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Intro

“After God had finished creating the world, he had a handful of diamonds left over. He came upon a place just east of Africa where he thought to himself, ‘Here I can create something marvelous’, and so he scattered the remaining diamonds in the ocean. Thus the ‘Seychelles’ were born.”

Obviously, Mother Nature was very generous with these 115 islands scattered in the Indian Ocean and has spoiled them rotten. Undeniably, the beaches are the big attraction, and what beaches: exquisite ribbons of white sand lapped by topaz waters and backed by lush hills and big glacis boulders. And hardly a crowd in sight.

Weather

Seychelles’ climate is always warm and without extremes. All but the southernmost islands lie outside of the cyclone belt.  In this tropical haven the temperature seldom drops below 24°C or rises above 32°C. The southeast trade winds blow regularly from May to November, and this is the most pleasant time of the year. The hot months are from December to April, with higher humidity (80%).

Language

French and English are official languages along with Seychellois Creole, which is primarily based upon French.

Tourist Attractions

Having earned a reputation as a paradigm of ecotourism, the Seychelles is a top spot to watch birds and giant tortoises in their natural habitat. And a vast living world lies just below the turquoise waters, beckoning divers of all levels. When you tired of beaches you can venture inland on jungle trails, indulge in fine dining or enjoy the sublime laid-back tempo. Attractions on the islands include:

• Mahé: the principal island is home to the international airport and Victoria. It is the world’s tiniest capital and is the cultural and economic hub of the nation.  Here can be found cultural and eco-tourism hotspots, great restaurants, bars, café’s and casinos as well as dive centres, car, fishing & sailing boat rentals and walks and trails.
• Praslin: Seychelles’ second largest island where the vegetation is so special it was once seriously believed to be the original site of the Garden of Eden. The ancient forest of Vallée de Mai offers towering palms and the incredible Coco-de-Mer palm which produces fruits that are Nature’s exact replica of the female pelvis and the world’s rarest birds, the Seychelles Black Parrot.
• La DigueIsland: A magical island where the main forms of transport are still bicycle and ox-cart. Steeped in tradition, La Digue is one of the most popular spots for enjoying a unique, island-style way of life at a wonderfully unhurried pace.
• Morne Seychellois National Park: This park is equipped with an extensive trail network of more than 15km and is therefore perfect for half or full day hiking excursions. Within the park, there is also the Morne Seychellois, the highest peak in Seychelles.
• Beaches: The Seychelles are famous for having some of the best beaches in the world, pristine and uncrowded. Some are framed by age-old granite boulders. Others offer powder-soft sands, turquoise waters and sublime opportunities for swimming, snorkeling or pure relaxation.
• Diving: The waters teem with marine life and spectacular underwater landscapes.  Seychelles offers exceptional sites where few have dove.

Visit seychelles.travel for more information.

Sources

http://www.seychelles.travel/en/home/index.php

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/seychelles

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seychelles

http://www.stgt.com/seychelles/html/general.htm

http://www.virtualseychelles.sc/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=69

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