Seychelles: A Small Family Adventure
We love travelling, and it is something we could never give up!
So even after the birth of our little Daniele, who is now three, we were not put off by the long flight and decided to travel to these paradise islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
Thanks to SeyVillas and their platform, it was incredibly easy to put together our dream holiday, including all the transfers within and between the islands we had chosen.
Their help in recommending the most convenient places for us with a young child was also invaluable, as we had never been there before (special thanks to Valeria!).
We decided to break up the journey with a stopover in Dubai, although I do not think Daniele even noticed, as he slept throughout the entire journey on our comfortable Emirates flight.
The islands we stayed on were Mahé (at Bord Mer Villa) and Praslin (at Cote D'Or Chalets), and both were perfect for us: just a short walk from the beach, with kind and helpful staff, and everything families travelling with children might need nearby (a mini-market, cash machine, bureaux de change, bars and restaurants).
On Mahé, we relaxed on the peaceful Beau Vallon. For anyone looking for quiet spots, as we were, we recommend heading to the northern end, where the sea takes on beautiful hues, palm trees and large trees provide shade for enjoying the day, and huge fruit bats fly among the treetops. Every time, Daniele would shout: ‘Batman!!!!!’
We took a trip to Victoria to visit the fruit and fish market, Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market, immerse ourselves in the colourful local life and then visit the botanical gardens, Seychelles National Botanical Gardens. There, surrounded by lush vegetation, we had our first encounter with the beautiful giant tortoises and fed them some large banana leaves.
A transport tip: we would recommend using the local buses. They are very inexpensive and can take you virtually anywhere; the only drawback is that some of the drivers can be rather reckless!
However, be wary of anyone offering you a lift at bus stops. They may not be trustworthy, and you risk being left in the middle of nowhere despite having agreed on a return journey. It happened to us even though we had a young child with us, but fortunately it was our only negative experience in the Seychelles!
We travelled to Praslin aboard Cat Coco, a high-speed ferry (the rocking motion must have felt like a large cradle to Daniele, as he slept throughout the crossing too).
The island is smaller and easy to explore, while Anse Volbert (Cote d'Or) beach is magnificent and perfect for children, with shallow water, exceptional colours and just a short walk from our chalet.
The famous Anse Lazio beach is also beautiful, and we managed to visit it on the morning of the very day we travelled home (thank goodness!!).
On Praslin, we recommend visiting the easily accessible Vallée de Mai. There are trails for everyone, ranging from easier to more challenging routes, and the forest is incredible, with giant leaves and the famous male and female coco de mer palms.
On Praslin, you will find plenty of excursions to choose from, both at your hotel and on the beaches. We decided to visit La Digue, which is extremely easy to reach: simply take the bus to the harbour, known as the jetty, and then catch the ferry (tickets can be purchased online). However, we would not recommend travelling to La Digue on the small boats run by the young men on the beach, as the sea is rather rough at this time of year.
La Digue completely enchanted us: the bicycles for hire, the relaxed atmosphere and, above all, the calm, crystal-clear waters protected by the coral reef make it a true paradise on earth!
That is why, in the end, we could not resist its call and returned for two days in a row to relax on the beautiful Anse Source d'Argent. Swimming, snorkelling and sunshine... these memories will remain with our family forever!
Our little traveller was a wonderful surprise and, despite his young age, came home with a wealth of fun and positive experiences!
