Dubai and the Seychelles (Praslin and Mahé)

Dubai rises where the desert meets the Persian Gulf, a futuristic metropolis born in the span of a few decades and become a symbol of ambition and modernity. Its skyline is dominated by the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, at whose feet stretch the Dubai Fountain and the colossal Dubai Mall. Along the coast extends the artificial palm of Palm Jumeirah, while the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel has become the icon of the city's luxury. Yet Dubai also keeps an older soul: in the historic Al Fahidi district, with its wind-tower houses and the lanes of Bastakiya, and along the Creek, the waterway crossed on traditional abra boats to reach the gold and spice souks of Deira. The surrounding desert invites dune safaris, dinners under the stars and 4x4 rides, while the cuisine ranges from Emirati delicacies to high-end international dining. Among golden beaches, man-made islands and futuristic attractions, the city never stops reinventing itself: new districts like Dubai Marina and Downtown sparkle with lights at night, and Bluewaters Island is home to the Ain Dubai observation wheel. Shopping is an art, from climate-controlled malls to fragrant markets, and Arab hospitality is felt everywhere. Dubai is a gateway between East and West, where Bedouin tradition and a vision of the future coexist in a perpetual play of superlatives.

Praslin, the archipelago's second island, guards one of the Seychelles' most extraordinary natural treasures: the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage forest reserve where the endemic coco de mer palms grow and the rare black parrot survives. Among its beaches, Anse Lazio is regularly ranked among the world's finest, with pale sand, sculpted granite boulders and crystalline water ideal for snorkelling; nearby Anse Georgette enchants with its secluded perfection. The calmer eastern coast holds resorts and fishing villages, while reefs teeming with fish and turtles make the island a prime diving destination. Praslin is also the springboard for boat excursions to La Digue, Curieuse and the islet of Saint Pierre. Praslin blends primeval forest with dream beaches, a rare balance of wild nature and tropical ease.

Mahé is the largest of the Seychelles islands and the beating heart of the archipelago, home to the international airport, the tiny capital Victoria and more than sixty beaches framed by forest-clad granite hills. Victoria, one of the world's smallest capitals, is easily explored on foot: the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke market with its stalls of fish, spices and tropical fruit, the clock tower modelled on London's, the colourful Hindu temple and the botanical gardens where giant tortoises roam and the famous coco de mer grows. The coast strings together postcard sands: broad and lively Beau Vallon, perfect for swimming and evening dining; dramatic, surf-pounded Anse Intendance; and the quieter coves of the south, sheltered by the reef. The mountainous interior is crowned by Morne Seychellois National Park, laced with trails climbing through ferns, palms and endemic plants to ocean viewpoints. Creole cuisine — grilled fish, curries, chutneys and local rum — rounds off days of snorkelling, diving and boat trips to the neighbouring islands. Mahé brings lush nature, turquoise sea and authentic island life together in one place, the ideal gateway to the whole archipelago.