© Paul Turcote

The islands of Seychelles represent one of the most curious geological and geographical puzzles known to man.  Being the only granite mid-ocean islands in the entire world, the main Seychelles archipelago are actually just tiny speckles of the mainland, cast off into isolation by millions of years of continental drift.  This, along with other reasons like the curiously shaped coco-de-mer, has led some to proclaim the islands as the original site of the Garden of Eden.

More importantly for visitors (and those with a penchant for fantastic scenery), this unique geographical aspect of the islands also culminates in some of the most picturesque ocean-versus-mountain backdrops in the world.  The sheer faces of granite mountains, amidst lush, green vegetation, often peak straight out of a sea filled with shades of blues, greens and everything in between.  Huge granite boulder formations dot the islands’ infamous beaches for a setting like nowhere else in the world.

And for nature-lovers, this geographic isolation has resulted in a dazzling area of flora and fauna completely unique to Seychelles. UNESCO has even declared two world heritage sites in Seychelles – the mysterious Vallee de Mai where the coco de mer palm grows, and Aldabra, the largest coral atoll in the world.

Combined with the friendly smiles and culinary delights of the Seychellois population, and the islands’ relatively close proximity to Europe (a direct flight duration of less than 10 hours), Seychelles is the ideal choice for holidaymakers wanting a clean break from the hectic pace of modern-day living.