What to do in Antsirabe

Fancy stumbling upon a proper spa town in the central highlands? Well, here's a delightful surprise. Since 1917, visitors have been dipping their toes into therapeutic thermal waters and sipping naturally-sparkling minerals - though perhaps skip the latter if you're not keen on the taste of pennies. The French certainly knew what they were about when they chose this spot for their weekend escapes, leaving behind broad, tree-lined avenues and rather grand buildings that wouldn't look out of place in a period drama. Hop aboard a pousse-pousse (rickshaw to you and me) for a proper nose around - the drivers know every nook and cranny worth exploring. Speaking of exploring, the local artisans work absolute wonders with zebu horn and semi-precious stones, while the Asabotsy market puts on quite the show of local life. Feeling adventurous? Trek out to a rather spectacular crater lake, where deep blue waters nestle between dramatic cliffs - just the spot for a picnic with a view. Back in town, the neo-Gothic cathedral cuts an impressive figure, though you might find yourself more drawn to the excellent restaurants serving up proper Malagasy fare. The whole place absolutely buzzes with energy.