Travel: Zanzibar

Published on Wednesday 6 April 2011 15:17

Friday, 9am Arrive in Zanzibar City and hop in a taxi to the Serena Inn, overlooking the ocean in Stone Town. (www.serenahotels.com/serenazanzibar/). Double rooms start from £107.

Noon Enjoy lunch in the Archipelago Caf Restaurant (Mizingani Road, Stone Town, Zanzibar), which is situated on a first-floor terrace with a waterfront view. The restaurant is famous for its vegetable coconut curry, orange and ginger snapper and an exotic selection of tea and coffee.

2pm Stroll along Kenyatta Street until you reach the corner, where it turns off onto Gizenga Street. Here you'll find the childhood home of Queen star Freddie Mercury, which is now a small shop and gallery.

6pm If you're feeling peckish (and brave), try a local street vendor for anything from prawn kebabs to a Zanzibarian pizza (topped with mince, chilli, coriander, egg and cheese).

7pm As the sun goes down, enjoy some cocktails and the sounds of local bands at the Tower Top Restaurant at 236 Hurumzi (236 Hurumzi Street, Zanzibar, www.236hurumzi.com)

Saturday, 9am After breakfast at the hotel take a walk around Stone Town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. It is famous for its carved wooden doors with brass studs and the combination of African, Asian and European architecture. Stroll around the markets where you can pick up fresh spices, artworks and Masai artefacts.

1pm Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the pool of the hotel and try one of the many pampering treatments on offer.

7pm Stuff yourself with the selection of local seafood at the Zanzibar Palace Hotel's restaurant (831 Kiponda Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar, www.zanzibarpalacehotel.com).

Sunday, 8am After breakfast, board your flight home.

This article was first published in The Scotsman, 16 April, 2011

THE FACTS Return flights from 653 with Expedia, www.expedia.co.uk