Sun, sand and sea – an idyllic image, conjured up by the mere mention of the Seychelles. Most travellers get only as far as Mahé, the largest island in the archipelago, but Sebastian Schmitz visited Praslin where a small and modern airport signals the start of a relaxed holiday.
Praslin is the second largest landmass in the Seychelles. Its long golden beaches, tranquil way of life and upmarket hotels draw well-to-do tourists from across the globe. The island’s size – 7.5 by 2.9 miles (12 x 4.6km) – and population of less than 8,000 make it an ideal get away-from-it-all destination. Getting to Praslin almost inevitably involves a flight in one of Air Seychelles’ six de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters, and the experience is far removed from the frenetic activity on Mahé when the throngs of tourists are disgorged from the Condor, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways jets.