Private Island Idylls in the Seychelles

Wallowing in the indulgence of your resort is a tempting way to while away your days but the Seychelles’ abundant natural splendour and history just begs to be explored. We’ll sprinkle some guided tours throughout your holiday to do just that, including a visit to the archipelago’s largest island, Mahé, to see how the colonial rule of the French and British has influenced Creole life today. You’ll also leapfrog over to neighbouring Praslin, famous for its Eden-like Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, to explore the coco de mer palms of Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve, one of its lesser-heralded wildernesses, and delve deep into its flora and fauna at the Praslin Museum. La Digue is an island where life really slows down, something you’ll notice as you’re cycling past ox carts and relaxing on one of the world’s finest beaches, Anse Source d’Argent.

Then, it’ll be time to hop back into your helicopter back to Mahé before catching a domestic flight to coralline Desroches, your second private island paradise. The stage this time is the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, which is further flung that Félicité and drips with seclusion and exoticism. Here you can really play out your Robinson Crusoe fantasies, paddling the gin-clear shallows in a kayak, pedalling the nine miles of cycling trails or doing your bit to keep this paradise perfect by joining a beach clean-up. You’re not quite alone on this private island, with the resort’s tortoise sanctuary offering the chance to meet and feed its resident giant Aldabra tortoises. Then it’s back to soaking up sandy luxury on the buttery beach. Paradise, found.