one of the first countries in the world to even include nature conservation in their constitution.
Natural wonder praslin
After visiting Mahé, the second largest island of Praslin is a must for Seychelles travelers. And rightly so, because here you can check into fantastic resorts such as the Constance Lémuria or the Raffles Seychelles. The latter scores with its proximity to one of the most famous beaches in the world. A 30-minute walk past small cafés and stores leads to the breathtaking Anse Lazio nature reserve. Here, the rounded granite stones sculpted by the sea lie so perfectly against an azure backdrop as if a landscape architect had put his hand to it. And a typical island curiosity on the side: as there is no drinks service directly on the beach, visitors help themselves from the fridge of a bar without staff. The Honesty Bar bears this name because guests are expected to put counted money in a cash box provided after taking a drink. Incidentally, Raffles Seychelles Resort also offers a direct view of the uninhabited island of Curieuse. Uninhabited? Not quite. Around 300 free-living Aldabra giant tortoises live here, which are happy to welcome guests and stretch their necks to the sky when visitors offer them delicious greenery. Just a few minutes by boat from Praslin, a trip to Curieuse is a real adventure of discovery. In addition to the friendly turtles, you can also discover another endemic species here: the "Coco de Mer" palm with its im(po)sant fruit, which can weigh up to 25 kilos. However, there are far more of these in the Valleé de Mai, the national park on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which presents itself as a true Garden of Eden. Just like the entire island state, by the way.
Island hopping made easy
The tour operator Seyvillas offers complete packages for island hopping as well as an island configurator for individual needs. In addition, stays in luxury hotels or rental villas are organized as well as rental cars, round trips and transfers. The German-speaking team of experts on site can realize all travel wishes and advise on any questions that may arise. T: +49 521 92 27 97 89 www.seyvillas.com
