Beautiful Babymoon
Unlike many other tropical destinations, Seychelles is free from the Zika virus.We had originally planned a trip to Cuba but then became pregnant so followed our doctor's advice and changed plans due to the risk Zika poses to unborn babies. And we are glad we did! Seychelles was a fantastic opportunity to explore an unspoiled tropical paradise while staying in stunning accommodation alongside
breathtakingly beautiful beaches. Keen to see as much as possible and mix exploration with relaxation, we embarked on a 12-day island-hoping adventure featuring Cerf Island, Mahé, Bird Island, Praslin and a day trip to La Digue.
There are a few popular hot-spots, but most beaches are surprisingly quiet, without many people around to bother you, and the water is clear and warm.
Great public beaches we visited included Beau Vallon and Anse Intendance on Mahé, Anse Volbert (Cote d'Or) and Anse Lazio on Praslin and Anse Severe and Anse Source D'Argent in La Digue.
Private beaches as found on Cerf and Bird Island take it one notch higher due to the added peace and serenity.
We were convinced that there would be street food off the tourist trail for a fraction of the price, but struggled to find much--all the cheap eats tend to serve junk food like burgers and chips. La Digue offered the most affordable options in the form of takeaway cafés. We stuck to the top-rated restaurants on TripAdvisor which was a great tactic as many are worth every penny. Particular highlights were La Perle Noir Restaurant and the lunch platter at Au Jardin d'Epices on Mahé and Les Lauriers on Praslin where they serve a delicious Creole buffet.
We visited in February which was towards the end of the rainy season, meaning there was a brief shower every 1-2 days and sometimes a bit of cloud which provided some relief from the hot sun. TRANSPORT Only Paris and Frankfurt have direct air links from Western Europe, but there are many ways to reach the Seychelles with a transfer.
Coming from London, we flew via Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways. Having to change aircraft meant there wasn't much chance to sleep during the night, but as Etihad own a stake in Air Seychelles, it meant we could buy a multi-destination codeshare ticket to include flights to/from Praslin at virtually no extra cost. On Mahé and Praslin we hired cars which proved vital for exploring. Local buses are unreliable and taxis cost a fortune so car rental may even save you money. The mountain roads are beautiful but lack safety barriers so you need to concentrate to avoid falling off the edge! Roads are generally quiet and other drivers are relaxed. We bought a Seychelles sim-card at the airport so we could use Google maps to navigate and effortlessly find all the attractions. ATTRACTIONS Visiting the beach is the main activity of Seychelles along with and diving and snorkeling. But there are other things to see and do, especially on Mahé.
Victoria market is worth a quick visit, as is the Tea Factory where you can see production or packaging depending on the day.
Nearby, there is Au Jardin d'Epices - a hidden gem with great views and a lovely restaurant. Mahé has the Morne Seychellois National Park and Praslin has the UNESCO-protected Vallée de Mai, both of which offer a variety of beautiful nature trails ranging from gentle to difficult.
We loved the picturesque waterfall behind Port Glaud church where you can swim against an enchanted jungle backdrop.
