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If you’re heading offshore for a beach holiday, you probably tend to think of the islands of the South Pacific. But personal travel manager Gail Hughes believes that Mauritius is a great alternative to the usual suspects, and offers something for every kind of traveller.
And she should know – Gail has visited this relatively small gem in the Indian Ocean a whopping 19 times! As a result, she’s something of an expert – here are her top tips if you’re feeling tempted.
WEST IS BEST
When you’re considering locations, base yourself on the west coast as it’s sheltered from the trade winds, especially between June and August when they are at their strongest. You’ll find many of the best resorts are located along the West Coast, along with the markets, shopping areas… and some pretty spectacular sunsets.
FLYING SOLO
Solo travellers looking for paradise may just find what they’re looking for in the Dinarobin Hotel and Spa which is located on the picturesque Le Morne Peninsula. The hotel boasts one of the finest spas in Mauritius, which offers a great choice of massage and spa treatments using the ancient Ayurvedic techniques, as well as yoga classes and other treatments sourced from around the globe. If that’s not your cup of tea, you can always chill out on the meditation deck or lounge on the impossibly white sand beach.
FAMILY HAVEN
Mauritius is a haven for families, no matter what the age. Most hotels caters for families with spacious apartments, villas with private plunge pools and interconnecting rooms. A variety of dining options, including themed buffets and live cooking stations, means even the fussy eaters will be happy.
NO BORING BITS
Several resorts offer free kids clubs for children aged 3 to 12 years old, with programmes throughout the day and into the evening. Depending on the age of the children, some kids clubs offer bicycles rides in and around the hotel grounds, glass-bottom boat trips, snorkelling and small line fishing. Some hotels also offer coaching in tennis, golf, water-skiing, sailing, windsurfing as well as archery, once again all age dependent. Babysitting facilities are also available for the very little ones!
RUNAWAY BRIDE
If you’re ready to tie the knot, Mauritius offers a wonderful backdrop to that special day. Whether you’re bringing friends and family along for the fun or planning the ultimate elopement, a number of resorts offer unique but affordable wedding packages so that you can focus on enjoying yourself, and your special someone. They can take care of everything from the celebrant to the cake, flowers to photography and they’ll even take care of all the legal stuff.
TEE’D OFF
The keen golfer will find much to love about Mauritius. The Paradis Hotel and Golf, which is set at the foot of Le Morne’s Mountain, boasts a spectacular eighteen-hole championship golf course that offers ocean views from everywhere, and it’s just one of a dozen or so fantastic golf courses on offer.
OUT AND ABOUT
The island is only 67 kilometres long from north to south, and just 45 kilometres wide and pretty-much riddled with picture-perfect scenery. You can use the local bus service to get out and explore, but if it’s a little slow for your liking, rent a car – you can get pretty much anywhere in less than ninety minutes.
ITCHY FEET
The best way to truly get to know a destination is by spending some time with the locals and letting them show you their favourite spots. The Mauritian locals are justifiably happy to share their beautiful island, so head out with a local taxi driver for the day and see what treasures he can unearth for you. If you’ve a hankering to do some exploring on your own, you can wander around the Pamplemousse Botanical Gardens, which is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. Shoppers on the lookout for a bargain can barter their way through the markets in Grand Baie or Quatre Borne, or for something a bit more high-end, visit the capital Port Louis where you will find some well-known brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Mauritius is a beautiful island destination, offering something for everyone, and it’s sure to capture your heart.
This is just a sample of what Gail can share with you about Mauritius – it’s a destination that she’s very passionate about, and she’d love to spend time helping you create your own, unique Mauritian holiday. To talk to Gail about your next tropical escape, you can contact her here.
We at Travel Managers Australia recognise the traditional owners of the country where we live and work. We recognise and celebrate the diversity of Indigenous people and their enduring cultures and connections to the land and waters of New South Wales.
