Nosy-be, Madagascar

Nosy in Malagasy language means Big Island. Lying just a stones throw off Madagascar's northwest coast, Nosy is a remote and exotic destination. With its unspoiled beaches, rustic hotels and unhurried pace this is the place to come for the laid-back traveler.

The fertile island is the center for the production of perfume essence gained from the ylang-ylang tree. Its heady scent has bestowed the name Perfumed Isle to Nosy's other products include sugar cane, coffee, vanilla and pepper that are grown for export in large plantations.

Hellville, the island's main town and port, is situated in a sheltered bay and named after a former French governor, Admiral de Hell. The town features a few old colonial buildings; the busy main street is lined with small boutiques and tourist shops. At the quayside, vendors display embroidered linens, wood carvings and straw articles.

Trips into the lush interior may include a ride up to Mount Passot. At 950 feet, this is the highest point on the island. The view from the top offers a stunning panorama of crater lakes nestled between verdant hillsides.

A major highlight of any visit to Nosy Be is a boat trip to Nosy Komba, the tiny island known for its lemur reserve. These arboreal primates, with their large eyes, soft fur and long curling tails, have lived unharmed for centuries in the forest behind Ampangorina village. The lemurs are a popular tourist attraction and provide a substantial source of income to the small local community. Nosy Komba is only accessible by boat.