Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tomb art
Sakalava tombs are renowned for their erotic carvings, so much so that many
have been pillaged; if you get to see one, know you are amongst a select few (
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)
Shopping
Finding souvenirs is no hardship in Madagascar: there are woven baskets, gemstones,
spices, clothes, rum, woodcarvings, leather goods and much more.
Sabotsy Market, Antsirabe
A sprawling open-air market reminiscent of a North African
souk, Sabotsy is as good for shopping as it is for people-watching (
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)
Marché Artisanal de la Digue, Antananarivo
La Digue is like a shopping kaleidoscope
of Madagascar: pretty much everything you have seen in the country is available here
(
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)
Ring Road
Ambositra is known far and wide for its
marqueterie
(objects inlaid with col-
oured woods) and this is the best place to buy fine examples of this art (
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)
La Teeshirterie, Antananarivo
You'll see Madagascar's funky T-shirts everywhere, but
this is the garment emporium of them all (
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)
Creature Comforts
If you've had enough of trekking, diving, wildlife-seeking and bumping around in a 4WD,
put your bags down for a few days at one of these wonderful retreats.
Eden Lodge, near Nosy Be
Remote, serene and ecofriendly, Eden Lodge is where to go to
be at one with nature (
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)
Princesse Bora Lodge & Spa, Ile Ste Marie
Pirogue tubs in the spa, suspended beds in
the bungalows, a dizzying wine list: this is as close to perfection as you get (
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)
Chez Sika, Ile aux Nattes
Swing in a hammock by the seaside, enjoy a spear-fishing trip
with the owners and generally revel in this star budget establishment (
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)
Le Relais de la Reine, Isalo
Elegance and refinement in the stark beauty of Parc National
de l'Isalo, complete with spa and horse-riding club for a unique experience (
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)
Epic 4WD Journeys
If this were a TV program, it would open with 'don't try this at home'. Far from putting
travellers off, though, many revel in the challenge that are Madagascar's roads, so here are
our favourite bone-shaking, tyre-bursting, vehicle-bashing road trips.
