Indian Ocean Holidays

You’ll see cultural highlights like Sigiriya Rock and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, have the chance to journey through Tea Country on a scenic train ride, and there’s even the opportunity to take an elephant safari. Your transfers are taken care of, so you can sit back and watch the passing scenery on the drives between destinations. Every Kuoni tour in Sri Lanka will have a private chauffeur-driver. More than just a driver, your guide will become a constant companion – knowledgeable about everything to do with Sri Lanka, from culture to food, wildlife, general knowledge, politics and history; you’ll find yourself in endless conversation. They know exactly what you need and when.

Bursting with diverse and unexpected treasures, Sri Lanka is a cultural lover's paradise and is well known for its beach resorts that stretch the extensive coastline. Sri Lanka is home rock temples, ruins of sacred cities and fortresses all of which are staggering sights to behold. If that isn't quite enough to tempt you, Sri Lanka's naturally spectacular interior is home to the stunning tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya. In contrast, the bucket-list-topping atolls of the Maldives give you chance to completely switch off, toes-in-sand style.

Mix some adventure with relaxation on this twin centre. La Reunion is much more off the beaten track than larger Mauritius. Both islands are great for exploring if you're looking to get out and about on your next holiday.Most visitors tend to spend three to five nights on La Reunion. It has a feel more like Hawaii than the Indian Ocean and is best seen on 4x4 adventures, or even from the sky on a helicopter flight over the island where you'll be in awe of the dramatic Volcanic landscapes. There's still the coastal beach hotels that you'd expect in the Indian Ocean. On Mauritius, you still get the idyllic beaches but again, there's mountain peaks to explore and marine adventures to undertake. Local towns are good to explore - you can dine out, eat streetfood and shop for keepsakes.

Mauritius shares the reputation for stunning beaches, excellent diving and fabulous beach resorts that you'll find on other islands within the Indian Ocean, but here there's a little more to do if going beyond the beach is on your holiday wishlist. It's famed for it's championship golf courses, buzzing markets and street food from it's diverse cultural heritage and the simplicity of getting around the island to explore.

The only thing better than spending your time lazing on one of Mauritius's beautiful beaches is the chance the scene and head to a second beach-front resort. Much is made of which of the island's coast is best – north, south, east or west – and on this two-stop break, you can experience two of the four and make your own mind up. Pairing up LUX* Grand Gaube and LUX* Belle Mare is a particularly perfect holiday for families as both resorts have exceptional features and facilities for guests of all ages.

With so much variety on offer, a visit to the Seychelles is certainly not a case of once you’ve seen one island, you’ve seen them all. A combination of the two largest islands of Mahé and Praslin is the perfect option for those that want to experience the Seychelles’ varying landscapes and spectacular beaches. For an ultraluxe, twin-island experience we highly recommend staying at the Constance sister properties: Constance Ephelia on Mahé, which overlooks a pristine marine park, and the idyllic hideaway, Constance Lemuria on Pralin’s west coast.

Nature-lovers will get the most from a holiday that includes Mahé and Silhouette, where extraordinary national parks await. Mahe is home to Victoria, the country’s bustling capital and a host of smaller towns and villages, while mist-cloaked Silhouette is almost untouched. The only signs of human habitation on this protected island are the small village of La Passe and the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa.

Island-hopping in the Seychelles is a fabulous way to get a real sense of life in the Indian Ocean. Visit busy Mahé and wonderfully rustic Praslin before heading to La Digue, where village life exists at a slower pace. There are very few cars here, with bicycles the main mode of transport and traditional ox carts used to move both people and produce from one place to the next. The natural environment is very much a part of island life and it’s not hard to see why. Large, smooth ancient granite boulders rest on the water’s edge, partitioning secluded bays and it’s easy to feel off the beaten track as you hike back towards your resort in the island’s centre.

After touching down in Colombo, dedicate some time to this scintillating city – there’s enough to do to hold your attention for a day or two. Then shift gears, slowing the pace as you luxuriate on glorious Bentota's golden sand beaches.

Here you’ll find all the swanky pool-meets-white-sand resorts you’d expect from a romantic destination. But these volcanic islands have another side to them too. With mountainous peaks, cascading falls and jungle-like forests, they’re a playground for adventure-seekers. Scenery wise, you’re in for a serious treat – whatever you do, don’t forget your camera.