A Dream Holiday with the Specialists

As early as June 2017, we were able to book our long-awaited holiday to the Seychelles through SeyVillas. Planning our island-hopping trip was very easy. The choice of accommodation is enormous. Even so, nine months before our trip began, some places were already fully booked. The staff also gave us some helpful tips about flights, transfers and guest houses. The website also lets you see straight away which beach each property is located on and which attractions are nearby.

Hiring a car is also straightforward, although we did not make use of this option. We mainly travelled by bus. It is very inexpensive and also a great way to meet the local people. On La Digue, bicycles are the main form of transport, and you can reach almost all the beaches in no time. We chose guest houses with breakfast and did not regret our decision.

On 11 March 2018, we flew from Frankfurt via Dubai to Mahé, arriving early on 12 March. We received a very warm welcome from Creole Travel. The bus to the ferry was already waiting for us. After a short journey to the harbour and collecting our tickets, we travelled to Praslin on the upper deck, which proved to be a very good choice. Everything went perfectly smoothly there too. After a short bus journey, we arrived at our accommodation, Le Relax St. Joseph Guest House. We had booked the family room, which was 90 m² and had a large terrace.

Breakfast is served at Le Relax Beach Resort, which the guest house is part of. It is around 15 minutes away, and guests can use all the hotel facilities. The staff are very friendly and are always quick to help with any questions. Any issues are also resolved immediately. Cleanliness is very important to us on holiday, and we had no complaints whatsoever throughout our stay. Of course, you do need to remember to keep all food in the fridge or properly sealed.

A takeaway called Village and two supermarkets are very close by. We visited several attractions by bus, including the stunning beaches of Anse Georgette (advance booking by email with Lemuria Resort is required), Anse Lazio and Anse Kerlan, as well as Vallée de Mai. This is the cheapest way to get from A to B. The buses run relatively punctually. Simply print out the timetable beforehand to avoid long waits.

Anse Georgette After six days, we took the ferry to La Digue. You immediately feel as though you have stepped back into another era. We stayed with Doris and Charles at Buisson Guest House. It felt like being on holiday with friends. They are both so warm and welcoming and gave us some wonderful days. Breakfast is served in the tropical garden, and it does not take long before the local birds come to visit. On our penultimate evening, we were invited to dinner and enjoyed some absolutely delicious fish. Two bicycles and a kitchen are available for guests. The harbour is only five minutes away, and you can shop there or eat at various restaurants and takeaways.

The nearest beach, Anse Severe, is just a short cycle away. Our absolute dream beaches were on the eastern side of the island. You can reach Grand Anse, Anse Cocos and Petite Anse by bicycle. Anse Source d'Argent was already too touristy for us, as large numbers of cruise passengers are also brought there.

Anse Source d'Argent You should not miss the beautiful, secluded beaches in the north of the island either. Simply set off by bicycle, stop at a juice bar, spot tortoises and watch enormous rays in the water. Absolutely wonderful.

Anse Severe on La Digue Our host organised a boat trip to Felicite for us, and we spent the whole morning snorkelling. You can also book the trip on the beach. There were only four of us on the boat, which made it very relaxing.

After almost a week, we returned to the main island of Mahé, where we spent our final few days. After La Digue, our first impression was that we were no longer in the Seychelles: ‘lots’ of traffic and many tourists. Once we reached our accommodation and could enjoy the magnificent view of Beau Vallon, however, everything was perfect. We had booked the ‘Orchid’ apartment at Choice Villa. It was very well equipped, and the owner, Cecile, was absolutely lovely. The two ladies who prepare breakfast and keep the apartments clean are also very friendly and offer excellent tips for excursions and more.

Beau Vallon Bay The beautiful Beau Vallon beach is a short walk through Le Méridien Fisherman's Cove. This western end is very peaceful, with plenty of shady spots. It is also a good place for snorkelling. At the other end of Beau Vallon, there are plenty of stalls where local people prepare delicious dishes. You can eat very well there at very reasonable prices. Whether you choose fish or chicken curry, add a delicious cocktail or freshly squeezed juice and enjoy it right on the beach… The well-stocked Harald Store supermarket is just around the corner, as is Anse Marie-Laure.

The bus takes around 15 minutes to reach the Mahé bus station. From there, buses travel in every direction, making it easy to reach the various attractions. Alternatively, you can stroll through the city and visit Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market or Seychelles National Botanical Gardens.

Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Hindu Temple On the day of our departure, we were allowed to keep our apartment until the evening, as our collection was not until after 20:00. Thank you again for that.

It was a wonderful holiday in a fantastic country and an all-round success. We took so many unforgettable memories home with us. Thank you to all the lovely people. We felt safe and welcome everywhere.

Many thanks also to SeyVillas for the excellent advice and to the tour representatives from Creole Travel.