Zanzibar is a collective name for two islands off the East African coast in the Indian Ocean – the larger southern island of Unguja and the northern, largely unspoilt by tourism island of Pemba.

Generally, however, the name ‘Zanzibar’ refers specifically to the island of Unguja, which is the more significant tourist destination and is the focus of this guide.

If you’re longing to stroll along snow-white coral beaches and swim in a sea shimmering with a thousand shades of blue and green, look no further. In Zanzibar, all this is right at your fingertips.

I spent quite some time on the island, and when planning your trip, I’d start with a simple question: do you want to go for a swim at any time of day, or don’t you mind a significant ebb tide?

In the north, around Nungwi and Kendwa, you can swim practically all day long. On the east coast, near Paje and Jambiani, the sea recedes hundreds of metres from the shore at low tide.

For many years, the island belonged to the Sultanate of Oman, and its main export was spices. Another remnant of the sultanate are the magnificent sun-bleached buildings of the historic town of Stone Town, with their richly decorated doors made of precious tropical wood.

All these sensations assail the senses – the scent of spices, the faded beauty of the buildings, the tropical humidity and the local hustle and bustle – making you feel, even today, as if you were in a fairy tale from *One Thousand and One Nights*.

• Country: Tanzania
• Visa for Zanzibar: for most countries, available online or on arrival at 50 usd; local insurance is also required 45 usd
• Currency: Tanzanian shilling (the US dollar is also widely used)