Indian Ocean

Best time of year - Temperatures in the Maldives remain fairly constant all year and average 25-30ºC. The driest and hottest months are December to April. The higher levels of rainfall and clouds are May to July and September to November.

Things to do - This part of the world is simply paradise.

Destination low down - The Maldives is a desert-island dream where tiny islands are scattered like jewels across the ocean, each surrounded by a turquoise lagoon. The perfect honeymoon and diving destination, you’ll find resorts that exude romance and have a choice of luxurious villas, from retreats with a private stretch of beach to over-water hideaways with their own private infinity pool.

Weather - Seasons in Mauritius are the opposite to those in the UK. During the summer months, the temperatures average between the high 20s and low 30s, whilst the winter season is slightly cooler. There’s no real rainy season in Mauritius, however, there can be short downpours throughout the year, though they never tend to last long. The main difference between the east and west coasts of Mauritius is the winds – the east coast experiences trade winds in winter which can actually be a welcome relief from the balmy temperatures. The Seychelles enjoys gloriously sunny days throughout the year, the best months to visit coincide with our summer months. The wettest period is January and the driest is July. Temperatures reach up to 22°C in winter and up to 34°C in summer.

 
 
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Maldives

A popular place for honeymoons with secluded hotels, beautiful sunsets, the Maldives is the place for relaxation. Expect to lose all sense of time, what day it is and what’s going on elsewhere. And if the stunning views aren’t enough, activities and experiences on offer range from Robinson Crusoe-style desert island escapes to a whole host of watersports...

The choice of accommodation in the Maldives is impressively diverse – from tiny boutique hideaways with just a handful of rooms to larger, all inclusive resorts with abundant facilities; authentic, rustic retreats to cool and contemporary hotels; and simple beachfront bungalows to the most exclusive overwater pool villas. But all of the resorts resort sit on their very own island. And boarding a speedboat or seaplane to transfer to your hotel is far more exciting than the everyday taxi ride.

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Mauritius

Mauritius lies in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Experience luxury, refinement and no shortage of things to see and do. Take an adventure trail across the rugged mountains or relax at one of the finest wellness and spa facilities to add that touch of luxury and indulgence.

The capital Port Louis is a buzzing, cosmopolitan city full of culture and French and Indian history including many fine museums, not to mention the oldest racecourse in the Southern Hemisphere.

On the North of the island lies the premier tourist destination of Grand Bay. This area features excursions to the northern islets, nearby beaches at Trou aux Biches and Pereybere, wonderfully maintained tropical gardens and some truly great sunsets. The picturesque villages of Cap Malheureux and Pamplemousses are worth a visit.

Sail out from the bay, go kite surfing at Anse la Raie, go diving from Gunner's Coin and Whale Rock or head to the world famous “One Eye” at Le Morne, for the best waves for surfing.

The West is where you’ll find the lush Black River Gorge and where the Piton de la Rivière Noire circles the impressive National Park.  Great walks, charming villages and breath-taking sunset views await.

The Eastern coastline is perhaps the most beautiful. Emerald coloured lagoons are punctuated with authentic villages. The impressive Belle Mare beach and the attractive Ile aux Cerfs are great days out and you can swim among the fishes at the Roches Noires volcanic caves and lava tubes.

The wildest and most beautiful landscapes lie in the South. Sandy beaches are bordered by impressive cliffs, rocky shores and panoramic mountains.  Blue bay is an exceptional preserved marine park where Parrot-fish and baby barracudas swim amongst the coral just a few metres from the shore.

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Reunion Island

Reunion is a beautiful French island in the Indian Ocean, known for its volcanic landscape, its rainforests and idyllic beaches and coastal features. In fact, the variety of landscape and environment is truly diverse. The iconic Piton de la Fournaise is an active but accessible volcano rising over 8000 feet, whilst the extinct Piton des Neiges is truly massive. Three craters on the island also offer brilliant opportunities for hiking...

Whale watching is annually a great feature of the southern winter months of June to September and humpback whales regularly come to visit the Bay of Saint-Leu. These majestic mammals provide a unique privilege and experience for visitors and a must see whilst on the island during these months. The marine reserve here is a great experience all year round.

The lunar landscapes of the Plaine des Sables and Grand Brule are made of volcanic rock and ashes and scenically out of this world, both providing great opportunities to go safari 4x4 style.

The Cirque de Mafate and Cirque de Cilaos are geological wonders; remote, beautiful and stunningly unspoilt. Soaring mountains rise above rain forest canopies and deep ravines. Not to be missed.

The coastal towns such as Saint Pierre in the South West are picturesque and have a great café culture away from classy nearby resorts and spas.

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Seychelles

The Seychelles is a picture-perfect collection of islands, home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. We recommend that you don’t limit yourself to just one of these enchanting islands, but explore at least two to really feel the true spirit of the Seychelles. Whether you’re looking for a great family hotel, a romantic retreat or an idyllic hideaway, you’ll find it in the Seychelles...

Made up of 115 glittering islands, each with its own charm, it’s not easy to decide where you’re going to spend your time in the Seychelles. With so much variety on offer, this is certainly not a case of once you’ve seen one island, you’ve seen them all.

A combination of the two largest islands of Mahé and Praslin is the perfect option for those that want to experience the Seychelles’ varying landscapes and spectacular beaches. If you’re after an authentic insight into island life, visit Praslin before heading to La Digue, where village life exists at a slower pace. Nature-lovers will get the most from a holiday that includes Mahé and Silhouette, where extraordinary national parks await.

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Sri Lanka

Situated to the South West of The Bay of Bengal, Sri Lanka is home to many ethnic Buddhist and Hindu cultures, languages and diversity. There is a rich culture in food diversity with a distinct emphasis on seafood, traditional music and festive dance. We say try the Jaffna Crab Curry – it’s simply scrumptious. The ancient capital of Kandy is a pretty town in the central highlands. The intriguing ‘Temple of the Tooth’ is a must-see visit...

Let us help with timings to coincide your visit with the famous Esala Perahera Festival for a truly unique and memorable holiday.

The ancient and sacred rock fortress of Sigiriya is a world heritage site and has a fascinating history. Climb the rock and see the ornamental gardens from the sacred ruins on the top to get a glimpse of how the lords and kings would have witnessed them from above. Elephants are everywhere in Sri Lanka from tea plantations, town festivals (of which there are many) to the famous elephant reserves at the Uda Walawe National Park. It’s Pachyderm heaven!

Talking of tea, visitors will notice that it’s quite important in Sri Lanka. Tea Lovers won’t want to miss the Haputale Mountains where the tea industry was born. A tuk-tuk ride around the Lipton estate early in the morning is quite remarkable and memorable. The entire island has the benefit of beautiful palm - fringed beaches and shining blue waters – it’s a sublime location for luxury beach holidays, water sports, scuba diving and sailing and with monsoons hitting at different points in the year, the opportunity to enjoy a great beach holiday is there all year round.

The Southern beaches such as Tangalia, Mirissa and Bentota have chic hotels, beautiful resort locations, coral reefs and sandbars. Arugam Bay on the south-east is simply stunning. The beaches on the East and West Coasts are less established internationally although the Negambo Lagoon in the West is a real favourite.

Mirissa whilst having a fabulous beach, is also one of the greatest spots to see the Blue Whales and dolphins.

More nature is on offer at any of six National Parks and three wildlife sanctuaries around Yala and with many different ecosystems the region is teaming with wildlife, not least Asian elephants, the famous leopards and birdlife.

Sri Lanka has so much to offer and is genuinely one of the most beautiful and diverse locations to spend a truly memorable holiday.