Frégate, the private island resort in the Seychelles, is encouraging famlies to search for lost pirate treasure this summer, only you’ll need your own treasure or fat City bonus, to join the hunt!
The exclusive luxury hideaway is a three-km square island offering 16 luxurious villas, which are arranged so that privacy is guaranteed and the island’s seven beaches can be experienced in total seclusion.
If ‘austerity’ is not effecting you too much, you and your kids can search for the island’s legendary long lost pirate treasure – the Royal Portuguese Golden Cross, which has eluded bounty hunters for 250 years. It could be anywhere on the island from the jungle trails that wind up to the peak of Glacis Serf, to the kaleidoscopic submarine world beneath the encircling waves.
According to legend, the ruthless French pirate La Buse stole the Royal Portuguese Golden Cross as it journeyed from India to Portugal, before burying it on Frégate – then a wild, jungle-covered hideaway for buccaneering brigands. While there is no X to mark the spot, the Seychelles National Archives are home to a mysterious scroll purporting to be the last will and testament of La Buse, which the pirate is said to have thrown from the gallows with his last words, “Find it for me!”
While grown-ups can indulge their castaway fantasies – with private infinity pools and picture-postcard beaches of powdery white sand all to themselves – kids are transported to a mystical lost world of prehistoric giant tortoises, towering banyan trees and, of course, legendary pirate treasures.
What will it cost for your kids to join in?
Well, luxury specialists, Scott Dunn, are offering seven night family summer holidays at Frégate Island Private, from £21,920 per family of four. Price includes seven nights villa accommodation for the price of six, for two adults and two children under 11yrs sharing on a full board basis; two hours’ babysitting per day; return economy flights from London Heathrow with Emirates; helicopter transfers; tax and service.