Inselhopping DeLuxe: Mahé, Praslin & Private Insel Félicité

About the destination: Located in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles archipelago has transitioned over four centuries from a pirate sanctuary to a dream destination for millions of travelers. Its 115 islands - with only thirty inhabited - have everything to adore: year-round sunshine, a tropical climate, coral beaches, unique flora, and a rich marine life. The must-see route through this paradise includes visits to Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, the islands that offer more services and a greater variety of attractions. The journey begins on the island of Mahé, the largest and only island in the Seychelles. Just seven miles from Victoria, the capital, you'll have your first interaction with the friendly locals, whose features reflect a blend of African, Chinese, Indian, and European heritage. This ethnic diversity has resulted in a rich culinary, musical, architectural, and artistic culture filled with nuances and abundant pirate legends. Locals love to share tales of the adventures of John Taylor, Jean François Hodoul - whose 1804 Château Mamelles was one of his two residences on Mahé - and other buccaneers who hid treasures of jewels and gold coins somewhere in the archipelago. The last known treasure is still believed to be near the beach of Bel Ombre in Mahé. Several bus lines traverse the island, with the small Victoria station serving as both the starting and ending point. Riding in these basic vehicles provides a great opportunity to share a seat with locals heading to the Victoria market, workers, and students returning home at the end of the day. After a few miles on the bus, travelers quickly learn that they must shout "devant!" for the driver to stop.

About the destination: Praslin Island is the second largest in Seychelles. It has a population of approximately 6,500 residents. Praslin is renowned as a sun and beach tourist destination. However, the island also boasts a tropical forest that is home to some endemic species such as the Bulbul bird and the Black Parrot, all of which can be found in the stunning Valle de Mai nature reserve.

About the destination: Félicité Island is a small, densely forested granitic island located about 4 kilometres (2 miles) east of La Digue in the Seychelles. It is the fifth-largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, covering 2.68 square kilometres (1.03 square miles). Until the 1970s, the island was a coconut plantation with a population of around 50 people. In the late 19th century, Félicité was home to Sultan Abdullah of Perak, who was exiled there by the British. In 2007, the Seychelles government granted a 99-year lease for the then-uninhabited island. Singaporean real estate developer Kishore Buxani took over the lease in 2013, and together with Seychellois developer Mukesh Valabhji, began constructing a resort in mid-2013. Today, the Six Senses Zil Pasyon resort, featuring 30 villas and a spa, occupies about one-third of the island. Félicité and four nearby granitic islands are considered “satellite islands” of La Digue. These four islands are popular with tourists: • Île Cocos: a tiny islet (0.017 km²) off the north coast of Félicité that has been part of a marine park since 1996. • Les Sœurs (The Sisters): consisting of Grande Soeur (0.84 km² / 0.32 sq mi) and Petite Soeur (0.34 km² / 0.13 sq mi). For much of the 20th century, both islands were coconut plantations. • Marianne Island: an island of 0.96 square kilometres (238 acres) east of Félicité, whose southern tip is regarded as a world-class diving site.