Seychelles

Seychelles is what happens when geology, biology, and sheer luck conspire to create paradise. These 115 islands scattered across the western Indian Ocean are the only mid-oceanic granite islands on Earth - ancient fragments of the supercontinent Gondwana that broke away 75 million years ago. The result is beaches that look like they were designed by a sculptor rather than by erosion, with massive smooth boulders framing powdery white sand and turquoise water so clear you can count fish from the shore.

But Seychelles is far more than a honeymoon backdrop. With a population of just 100,000, it is Africa's smallest country and one of the most unusual nations anywhere. The Vallee de Mai on Praslin island is home to the coco de mer palm, which produces the world's largest seed - a suggestively shaped nut that can weigh up to 25 kilograms. Aldabra Atoll hosts the world's largest population of giant tortoises, outnumbering the entire human population of the islands. And the Seychellois themselves are a Creole blend of African, French, Indian, and Chinese heritage, speaking three official languages and cooking a fusion cuisine that is entirely their own.