Trade in that screensaver for the real thing — these totally secluded, completely blissful islands are the stuff of honeymoon dreams.
By: Pam GroutZanzibar, Tanzania
This beguiling archipelago in the Indian Ocean 25 miles off the coast of Tanzania is more than just miles and miles of sandy paradise. It’s chock-full of history with artifacts that date back at least 20,000 years. It was here that Omani Arabs and Indians plied spices and ivory between Africa, Asia and the Middle East in the world’s ancient spice route. Whiffs of exotica are everywhere from the white sails of wooden dhows (boats) to lush clove plantations.
Photo courtesy of Residence Zanzibar
What to Do:
Hop on an excursion with Spice Tours and you’ll tour the former home of British explorer David Livingstone and explore sprawling plantations where you can rub saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, anise and nutmeg between your fingers.
Later, wind your way through Stone Town’s maze of narrow streets, mysterious alleyways and bustling bazaars. Zanzibar’s capital and cultural heart has one grand palace after another built by sultans and spice merchants. Visit The House of Wonders, a ceremonial palace built in 1883 for the Sultan of Zanzibar, shop for trinkets, fabric and spices at the vibrant, open-air Old Town Market and sip some sweet mint tea at open-air cafés.
In the evening, savor a lamp-lit dinner at Forodhani Gardens on the waterfront where, right before sunset, local cooks set up grills, tables and jugs of fresh sugar-cane juice. The natural wonders are just as beguiling. As you wander among the super-sized trees on nature trails in the Jozani Forest, you may catch a glimpse of the legendary Zanzibar leopard. Called chui by locals, some scientists believe the animal to be extinct.
Photo courtesy of Residence Zanzibar
Swahili sorcerers who still practice tribal customs, however, have a different story. They insist the mythical beasts are able to disappear into thin air, but are still seen by a fortunate few. Either way, you can’t miss Jozani’s tribe of red colobus monkeys, a rare species who have existed only here for more than 1,000 years.
Where to Stay:
On a blindingly beautiful mile of sparkling white sand, the Residence Zanzibar is a short hour from Stone Town. The 79 acres once owned by Shirazi princes feature 66 luxuriously appointed villas each with hand-carved furniture, a private butler and a swimming pool (room rates start at about $816 a night and include two meals; theresidence.com).
Photo courtesy of Residence Zanzibar
