This is the question we posed to our network of local travel experts all around the world. They came back with responses about incredible landscapes that make their corners of the earth special. In honour of Earth Day and our focus this month on ecotourism, we’ve compiled their thoughts about some of the best landscapes from around the world.

Lunahuanâ, near Lima, Peru, is where you "can get in touch with nature, adventure and the way of life that its people have preserved." Photo courtesy of Sara Linares

Lunahuaná near Lima, Peru

Lunahuaná, two hours from the city of Lima, Peru, is a natural paradise where the sun shines for most of the year. It is a mixed landscape situated between the coast and the highlands of Lima, Whether you are looking to chill out in a natural environment, set off on a hiking adventure, go for a swim or practice rafting in its rivers, you will find that lots of outdoor activities are possible in Lunahuaná.

In your downtime, be sure to visit the vineyards, where you’ll find more than three types of grapes. Lunahuaná locals are warm and friendly people, noted for their production of Pisco (Peru’s distilled national liquor made of grapes), as well as for the cuisine with tasty river shrimps as the star ingredient. Around town are comfortable and cosy accommodations to suit different budgets. Some hotels and guesthouses also offer horse riding, and motorcycles and bicycles for rent. Lunahuaná lets travellers can get in touch with nature, adventure and the way of life that its people have preserved!
~ Sara Linares, the whl.travel local connection in Lima, Peru

Agios Gordis in Corfu, Greece

My absolute favourite spot on Corfu is the beach in Agios Gordis at sunset. Here you are in perfect contact with all the elements of nature any time of the year. Imagine feeling the sand beneath your feet and the wind on your skin, while listening to the sound of the waves and gazing at the sun, still warming you, as it slowly disappears below the horizon, casting the most beautiful colours into the sky. This is a landscape I never grow tired of as nature paints different shades for each sunset.
~ Sandra Broedner, the whl.travel local connection in Corfu, Greece

In Malawi, "as soon as the tea estates come into sight, our shoulders drop, we breathe deep and relax." Photo courtesy of Kate Webb

Tea Estates in Malawi

Just 30 minutes from Malawi’s commercial capital of Blantyre is the country’s southern tea-estate region. With Mount Mulanje as a backdrop, it is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. Friday night, heading away from the office, we hit the road. As soon as the tea estates come into sight, our shoulders drop, we breathe deep and relax. A stay at one of these tea estate lodges makes the perfect weekend break.
~ Kate Webb, the whl.travel local connection in Malawi

On the remote Arnavon Islands of the Solomon Islands, "Visitors have a very high chance of seeing hawksbill turtle hatchlings emerge from their nests." Photo courtesy of Kerrie Kennedy

Arnavon Islands, Santa Ysabel (Solomon Islands)

As a protected area, the Arnavon Islands support marine life in numbers and variety rarely seen anywhere else in the Solomon Islands. The surrounding reefs and islands provide magnificent snorkelling and diving opportunities, with healthy populations of giant clams and huge bumphead parrotfish. This is also the world’s most significant breeding ground of the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle. Visitors have a very high chance of seeing hawksbill turtle hatchlings emerge from their nests and begin their journey to the sea.

Getting to the Arnavon Islands is not easy, but the effort is worth it and you will be one of a small number of people in the world who has actually experienced this wonderful place.
~ Kerrie Kennedy, the whl.travel local connection in the Solomon Islands

Dzūkija National Park in Lithuania

I have more than one favourite natural landscape in Lithuania, among which are Pavilniai Regional Park, Dzūkija National Park and the Curonian Spit. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Curonian Spit is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, but there are so many places in Lithuanian nature that offer travellers human-free environments. One would need at least two weeks to take it all in.
~ Kestas Lukoskinas, the whl.travel local connection in Lithuania

West Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam

West Lake (Hồ Tây) is the largest lake of Hanoi, Vietnam , with an area of about 5.5 square kilometres and a shore length of 17 kilometres. A vast and beautiful romantic place, it’s considered to be “the lung of Hanoi,” a favourite location for many people to take a walk in fresh air, enjoy the morning fog or watch a beautiful sunset. West Lake is also famous for its beautiful lotus gardens surrounded by bicycle alleys.
~ Hoang Xuan Bach, the whl.travel local partner in Hanoi, Vietnam

At White Beach in Boracay, Philippines, "The sands is white and so soft it feels like you are walking on talcum powder." Photo courtesy of Trudy Allen

White Beach in Boracay, Philippines

Boracay is famed for its White Beach, which is consistently voted one of the world’s top 10 beaches in various magazines and online polls. The sand is white and so soft it feels like you are walking on talcum powder. There are various theories regarding how Boracay got its name, but my personal favourite is that it comes from the word ‘borac,’ which means white cotton. This perfectly sums up the texture and colour of the stunning White Beach!
~ Trudy Allen, the whl.travel local partner in Boracay

"If you want to see a real pearl of nature, come to Soqotra Island." Photo courtesy of Tina Zorman

Soqotra Island, Yemen

My favourite landscape in Yemen is pristine Soqotra Island, lying 400 kilometres south of the Arabian Peninsula, where the waters of the Arabian Sea meet those of the Indian Ocean. Millions of years of isolation, varied geology and topography, large seasonal and regional climate variability and sustainable land practices have all helped Soqotra preserve its rich flora and fauna. Its endemism is one of the highest in the world.

From amazing beaches with clear waters and coral reefs to the rough Hagghar Mountains, mountain plateaus, deep valleys and desert dunes, the variety of landscapes is sure to excite. If you want to see a real pearl of nature, come to Soqotra Island.
~ Tina Zorman, the Gunyah local partner in Yemen

"Mayon is recognisable for its perfect cone as it has a near symmetrical shape that meets everyone's idea of a picturesque volcano." Photo courtesy of Helen Atanacio

The Volcanoes of the Philippines

The Philippines has many stunning and breathtaking landscapes, but to me the volcanoes are beyond comparison and truly remind me of the power of nature. There are 37 volcanoes of which 18 are still active. Many are easily accessible and make interesting day trips. The challenge of climbing them is obvious, but the landscape and the views are really worth the effort. I never thought I would say this (the Stairmaster being the object that I loathe most in the gym), but I have become a fan of scaling volcanoes. They never cease to amaze me!

At the top of my ‘easy three’ list is Mayon, which is in Bicol and easily reached from Legaspi airport or via bus from Manila. This volcano has had 50 recorded eruptions, the latest of which was in 2010. It reached the top of my top volcano list, though, for its beauty as it appears to rise from the flatlands somewhat like Uluru (Ayer’s Rock) in Australia’s Northern Territory. Mayon is recognisable for its perfect cone as it has a near symmetrical shape that meets everyone’s idea of a picturesque volcano!
~ Helen Atanacio, the whl.travel local connection in the Philippines

Vang Vieng's magnificent limestone mountains are good for spending "countless sunsets on the banks of the Nam Song River gazing at them." Photo courtesy of Cindy Fan

The Limestone Mountains of Laos

Peace, tranquillity and relief are all words that describe how I feel in the presence of Vang Vieng‘s magnificent limestone mountains in Laos. I’ve spent countless sunsets on the banks of the Nam Song River gazing at them, captivated by their size and beauty.
~ Cindy Fan, the whl.travel local connection in Laos

On the island of Gozo in Malta, "The bay of the Azure Window is a magical location at which to have a picnic, take a swim or go diving". Photo courtesy of Daphne Klumpers

The Azure Window in Malta

The Azure Window is a natural arch located near the village of Dwejra on the Maltese island of Gozo. This breathtaking landmark was created thousands of years ago when two limestone caves collapsed. When visiting Malta, the bay of the Azure Window is a magical location at which to have a picnic, take a swim or go diving.”
~ Daphne Klumpers, the whl.travel local connection in Malta

Jaco Island of Timor Leste has "crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches." Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Hpgrumpe

Jaco Island in Timor Leste

Off Timor Leste’s most eastern shore is Jaco Island, which lies entirely within the borders of Nino Konis Santana National Park. Considered holy by the indigenous population of Timor Leste, Jaco island is uninhabited. It is surrounded by crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches, so it is ideal for swimming and snorkelling and one of the most popular tourism destination in the country.
~ Jim Richards, the whl.travel local connection in Timor Leste

At Mt. Ushba in Georgia, the "double-summit shape," is capped in snow and shrouded in unimaginable tranquillity. Photo courtesy of Ia Kverghelidze

Mt. Ushba in Georgia

Mamuka Burduli (Founder and Director of Adventure Club Jomardi) names Mt. Ushba as his most favourite natural landscape in Georgia. It is located in Svaneti, northwestern Georgia. Towering at an altitude of 4690 metres above sea level, Ushba is often associated with a saddle given its double-summit shape, capped in snow and shrouded in unimaginable tranquillity. The surrounding areas play host to the Ushba waterfalls and foothills covered in colourful flowers. Here one can find pure intimacy with the nature.
~ Ia Kverghelidze, the whl.travel local connection in Georgia

Kravice Waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Have you ever felt at one with nature? I just love that feeling, and the closest I have come is at the Kravice Waterfalls, near Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here, you can feel the sand underfoot as you walk by the water. Find a patch of grassy field where you can lay down and soak in the sun. The water is sweet and so clean. While you swim you can open your eyes to the fish and other freshwater species. You can enjoy a natural shower by standing under the falls, feeling the pressure of the water on your shoulders.
~ Zana R-Bilal, the whl.travel local connection in Medjugorje

Morne Seychelles National Park, Mission Lodge, Seychelles

Vens town! This is the place that the slaves chose when they were freed. It is located at about 400 metres above sea level in the middle of what is now known as Morne Seychellois National Park. Seychelles is well known for pristine beautiful beaches, so I don’t know why the slaves (and the missionaries that accompanied them) would chose to stay on a mountaintop, when 200 years ago this place would have been a dense tropical rainforest with limited access.

Vens town is now called Mission Lodge after the missionaries that lived there educating the slaves. It is readily accessible by bus from the Sans Soucis road. Once you have arrived, the magic of the place takes over. On a clear day you can see all five of the bays of the west coast of Mahe island. With the bright sunshine, the sea reflects more green than blue. To experience this place, next time you are in the Seychelles go there. It’s 0.5 euro by bus from Victoria.
~ Pascal Esparon, the whl.travel local connection in Seychelles

A favorite climb in Borneo's Mulu National Park is the "Mulu Pinnacles, razor sharp limestone formations jutting 45 metres high." Photo courtesy of Flickr/thinkofacolour

Mulu National Park in Borneo, Malaysia

Mulu National Park attracts many foreign visitors to its lush rain forest, beautiful waterfalls and hidden lakes. The star attraction, however, is the park’s enormous limestone caves. In 2000, this national treasure was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Covering 52,865 hectares of primary rain forest, Mulu National Park is home to a number of the world’s record-breaking caves. The pride of Borneo is Sarawak Chamber, the world’s largest underground chamber. It has been said that this enormous chamber could accommodate 40 Boeing 747 jets without overlapping their wings!

The ground above is covered in rich primary rain forest and offers a whole
range of nature-based activities. There are excellent jungle treks and mountain hikes. A favorite climb is to the Mulu Pinnacles, razor sharp limestone formations jutting 45 metres high.
~ Oshin Chin, the whl.travel local connection in Borneo, Malaysia

Seychelles is a young country. In the year 2020 we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first settlement – a group of 15 French white people, five Malabar Indians and eight African people – established on these beautiful islands. While in the grand scheme of things this is a relatively short period of time, it does mean that Seychelles has over 200 years of music history.

A musician plays a traditional Brazilian berimbau, which is the same kind of intstrument as the Seychellois 'bomb' (sometimes spelled 'bonm'). Photo courtesy of Flickr/garryknight

Where does this history begin? The music of Seychelles is, and has always been, largely influenced by the instruments and the dance of the people who chose to make their homes here. So where did the Seychellois originally come from? Everywhere! This is why we call our country “the melting pot of cultures.”

From the arrival of our early ancestors, regardless of their origins, Seychellois were convivial people – friendly and always looking for a good time. Like our people, then, the mix of musical (and dance) styles adopted and created by Seychellois people reflects the diversity of cultures that exist harmoniously, influencing one other and often overlapping.

Instruments in Seychelles

The African settlers brought with them the bomb (also spelled “bonm”) and zez. Both are instruments with a single string. They also brought drums made of animal skin.

The bomb and zez are solo instruments. Traditionally they were most often played on outer islands, where musical entertainment had not previously existed. Songs and lyrics that accompanied these instruments were slow and soft in nature and usually described island life in that era.

The drums gave slaves and some other settlers a different outlet for self-expression. Messages and emotions in drum-based songs during the settlement period depicted the oppressive conditions in which they lived.

The introduction of the drum also inspired Sega music, which included a bare-footed dance around a bonfire.

Years after the integration of these uncomplicated instruments came the violin, banjo and guitar.

Seychelles Island Dance

After the abolition of slavery and the shift in colonial power from the French to the British in 1814, musical instruments were more common and new forms of dance appeared in Seychelles. In particular, the Seychellois saw the birth of kanmtole dancing – a dance much like a traditional Scottish reel – and the contre dance (also known as a contredans or contra dance). This latter style came from the resident French who had adopted English country dances and integrated their own steps more typical of the French court.

There are 10 distinct types of contre dance, each displaying different exemplars of elegance. History has it that if a man were to ask a girl to dance, he would have to perform all 10 dances without pausing between them, moving directly from one to the other. This surely sorted out the gifted gentlemen from the talentless womanisers!

A group of Seychellois people take part in a traditional contre dance. Photo courtesy of Pascal Esparon

Kanmtole and contre dance music is often performed by a band consisting of two guitars, a drum and a triangle. Other instruments customarily added to the band include the violin, fiddle and banjo. The maestro (known traditionally as the komander) usually plays the triangle and leads the entire room, giving dance commands to the dancers rather than musical direction to the rest of the band.

Both types of dance are still always performed by men and women in pairs (the cavalier and the dame), from two couples on up to long lines of dancing partners. Gatherings with many dancers often involve the couple at the head of the parallel lines dancing through the group to the other end so that each couple has a turn leading the movements.

Wearing traditional dance costumes, a couple of young contre dancers pairs up in anticipation of an afternoon of dance. Photo courtesy of Pascal Esparon

Dance still has a strong cultural presence in Seychelles. There are competitions for all ages held at the end of every October during the country’s annual six-day Festival Creole.

Other Musical Influences

Outside of the evolution of music motivated by dance, the most drastic changes in music in Seychelles came with the introduction of Western phenomena. Some of the most notable influences have been rock & roll, the “Twist” dance craze of the 1960s, the sensational world-famous music of bands such as The Beatles and the rise in popularity of the electric guitar during the early 1980s.

That being said, whilst unmistakably influenced by these Western musical experiences, the Seychelles’ musical culture has also maintained its individuality. It continues to adopt techniques and instruments that suit the culture and dance (synthesisers, for example, are quite popular in sega dance music), but our style differs greatly from Western genres like rap and hip-hop.

It is thanks to the Seychellois that traditional music and dance have been maintained, and thanks to the National Arts Council of Seychelles that our musical culture has been kept alive through competitions and other types of activities. Today, Seychelles’ music continues to evolve without losing the strong connection it has with the history of this country.

Why not come and experience the music and dance of Seychelles for yourself? Be sure to check in with the experts at Holidays Seychelles, your whl.travel local connection.

Seychelles' own Hedson Mathieu competed for the mens' cycling title in the 2007 Indian Ocean Island Games. Photo courtesy of Gerard Govinden

In August 2011, Seychelles will be on fire. In addition to the usual summer heat and high tourist season, sparks will fly with the kickoff of the eighth official Indian Ocean Island Games, a sports tournament involving athletes from islands in the southwest Indian Ocean. The event is a source of great pride for Seychelles, not only as a second-time host, but also as a medal contender: the last time the archipelago held the event in 1993, the country’s men’s volleyball team took home the gold.

Even now, the tiny capital city of Victoria (on the northeast of Mahe Island), is buzzing with large screens right in from of the post office airing sporting events. Although the screens have already been turned to good use, they were specially installed for people who happen to be in town but without the means to get to a an event. Clearly, the Indian Ocean Island Games are not to be missed.

A Brief History of the Indian Ocean Island Games

The first Indian Ocean Island Games were held in 1979 (on Reunion Island) and were intended for a grouping of African islands in the southern Indian Ocean: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion Island and Seychelles. (Sri Lanka was also once due to take part, but sadly never has.)

The Games are both a football championship and an event showcasing many sports. Scheduled for 2011 in Seychelles are seven disciplines with both men’s and women’s leagues (badminton, basketball, judo, swimming, table tennis, volleyball and weightlifting), and three for men only (boxing, cycling and football). There is also a sailing event that involves lasers for men and windsurfing for men and women.

Originally, neighbouring Madagascar was the country slated to host these eighth games, but financial constraints proved too much of an obstacle. Seychelles, which had already welcomed the event in 1993, enthusiastically stepped in and is delighted with this second chance to open its doors to the region’s most prestigious sporting event.

Getting Ready to Rumble

August is one of the busiest times in terms of tourist arrivals in Seychelles, and the coming Games will surely turn the months ahead into one of the busiest tourism seasons in recent history. In addition to the 2,000 athletes landing a little before the games’ official opening on the 5th of August, the athletes’ relatives and other sports enthusiasts of the region are expected to touch down on the island’s shores in droves.

At the last Indian Ocean Island Games in Madagascar in 2007, the Seychelles men's basketball team sported national colors. The team has been champion once, but placed third in the Madagascar games. Photo courtesy of Gerard Govinden

In further preparation for this, stadiums and venues have been given a facelift, and additional arrangements have been made to accommodate the athletes. The 2011 Indian Ocean Island Games village will be based at the newly built Ile Perseverance, which is not far from Victoria. In the village, all amenities will be provided to ensure athletes remain in great shape to represent their countries in their chosen sporting field.

In addition, the Seychelles Public Transportation Corporation (SPTC) will provide regular buses to transport the athletes and other members of the delegations to and from sporting venues as well as to take them around Mahe Island when time allows for sightseeing.

Seychelles native and champion swimmer Shrone Austin competed in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Photo courtesy of Gerard Govinden

When all is said and done, this is the perfect time for sports lovers to plan a holiday in Seychelles. Visitors will be witnessing history in the making, but it is advisable to book a room in Seychelles in advance, because space is certain to be limited come August.

Event Highlights

The Indian Ocean Island Games are a great opportunity for Seychelles to show off some if its prized stadiums. The impressive Palais des Sports, where the basketball and volleyball events will be held, resembles a ship and is the best such facility available in the country. The Stade Linité will house the football events and also serve as the venue for the Games’ official opening festivities.

The Seychelles women's volleyball team has been Indian Ocean Island Games champion twice. They were runner up at the 2007 games in Madagascar. Photo courtesy of Gerard Govinden

In true Creole style, the opening ceremony promises to be an exciting event; this will be the time when locals’ friendliness and fun-loving Seychellois spirit will be at an all-time high. If the last Games held in Seychelles are anything to go by, anyone visiting the Seychelles islands during this time will be part of a once-in-a-lifetime occasion of people coming together to support their teams.

All across the country, flags will fly, including over the lovely white beaches for which the islands are famous, and visitors will receive extra smiles beyond the usual exuberant hospitality.

Travellers looking for some help planning their island vacation should contact the experts at Holidays Seychelles, the whl.travel local connection in Seychelles.

In 2010, Kate and William enjoyed a two-week getaway on Desroches Island in the Seychelles. The island is home to only about 50 people and one luxury hotel (the pool of which is pictured above).

Perhaps their decision was influenced by their earlier visit, which went smoothly and resulted in no indecent photos. After all, Desroches Island is an ideal location for keeping intruders at bay, thereby reducing security concerns. For this reason, not to mention incomparable beauty, many destinations in the the Seychelles receive their fair share of celebrities, from tennis stars and footballers to movie stars and, of course, royalty. The rich and famous keep coming back, although the Seychelles is also a destination to be enjoyed by anyone looking for a royal reception.

The Royal Spotlight

Just a short time ago, the world witnessed what has already been called ‘the wedding of the century.’ The prince and his new wife officially invited 1,900 people to the grand occasion, although an estimated 2.5 million spectators were also on hand in London to celebrate, and countries across the globe declared bank holidays so that people could watch it live on television.

With such a huge audience craving information, private details of the wedding were leaked to the public, from the total price of the spectacle to the names on the exclusive guest list. However, until the morning of the royal couple’s arrival in the Seychelles, the honeymoon remained a very private affair.

On Fregate Island in the Seychelles, guests can expect grand views of the coast while dining like royalty

Will it stay that way? In a society where information about the personal lives of celebrities can earn big bucks, there always seems to be someone ready to risk everything for a glimpse behind the curtain. The Duke of Cambridge is no stranger to the intense scrutiny he and the Duchess face in everything they do. Their 10-day honeymoon is no different. Inquiring minds want to know everything: how is the romance going, what they are eating, whether they have argued. What juicy details can be learned?

All the more reason to trust in the security and discretion of the Seychelles, to protect William and Kate from any zoom lenses that might try to disturb their newlywed retreat.

Where in the Seychelles?

Of all the different islands and hidden coves of the Seychelles, where would the honeymooners choose? Major destination include the two largest islands of Mahe and Praslin, as well as La Digue with its famous Anse Source d’Argent beach; but we were always doubtful that the royal couple would visit any of these three high-profile locations.

Instead, E! has reported that the honeymooners did indeed choose to return once more to the lesser island of Desroches, a hideaway with a mix of security, luxury and privacy perfect for a king and queen in the making. Moreover, unlike many Seychelles islands that are rocky and granitic, Desroches is coralline, making it perfect for top-shelf scuba diving!

The resort hotel on Desroches Island in the Seychelles specialises in supreme luxury and intimacy for its honeymooning guests

It’s no wonder that a lover of the outdoors like Prince William chose to bring Kate to Desroches for two weeks in 2010. With only 50 inhabitants and one luxury hotel of 20 rooms on the island, they undoubtedly found the peace and quiet they were looking for. We hope the same spirit of R&R suffuses the royal honeymoon!

Three Other Seychelles Islands Worthy of the Shortlist

The prince and his bride may already have found a perfect refuge, but we hope they will also one day consider visiting other gorgeous and unpopulated Seychelles islands. The three special locations below would certainly help prolong any storybook wedding with the ‘honeymoon of the century.’ All are tiny, privately owned, one-hotel retreats with few inhabitants that provide the perfect combination of isolation and luxury. Even if William and Kate can’t make it, the welcome to all visitors is guaranteed to make anyone feel like royalty.

Denis Island – This sliver of a coral atoll measures just 1.31-square-kilometres. It is one of the first islands in the archipelago to be eco-friendly, carbon neutral and free of rats. Covered in wild and endemic rainforests, Denis Island is a rare ecological wonder. The few human inhabitants are mostly conservationists and manmade structures are limited to a lighthouse, a small chapel, a small airstrip and the island’s one hotel, The Denis Island Resort, with 25 guest chalets. Apart from lazing around on the brilliant white beaches, guests can also sail, wind surf, play tennis, scuba dive and go deep-sea fishing.

The Island of Fregate's Mount Signale rises 125 metres above sea level, creating a throne-like perch for fine dining and sea gazing in the Seychelles

Fregate Island – As one of the granitic Inner Islands of the Seychelles, Fregate is only slightly bigger than Denis, at 2.19–square-kilometres, but its Mount Signale rises to 125 metres. On this island, any couple, royal or not, could explore a virgin rainforest brimming with wildlife. Set in this pristine ecosystem are only 16 villas and one presidential villa. Along the shoreline, the island’s Anse Victorin was voted ‘The World’s Best Beach’ by The Times newspaper. Even a king and queen would be hard pressed to find something more fitting.

North Island – Another granitic Inner Island of 2.01-square-kilometres, North Island is only 27 kilometres north of Mahe. The resort here is part of a larger conservation effort the goals of which are to protect endemic species and eliminate invasive ones. The island’s 11 villas, as well as all other structures on the island, are made of repurposed overgrowth. For any William and Kate interested in making an environmental statement in addition to enjoying total seclusion and luxury, North Island is well worth a visit!

Thinking about a honeymoon in the Seychelles? The Seychelles is a classic destination for both weddings and honeymooners. Resorts are keen to offer special packages to anyone tying the knot- or couples celebrating their honeymoon with royal flair.

Here is our selection of five great places for a Carnival carouse outside of Brazil.

Costumes are key in the Carnival celebration on the Maltese island of Gozo. Some take the disguise aspect so seriously that they will conceal their identities completely by remaining silent. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Thyes

Malta and Gozo

The central Mediterranean island of Malta is known to spiral into madness, absurdity and lively celebrations for the five days of Carnival, the most colourful event on the Maltese calendar. The holiday has been celebrated in Malta since the 16th century, giving it a momentum that has been building for hundreds of years.

The small island of Gozo, just to the northwest of Malta, is particularly notorious for its own version of Carnival, hosted in its capital city of Victoria on It-Tokk, its main square, and in the village of Nadur. Gozitans take pride in their parallel and distinct celebration of Carnival, which they sometimes interpret a little differently than their Maltese counterparts.

For example, in Nadur, the costumes take on a whole new level of absurdity, highlighting the grotesque and ensuring complete anonymity. In fact, in Nadur, the masqueraders are so serious about remaining unrecognised that they will don sacks, sheets, wigs and outrageous makeup. They will even stay silent to conceal their voices, which is why the party in Nadur is known as the Silent Carnival.

Each village around Rijeka, Croatia, has its own distinctive bellringer costume that appears in the International Rijeka Carnival, one of the biggest in Europe. Animal masks are most common, but variations include flower hats and coloured paper streamer headpieces. Photo courtesy of Kvarner County Tourist Board on Flickr/whltravel

Kvarner, Croatia

Croatia is another Mediterranean country with a flair for celebrating Carnival. Its all-out annual festival is headquartered in the coastal city of Rijeka in the Kvarner region, which plays host to huge street parties, costumes and parades that draw masses of people.

Croatia’s own traditions and customs make its Carnival party unique, and the most iconic revellers are the bell ringers. Shepherding in the Carnival magic, the bell ringers dress in lambs-wool costumes and huge animal masks. They band together along a procession route from village to village, and ring the bells they wear around their waists. Bell ringers from each region have their own costume and musical walk, but all of them play the same role: to ward off evil spirits. Villagers welcome them with wine and refreshments.

The several days of Carnival in Croatia culminate with a massive procession in Rijeka. The International Carnival Parade tends to be around five kilometres long, with thousands of participants from both Croatia and abroad. They outdo themselves each festival season with elaborate costumes and decorations for their floats. Spectator numbers surpass 100,000, forming a sea of masks, merriment and revelry.

The Tourism Board of Seychelles is excited to promote its first annual International Carnival of Victoria, kicking off a new tradition of large-scale celebration that will rival the biggest Carnival parties worldwide

Victoria, Seychelles

The Seychelles sells itself as a “melting pot of cultures,” an appropriate slogan given the rich blend of influences and traditions that characterise this island nation in the Indian Ocean. It is also fitting that the island aspires to host the biggest international celebration of Carnival worldwide.

This year, from March 4th to 6th, Seychelles’ capital city of Victoria, found on Mahe Island, hopes to attract the representatives of Carnival celebrations from all around the globe to an international melting pot of festivities. The initiative came from the Seychelles Tourism Board, which is planning this high-profile event as a showcase for both participating countries and for Seychelles itself as a premier international destination.

Alain St. Ange, CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, told reporters “We envisage attracting a strong and varied contingent from abroad. Pledges of support have been given by several international carnivals and others probably including South Africa.”

The paint and plumage of Carnival costumes in Madeira, Portugal, reveal the vibrancy of one of Europe's most famous street parties. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Jamie Neely

Madeira, Portugal

Madeira is a Portuguese island that has long been a destination for fun lovers and pleasure seekers. The capital city, Funchal, certainly knows how to host a party! Its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display reaches Guinness World Record proportions and its celebration of Carnival has gained notoriety as one of Europe’s most raging street festivals.

This year (2011), the festival begins on the 5th of February and lasts until the 8th. Thousands of participants will fill the streets in outlandish costumes that rival the most exquisite plumage and glam in Rio de Janeiro. Samba bands will play music in the streets, providing a baseline for days of dancing, singing and merrymaking.

As with many of the Carnival celebrations worldwide, Madeira’s is a burlesque. Costumes are caricatures of famous personages and parade floats are fun-poking allegories on wheels. After four days of fiesta, the revelry finally winds down for the seriousness of lent.

Unlike in Rio, the dances in Oruro never change because each one corresponds to a Bolivian folk story. The Caporales dancers shown above are presenting the story of the Yungueno slaves, and their rich costumes show the money that their slave owners paid for (and profited from) them. Photo courtesy of Maureen Valentine

Oruro, Bolivia

At 3,708.5 metres of elevation, high in Bolivia’s altiplano, is the cultural centre of the nation for the 10 days leading up to Ash Wednesday. During this time of the year, Oruro shows its true Carnival colours with ornate costumes, pumping music and plenty of heavy drinking.

An intermingling of pagan beliefs with the Catholic faith, typical Bolivian dance groups like the Morendaas, Tinus, Caporales and Llameradas parade through town and act out myths from Bolivian culture while dressed in elaborate garb that has taken the entire year to fashion. Two of the major players are the devil and the archangel and when they both arrive in the Carnival stadium on Sunday morning before Lent, there is a battle of dance that symbolises the confrontation of good and evil.

During the day, wearing a poncho and glasses is advisable; local children are out in full force with water balloons and spray foam to attack any easy targets – and gringos are notably easy targets. Also, a wise traveller books reservations in advance; the arid highlands of Bolivia can be unpleasantly cold and this small town of 250,000 will swell to more than double its size during Carnival.

Over the past two weeks, in honour of this annual stock-taking, we’ve shared some of the fourth-quarter stirrings from a few places around the world: Sikh pilgrimages in Pakistan, Orthodox Christmas in Athens, Eid in the Maldives and a little bit of everything in multicultural Tanzania. We’ve offered our top five picks of other places where you can tap into a mystical vibe to help bring out your own if you’re not already adept at just finding the spiritual experience in all travel.

Free Christmas expression at its best during SantaCon, here celebrated in New York City. Photo courtesy of Flickr/ÐIÐËO

Even after all that, we still had a few items on our list that we wanted to share.

Funny Edge

Some of what we learned about simply caught our silly fancy, like SantaCon, “where guys and girls of legal age dress up like Santa and go cavorting around town for no better reason than that it’s huge fun.” What better way to get ho-ho-ho jolly?!

Others had a hilarious edge of tradition gone amiss, as in when you’re sure that a present-day custom is based on some slight misunderstanding of past acts. Take, for instance, the Norwegian tradition of hiding brooms on Christmas Eve night (thus denying marauding evil spirits their means of transport).

Or ponder the practice in the Czech Republic of single women throwing a shoe over a shoulder on December 24 to determine if they will marry in the coming year. If you’re a single handsome prince, it might be the best time for a stroll and welcome risk of getting knocked unconscious by flying footwear (only to be awakened by a beautiful, penitent and eligible princess).

And how about the Christmas pastime in Latvia of ‘mumming’? This involves parading around in animal or corpse masks and costumes, and then visiting houses to help drive away evil spirits. There’s song and dance involved and an invitation to snack – a good gig for hungry bellies on Christmas Eve.

At a Posada in Mexico, blindfolded children and adults line up to hit the piñata with a wooden stick in an attempt to release the traditional candies hidden within

A Mixture of Mirth and Meaning

There was also some mirthful stuff underpinned by religion.

If you’re visiting Los Cabos, Mexico, during December, you are likely to hear a traditional song connected to the celebration of ‘Las Posadas,’ which lasts for nine days (December 16-24). ‘Posadas’ are reminders of the journey of Joseph and Mary just before the birth of Jesus as they moved from place to place in search of somewhere to stay. The practice today is for guests to gather in the main entrance of selected house (uniting family and friends), light small candles and then sing the traditional song (Entren santos peregrinos, peregrinos/Reciban este rincón/Que aunque es pobre la morada, la morada/Os la doy de corazón). When the song is over, the host opens the door and all the guests enter while singing the last part of the song. Guests then kneel and pray at the house’s nativity scene, after which a piñata filled with traditional candies makes its appearance. There are also public Posadas held usually on the main plaza of every town and open to visitors.

In Estonia, where pre-Christian traditions are still observed and the cycle of nature treated with due reverence, celebration of the winter solstice, called jõulud, is arguably just as important as commemoration of Christ’s birth. Different people give different weights to secular and religious significance, but many first celebrate nature in ways that involve water (a sauna) or a fire in a forest (see the video below), followed by conventional holiday meals taken in a family circle.

Getting Serious

Of course, the season also comes with a serious message, one taken to heart in many places across the planet.

In the Seychelles, for over 200 year a British colony, most of the year-end practices follow British custom, although the local Seychellois place a greater emphasis on the New Year festivities than Yuletide pomp. Perhaps it has to do with the ritual significance of Christmas, a time for midnight mass, gift exchanges and family togetherness. By contrast, starting on the evening of December 31, everyone is out for street parties in Victoria, the capital. After midnight, everybody hits the discos until late in the morning of January 1st. January 2nd is then a time of family reunion, an occasion for brothers and sisters to gather at their parents’ house and get reacquainted. Note that fire crackers are illegal in the Seychelles.

Finally, in places around the world, like Medjugorje, Bosnia & Herzegovina, people gather to remember miracles and apparitions. In Medjugorje, in the summer of 1981, six children saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Since then, regardless of age, nationality, color, education and even religious belief, millions of people have made the pilgrimage to this visit this small village to find peace and renewed sense of purpose in life. Each year, a special call goes out to young people to make the journey to Medjugorje on December 31. This year (2010), beginning at 7pm, children from the Cenacolo Community (former drug addicts) turn the area around the Church of St James into Bethlehem for a few hours. This is followed by prayer and Holy Mass.

Diving in the Seychelles goes on 365 days a year. We have the monsoon season to deal with, of course, but you can still pick appropriate dive sites that favour any season. The visibility is best from February to May, but whale sharks start coming in about May and are most common from August to November. In the Seychelles, however, you can never predict what you will encounter on a diving trip. It could be a 20-metre whale shark, a shoal of thousands of colourful fish or even sharks. This is the Indian Ocean at its best – everything depends on your luck, the current and tide on the day.

One thing you can count on though is that due to the islands’ equatorial location, the surrounding sea is always warm, so divers normally wear short wet suits.

You can dive according to your experience – it’s all about your comfort and confidence. Unless there are plans for a specific remote site dive, most of the dives are conducted close to an island. That being said, there are so many unexplored locations that ‘discover diving trips’ – a term used for trips to unfamiliar or unknown locations – are very common. For non-divers there are even one-day introductions that allow you to understand the basics of diving and then enjoy one dive into the unknown. It is always an exhilarating experience.

All dive sites in the Seychelles are always outside marine parks, which are protected areas with look-but-don’t-touch policies. The term ‘open water’ really makes sense in this context. Fortunately, spear guns are illegal throughout the Seychelles and, although there is an unfortunate growing trend in semi-industrial-scale fishing), most fishing is done by traditional methods – bamboo fish traps or lines with hooks.

Newlyweds Ken and Isabella look to the horizon and contemplate their future at Anse Source d’Argent on la Digue Island in the Seychelles after their wedding

Today, the African archipelagic nation of the Seychelles, already admired the world over for its stance on nature conservation – there are programmes in place to protect everything from the world’s smallest frog to its largest seed – is now indeed being lauded for altogether different reasons.

Let the Sunshine In

The Republic of Seychelles, as it is officially known, was recently named the world’s number one honeymoon destination by sunshine.co.uk, a notable UK-based travel agency. Following an announcement in October, the company now ranks the Seychelles above a number of high profile destinations, with Marrakech (Morocco) coming in second, and Jamaica, Las Vegas and Bulgaria rounding out the top five.

The Seychelles islands are truly breathtaking. With honeymooners now looking for some exotic flavour to add spice to the celebration of their matrimony, the 115 coral islands located in the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar are an ideal destination for those who won’t fuss about getting a bit of powdery, white sand in their wedding shoes.

Life in the Seychelles moves at a relaxed pace, one taken to heart by the affable and laidback populace of roughly 87,000. With this in mind, honeymooners have access to a tranquil or dynamic romantic getaway, one gauged to satisfy all tastes and all taking advantage of the country’s translucent waters, pristine nature reserves and gorgeous coral reefs, the most notable of which is the World Heritage Site Aldabra Atoll, home of the world’s largest population of giant tortoises, as well as many varieties of unique flora and fauna.

Enjoy a light fruit breakfast with homemade juices and freshly baked bread at La Reserve Hotel, located on a private beach at Anse Seber and overlooking the Seychelles' Curieuse Marine Park

Open Doors for All

No longer viewed as an exclusive stomping ground for the rich and famous, the Seychelles Islands are now on the radar of travellers of all backgrounds. The islands offer a wide range of Seychelles hotels – everything from simple shoreline bungalows to extravagant and exclusive resorts – and also present a full menu of Seychelles activities, including snorkelling and walking through the Praslin Island Nature Reserve.

As honeymooners frequently opt for a taste of luxury, there is an assortment of honeymoon suites with breathtaking views. Le Duc de Praslin and La Reserve Hotel on Praslin Island provide guests with idyllic lodging at reasonable rates. For a bit more seclusion, Patatran Village sits on a rocky cliff overlooking the crystal blue sea on La Digue Island.

The Seychelles is also the perfect destination for an actual wedding. In the spirit of the country’s relaxed atmosphere, couples can hold their nuptials practically anywhere, with Mahé Island presenting bride and groom with the widest range of ceremony options.

Interested? Then Pascal and the spirited team at Holidays Seychelles, your whl.travel local connection, can help you plan your dream honeymoon, including finding the perfect hotel and island for your romantic holiday and all other aspects of any special holiday. The dedicated Holidays Seychelles wedding coordinator can lend a hand for a more complete Seychelles Wedding or Honeymoon Package.