A quick island shower greeted us as we arrived in Zanzibar - and honestly, it felt like the perfect welcome. Within minutes, the rain had passed, the warm air rolled in, and the whole trip already felt like the start of something unforgettable.

Our drive from the airport to Stone Town was relaxed and scenic, and the moment we arrived, the warm welcome made us feel instantly at home and ready to explore.

Although we arrived too early to check in, we were invited to use the hotel’s rooftop facilities — which turned out to be the perfect first taste of Zanzibar. We paused, breathed in the sea air and eased straight into island mode.

Stone Town was bursting with history, colour and character. Its ancient fort, winding streets and carved doors gave every corner a story, while our hotel’s location made it easy to step out and discover something new around every turn.

One of our first adventures was a short boat ride to Prison Island. The water was dazzlingly clear, and seeing Stone Town from the sea added an exciting sense of adventure to the day.

Prison Island was a brilliant mix of history, charm and postcard-perfect views, with little shops, sweeping sea views and, of course, the famous giant tortoises. The water was warm, clear and glowing in shades of turquoise and blue, making the island feel instantly magical. Meeting the tortoises was a real highlight - slow, gentle and almost timeless, as if each one carried its own quiet story from another era.

The oldest tortoise was said to be around 200 years old, while some were only a few days old. I also happened to visit during mating season, which made the experience even more unusual and memorable. Afterwards, we spent time on the beach, simply taking in the peaceful surroundings.

Later that same day, we joined a Spice Tour, complete with a cultural lunch and a walk through the farm. As someone who enjoys cooking, I loved seeing, smelling and learning about the spices Zanzibar is famous for, it brought the island’s flavours and food culture to life in such a memorable way.

Another day was spent exploring Stone Town properly. We wandered through the streets, did a little shopping, visited the Freddie Mercury Museum and ended the outing with a buffet lunch at Lukmaan Swahili Restaurant.

We also stopped at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, a beautiful and historic church that added another layer to Stone Town’s charm. Later, we cooled down with coffee at Karafuu Coffee House, where the views made it a lovely place to escape the heat for a while.

Evenings in Stone Town were full of atmosphere. We visited the buzzing food market, where the stalls offered an irresistible mix of local flavours, then returned to the hotel for live bands, karaoke and dancing. It was lively, joyful and the perfect way to end each day on a high.

After soaking up the culture and colour of Stone Town, we headed to the East Coast for the slower, sunnier part of the holiday. The roads were busy in places, partly because of potholes and roadworks, but the journey gave us another lively glimpse of everyday island life.

Diamonds Mapenzi Beach Hotel gave us exactly what we were hoping for: a warm welcome, a pretty and comfortable room, air-conditioning, mosquito nets and an easy, relaxed atmosphere that made us slow down almost immediately. The mosquitoes in this area were definitely more active, so the nets were a thoughtful touch. Our days quickly settled into a blissful rhythm of good food, pool time and unlimited cocktails. In the mornings, the beach was quiet and calm, with the tide pulling far out to sea before rolling back in around midday. In the evenings, dinner was served either in the main restaurant or in beautifully arranged themed settings under the stars. The hotel ticked all our boxes, with friendly staff, plenty to do and a relaxed feel that would suit honeymooners, families and solo travellers alike.

Safari Blue started early, with a long drive to the Fumba area, but it was absolutely worth every minute. 

The beaches were stunning, the water was crystal clear, and the snorkelling was some of the best we experienced on the trip. We spotted starfish, relaxed on a sandbank surrounded by water in every direction, and enjoyed a fresh seafood lunch with fruit served in true Swahili style. It was the kind of full, sun-soaked day that makes a holiday feel unforgettable.

We decided to take the hotel shuttle to Nungwi and spend the day exploring the area. There were small shops, lovely restaurants and something for every taste. The beach was incredible because the tide does not pull back in the same way, which meant we could hire beach chairs, relax on the shore and still enjoy a proper ocean swim. I also loved that the beach was enjoyed by locals too, so it did not feel like a place created only for tourists. 

Later in the afternoon, we took a short boat trip of about 15 minutes to Kendwa, which gave us a beautiful view of the hotels along the coastline. When we arrived, the energy completely surprised me — music playing, people everywhere, fires glowing and watersport activities all around, including jet cars, jet skis and water jumping castles. By the time we left it was already dark, which felt a little scary on the water, but our tour guide was excellent and made us feel safe throughout the return journey.

• Our Mnemba Island excursion meant another early start, this time travelling to Matemwe. 

  Watching the sunrise as we left the shore was absolutely beautiful and made the early morning feel more than worthwhile. Mnemba is a small island known for its coral, so snorkelling was the main event - and it did not disappoint.

  After snorkelling, we had time to enjoy the shallow, crystal-clear water — so transparent we could see the pale sand rippling beneath us — before fresh fruit was served. On the way back out to sea, we went looking for dolphins, and a few pods appeared. It was the perfect final highlight and one of those moments I will always remember.

  Sadly, our final day arrived far too quickly. We had an early departure, the roads felt safe, and the busy airport brought us gently back to reality — with full hearts and plenty of memories packed into our bags.

Would I go back to Zanzibar? Absolutely — in a heartbeat.

---