Dubai and the Seychelles (Praslin and Mahé)

One adjective is enough to describe Dubai: exaggerated. From the 800-metre-high skyscrapers to the shopping malls with more than 600 shops, from the 7-star hotels to the artificial slopes where you can ski even at 40 degrees, practically nothing is an exception. Dubai is a cosmopolitan and multicultural city located in the United Arab Emirates on the south-east coast of the Persian Gulf. The city is famous for its modern and innovative architecture, a number of public artworks, including the Dubai Fountain, the largest musical fountain in the world, and the artificial palm tree of Palm Jumeirah, one of the largest artificial islands in the world. The city also has a strong food culture and is home to many fine restaurants serving international cuisines. Despite its modernity, Dubai also has a strong cultural identity. The city is home to numerous museums, such as the Dubai Museum and the Women's Museum, which present the history and culture of the United Arab Emirates. Famous is the traditional Souk in Deira, a traditional market where one can find textiles, spices and other traditional goods.

With stunning white sand beaches and lush tropical forests covering the hills, Praslin is a delight. Despite being the second biggest island in the Seychelles it has fraction of the population, inhabited by a mere 6,500 people. It is sleepy, laid back and far less developed than neighbouring Mahe, yet still large enough to explore when you tire of your nearest beach. The beaches on Praslin stand out, with famous names like Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette frequently making top ten lists of best beaches and most beautiful destinations worldwide, and with good reason. Cote D'Or is another great draw too. But Praslin is also the only island where you can enjoy an 18 hole round of golf on a championship course, or discover the amazing Coco De Mer, an exotic plant that lead to the belief the Seychelles were the true Garden of Eden. It's a great base for day trips to neighbouring islands, too; where you can visit the amazing sea birds on Cousine Island, explore the hills and mangroves and meet giant tortoises in the wild on Curieuse, or go swimming or scuba diving around St Pierre or any one of the fantastic dive sites around the island.

Mahe may be the biggest and most populated island in the Seychelles, housing roughly 90% of the nation's 89,000 citizens, but with the majority of people living in and around the capital of Victoria in the north east of the island it is easy to escape and find your own Robinson Crusoe experience. The joy of Mahe is the variety the island offers: yes, more beach hopping than you could possibly squeeze into a two week holiday, but also waterfalls, jungle, mountain walks and stunning viewpoints, with a whole host of activities from rock climbing to sea kayaking and scuba diving. The beaches are wonderful and many are on a par with those found on Praslin and La Digue, but if you like to mix your beach break with exploration and adventure Mahe is a delight to drive around and find your own corner. But the city of Victoria also makes for a great day trip, with a botanical garden, market and various sights.