The Indian Ocean archipelago is the most suitable destination to experience a fairy tale, traveling among the world’s most beautiful beaches, surrounded by corals, sea turtles and exotic plants. The Seychelles is an essential stop for those who love to be seduced by the beauty of unspoiled nature. Soft white sand and a crystal clear sea. If paradise on earth really existed it would undoubtedly be found in the Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands in the heart of the Indian Ocean. An exclusive place where nature reigns supreme among beaches framed by pink granite boulders and multicolored corals. These islands are the ideal destination for those seeking relaxation, but also for those who dream instead of adventure and sports. The beauty of the landscape and the rarity of protected species make this coveted tourist destination one of the most unique places in the world in which to forget the present and live your own fairy tale. So for those who are looking for an island inhabited by never-before-seen plants and animals, where time never seems to flow, the Seychelles is the perfect place to think about planning their next trip. A must-see not only for nature lovers, but also for all those who wish to discover new flavors and try unique experiences such as snorkeling among turtles and corals.
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How and when to visit them
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An ancient archipelago
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Italian operators
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Seychelles – How and when to visit
No visa is required for entry into the country, and you can enter with a valid passport, but you must now apply for Seychelles Health Travel Authorization at seychelles.govtas.com. The best times to visit Seychelles, an equatorial country, are definitely April, May, October and November; April is the month with the best temperature. Traveling during these months means enjoying ideal conditions for sunbathing, wildlife watching and scuba diving. With an average temperature between 26 and 32 degrees, the Seychelles in any case has an ideal climate, perfect for the beach throughout the year. The hottest weather generally coincides with the rainy season; December to April are the hottest months, the rainiest usually January and February. Generally the weather is hot and humid, with normally heavy but brief showers. Most of the time, if there are showers on one side of the island, it might be sunnier on the other side. This makes it possible to enjoy the destination even during off-season periods and to take full advantage of all vacation days. Watch out for the May to October period when due to seasonal trade winds some beaches on the southern coasts of Mahé and Praslin Island are affected by seaweed. The advice is to choose other beaches during these months.
There is no direct flight to the country; nevertheless, Seychelles enjoys an extensive network of air connections with Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The International Airport on the main island of Mahé is the hub for all travel, including internal travel to and from the other islands. The national airline, Air Seychelles, currently operates direct flights to Paris, Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg, Mauritius, Mumbai, Durban, and Antananarivo. Flying from Italy, it is possible to reach the Seychelles with Qatar stopping in Doha, Ethiad Airways stopping in Abu Dhabi, Emirates stopping in Dubai, Turkish Airlines stopping in Istanbul, and Ethiopian Airlines stopping in Addis Ababa. Private planes are also welcome, once all required formalities have been completed with the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority.
Seychelles – An ancient archipelago
There are two categories of islands, the granitic “Nearby,” clustered around the main islands of Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, whose verdant peaks climb skyward up from virgin forests and pristine beaches, and the “Farther Away,” a shimmering array of flat coral islands, which extend westward toward the African coast and include the legendary Aldabra, the world’s largest emerged coral atoll. The “Near Islands” form the cultural hub of the Seychelles, where most of the population lives, while the “Far Islands” remain miniature worlds, barely touched by man, thus offering a unique and incomparable experience.
The 115 granite and coral islands of the Seychelles have offered refuge to an impressive number of the rarest species of flora and fauna on earth since the remote times when they were scattered over the waters of a secluded corner of the Indian Ocean. Formed from the uppermost peaks of the submerged remnants of the supercontinent Gondwana, the Seychelles represent the world’s oldest oceanic islands, a true permanent legacy of our planet’s origins. Like a fleet of Noah’s arks, these glittering islands have carefully preserved not only their very special forms of life, but also a sense of belonging to a vanished era, where tranquility and simplicity can be found and innocence rediscovered, where people who are different from each other share a human warmth that only these young and tiny island communities can know. This remote archipelago has been the source of numerous myths and legends from the time it was settled in the late 18th century. Chief among these tales is the one about the Vallée de Mai, one of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Seychelles, which is home to the legendary coco-de-mer palm and which some identified with the original site of the biblical Garden of Eden. Traditionally associated with the most beautiful beaches on the planet, framed by timeless granite boulders, the Seychelles Islands top the list of romantic destinations in the world, perfect for a lazy tropical getaway for two. But in addition to the ideal vacation of sun, beaches and sea, the archipelago has much more to offer. These islands represent, for the modern traveler, an escape and an opportunity to rebalance the spirit, in harmony with the primordial essence of nature. For those who like to do and see it all, the Seychelles offers superb sailing, diving and snorkeling opportunities-in places where few have ventured-excellent fishing and wonderful opportunities to discover the islands’ unique ecosystems by trekking in the mountains and on nature trails. Every activity is pleasantly enjoyable thanks to the almost perpetually summery climate. A tour of the islands by boat will allow you to discover the individual character of each one, cuisine that can seduce the most discerning palate, and the warm welcome of the people of Seychelles. In this glittering archipelago, spread over an endless expanse of miles of azure blue ocean, an unforgettable journey awaits those who wish to finally discover a truly different and magical place. A place like no other and … a whole other world.
Seychelles – The Italian Operators
Out of the cyclonic belt, with a year-round sailing season, moderate waves and gentle tides, there is no better way to appreciate the Seychelles than to sail on their pristine waters by catamaran, barge, unmanned boat or kayak, just to mention a few. There are also Italian operators who organize cruises to Seychelles, among them Mondovela, which has been involved in sailing since 1995. The Milan-based operator offers a wide range of proposals, as well as providing an integrated service with transfer, hotel and shore excursion reservations. It organizes cruises à la cabins and in flotillas, offering an exclusive selection for luxury crewed and bareboat charters and, thanks to a major allotment operation, which secures hundreds of boats and airline flights, guarantees departures even at the “hottest” times of the year. Another operator planning sailing vacations in the Seychelles archipelago is Albatross Yachting & Vacations. The tour operator organizes crewed sailing catamaran cruises with guaranteed departures every week, special cruises, honeymoons and full boat charters. For the Seychelles, for example, Albatross offers a 10-day cruise to this tropical paradise to discover the dazzlingly white beaches and in the warm waters of the archipelago commonly called ‘Eden on earth.