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A LONG WEEKEND IN THE SEYCHELLES? ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE WITH SCOTT DUNN

Adventurous souls looking for the absolute long-weekend escape (or for those who’d just prefer to conserve their annual leave), can now look further afield and experience the delights of the Seychelles over three nights with Scott Dunn. BA’s new direct 10-hour flight paired with only a four-hour time difference, makes the ultimate long-weekend getaway to the Indian Ocean entirely possible.  Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is situated on the southwest coast of Mahé, the granite-lined main island of the Seychelles known for its white powder beaches and dramatic rock formations, and only a 40-minute land transfer away from the international airport – allowing guests to maximise their time away leaving London Wednesday night and flying back on Sunday evening to be back beady-eyed at their desks by Monday morning.  Guests will discover uncomplicated tree-house living at Four Seasons’ plush island sanctuary situated on a lush hillside.  Four Seasons will also open the hotly-anticipated Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island in early 2018 – the only resort on the captivating coral retreat in the Amirante Islands enjoying unrivalled privacy.  Remote and secluded, the new Four Seasons will be a tropical sanctuary edged by 14km of soft white beach, and just a 35-minute domestic flight from Mahé.

HOW: Scott Dunn offers three nights at the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles from £2,200 per person. This is based on a couple staying in a Garden View Villa on a B&B basis, and includes international flights and private airport transfers.
www.scottdunn.com

ROAM THE JUNGLE AND SAIL THE SEAS ON A CASTAWAY PARADISE AT SIX SENSES ZIL PASYON

Among the most beautiful and unspoiled of the 115-island nation that makes up the Seychelles, 652-acre Félicité Island is fringed by dramatic granite boulders and pristine, picture-perfect beaches.  True to Six Senses’ heritage of creating exceptional guest experiences in places of incredible beauty, its newest resort, the 30-villa Six Senses Zil Pasyon, is no exception.  Occupying just one third of the island’s land total, the resort has 30 villas and 17 private residences, with the rest left to the bounteous nature and wildlife.  Guests can choose from six dining and bar venues on the island and make the most of a wide variety of sport and leisure facilities, three sandy beaches and a main outdoor pool (if they can tear themselves away from their villa’s own private pool…).  Offering adventurous experiences to set imaginations alight, the Experience Centre arranges exhilarating water-based activities including diving excursions, snorkelling, sailing, kayaking and paddle-boarding.  Private fishing and boat trips to neighbouring islands can also be arranged for guests to enjoy the azure waters and culture of the archipelago to the full.  From active hikes in the spectacular Coco de Mer Valley, to twilight climbs to Sunset Point, cycle trips along La Digue, and guided tours of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vallée de Mai, there are options to suit travellers of all energy levels and ages.  Sustainability is at the heart of Six Senses Zil Pasyon, with ongoing habitat restoration projects supporting threatened ecosystems.  Drawing upon the renowned Six Senses mission of providing innovative and extensive facilities wedded to environmental responsibility, the resort has been brilliantly designed to embrace the island’s picturesque landscape. Of course, a highlight of any Six Senses resort is the Spa, and the Six Senses Spa at Zil Pasyon sets the bar high – with a striking location set amongst the towering rocks and boulders and spanning 19,000ft², as well as spectacular design echoing the island’s epic natural form.

HOW: Rates at Six Senses Zil Pasyon start from $1,300 per One-Bedroom Pool Villa per night, inclusive of breakfast, tax and service charge.  The Zil Air helicopter journey from to Félicité is 30 nautical miles northeast of Seychelles International Airport on the country’s main island of Mahé.  The 20-minute flight arrives at the resort’s own jetty helipad.  Alternatively, guests can arrive via a short private boat trip from nearby La Digue and Praslin islands.
www.sixsenses.com
GO PACKAGED: Scott Dunn offers seven nights at Six Senses Zil Pasyon from £4,600 per person (in low season) based on two people sharing a Hideaway Pool Villa on B&B basis including flights from the UK, domestic flights and heli transfers.
www.scottdunn.com

BECOME A CONSERVATIONIST AT FREGATE ISLAND PRIVATE

Occupying an entire private island the size of Monaco in the middle of the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Fregate Island Private feels like walking into Jurassic Park with its luscious green landscape, thousands of birds circulating in the sky and resident charismatic Giant Aldabra Tortoises.  These once near-extinct creatures were bred from a population of 150 tortoises some 25 years ago to their current number of over 2,000, which roam freely across the wilds of the island.  With an unwavering commitment to safeguarding the islands native flora and fauna, Fregate is truly a conservation lover’s dream.  The island’s conservation staff care for the several hundred turtle and tortoise nests and see to it that the young hatch safely.  Fregate Island is the only remaining habitat of the Seychelles Magpie Robin – almost extinct with a headcount of only 14, it was the second rarest bird in the world some 30 years ago.  These birds have since been restored to a healthy population of more than 100 by the permanent on-island conservation staff, who worked in collaboration with Birdlife International.   Exotic fish spotting, rock fishing and night adventures to view snakes, Fregate beetles and millipedes provide more opportunity for guests to learn about the unusual creatures that call Fregate Island Private home.  Fregate does of course also cater to those who only yearn to kick back and feel the sand between their toes – and these guests are utterly spoilt for choice, as the island has seven private white sand beaches with the option to privately hire your own.  Fregate is home to 16 naturally secluded Private Pool Residences, all of which blend naturally into the dramatic rocky landscape and have their own terrace, infinity pool and Jacuzzi with some of the most awe-inspiring sea views in the Indian Ocean.

HOW: Rates at Fregate Island Private start from €3,250 per Private Pool Residence per night, including all meals anywhere on the island, soft beverages, house wines, local beers as well as personal laundry, island buggy, non-motorised watersports and guided nature walks. Kids Club programmes available for children ages four and up. Helicopter transfers to Fregate Island Private from Mahé take approximately 15 minutes. www.fregate.com
GO PACKAGED: Scott Dunn offers seven nights at Fregate Island Private 

from £13,700 per person (in low season) based on two people sharing a one bedroom villa on a full board basis including flights from the UK and heli transfers. www.scottdunn.com

OR FOR THE INDECISIVE TRAVELLER

Scott Dunn offers a 10-night Seychelles itinerary from £11,600 per person.  This is based on a couple staying five nights at Six Senses Zil Pasyon in a Hideaway Pool Villa on a B&B basis, and five nights at Fregate Island Private in a Private Pool Villa on an all-inclusive basis, and includes return international flights from the UK and private road and helicopter transfers. www.scottdunn.com

BRITISH AIRWAYS

The UK’s flag carrier will fly direct to the Seychelles from 24th March 2018. The twice-weekly flights will depart London Heathrow’s newest – and best – terminal, Terminal 5 on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Return flights will run on Thursdays and Sundays.