A sublime archipelago, where exotic beaches are lapped by coral-filled waters and island hopping is a way of life.  

Charismatic Stone Town, with its magical mix of markets and mosques, museums, and Swahili hotels, is a real joy. Lose yourself for hours amongst its maze of shop-filled alleyways before enjoying an evening dining on fresh seafood whilst overlooking the ocean. Also high on the agenda should be a walking spice tour (where you can learn the fascinating history of Zanzibar’s spice trade), and a trek into mangroves of Jozani Forest National Park, home to one of the rarest primates in Africa, the red colobus monkey.

Yet without doubt the biggest draw to Zanzibar are the dazzling sands along the Indian Ocean. Here, heavenly beaches are uncrowded pockets of paradise where boutique hotels promise sun-blushed seclusion, perfect for a romantic getaway.