Zanzibar

Ancient Islamic ruins, winding streets of bustling bazaars and the call to prayer floating across rooftops. Not the scene you'd expect on a trip to East Africa, but after a safari through Tanzania, Stone Town on Zanzibar's mainland stands out as a relic of centuries of traders who stopped on the spice route from India, Persia, Oman, Egypt, Portugal... These days, however, the invaders are more likely to be celebs sunning themselves on the deck of a dhow around the islands of the Zanzibar archipelago.

And when it comes to ultimates, Mnemba Island takes the coconut. Just off the north coast of Zanzibar, it rivals Bora Bora and the Maldives for a space at the top of the world's most romantic coral atoll islands list.

Head here after a day or two of touring the spice plantations, with the fragance of cloves and cardamon still clinging to you, and sit back and enjoy unspoilt paradise. With blissfully breezy bungalows and the hypnotic sound of the Indian Ocean lapping, it's clear why Zanzibar has sedated even the explosive likes of Naomi Campbell, and lured thousands of adventurers before you.

Stay where Naomi does
If Naomi didn't throw her mobile about at Mnemba Island Lodge, that must speak volumes for its calm-inducing beauty. With a personal butler and exotic delicacies rowed in fresh each day, who needs a phone anyway?
Go to www.mnemba.com

While you're there

Life of a Sultan
Spend a day at the World Heritage Site of Stone Town and explore the ancient ruins. The Kidichi Persian Baths built by the first Sultan of Zanzibar, Sultan Said Said bin Sultan in 1850 and the Maruhubi Palace Ruins, built by the third Sultan of Zanzibar, Sultan Said Baraghash Bin Said in 1880, for housing his harem of 99 no less, are both must-sees.

Join in the celebrations
Go there in July and you'll witness the Zanzibar International Film Festival, also called the Festival of The Dhow countries - a celebration of music, films and art of Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Arabia and India as well as the Indian Ocean islands.

Spice things up
Take a half-day tour out of Stone Town to the spice plantations and stock up on all the cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla you can carry.