No honeymoon hit list of mine can be considered complete without serious consideration of the ‘Original Garden of Eden’, the Seychelles.
Boasting achingly beautiful scenery, idyllic islands, sublime beaches and ultra-exclusive resorts plus the bonus of British Airways now flying direct, it’s a total winner for romantic seclusion and a spot of post wedding indulgence in a tropical barefoot paradise.
Located in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa, the Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 remote islands, a haven of diverse ecology featuring native flora and fauna, exotic rare birds and vibrant coral reefs and marine life in its deep azure surrounding waters.
Temperatures are attractive year-round with enticing sunshine, and the south-east trade winds providing a pleasant sea breeze to relieve humidity between May and October.
An island hop is the perfect way to create your honeymoon memories with an abundance of choice.
Mahé
The main travel hub and largest of the islands, Mahé, is 17 miles long by ten miles wide and is home to the capital, Victoria, known for its Creole architecture and colourful markets.
A stay on Mahé should include venturing to Morne Seychellois, the highest point of the Seychelles, watching the local fishermen along the coast, photographing the granite peaks and checking out the local restaurants.
Then kick back, relax and stroll along the stunning soft white sugary sand beaches of Beau Vallon and Anse Intendance.
Praslin
Whilst the most famous of all Seychelles beaches may be Anse Source d’Argent, on La Digue, the picturesque Anse Lazio located on Praslin consistently ranks in the world’s top ten lists.
Yet another strikingly beautiful beach on Praslin is the small, yet exquisite Anse Georgette. Its contrast of turquoise waters lapping the gleaming white sand with a lush green backdrop is a sight to behold.
Praslin provides an array of outdoor activities with its enchanting jungles and tropical palm forest wildlife at Vallée de Mai. The reserve is a real paradise for bird lovers, where the rare Seychelles black parrot, fruit pigeon and Seychelles bulbul can be spotted along with the unique natural phenomenon of the Coco de Mer, the most famous of the Seychelles' six endemic plant species.
Wildlife doesn’t get much more wondrous than meeting the graceful Aldabra giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
Sitting alongside these natural wonders are the introduced edible crops of cinnamon, eucalyptus, banyan, cashews, coconut, banana, star fruit, passion fruit and tea, creating a fragrant and delicious addition to local cuisine and spa products.
The incredible scenery of the Seychelles with its imposing palms, accessibility and crystal waters make it ideal for swimming, sailing, snorkelling and diving.
An unforgettable swim with green sea and hawksbill turtles is surely a great addition to any honeymoon adventure, along with perhaps a helicopter tour - the most magical way to see the full wonder of the archipelago.
As for where to stay? There are a substantial selection of wonderfully indulgent private villas and sumptuous suites in which to languish in luxury.
The Four Seasons Resort and the Hilton Northolme on Mahé, Raffles & L’Archipel on Praslin, and the Hilton Seychelles Labriz on Silhouette Island are some of my favourites.
For those seeking the quintessential private island paradise experience, North Island, Six Senses Zil Pasyon on Félicité and Fregate Island Private are pinnacles of barefoot perfection.
Or for a total technology detox and unplug from the digital world, embrace the natural beauty of Denis Private Island, one of the most secluded islands in the world.
Adventuremooners may wish to hop to several islands or perhaps combine the Seychelles with a safari in South or East Africa for the ultimate honeymoon finale.
If the 'Original Garden of Eden' is now firmly on your bucket list, get in touch and I’ll handcraft the perfect island escape for you.