EDITOR'S LETTER:

With summer upon us and Eid holidays approaching, the Indian Ocean is on our minds. Boasting delicious destinations within short-haul range, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Seychelles and Mauritius are each realistic options for exotic long weekends. They also are the stars of our Indian Ocean special this month, and inside you’ll discover a wealth of inspiration for your own island escapes, from the authenticity and rich heritage of Sri Lanka’s luxe boutique hotels to the heady mix of cultures found across Mauritius, from buzzing Port Louis to historic Le Morne Brabant. Creole fare steals the show in Seychelles where dishes are laden with spices and abundant seafood, while in the Maldives we find a rustic-chic sanctuary in Gili Lankanfushi. We also travel further afield, where Montenegro gives a luxurious welcome, Four Seasons tempts with a unique Hawaiian volcano experience, and we take you inside Asia’s number-one restaurant, Gaggan.