Seychelles

Day 1: Four Seasons Resort. The Gailles’ favorite beach vacation remains the Seychelles. The Seychelles Four Seasons Resort is a collection of private villas, rather than rooms, perched along lush hillsides above a crescent cove. Each villa has its own private pool.

Day 2: The Beach. The Four Seasons bay is protected by rocky outcrops, which make the water remarkably still. When you get tired of snorkeling among the boulders, lay on a chaise under the trees lining the beach.

Day 3: Circle Island Tour. Rent a car and spend the day exploring Mahe Island. Start with Le Jardin du Roi, a lush spice and botanical garden, followed by Victoria Town and its markets. After lunch in Victoria head to the highlands and hike Morne Seychellois National Park and enjoy the view from Mission Lodge – the highest point on the island accessible by road. Stop next at the SeyTé Tea factory and plantation, where you can take a tour of its operations and experience a tea tasting. Finish the day by leisurely driving along the west coast to Cap Ternay, stopping to enjoy the beautiful beaches along the way.

Day 4: Praslin Island. Fly out on the first departure to neighboring Praslin Island and rent a car. Spend the morning at the World Heritage Site of the Vallée de Mai. Hike its trails through prehistoric forests and admire the largest nut in the world – the Coco de Mer. For lunch, stop at the Raffles Beach Resort. Then head to Anse Lazio, often cited as the most beautiful beach in the world. The blue water laps against a crescent of white sand ringed by takamaka and palm trees. On the far end of the beach, there also is a pile of granite boulders. Be careful swimming here, though, as the bay opens straight to the ocean, without any protective reef. Large sharks may visit into the bay. Two snorkelers were killed in broad daylight by sharks about twenty yards from shore in 2011. Forensic experts pulled the tooth of a great white from one body. Take the last flight back to Mahe, or stay a few more days at the Raffles.

Hotels: Four Seasons Resort

Photo Tip: Boulders at Anse Lazio