Zanzibar

Hailed the newest ‘island paradise’; Zanzibar has whiter-than-white sands, stunning locations, sumptuous accommodation and a smile to light anyone’s heart. Both magical and mysterious, it truly lives up to its exotic reputation.<br /> <br /> Like Kathmandu or Shangri-La, the name alone conjures up a destination steeped in mystery and magical allure. A melting pot of far-flung cultures, centuries-old traditions, colour-saturated nature, traditional dhows and vivid tales of spice merchants, sultans and Persian palaces, these exotic 'spice islands' once welcomed travellers from all over the globe, each bringing a little of their own culture and trading all sorts over many centuries. These days the hub of the island is Zanzibar Town, with Stone Town – a labyrinth of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and extravagant Arab villas – at its heart.<br /> <br /> But while Stone Town is the main attraction, Zanzibar’s other big draw is the jaw-dropping, powder-soft, white-sand beaches: the finest in all of East Africa.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

CAPITAL CITY | Stone Town
TIME DIFFERENCE | GMT +2 hours
BEST TIME TO VISIT | Jul-Aug
CURRENCY | Tanzanian Shilling