Two organised experiences, one gala, and a lot of deliberate nothing.
The island stop fails when planners treat it like the rest of the programme and fill it. ## Two experiences, maximum Stone Town and a spice farm on one day; a dhow sail and sandbank lunch on another. That is enough. Everything else should be optional and bookable at the desk. ## Put the gala on the sand The beach is a better venue than any ballroom on the island. Long tables, fire lanterns, a taarab band and a seafood grill. Budget for a wind contingency and a covered fallback. ## Consider exclusive use Above about 120 guests, taking a resort on exclusive use changes the atmosphere entirely — no strangers at breakfast, a bar tab you can control and a beach that belongs to the group. ## Watch the transfer times The east coast is around ninety minutes from the airport. For a short stay, the north coast saves an hour of coach time in each direction.
