Mauritius Holiday

What’s not to love about Mauritius? It’s a perfect paradise for adventurers and lovers of nature, people who are looking for a place to just chill out, relax and bask in its beauty, as well as people who are looking for fun activities that will flex the muscles and make sure that you come home with a serious tan. This island nation (which is small by most standards) is made up of three main islands, as well as other tropical islands nestled in the southwestern Indian Ocean, 500 miles east of Madagascar. It is part of the Mascarene Islands. There are 9 major districts that belong to Mauritius – these include Port Louis (the capital), Grand Port, Black River, Savanne, Riviere du Rempart, Plaines Wilhems, Flacq, Moka and Pamplemousses.

Now, what to do, what to do, in Mauritius… There are plenty of choices…

Of course, the first on the list is to indulge in a whole slew of water activities.  Aside from lying lazily under the sun with a cool drink by your side, you can explore the life that exists beneath its calm and turquoise waters.  Mauritius has a rich and vibrant marine life – stunning coral reef formations and fish of every color and size.  Go on a glass-bottom boat, make like an astronaut and go reef walking or try some of the watersports available -  waterskiing, windsurfing, deep sea fishing, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling and para-sailing.  Some of the important beaches you should visit during your holiday are Grand Bay, Blue Bay, Flifc en Flac, Le Morne and Preybere Tamarin.

A holiday in Mauritius is not complete without having your fill of its spectacular natural gifts (aside from the beach, of course).  There are a number of National Parks that you can visit – there is the Black River Gorges National Park, Domaine les Pailles or La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes.  For these, trekking, and hiking are the order of the day.  There are plenty of hills, mountains valleys and springs to explore.  For those who love flowers, do try to visit the Labourdonnais Orchards, where you can breathe in the exotic perfumes of the fruit trees that grow in abundance there.  Birdwatchers should also not miss Casela Bird Park (with over 100 species in residence) and Ile aux Aigrette, where you can get the chance to catch sight of some of the rarest birds in the world.  Be sure to look out for the Pink Pigeon and the kestrel.  Go horse-back riding or quad biking as you tour the Moka mountains.

Mauritiusis a place replete with history.  There is a huge variety for you to explore.  There is the Maheswarnath (in Triolet Shivala) which is a Hindu temple, the biggest in the island.  You can also take a walk along the oldest settlements in the country, which is located at Vieux Grand Port.  Here, you can see the remains of the first fortifications made by the Dutch.  Other historical icons include the Balaclava Ruins (with its sea walls), Eureka (which is a Creole colonial house that harks back to the early 1830s) and the Martello Towers (located at La Preneuse).  Also, get yourself transported back in time when Mauritius had a thriving sugar industry, as you visit its ancient sugar mills. 

If you still have enough energy after all your adventures, you can still do some things most tourists do: shop! You can get great bargains at the major stores that can be found in major tourist areas, as well as Flacq market. This is the largest open air market in the country and a great way to meet and greet the locals. Another market you can go to is the one in Mahebourg, which is a great place to find locally-made products and souvenirs.

Mauritius is also a paradise for golfers, as its world-class resorts and hotels are also built with impressive golf courses designed by professional golfers themselves.   You can also go for some me-time at a spa.  Ahhhh… get down to some serious relaxing as you pamper yourself with a relaxing massage. And as the night deepens, dance till the break of dawn at one of Mauritius’ hip clubs and disco bars.

Mmmm… Mauritius.  The possibilities of having the best vacation are endless.