Seychelles is a comparatively young nation that can trace its first settlement back to 1770 when the islands were first settled by the French, leading a small party of Europeans, Indians, and Africans.

Seychelles have long been the focus of travelers; even before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century, the islands were visited by Malay and Arab seafarers from 300 BC, who sold the precious coconuts from the islands’ palms.

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British seafarers discovered Seychelles in 1609. Apparently, the islands seemed useless to the discoverers at that time, because it was not until 1768 that French colonists ensured permanent settlement and an intensive plantation economy. In the course of the Peace of Paris (1814), Seychelles was granted to Great Britain.

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Under British care, the slave economy previously introduced and practiced by the French settlers continued until 1865. Moreover, Seychelles was a place where unpopular citizens of the mother country could be deported without much fuss.

The three main inhabited islands are Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue and the official languages are English, French, and Seychellois Creole.

Seychelles have some of the most beautiful and photographed beaches in the world, from Beau Vallon and Baie Ternay of Mahé to those of the Marine Park of Sainte Anne, from the island of Praslin to the nearby resorts of La Digue, St Pierre, and Curieuse.
 

Seychelles' travel destination never became a mass product, so tourists are well distributed among the islands. This is due to an ingenious concept of the government, which wants to maintain the originality of the islands and ensures a scarce supply of Seychelles hotels. Even today, therefore, you can often find practically deserted beaches that promise particularly relaxing holidays.