16 Nights Africa

Sandwiched between the Indian Ocean and a mountain backdrop, Port Louis blends Mauritius modernity and tradition. The Caudan Waterfront entices shoppers with fashion, local crafts and live entertainment. Domaine les Pailles, with its 18th-century ox-driven sugar mill and colonial architecture, houses a new casino. Seek out the capital city's vast Bazaar, built in 1828, for spices, souvenirs and a lunch of fried noodles. For great views, hike the pedestrians-only road up Signal Mountain.

Antsiranana, also known as Diego Suarez, is a port city in northern Madagascar. It sits on Antsiranana Bay, a vast natural harbor made up of several smaller bays. Offshore, conical Nosy Lonja, or Sugar Loaf Island, is considered sacred by locals. Long, sandy Ramena Beach lies to the northeast. The city's French colonial architecture is highlighted by the old covered market and the ruins of the Hôtel de la Marine.

Nosy Be means "big island" and it is just that; a large island off the northwest coast of Madagascar. Here you'll find volcanic lakes, lazy lemurs, rum distilleries, Ylang Ylang plantations and intricate coral reefs that are practically begging to be explored. Flora and fauna lovers will be in seventh heaven at the beautiful Lokobe Nature Special Reserve. Audiophiles should visit in May, to experience the four-day Donia Music Festival

Mamoudzou is the coastal capital city of the French overseas region of Mayotte, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Boats dot its harbor, and the nearby Marché Couvert sells fresh produce and handicrafts. Local landmarks include Mtsapéré Mosque, with its white minaret, and the 1957 Notre-Dame de Fatima church. Nearby beaches include Trévani, to the north, and the small Plage du Phare, to the south.

The Zanzibar Archipelago, located in the Indian ocean 15 miles off the coast of Tanzania, is a breathtaking spot to escape from the world. Youll enjoy clear, turquoise blue water  shallow sandbars perfect for wading  and many small, nearly deserted islands virtually unvisited by tourists. Explore the World Heritage Site of Stone Town, Zanzibar City s old quarter. or just go beach to beach between tiny fishing villages each one s better than the next

The Zanzibar Archipelago, located in the Indian ocean 15 miles off the coast of Tanzania, is a breathtaking spot to escape from the world. Youll enjoy clear, turquoise blue water  shallow sandbars perfect for wading  and many small, nearly deserted islands virtually unvisited by tourists. Explore the World Heritage Site of Stone Town, Zanzibar City s old quarter. or just go beach to beach between tiny fishing villages each one s better than the next

Mombasa, with a population of 900,000, is no sleepy seaside village. Its beachfront hotels appeal to travelers in search of sun, sand and surf, while its Arab, Indian and colonial European heritage makes for a wide variety of sights to see. Can't find a taxi? Travel by tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled auto rickshaw.

Mombasa, with a population of 900,000, is no sleepy seaside village. Its beachfront hotels appeal to travelers in search of sun, sand and surf, while its Arab, Indian and colonial European heritage makes for a wide variety of sights to see. Can't find a taxi? Travel by tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled auto rickshaw.

Arriving at La Digue feels like sailing straight into a painting, brimming with brush strokes of blue, green and tan. The beaches here are spectacular, particularly Grand Anse and Anse Source d'Argent, which is strewn with pink granite rocks. There are very few cars here, so traveling by bike or by ox cart is the way to go

One of the Seychelles' most popular destinations, Praslin is home to fantastic beaches and intimate hotels and resorts. Soak up the sun in style while you keep a sunglassed eye out for the very rare bird species that dwell on Praslin, including the Seychelles bulbul and the black parrot. Praslin National Park in the island's south contains the spectacular palm forest of Vallée de Mai. Divers love the ancient coral reefs off Praslin's shores.

Seychelles is one of the most exotic island destinations in Eastern Africa. And while a lot of people assume that it only consists of white sandy beaches and clear blue ocean, this is actually untrue. Apart from a beautiful coastline, Seychelles also has mountains and national parks which make for a good hiking trail.

Sandwiched between the Indian Ocean and a mountain backdrop, Port Louis blends Mauritius modernity and tradition. The Caudan Waterfront entices shoppers with fashion, local crafts and live entertainment. Domaine les Pailles, with its 18th-century ox-driven sugar mill and colonial architecture, houses a new casino. Seek out the capital city's vast Bazaar, built in 1828, for spices, souvenirs and a lunch of fried noodles. For great views, hike the pedestrians-only road up Signal Mountain.