Indian Ocean

The world’s fourth-largest island is alive with fauna and flora that are indigenous here and nowhere else on the globe. The northern reaches of the country offer marine reserves where water visibility is more than 30 feet deep resulting in a snorkeling and diving paradise. Some reefs have yet to be discovered and have never been dived before. Canyoning and kitesurfing are best in show.

All manner of lemur and a dense concentration of strange and wonderful wildlife are just waiting to be discovered in virgin rainforests. The southern loop is home to vast forests of Baobab trees.

Malagasy are welcoming and generous people and nowhere is this more apparent than at their table. Colonial influences from France and Portugal prevail making this a surprising foodie destination.

Mozambique is the darling of romance and honeymoon. Think unspoiled archipelagos with marine reserves, miles of beaches littered with sand dollars, colorful local fishing boats, and drastic tides. Vestiges of Portuguese colonial reign remain expressed in iconic architecture and music, and especially in the country’s culinary offerings.

Stellar boutique resorts and private villas abound where chefs and butlers attend to your every need. After a day of ‘ocean safari’ where game fishing in the Mozambique Channel is a highly coveted experience, dine on Peri Peri Prawns paired with a crisp Viño Verde.

The ‘Spice Island’ is a mysterious and exotic island off the coast of Tanzania. As the historic nexus of the world’s spice trade, it generated untold wealth. Sultan’s Palaces, merchant mansions, and exclusive beach hideaways abound.

The real hidden gem in Zanzibar is Stone Town, with its artisanal coffee shops, bustling outdoor markets, and spice farms that grow cloves, nutmeg, and cardamom. Mornings can be spent swimming with dolphins and kitesurfing and evenings exploring hookah bars and restaurants serving inspirational dishes that fuse Swahili, Arabic, and European cuisine.

One of the greatest rooftop dining experiences in all of Africa is in Stone Town. The convergence of sights, sounds, and aromas is unparalleled.

This remote jewel in the Indian Ocean encapsulates barefoot luxury. This group of 1,192 islands spans the equator in the Indian Ocean.

Conjure images of sparkling turquoise water, silky white sand, epic sunsets, and over-water villas. The archipelago's protected marine environment allows myriad fish and coral to thrive and welcomes elusive whale sharks, turtles, and giant manta rays.

As you can imagine, translucent paddle boarding, snorkeling, and diving are world-renowned.

Mauritius is a vibrant cultural crossroads and nowhere is this more evident than in the island’s cuisine. It delivers a sense of a Creole-inspired place combined with influences from Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The island offers rich historical experiences centered around its colonial past and the once-thriving sugar and rum industries. Mauritius is particularly family-friendly with a multitude of welcoming resorts. A short hop from the African continent, the island is an ideal way to end a family safari trip.

The Seychelles archipelago personifies romance and intimacy.

It is the very pinnacle for exclusive and luxurious honeymoons and anniversaries. The beaches are as fine as talcum powder, the water is azure blue and the embrace from native Seychellois is all-enveloping.

The outer islands are the real treats—Robinson Crusoe never had it this good. Against the backdrop of huge granite boulders and deserted beaches, feast on sumptuous seafood picnics and roam around with giant tortoises. The fishing and snorkeling experiences in the Seychelles are unrivaled.

Sri Lanka is about finely balanced itineraries: colonial life at its best at luxurious tea plantations high in the swirling mists of the highlands; alluring wildlife—sloths, leopards, elephant buffalo, crocodiles, bears, and amazing birdlife, and all manner of flora in Yala National Park.

Colombo is a culmination of old and new, palaces, temples, mosques, gardens, gleaming skyscrapers … a gateway to exploring the country. Explore the sub-continent and its palm-fringed beaches and private beach peninsulas along the Cape Welligama coastline.

Consider adding the divine serenity of the Maldives, a mere one-hour plane ride away, to your itinerary for a stellar combination.