Maasai women stroll along a Zanzibar beach

Every bit as exotic as it sounds, the island of Zanzibar harbours a unique Afro-Arabian culture based largely in the chaotic medley of streets in its Stone Town.

Historically the island's big industries have been slaves and spices, and visiting what is left of either makes for a revealing insight into the island.

The dank cellars where slave-traders once corralled their human cargo prior to shipment elsewhere have been preserved, as have some of the island's spice plantations. Tours of the latter are particularly illuminating, showing many of our familiar spices in unfamiliar shapes and introducing many more that never make the trip overseas.

The rest of Zanzibar is fairly rural and undeveloped. Naturalists will enjoy the chance to commune with huge ancient turtles or observe groups of Red Colobus monkeys swinging among the trees.

But for most a sojourn to the clean white-sand beaches and vivid turquoise waters of the east coast is a must. Taking it easy is the order of the day here, but there's also great scuba diving, snorkelling and fishing in the warm waters beyond the reef.