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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 13 APRIL 2014 38 Seychelles The Seychelles is a collection of the most picturesque 115 islands in the world. The three main islands of Praslin, La Digue and Mahe, as well as the outlying islands, offer the trav- eller a unique getaway with perfect white sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters. The small population of 85,000 people means that much of the area is untouched and there is scarcely a person to be seen on the numerous beaches – a far cry from the Mediter- ranean ones where crowds of people are fighting for the same patch of sand. What to do? With such a dreamlike setting, the Seychelles is, unsurprisingly, a choice place for a honeymoon. But there's much more to do than simply crack- ing open a bottle of champagne with the loved one in a luxurious hotel. Having earned a reputation as a para- digm of ecotourism, the Seychelles is a top spot to watch birds and gi- ant tortoises in their natural habitat. Venture inland on jungle trails and indulge in fine dining or enjoy the laid back way of life of the Indian Ocean. The underwater life is no less fasci- nating and attracts divers of all lev- els. There are great opportunities for is- land hopping between the 16 islands that currently offer accommodation. These range from sumptuous 5-star resorts to rustic island lodges and cozy beachside bungalows. On your way, you will discover such gems as the legendary Vallée de Mai, home to the legendary Coco-de-Mer – a giant palm tree indigenous to the Seychelles that grows up to 34 metres and produce double coconuts of up to 30kg. Journey by boat to discover the un- derwater world of tropical coral reefs at one of the Marine National Parks of Seychelles. You will see an amazing variety of marine life including coral teeming with fish. You can enjoy a delicious Creole lunch and spend the afternoon swimming or simply lazing in the sun. Catch a glimpse of the oldest el- ephant tortoise in the world, the Al- dabra giant tortoise, that makes its home on the Seychelles island of Al- dabra Atoll. There's also golf, horse-riding and guided nature tours where you can enjoy some of the rarest species of flora and fauna on earth. Not forget- ting the mellow Seychelles nightlife where you can take in a casino, some local bars and fine restaurants offer- ing unforgettable Creole and interna- tional cuisine. Where to stay? For the ultimate in luxury accom- modation try the Frégate Island re- sort, www.fregate.com. A 20-minute flight away from Mahé, the private island boasts outstanding natural beauty, tropical interiors and abun- dant nature fringed by seven powdery white beaches. Stay at one of 16 villas or the Presi- dential Villa and experience the lux- ury of space, security and seclusion within a tropical island. The spa is a natural jewel, surrounded by natural fresh water pools and waterfalls, of- fering panoramic vistas of the sea. Occupying tiny Round Island, the Round Island Luxury Villas, www. round-island.net, is an exclusive prop- erty comprising of three luxurious private two-bedroom villas as well as a spacious traditional three-bedroom island mansion set apart in its own private grounds. Services are discreet to maintain the island's offering of seclusion and escapism. Enjoy fine dining, overlooking the swimming pool or dine on contemporary fusion cuisine with a Seychellois kick. Small is by no means a worse option. The Albizia Lodge, www.albizialodge. sc, offers just seven self-contained rooms, each with a private balcony with sea views. Have breakfast in the garden while listening to the chirping birds while the concierge arranges a diving trip for the rest of the day. The family-run hotel is just a five-minute drive from Anse Royale Beach, a rich snorkeling site. If being on a sensational beach is more important to you than a luxu- rious hotel room, then head to the Anse Soliel Beachcomber, www.ans- esoleilbeachcomber.hotelsone.com, a simple little 14-room guesthouse/ hotel perched above a breathtak- ingly beautiful beach on the gorgeous south-east coast of Mahé. Where to eat? The restaurant at Château de Feuilles, www.chateaudefeuilles.com, is perched atop the tranquil grounds of Relais and Chateaux, offering an amazing view of a dozen of the most beautiful surrounding islands. The Creole style dishes include house specialties, including fried gi- raffe crab and crayfish grilled with garlic butter. Grab a Creole BBQ at Les Lauriers Hotel, www.laurier-seychelles.com where the chef prepares his fish and meat specialties right before your eyes. Local vegetables, curries and desserts ensure there is something for everyone. No other hotel in Seychelles takes Creole cuisine as seriously as Pêcheur Restaurant, located at the La Digue Island Lodge. The restaurant has sandy floors and a high, pointed thatched roof and serves delicious Creole cuisine in a spacious, airy res- taurant with a view of Praslin and the magnificent sunsets. How to get there? Emirates offer regular services from Malta to the Seychelles. Flights de- parting from Malta on 25 April and returning on 8 May, with a stop over in Dubai, were priced at €931.61, in- cluding taxes, at the time of going to print. Total flight time is approxi- mately 12 hours. TRAVEL Let the islands seduce you Perfect white sands, turquoise waters and a small population guarantees seclusion and escape from day-to-day life The Seychelles is home to the legendary Coco-de-Mer – a giant palm tree that grows up to 34 metres and produce double coconuts of up to 30kg