Scott Dunn: ANYTHING ELSE IS JUST A HOLIDAY

Zanzibar’s capital is on the west coast, Stone Town is known as the old quarter of Zanzibar Town, and it is classed as a UNESCO world heritage site. It is clear that this is a place steeped in history, as the dense housing mixes with the rustic mosques and palaces built in the 19th century, during its height as a trading centre.

The Beit-al-Ajaib or “Palace Of Wonders” has been converted into a museum, and gives a detailed insight to the culture in Zanzibar. On the third floor are balconies that encircle the building, allowing you to see into the Old Arab Fort, into the heart of stone town, and across the bay. This is an excellent viewing point, and whilst there is a fee for entry to the building, it is a good place to start, giving a great perspective onto Stone Town below.

Continue walking on foot, in which loosing your way through the narrow streets and alleyways is the best way to experience Stone Town. As you pass through these winding streets off from Mizingani road on the waterfront, discover the famous doors of Zanzibar. These are ornately carved wooden doors, decorated with elaborate iron and brass work, embedded within the old buildings. These doors combine a mix of Swahili, Omani and Indian influences and are a reminder of the complex history that Zanzibar contains.

Once you have found your bearings, head to the Anglican Cathedral, which is around 400m from The Palace Of Wonders. The Cathedral’s unique architecture is a mix of Islamic and gothic detailing. Built on the site of Zanzibar’s biggest slave Market, the Slave trade memorial here highlights how the history of Zanzibar, and Stone Town in particular is entangled in the stories and routes of the slave trade.

With several tiny islands off its shores, it can be argued that when scuba diving, it is best to go to the northern Coast, in which the tiny atoll of Mnemba has varied species of tropical fish across its reefs.

Head further north to the untouched island of Pemba, in which diving experts describe as one of the best diving locations in east Africa. Accessed from Zanzibar by boat, the Pemba channel, and the area surrounding Pemba’s western coast has over 320 coral reef species; twice the amount of any other diving location in this region.

The tiny sand atoll Mesali can be found within the Pemba channel, and it is advised to dive here during an incoming tide, to make the most of clearer waters and to increase the chances of seeing bigger pelagic fish. On the island of Pemba, the Fundu Lagoon is a relaxed boutique hotel with a professional team of PADI qualified instructors, all with specific local knowledge of the Mesali and waters surrounding Pemba. Whilst it is a perfect all year round destination, it may be worth considering timing your visit between November to April when Sharks migrate through the Pemba channel. Throughout the coastline of Zanzibar, most hotels will offer to arrange scuba diving expeditions and training with additional costs, and it will be easy to access the beautiful and untouched Pemba island.

Shopping in Stone Town is brilliant, with a continuous supply of small local boutiques throughout Stone Town’s winding streets. For textiles and fabrics, the best places are nearer the main streets, and they should sell a wide variety of Kangas, Kitenges and Kikoys. Kangas, worn by almost every female in Zanzibar and Tanzania, are large linen or cotton cloths with a colourful print and boarder. It is best to buy more than one at a time, as better deals can be made.

Whilst the most obvious souvenir shops are along the main front on Kenyatta Rd selling wood carvings and paintings, make sure that you venture off the main streets to discover smaller, and more interesting places such as the tiny, low-ceiling bakeries and shoe cobbler shops embedded in the walls.

Once further into the maze of narrow streets, you will come across whole alleyways of jewellery shops. Whilst it is easy to get carried away in these Aladdin’s caves, make sure that you take your time as you will always find better quality jewellery the longer that you spend looking. The antique shops are by far the best, with an eclectic mix of brassware, maps, vintage posters and other trinkets. These oddly assorted shops are the most fun to browse, and as you search through genuine antiques, you never know what you may come across. It is important to note that bartering is essential when shopping in stone town to avoid high tourist prices, however as it is not a market atmosphere, some shops will adamantly stick to their fixed price.

Found off Kenyata street, The Zanzibar Gallery sells a range of good quality souvenirs, however it is its bookshop that is worth the visit. Run by professional photographer, Javed Jafferji, this shop provides the opportunity to see some good quality local photography- images that portray local life in Zanzibar in a personal and real way. This is the best stocked bookshop on the island and sells a good range of coffee table books on Zanzibar, stone town and Tanzania.