Seychelles holidays

When you hear ‘Bat curry’ or a spicy ‘octopus curry’, it certainly paints a picture in your head. Not enough to make your mouth water, but take our word for it - it tastes miles better than it sounds! Believe it or not, both of these dishes are famous treats for the local Seychellois, and are often served with shark chutney – yep, they’ve taken their chutney game up a level! Those are created with various spices and seasonings, including turmeric, ginger, coriander, cardamom, mustard seeds, caraway, and blazing chilli.

Seychelles cuisine is a fusion of influences from China, Africa, India, France and Madagascar. One of many traditional Seychellois dishes is a Bouyon-bred sou sou fish soup, a succulent sausage Rougay and a platter of dishes based on breadfruit - almost like a potato, to be enjoyed fried, mashed, boiled or sugar coated in coconut!

Naturally, being on a tropical island sets fish up as the star of the Seychelles diet, and the crisp red snapper flavoured with crushed garlic, fiery chillis and ginger, tops our list! Tuna, bonito, sea bass, mackerel, lobster and squid can be cooked, grilled, baked or even diced, depending on your personal preference or taste buds on that day!

Expect mixed flavours of salt, sweet, acid and spice, presented with a fullness of vibrant aromas and lots of seafood!

Rum-based drinks are popular in the Seychelles and are generally a blend of bay rum and vodka. Buka is the traditional local rum, popular for celebrating festivals and events. This sweet drink is made from fermented sugar cane, usually at home, and is considered one of the party-goers' favourite drinks! Beer lovers can rely on SeyBrew - a specially blended lager described as deliciously crisp with a hint of fruity flavour.

Another winner, French wine, leaves you spoilt for choice, with a wide selection to suit all budgets. For a first-rate delicacy, indulge in the best African-style wine, known as Kalou, Calou or Toddy, made from the fluorescent sap of coconut mangrove palms, giving it a caramelised flavour.

Traditional Seychellois music is an instrumental blend of European, Chinese, Arabic and African tunes from Seychelles' rich history. In other words, Seychellois music is a cultural mosaic of different parts of the world. This African archipelago has sheltered masses under its wing, influencing them and shaping the melodies they have today. The festive dance of the contredanses found its way into the hearts of Europeans, where men and women faced each other and danced to the rhythm of the night!

Sega originated on the island of Mauritius. After migrating to the Seychelles years later, it was awarded a gold medal as the national dance music. It is generally performed using basic instruments such as drums, rattles and musical bows. Lyrically beautiful, sega depicts the African desire for endless freedom and blissful happiness.

Seggae is a blend of Sega rhythms and reggae music, introduced in the early 90s. It's hard to resist this unique combination of moderate drum beats and quirky accents, all set in a Jamaican atmosphere!

The national sport of Seychelles is football and remains the country's favourite sport, but basketball, cricket and volleyball are also very popular among the locals. The official team of the Seychelles Football Federation has been hailed throughout the country for its dynamic performances at numerous sporting events and social occasions.

Small but majestic, Victoria is the country's small capital. It is full of authentic souvenir shops and jewellery markets to satisfy your shopping cravings. While you're here, be sure to visit Market Street or the famous Clock Tower, which is eccentric in design but has some fascinating sights nearby, such as the Diamond Jubilee Fountain. Head to Eden Island to find a range of trendy shops, supermarkets, boutiques and miniature corner shops within Eden Plaza. Serious shoppers can indulge in therapeutic retail therapy by exploring the array of bohemian fashion shops, rustic furniture stores, and glamorous art galleries. To savour your indulgence, wander the buzzing cobblestone streets for lively flea markets and street markets! Saturdays are said to be the best days to see Seychellois' everyday businesses flourish.