When photos appeared of Catherine Middleton speaking with
Michelle Obama at Buckingham Palace, the all-but-audible thought on everyone’s mind was
“Wow.”
Fresh from her secret honeymoon with Prince William, the newlywed Duchess looked utterly
relaxed, impossibly lean and incredibly tanned — a souvenir courtesy of the couple’s honeymoon destination,
The Seychelles Islands.
A remote destination floating in the western Indian Ocean, the Republic of Seychelles
has likely never gotten as much recognition as it has now from the royal couple’s honeymoon, and has
definitely never received better advertising. But the island nation didn’t earn a stay from Will and Kate for
nothing.
As a young country, the French first settled upon The
Seychelles Islands in 1770, gaining a population of about 3,500 by the time they were relinquished to
the British after the defeat of Napoleon in 1815. After 161 years, the establishment of the world’s tiniest
capital, and a population increase of approximately 58,000 people, Seychelles finally achieved independence
from Britain in 1976 and became a republic within the commonwealth nations.
But being a part of the commonwealth nations isn’t the only reason Seychelles was worthy
of a British visit. Comprised of 115 individual islands floating between 4 and 10 degrees south of the
equator, the temperate climate of Seychelles rarely dips below 24 or rises above 32 degrees Celsius. Awards
and titles, including one of SmarterTravel.com’s “Best Beach Destinations” for 2011, or
Traveller's World Magazine's title of “Best Resort” for the nation's North Island, support the destination’s
credibility as a quality getaway.
The largest island Mahé has 65 beaches all on its own, including the renowned west coast
beach, Grand Anse. Mahé, which is known as the principal island of Seychelles, is home to the country’s
international airport and the world’s smallest capital city, Victoria. Complete with white sand beaches, dive
centres, and a large selection of hotel accommodations, the island of Mahé is rich with lush fauna and
bordered by turquoise waters. Visitors can also have their pick of 30 boat charters to get them from Mahé to
any other destination, including the country’s second-largest island, Praslin.
Sometimes referred to as ‘Ile des Palmes’ or ‘Palm Island,’ Praslin’s land grows some of
the most exotic blooms and
green plant life. Due to rare vegetation such as the coco-de-mer, it was once believed to be the original
location of the Garden of Eden and has since become home to one of the country’s two U.N.E.S.C.O World Heritage
Sites, the
Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. Praslin has also been credited with having some of the most famous beaches in
the country, including travel guide Lonely Plant's choice of Anse Lazio on the island’s
northwest side.
The ultimate in Seychelles’ extravagance though, has to be on the nation’s famed North
Island. As the winner of a coveted honeymoon visit from Will and Kate, this Seychelles inner island offers a
private retreat fit for the demands of royalty. For approximately $2,500 to $4,000 a night, guests of North
Island’s retreat can enjoy such facilities as, a library, wine connoisseur’s cellar, spa, and one of many of
the nation’s professional dive centres — not to mention the rare quiet of an extremely private isle and a
spacious bedroom, which offers a complete 180 degree view of the surrounding azure
waters.
Other popular destinations within Seychelles include: Silhouette, the third-largest
island within the group that is known for its fish-rich waters; La Digue, an island focused on imitating the
slow way of life by using only bicycles and oxcarts for transportation; and the isles of Bird and Denis,
known for colonies of seabirds and nesting turtles.
Recognized for its commitment towards conservation, Seychelles has declared over 50 per
cent of its land as nature parks or reserves. The country’s second U.N.E.S.C.O.
World Heritage Site can be found in the Aldabra group of islands. Known as a site for the largest
raised coral reef in the world, Aldabra’s giant lagoon rivers and storybook seascapes are home to dense
populations of marine life. Visitors can experience the underwater life of Aldabra by taking up one of the
many diving opportunities offered on the isle.
Apart from diving, tourists can also enjoy island hopping, sailing, fishing — and of
course, any of the beaches found at one of the 16 islands offering full
accommodations.
To cater to every kind of traveller, Seychelles also offers numerous rooming options
including: Large hotels such as the Hilton, spa hotels equipped with in-room treatments, luxury villas for
extremely attentive service, and Seychelles Secrets — private accommodations tucked away into nooks of
the islands’ most remote locations.
For more information on how you can get the royal treatment, visit Seychelles Travel. •
Photo Courtesy: Bora
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