For views there is no holiday complex to rival the Four Seasons Resort. Large luxurious villas on stilts nestle amongst the treetops of the island of Mahé. Built on stilts to command the best views of the Indian Ocean from their jungle location, these villas are breathtaking. The views alone would be enough to sell the resort but the standard of rooms and service is also excellent. With villas traditionally decorated in a tasteful Creole style using natural materials, the hotel facilities are stylishly chic. With every area of the hotel offering those stunning views this is a complex not to miss.

For a more traditional holiday visit the island of La Digue. Beautiful beaches glisten with pink granite on this tiny idyllic getaway. The pace of life is slow and easy, cars are rare with ox drawn carriages or bicycles being the usual mode of transport. The place to stay on this tiny island is the small and friendly Pension Hibiscus, a family run guest house with a bungalow in the grounds. With only five rooms you can guarantee that the welcome you get from the owner is genuinely warm and her local knowledge gives you the privilege of insider knowledge of the island. With personal touches like fresh flowers left in the room daily it is no wonder that this guest house is so highly rated by its guests.

Tradition Creole food is popular across the islands, showing off the islands French roots but with that tropical twist of spice. Be sure to try the excellent local dishes on offer.

The ideal place for your taste of the Creole is La Plaine St. André on the island of Mahé, this historic restaurant offering so much more than excellent food. The building itself is a fully restored plantation house. First established in 1790 this plantation has magnificent grounds that can be toured before you enjoy the traditional menu.

Afterwards why not head to the fully working distillery and watch the sugar cane being processed to make the islands finest rums before jopining in a generous sampling session.The island of Praslin offers miles of golden beaches and on the most beautiful of all, Ansé Lazio beach you will find La Chevalier Bay restaurant. Specialising in fish and seafood the ambience is amazing. Eat the freshly caught fish of the day to the sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore.

For a view with your meal head to the Hilltop restaurant, part of the Hilton Northolme Resort on Mahé. The buffet style menu cooked as you watch is really very good but the views out over the ocean are in a different league altogether.

For a break from all the relaxation head to the capital of the islands; Victoria on Mahé has all the ingredients of a good night out, with a Casino, several nightclubs, a cinema and some very good restaurant. A visit to the capital will show you a different side to these serene islands.

All these islands means miles of beautiful beaches and clear blue seas ensure that there are many water sports on offer. The warm and calm seas are perfect for swimming and snorkelling amongst the shoals of brightly coloured tropical fish and gorgeous marine life. Some surfing is available on the islands of Mahé and Praslin but with low winds the conditions are not always suitable.

The Seychelles have their own unique melting pot of culture and for a true taste of the islands history be sure to visit the Patrimwann cultural attractions on Mahé. These give a taste of Creole history and include a fantastic craft village showcasing the traditional arts. Mahé is also home to the islands museums, most notably the Natural History Museum. Here you can learn about the diverse ecology and the native species of the islands, emphasis is placed on the environmental issues that the developing islands may face and how these are balanced against the needs of the population.

The Seychelles enjoy an all year round climate of sunshine with temperatures ranging between 75-90F. November to March brings the cooling trade winds but during this period is also the heaviest rainfall.

During the months of December to February rain will fall between eleven and eighteen days a month,. Although this time of year is also the warmest the heavier rainfall may lead to higher humidity which can be a problem for some travellers.