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XVI maltatoday, SUNDAY, 22 MARCH 2015 Travel Let the islands seduce you Seychelles 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 giant 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 inter- esting and attracts divers of all levels. There are great opportunities for island-hopping between the 16 islands that currently offer accommo- dation. 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 produces double coconuts weigh- ing 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 corals 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 elephant tortoise in the world, the Aldabra giant tortoise, that makes its home on the Seychelles island of Aldabra Atoll. There's also golf, horse-riding and guided nature tours where to enjoy some of the rarest species of flora and fauna on earth. Not forgetting the mellow Seychelles nightlife where you can take in a casino, some local bars and fine restaurants offering un- forgettable Creole and international 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, Mahé, the private island boasts outstanding natural beauty, tropical interiors and abundant nature fringed by seven powdery, white beaches. Stay at one of 16 villas or the Presidential Villa and experi- ence the luxury of space, security and seclusion within a tropical island. The spa is a natural jewel, surrounded by natural fresh water pools and waterfalls, offering panoramic vistas of the sea. Occupying tiny Round Island, the Round Island Luxury Villas, www. round-island.net, is an exclusive property comprising 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 break- fast 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 luxuri- ous hotel room, then head to the Anse Soleil Beachcomber, www.anseso- leilbeachcomber.hotelsone.com, a simple little 14-room guesthouse/ hotel perched above a breathtak- ingly beautiful beach on the gorgeous south-east coast of Mahe. 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 specialities, including fried giraffe 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 specialities 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 restaurant with a view of Praslin and the magnificent sunsets. How to get there? Emirates offer regular services from Malta to the Seychelles. Flights departing from Malta on 2 April and returning on 16 April, with a stop over in Dubai, were priced at €786, including taxes, at the time of going to print. Total flight time is approxi- mately 12 hours. Two Virtù Ferries tickets to be won with our photo competition! Winner Simon Attard collected his two tickets from Virtù Ferries WILL YOU BE OUR NEXT WINNER? This week's theme: Travel SEND US PHOTOS FROM YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY MaltaToday and Virtù Ferries have teamed up to take one lucky winner and a companion every week to Sicily, with two tickets to be won every week in our photography competition. Already been on holiday? Good: we're sending you back if your best photograph from your holidays and travels makes the cut. That's right: send us a good quality image of your holidays and we'll send the best one to the gateway of Italy with Virtù Ferries. Themes may change from one week to the other Malta - Sicily Express Ferries For more information visit www.virtuferries.com or contact by telephone 23491000 RULES OF THE COMPETITION Photos should be a hi-res image (one per individual entry) with a sentence or two about what inspired you to take your photo. Entrants are kindly reminded not to send in personal family pictures that might be unrelated to theme subjects unless expressly requested. Send the photo via email on info@mediatoday.com.mt [SUBJECT HEADING: MaltaToday photo competition] by next Friday at 9am. If sending a photo by post, address it to: 'MaltaToday photo competition', Mediatoday, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann, SGN9016 Please supply your daytime telephone number, your name, your home address and an email address. maltatoday Conditions apply: 1. Tickets for each week's competition can only be won by one person who submits one entry of a high-res image with description. Entrants with more than one entry WILL NOT be considered. Entrants must send a description of photo. 2. Winners will be informed before the end of the week, and then announced on maltatoday.com.mt and MaltaToday on Sunday. 3. By entering this offer, entrants consent to their photos being published and owned by Mediatoday Co Ltd. 4. The entrant with the best photograph will be awarded two (2) return tickets, valid for travel to any Virtù Ferries destination. Mediatoday's decision is final. 5. Tickets are issued free of charge, excluding port charges, and in accordance with Virtù Ferries' rules and regulations. All taxes and charges are to be paid accordingly by the winning entrant upon the issuance of tickets. 6. This offer is closed to employees and contributors of Mediatoday Co. Ltd and Virtù Ferries, or their family members. Catch a glimpse of the oldest elephant tortoise in the world, the Aldabra giant tortoise, that makes its home on the Seychelles island of Aldabra Atoll Perfect white sands, turquoise waters and a small population guarantees seclusion and escape from day-to-day life