Islands

The Maldives is a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean composed of 26 ring-shaped atolls, which are made up of more than 1,000 coral islands. It's known for its beaches, blue lagoons and extensive reefs. The capital, Malé, has a busy fish market, restaurants and shops on the main road, Majeedhee Magu, and 17th-century Hukuru Miskiy (also known as Friday Mosque) made of carved white coral.

Male' is the capital city of the Maldives and the seat of the executive, legislature and judicial branches of the government of the Maldives. Male' is also the financial and commercial capital of the country. Accordingly major government offices, banks and businesses are based on Male'.

Male' city is one of the most densely populated cities of the world. Administratively neighbouring islands of Villingili and Hulhumale' are considered as constituencies of Male' City. Hulhumale' is an artificially reclaimed island.

Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation, is known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. The mountainous interior includes Black River Gorges National Park, with rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife like the flying fox. Capital Port Louis has sites such as the Champs de Mars horse track, Eureka plantation house and 18th-century Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens.

Mauritius is a tropical playground set in the Indian Ocean, ringed by coral reefs, white sand beaches and clear calm water. World-class holiday resorts are scattered along the island's coastline offering enormous swimming pools, endless water sports and shaded sun loungers a few steps from the sea. The service at these resorts is superb, the facilities excellent and all tastes are catered for: that's the beauty of a Mauritius holiday - it's easy and stress-free with everything conveniently close at hand.

The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa. It's home to numerous beaches, coral reefs and nature reserves, as well as rare animals such as giant Aldabra tortoises. Mahé, a hub for visiting the other islands, is home to capital Victoria. It also has the mountain rainforests of Morne Seychellois National Park and beaches, including Beau Vallon and Anse Takamaka.

The lush greenery you'll find in the Seychelles is due to the country's tropical climate and generally humid conditions, with hot weather and varying volumes of rain throughout the year. The summer (June – September) and the winter (December – March) are the most popular times to visit, so be prepared to book well in advance to get the best hotel rate and to experience this archipelago along with a high volume of visitors.

Zanzibar is a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa. On its main island, Unguja, familiarly called Zanzibar, is Stone Town, a historic trade center with Swahili and Islamic influences. Its winding lanes present minarets, carved doorways and 19th-century landmarks such as the House of Wonders, a former sultan's palace. The northern villages Nungwi and Kendwa have wide beaches lined with hotels.