Mahé is the largest island in the Seychelles, home to the diminutive capital, Victoria, and 90% of the country’s population. It’s the quintessential tropical paradise, a sun-drenched landscape of granite mountains, lush jungle and heavenly white sand beaches.

The island of Curieuse, once a leper colony, is now part of the protected Curieuse Marine National Park. This is one of the few islands in the Seychelles where the famous coco de mer grows, and is also known for its red soil and giant tortoises, introduced here from Aldabra Island in the 1980s.

Situated just to the northwest of Praslin, the island of Aride is renowned for its amazing birdlife. Keep your eyes peeled for species including noddies, terns, shearwaters and frigatebirds, along with sea turtles, skinks and geckos. And all this against a backdrop of granite cliffs, sandy beaches and lush tropical flora, with many endemic plants.

Lovely little La Digue is every inch the desert island idyll, and with less tourist development than Mahé or Praslin to impinge on your Robinson Crusoe fantasies. This is a place where many locals still get around by ox cart, and the beaches are some of the most beautiful in the Seychelles.

Antsiranana, sometimes known by its old name of Diego Suarez, sits at the northern tip of Madagascar on a beautiful natural bay. It’s a pleasant city with pretty colonial architecture, and worthwhile day trips include the lush Montagne d’Ambre National Park and the red laterite rock formations of Tsingy Rouge Park.

The small, turtle-shaped island of Nosy Komba has some lovely beaches and calm waters, sheltered by the volcanic rocks that surround it. Take a stroll around the village of Ampangoriana, meet the friendly locals and visit the fantastic Black Lemur Sanctuary.

The protected marine reserve of Nosy Tanikely is a fantastic spot for snorkelling, with amazingly clear waters and colourful marine life including parrot fish, angelfish, rays, dolphins and sea turtles. You can also hike up to the lighthouse at the island’s summit for wonderful sea views.

The island of Nosy Be, just off the northeast coast of Madagascar, remains a laid back locale in spite of its popularity as a tourist destination. The beaches are the main attraction for most visitors, along with the colourful chameleons and tiny frogs hiding in the Lokobe wildlife reserve.