Seychelles and Mauritius are perfect spots to forget the world, when you'll want to get lost in your own little universe.

Welcome to Honeymoooner's paradise. Two sets of islands, each pristine in its own way, and yet developed enough to make it the ultimate honeymoon getaway. Seychelles, is one of the few, if not the only place in the world where you can have an entire beach to yourselves in the height of the tourist season. Mauritius on the other hand, offers honeymooners the best of both worlds…the privacy they desire and a chance to enjoy the frenetic city life as and when they chose to surface. So, let's discover these idyllic isles, which over the years have become the favourite haunts of honeymooners from around the world.

The Seychelles are a group of 115 islands, spread over 400,000 kilometres, just off the coast of East Africa. But seem like a million miles from anywhere. Just 70,000 people live on the entire group of islands, making them the least populated group of islands on earth. A world where time seems to have stood still, ever since the islands rose from the sea, 600 million years ago. It's almost as though it was willed that these should be the isles where romance blloms as naturally as the wild orchids around. Quiet lagoons, golden white beaches, lapped by acquamarine waters, coconut trees as far as the eye can see…Seychelles is a tropical paradise in every sense of the word.

Our tour begins at the largest island in the archipelago, Mahe. Although the island covers an area measuring just 152-sq. km., the Seychellois consider it the centre of their world. Like most islands in the Seychelles, Mahe has a silvery white, sandy coastline, surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. But the island rises to a height of almost 3000 feet, with lush green hills, which are often shrouded in mist. From the sea level, it's difficult to imagine that there's a lush tropical forest that exists amid the clouds. Mahe has a host of hotels on the beach, all of which are made to conform to the islands strict development code. Which means that you won't find any buildings taller than a coconut tree, to begin with. And your cottage could be a nice stucco, and thatch affair, which seems lto simply blend in with the landscape. There's nothing more romantic than being lulled to sleep by the sound of waves lapping by the beach. On the other hand, you won't need an alarm clock here. The crashing waves will do just fine, thank you.

Mahe is a romantic little city that lives in another era altogether. Old plantation houses, Churches, market stalls and curio vendors form an enchanting backdrop to the island's real attraction. If you're in the mood for some exotic seafood, drive through South Mahe and stop off at the little village of Takamaka for lunch. Swim. Dive. Laze around on the beach. Explore the fish and spice markets in Victoria, one of the world's smallest capitals. Hold your loved one as you sip the local aphrodisiac, Coco D'amour and watch the sun being swallowed by the sea. The secret of enjoying your holiday in Seychelles is to relax. With a capital 'R'. And when you're on your honeymoon, the other 'R', seems to come more naturally in these magical environs. For life here moves at its own, leisurely pace and since you wanted to get away from it all…it doesn't get further away than this!

Well, actually it does. From Mahe, head for the Island of Romance, Praslin. Praslin has lush palm forests in Vallee de Mai, which are home to one of the most unusual fruits in the world. The Coco-de-Mer palm, which has strange, bi-lobed nuts, shaped like the female pelvis. Pralsin is also home to the rare black parrot and one of the most beautiful beaches that you'll ever see, Anse Lazio. One beach, you'll never want to leave.

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