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The Seychelles islands are the oldest ocean islands on earth. Millions of years ago when the ancient, super-continent of Pangaea crumbled, a group of isles broke away and began to drift slowly across the ocean, 1000 miles from what is, today, the east coast of Africa. Seychelles is one of the world’s very last frontiers that promise adventure and breathtaking natural beauty still untouched by man.
Felicite,Coco & Seychelles
History
It was the Portuguese navigator Juan de Nova who would make the first recorded landfall in the Seychelles in 1501, followed by the celebrated Vasco de Gama in the following year, bequeathing to them his name for all eternity – The Islands of the Admiral.
Phoenicians and Polynesians and the pirates sought temporary refuge among the islands’ myriad of secret coves and bays, but it was the French that settled with their slaves in 1772 and a few Malabar Indians which represents the cornerstone and the population of the islands today. The Seychelles remained in French hands until Napoleon’s defeat under the British, upon which the islands were formally ceded to Britain under the 1814 Treaty of Paris. It is here that the love for French traditions, customs and language were established and this is reflected in the architecture, language, music and Creole cuisine. Early on, Roman Catholicism was established as the dominant faith, a trend that continues to today, co-existing in harmony alongside the Protestant and smaller Hindu, Bahá’i and Muslim communities. In 1976, the Seychelles achieved independence from Britain and became an independent republic within the Commonwealth.
Location
The Seychelles, with its population of 82,700 and with it’s 115 islands is set over 1.4 million square kilometres of turquoise Ocean and are located between 4 and 10 degrees south of the equator. Of these 115 islands, there are 43 Inner Islands in all – 41 granitic and 2 coralline and a total of 72 coralline Outer Islands. The principal islands are Mahé, Praslin and la Digue and the coral islands, more numerous still, extend towards the shores of East Africa. Between 15–60 minutes in flying time from the principal island of Mahé, several select island getaways offer accommodation by way of stylish 5-star resorts, villa’s and private islands. The islands enjoy a glorious tropical climate all year round and the temperature seldom drops below 24 degrees, or rises above 31 degrees centigrade.
Island hopping is one of the favourite pastimes in the Seychelles; each island has its own characteristics, unique beaches, local customs, colours and flavours.
Island hop by ferry, chartered boat, yacht, motorboat, airplane or helicopter the choice is yours. For those wishing to explore the islands’ walks and trails, there are many guided walks available where you can discover some of the rarest species of flora and fauna on earth. Seychelles is home to no less than two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the legendary Vallée de Mai on Praslin where the wondrously shaped Coco-de-mer nut grows high on ancient palms and fabled Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atoll, first seen by early Arab seafarers of the 9th century A.D. Aldabra has the world’s largest population of giant tortoises – numbering around 100,000 and one of the largest congregations of nesting green turtles in the Indian Ocean.
If diving is more for you then you will be spoilt for choice, bursting with colour and diverse life, the worlds natural aquarium will be sure to take your breath away This is where your dreams really can become a reality, swim alongside whale sharks, mantas and dolphins in friendly, crystal-clear waters. Diving in and around Aldabra is superb, you are able to dive anywhere around the perimeter of the Atoll as well as the main channel as a drift dive by prior arrangement and the best time to go is October-April. Snorkelling the underwater world is just as rewarding and, anyone not tempted by the crystal water can always experience underwater life in a semi-submersible, glass-bottom boat ride or a fish-feeding excursion into one of the marine parks.
So if you are seeking a luxury paradise to holiday, marry or honeymoon in, the Seychelles holds all the answers, the only question will be is which island you will choose to walk barefoot on.
Flight Times:
10 hours from London,
9½ hours from Paris,
8½ hours from Rome and Milan,
9¾ hours from Frankfurt,
9¾ hours from Zurich,
9 hours from Moscow
4¼ hours from Dubai
2½ hours from Mauritius
Getting there:
There are a number of international Airlines servicing the Seychelles, flying direct from approximately 21 destinations around the world. You can board a plane from any of the following countries, followed by the airlines servicing them:
Australia – Emirates Airline
Austria – Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways
France – Air France, Air Seychelles, Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways
Germany – Condor Airline, Emirates Airline
Italy – Air Seychelles, Qatar Airways
Mauritius – Air Seychelles, Emirates Airline
Netherlands – Kenya Airways
Qatar – Qatar Airways
Reunion – Air Austral
South Africa – Air Seychelles, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways
Spain – Qatar Airways
Switzerland – Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways
United Arab Emirates – Emirates Airline
United Kingdom – Air France, Air Seychelles, Condor Airline, Emirates Airline, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways
United States of America – Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways
Visitors arriving in private aircrafts are welcomed at Mahé International Airport provided clearance permission is obtained from the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) prior to arrival and that all relevant formalities are in order.
Island to Island:
There are many flights, ferries and charters travelling between the islands every day, getting to another island within the Seychelles is very easy.
Po Box 1262, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles
Tel: +248 671 300
Email: info@seychelles.com
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