We Blog The World

Let's face it -- if you've ever seen the breathtaking and awe-inspiring images of the , your mind starts to wander. Personally, I find myself wishing I could be transplanted to the Seychelles Islands' pristine beaches for a relaxing or romantic week escape. After all, who wouldn't want to swim in aqua clear waters and sip on a coconut cocktail among palm trees with nothing between you and the sea but a warm breeze against your face? The vegetation is also incredible, from majestic granite boulders, unique flora and fauna, tortoises and the indigenous Coco de Mer palm, which is apparently the largest seed in the world, the jellyfish tree, with only eight surviving examples and countless picturesque views few get the chance to see. Photo credit: http://seychelles.travel/ Yet, you're likely to find few people who have been to these remarkable islands. You may be surprised to learn that the Seychelles is one of the world’s smallest countries, with a population of only around 100,000 across its 115 remote islands, all nestled in the Indian Ocean. Photo credit: http://seychelles.travel/ With crystal clear waters and pristine beaches, there's plenty of diving and snorkeling opportunities for visitors, mainly in and around the outer islands which offer beautiful reef coralline, sand cays and largely uninhabited areas, making the underwater citings more unique than the inner islands, which also have prolific marine life and where you can find accessible PADI diving facilities. Culture enthusiasts and historians Seychelles is also home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Aldabra, which is the world’s largest raised coral atoll and Praslin’s Vallée de Mai, which apparently was once believed to be the original site of the Garden of Eden. How cool is that? should also know about Curieuse Marine National Park, which has a rare combination of red earth hillsides with the unique green flora. This beautiful island is peppered with Coco de Mer trees, which as noted above, is one of the iconic symbols of Seychelles. There's a trail that takes you from Baie Laraie to Anse José through a lush mangrove forest and leper colony ruins. Along the way, museum lovers will appreciate The Doctor’s House, which is designed in Creole colonial architecture and here, you'll learn about the local beach sea turtles. Water lovers should book a dive at Coral Garden or Pointe Rouge. The Seychelles is all about natural beauty and because of its purity, pristine beaches and glorious views in all directions, it is also referred to as the ‘islands of love’ so they make a great as well. It is remote, largely untouched, private and brimming with serenity and tranquility. The islands have a wide range of stay options as well, from intimate and five star resorts to charming Creole guesthouses and island hideaways. Photo credit: http://seychelles.travel/ As for when to go?  Apparently the climate is almost always warm and sunny and the temperature rarely drops below 24°C or above 32°C. If you want to avoid rainy season or potential cloudy days, they suggest avoiding December through February and if you're not a fan of heat, they suggest going from May to October, which is slightly cooler. When planning your , consider snorkeling, diving, sailing, wildlife, nature and hikes, fishing, pure relaxation or as a . Imagine going for beach walks with sunsets like this one? Photo credit: http://seychelles.travel/     Note: this post is a partner/sponsor campaign, but all opinions expressed are entirely my own.