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Documents, vaccinations and visas
It is quite indispensable to be in possession of a valid passport.
But you neither need a visa nor any kind of vaccination.
Language
The official language is Creole, but almost all the inhabitants
speak fluent French and English.
Dress
Sporting and informal dress is undoubtedly the most appropriate
for a holiday in the islands, but in the evenings men will
do well to wear long trousers in some of the hotels. And don’t
forget your sunglasses, an electric torch, protective suntan
creams, a cloth hat and, if you are a snorkelling fan, mask,
fins and respirator mouthpiece.
Religion
The population of the Seychelles is for the most part Christian:
Catholic, Anglican and Protestant. There are also Chinese
and Indian minorities, who practice their traditional religions.
Political system
The Seychelles are an independent republic within the British
Commonwealth.
Time zone
During the winter the time difference between the Seychelles
and Italy amounts to three hours (i.e. noon in Italy corresponds
to 3 p.m. in Mahé), but this is reduced to two hours
during the period when summertime (daylight saving) is in
force in Italy.
Transport
Car hire. The best way of visiting the island
of Mahé is to hire a car. All you need is an official
driving licence of your own country. There is a speed limit
of 45 km/h in inhabited centres and you have to drive on the
left.
Public transport. A scheduled bus service
is available at Mahé and Praslin between 5.30 a.m.
and 7.00 p.m. (Attention: reduced service on Sundays!).
Regular ferry and catamaran services operate between the islands
of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.
Currency
One Euro will buy about 6.55 Seychelle Rupees at a bank. The
banks publish the exchange rate fluctuations each day and
you can also change your at the principal hotels.
Credit cards (American Express, Visa, Diners) and traveller’s
cheques are accepted in practically all the hotels.
Banks
The banks are open from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. from Monday
to Friday. Special counters at the airport open on the occasion
of the arrival and departure of international flights.
Security
We would suggest that you keep cash, passports and other valuable
objects in the safe in stalled in the house. Carry only such
cash as is strictly necessary when you go to the beach or
on trips.
Voltage
The electricity supply throughout the Seychelles is 240 V,
three-phase. All the equipment installed at Villa Rochelle designed for this voltage.
Telephones
The dialling code for the Seychelles is 00248. Before you
leave, find out in your own country (though you can also do
this in the Seychelles) what dialling code you have to use
when calling home. Card-operated public telephones are available
in the Seychelles.
Shopping
You will find the products of a flourishing local craftsmanship
in the shops in Victoria and at the Artisan Village of
Anse aux Pins: handbags, hats and
palm-leaf baskets, objects made from coconut shells, seashell
jewelry, and cosmetics derive from coconuts. At the market
in Victoria, moreover, you can buy numerous spices and coco
oil. While the boutiques offer you hand-printed cloths
(batik), finely inlaid boxes and many other things. The shops
are open from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. from Monday to Friday
and from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon on Saturdays. Some shops
are also open on Sunday mornings.
Warning
The production and sale of articles made from turtle shells
has been forbidden in the Seychelles ever since 1 January 1995.
Should you be offered such articles as contraband, it is as
well to refuse, not only because the demand for such products
encourages the massacre of a species in danger of extinction,
but also because export is illegal in almost all the countries
of the world, Italy included, and you would therefore risk substantial
fines and the confiscation of the products.
Useful telephone numbers
Ambulance and Fire Brigade – Tel. 999
Hospitals
Victoria Hospital – Tel. 388000
North East Point Hospital – Tel. 241044
Police
Glacis Police Station – Tel. 261161
Beau Vallon Police Station – Tel. 288000
Airport, International Flights – Tel. 384400
Air Seychelles, National Flights – Tel. 381340
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