A nation that has experienced periods of both French and British rule, the Seychelles is now proud in its independence, supporting a population with a distinct Creole identity, its own language and strong cultural values. The people of the Seychelles are friendly and welcoming of visitors and are undoubtedly one of the islands’ most significant appeals. The islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue are the main tourist destinations with Mahe being home to the city of Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles. Each of the islands has its own attractions as well as varying degrees of development in terms of visitor infrastructure. Mahe is perhaps the most developed and the island into which the majority of international visitors will fly. Year-round warm weather makes the Seychelles the ideal destination to visit irrespective of the season. Average temperatures of 29°C see no shortage of visitors looking to escape the ravages of cold European or North American winters; while summer holidaymakers looking for lazy beach vacations also arrive in their thousands in the period from May to October. The Seychelles has a pretty solid visitor infrastructure, which includes good transportation options with a major airport situated just outside of the capital city of Victoria. Accommodation options are plentiful with everything from international chain hotel establishments to self-catering properties. With tourism currently the nation’s biggest industry, attention to treating visitors well and providing all necessary comforts and conveniences is something of a priority for all involved. | 
