A Dream Come True
After years of daydreaming, we finally managed to reach one of those tropical paradises everyone longs to visit but which almost always seem impossible to get to... this year, our dream came true! We finally spent 8 days in the Seychelles, and I can confidently say it was our best holiday ever.
Praslin
We arrived on Praslin aboard a tiny plane, from which we enjoyed our first glimpse of ‘paradise’ as we flew over some of the small Seychelles islands between Mahé and Praslin.
We stayed at the Britannia Hotel on a half-board basis, which was the perfect choice. The food was always delicious, the rooms were spacious and clean, and the location was excellent for visiting some of the island’s most beautiful places, such as the famous Vallée de Mai. It was wonderful to walk through the tropical forest where the renowned Coco de Mer grows, occasionally coming across charming endemic wildlife such as geckos and tropical birds.
We experienced magical moments on dreamlike beaches such as Anse Lazio (our first impression was almost overwhelming because of its sheer beauty), and we went on a wonderful excursion to Curieuse Island, stopping to snorkel at St. Pierre before rounding off the day with a lovely swim at Anse Georgette. It was a picture-perfect setting, with crystal-clear water lapping against a dazzling white beach with sand as fine as talcum powder.
On Curieuse Island, we were welcomed by the famous Seychelles giant tortoises, which roam freely in the park beside a magnificent mangrove forest. It is a unique place where nature reveals all its power and beauty.
From Praslin, we travelled to La Digue, explored the island by bicycle and stopped at the beautiful Anse Source d'Argent, where the Bilboa advert was filmed… Described as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it is a place we thoroughly recommend visiting!
While on La Digue, we also visited Grand Anse. Unfortunately, the sea was rough when we were there, but despite this, it is certainly worth including among the island’s unmissable sights.
Mahé
When we moved on to Mahé, we stayed at the Valmer Resort (a fantastic hotel, with good food and a room offering breathtaking views over the bay). From there, we visited the market in Victoria, where we stocked up on souvenirs and all sorts of spices (there are so many!), and admired the beaches of Anse Intendance and Anse Soleil. Fortunately, the sea was always calm, making it feel as though we were stepping into an open-air swimming pool!
Our personal favourite was undoubtedly Praslin, thanks to its distinctly wild character and the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen. However, we certainly would not want to take anything away from the other islands, as each one gave us a different and unforgettable experience, shaped by its own unique character.
It is impossible to put our feelings into words. All I can say is that we were dazzled by the wild, unique beauty of these pearls set in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The memory of this holiday will remain in our hearts for ever, returning whenever we see white beaches and dreamlike seas, and we will be able to say: we have been there!
Giovanni
