The islands of the Indian Ocean are surprisingly varied, ranging from cultural melting pots to dots on the horizon - it’s important to pick the right one for you! The gorgeous islands of the Maldives are probably the most beautiful beach destination we’ve ever been to - picture postcard stuff, and then some! Each resort is an island in its own right, and as you can't really get off your island it’s important to make sure that your resort is ideal for you. The Maldives is perfect for relaxation and gentle activity - if it’s sightseeing and culture you’re after, you’re in the wrong place! Water based activities are popular - if you want decent snorkelling and diving (it’s world-class here) then look for an island with a house reef, or if you prefer to potter in the shallows with a good book and a glass of sauvignon blanc (we’re definitely the latter!) then you need an island with a lagoon. Some resorts come with hefty price tags, so it’s important to get things right! ...

As the wedding season approaches, we take a look at some of their most popular destinations for honeymooners. If your idea of the ultimate romantic honeymoon is to be alone with just the love of your life, then look no further than the Maldives . Hundreds of tiny islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a stunningly beautiful destination where romance comes easily. Lazy days on the beach, beautiful sunsets and understated service are the order of the day here – forget sightseeing and partying! Resorts do vary quite considerably, and as you can’t really leave your island once you’re there its important to get the right one for you. Larger islands tend to offer a range of facilities and more of a village feel, ideal for those who like a little more activity, while some islands are little more than a dot on the horizon, perfect for a real get-away-from-it-all. From the moment you land at the airport, the beauty and romance of the Maldives really does take your breath a...

The beautiful Indian Ocean island of Mauritius is a melting pot of people and cultures, and is one of the world’s most exotic destinations. Karen  loves the destination. The island of Mauritius seems like just a small dot on the map hundreds of miles off the African coast, but as soon as you arrive you’ll find out there’s a surprising amount to it, and while Mauritius may be seen to many as a place to soak up the sun and relax on the beach, there’s plenty more to see and do. Golf is hugely popular here with a range of excellent courses, the most spectacular of which is probably the Bernhard Langer course on Ile Aux Cerfs, a beautiful island just off-shore. Take a quad bike through the sugar cane plantations, go diving on the coral barrier reef that encircles most of the 200 mile coastline, learn to cook creole-style or be pampered in an award-winning spa. Mauritius offers some of the world’s best hotels, with properties such as Shangri-La's Le Touessrok and Le Saint Géran ...

Throughout December we're having a look back at some of our favourite trips from 2016 - just last month Darren visited Kenya and was blown away by the wildlife of this magical destination. But he found a lot more besides, with beautiful landscapes, fabulous beaches along the coast, superb places to stay and he even managed a lively night out in vibrant Nairobi!   On Safari in Kenya Over the last few weeks I've been completely enthralled by David Attenborough's 'Planet Earth II' series, and while I wouldn't class myself as a wildlife buff I get very excited on safari. In November I spent four nights on safari and four nights on the beach, which is the ideal mix for part-time Attenborough's like me! On this trip I flew by light aircraft from Nairobi to the Masai Mara - I've been to Kenya a few times before and on my last visit I had a 4x4 vehicle to take in three different areas of the country, starting in Samburu in the north of Kenya before headi...

Mark is a great fan of Mombasa in Kenya and on his recent visit he did a bit of shopping: Whenever I travel overseas I always bring back a few knickknack souvenirs, despite the fact I have a house full of the stuff anyway – wooden carvings, paintings, spice boxes and the like. When I go to Mombasa, though, I buy stuff more for fun of the bartering than the goods themselves. On this trip I’d set myself a mission – I wanted a small plate to use as a spoon tray in the kitchen at home, and under no circumstances was I to buy any form of wooden carving – and definitely not an animal of any nature. Bartering for souvenirs on the beaches of Mombasa can be quite an intimidating process if you’re not expecting it – lots of sellers shouting random prices to you faster than you can work out the Sterling equivalent. On past trips I’d also been asked for pens and socks as these items are harder to get hold of in Kenya, so on this occasion I’d come prepared. Armed with my previous experi...

Off the radar for a while, the stunning beach destination of Mombasa , Kenya is back. The Kenya Coast has some really fantastic beaches and a good range of hotels. Historic Mombasa city is on an island, with plenty of interest while the beaches extend to the North and South of the city. The North Coast is the more developed of the two, with more facilities outside of the hotels, and more visitors - if you’re looking for activities, it’s ideal. The South Coast is less developed, and is perfect for a more relaxing holiday with Diani Beach regularly being voted the best beach in Africa - beaches here are wider and whiter, and hotels here tend to be a little more spacious. North of Mombasa, the beaches of Watamu and Malindi are an excellent place to unwind, with coral reefs and more of a village feel. It’s easy to do a short safari from Mombasa and popular one is the 2 night ‘Tsavo Explorer’ excursion which includes one night in TsavoEast National Park...

The islands of the Indian Ocean are amongst the most beautiful in the world, and we’re huge fans of this region having visited most parts of it over the years. From the castaway beaches of the Maldives to the culture of India & Sri Lanka, this is a truly fascinating part of the world. Sri Lanka is a particular favourite of ours and we’ve all been several times - to our mind the best way to see this island is with your own private car & driver, to explore the interior before heading to the beach - or onwards to the Maldives . Sri Lanka is one of the friendliest destinations you’re likely to visit, with an incredible history and beautiful scenery. The nearby islands of the Maldives are just dots on the map, but their beauty really does take your breath away. Each island is individual so getting the right one is important - some have loads of facilities, some are total chill-out. Our favourites include stylish Velassaru, Kuramathi Island with is range of dining optio...

Darren and Mark from our office met up with TV presenter and explorer Simon Reeve this week, chatting about his BBC2 programme 'Indian Ocean' and his adventures in this beautiful part of the world. If you want to follow in Simon's footsteps then catch the next installment of his programme this Sunday on BBC2 at 8pm, or visit the destinations yourself by visiting  www.indianoceanescapes.co.uk  or calling Escape Worldwide on020 8989 0970 today. Snorkelling in the Maldives    " Before I went I presumed the brochures must have been airbrushed or photoshopped, but the Maldives really is that beautiful! When we went snorkelling, I found myself surrounded by 8 giant manta rays swimming in formation - it was so mesmerising I forgot to breathe and my snorkel fell out of my mouth!" Our Top Tip At the Kuramathi Island Resort , guests can visit the Eco Centre to get involved with the coral reef research and to learn about the programme to improve environmenta...

Hi All, Mark and I were lucky enough meet TV presenter and adventure and all round nice guy Simon Reeve at a Kuoni Holidays event last night. Simon started the evening with a fantastic chat, reliving the experiences from his recent trip around the stunning Indian Ocean. Watch this space for more info from the evening! Happy Travelling! Darren Escape Worldwide - Home of Long Haul Holidays  http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk