S

EYCHELLES To imagine the Seychelles is really to think of your image of the tropical island of your dreams ; a deserted , soft white-sand beach lapped by gentle , turquoise waters and fringed by dense coconut palms . The Seychelles are some of the most beautiful islands in the world and due to careful growth , this natural beauty has been protected and preserved . On land they are home to rare species of bird and tree , including the black parrot and the amazing coco de mer palm , as well as abundant orchids , hibiscus , frangipani and bougainvillaea . In the seas surrounding the islands of the Seychelles , many areas of which have been designated marine national parks , over 150 species of tropical fish are to be found as well as an abundance of coral . The pace of life is slow and relaxed , even on Mahé but particularly on the smaller islands . The Seychelles is also known for its social harmony and their people are a mixture of African , European , Indian , Chinese and Arab . The beauty of the islands and the relaxed way of life have attracted artists over the years and today you are more than welcome to visit them at home and in their studios . A holiday to the Seychelles offers you not just the archetypal idyll of palm-fringed beaches but also a relaxed and harmonious approach to life .