Think beach holiday on the Indian Ocean and you get the usual names: Maldives, Seycelles, Mauritius.

It’s only when you go down to the end of the list that you hit Z for Zanzibar.

Zanzibar, the majestic spice island in the Indian Ocean. Just off the east coast of Tanzania.

If it’s the beaches that you long for then head to East Beaches. The sand is brilliant white, and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean are a deep teal. You can go scuba diving, hire a dhow for a leisurely ride or just sit and stare at the water for hours on end.

Kendwa Beach on the nort-western side is fine for swimming. Just beware of the sea urchins at low tide, though. Their sting can be quite painful. Kendwa has lots of beach bars and restaurants serving everything from pizza to local curries and the beach is also known for the Full Moon Party, arranged Saturdays just before or after a full moon.

History buffs can spend days winding through the labyrinthine alleys of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; shopping; drinking tea; and visiting the city’s historic sites. Blending Moorish, Middle Eastern, Indian, and African traditions and architectures, it is possible to spend days shopping, drinking tea and visiting the city’s historic sites.

If you want to sample local fish, food, drinks and hear local music head to the wharf near Blue’s Restaurant in Stone Town or Forodhani Gardens. Ranging from crab claws, calamari steaks to plain old chips done in big woks you can enjoy it all as also the local sugar cane juice.

And, after you have done all this, you can always visit the spice farms of this fabled island.

In order to reach the end of the alphabet in Zanzibar all you need to do is call Lighthouse on (0) 9818905024 or email theworld@golighthouse.in