Just Back From... the Seychelles

There are as many reasons to travel as there are destinations in the world. We make journeys to experience different cultures, to see foreign landscapes with our own eyes, to push beyond our comfort zones, to escape our daily lives. Certain places seem to have been designed for contemplation, rejuvenation and reflection. These destinations tend to be removed—both physically and spiritually—from the rest of the world, allowing travelers to reconnect with themselves.

Contact Indagare for assistance planning a vacation to the Seychelles. Our specialists can book you at the hotel that is right for you and plan great meals and activities.

At Indagare, we have long recommended that those going on safari in East or Southern Africa tack on a few nights at the beach at the end, before returning home. Safaris, though incredible experiences, are filled with very early mornings (including 5 A.M. wake-up calls), long, bumpy jeep rides and days and evenings spent in the wild. Relaxing at a resort afterward allows travelers to refuel and absorb the magic of their African sojourn. The options include excellent properties in Zanzibar, Mozambique and Mauritius, but the Seychelles offer the most spectacular lodges, many of which are on private islands.

Related: Seychelles Destination Report

In the Seychelles, the bright, equatorial sun, unimpeded by clouds, filters through the clear seawater to the ocean floor and hits the talcum-powder-white sand, creating a reflection so strong it seems to shine a spotlight on the marine life. This strong sun, this turquoise-green clear water and this soft sand all contribute to creating a dreamlike, otherworldly landscape.

I was told about this ethereal light effect before I left on my trip to check out the stylish new Six Senses Zil Pasyon and peek in on Indagare favorites Fregate and North Island. I had no idea, however, how “reflection,” as a mental practice as well as a natural phenomenon, would suffuse my journey. On each of the three islands my husband and I visited, we were able to take time out and breathe, think, talk, plan. Separately and then together, we were inspired to set down on paper our long-term goals, our hopes for ourselves and our family, our ideal life time lines. Being so far from home, on extraordinary private islands with no distractions and every consideration made for our comfort, allowed us to contemplate what is most important to us. Although we hadn’t come from a safari (we’re saving that for when our children are old enough to join us), we used our time on these African beaches to really and truly reflect and just be—a phenomenon I’ve felt only on past trips to Africa, and a luxury not considered enough.

Related: First Look Six Senses Zil Pasyon

On our last night on North Island, we had a beach picnic of Creole dishes in Le Creuset pots and watched the sun set, the crescent moon rise and the sky fill with stars, all reflected by the Indian Ocean. We talked about our pasts, our future, our children, our dreams. And as happens only on introspective journeys, we became deeply connected—to each other, to the land, to the sea, to ourselves.

Contact Indagare for assistance planning a vacation to the Seychelles. Our specialists can book you at the hotel that is right for you and plan great meals and activities.