The island of Mauritius was first discovered by Arab sailors, at some time in the 9th century, the exact date is unknown. At that time the island was uninhabited and covered in a dense forest. The Arab sailors were not interested in settling on the island which they named Dina Arobi or Dinarobin. Fernandez Pereira, a Portuguese sailor found the island in 1505 and decided to give it the name of Cerne. However, the Portuguese did not settle permanently on the island either. Mauritius is a fascinating, world-in-one-island slice of paradise. Its very name of conjures up images of tropical luxury and stupendous extravagance. While in many destinations famed for cobalt-blue seas, white sandy beaches and luxury hotels, you may eventually find yourself wishing for something to do besides sunbathing and swimming, it’s often hard to know what to do next in Mauritius. The island is loaded with historic sights, cultural diversity, geographic variation and almost limitless activities to distract you from the daily grind of beach and pool. But perhaps its single biggest asset is the relaxed charm of its warm and welcoming people.
The smells, noises and bustle of the mercantile capital Port Louis, Africa’s wealthiest city, are never far away, while the busy garment markets in the Central Plateau towns of Quatre Bornes and Curepipe and Black River Gorges National Park's dramatic virgin forests give the lie to Mauritius being just another beach destination. But what beaches! From the stunning sand-rimmed lagoons and popular wide public beaches to the picturesque islands off the country’s coastline, there’s truly something for everyone here. Add to this the joys of Chinese, Indian, French and African cuisine, the rousing beat of séga music and the infectious party spirit of the locals, and you soon understand why Mauritius really is so many people’s idea of paradise on earth. Tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May); Natural hazards: tropical cyclones (November to April), most cyclones usually occur from the end of December until March. Mauritius has only two seasons, winter and summer. There is not much temperature difference between the two seasons of the year. The climate on the central plateau is cooler than on the coastal areas. Here are some important places to visit.
North Coast of Mauritius
Grand Baie is the place to go for a great night out; the town has some excellent bars, restaurants and clubs. The village of Triolet is home to Maheswarnath, the largest Hindu temple on Mauritius. It was built in 1819. Just outside the town of Baie aux Tortues lay the remains of the historic Balaclava estate. The north coast is also where you’ll find the most popular attraction in Mauritius: Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, famed for its giant Amazon water lilies.
Flic en Flac
The coastal resort of Flic en Flac is lined with a few small cafés, bars, restaurants and shops selling local produce, crafts and textiles, perfect place to pick up your souvenirs. The long stretch of beach meets the turquoise Indian Ocean, ideal for snorkeling, diving, submarine adventures or simply to cool down in. Golf is only a 15 minute drive away and you are still able to enjoy the beautiful views of Le Morne from some hotels.
Star attractions
· World-class Hotels
· Excellent Service
· Superb Diving and Water Sports
· Perfect for Weddings and Honeymooners
· Fantastic Kids' Clubs
· Championship Golf Courses
· Luxurious Spas
· Superb Range of Excursions
Events calendar
Key Events
· Jan /Feb - Chinese Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) / Cavadee Festival
· March – Holi Festival / Independence Day
· April/July – Indian Ocean Rowing Race
· May - Duchess of York Cup – a popular horse race / Crossroads of Flavors – a culinary festival
· June – Mauritius Marathon
· July - Barbé Cup - a popular horse racing event
· August – Kiteival – an annual kite surf festival
· September- Mauritius Open Classic - part of the Surf Ski World Series / Mauritius Ball Room Dancing Spectacular
· October - Divali / Opera Mauritius / Ferney Trails
· November - Creole Festival / Indian Ocean Triathlon Sports event
· December - Mauritius Golf Open
Kuoni together with SOTC provides a number of tailor-made holiday packages to this slice of paradise. The itineraries are very carefully planned according to your preferences. Mauritius is surely one of the destinations that should feature in your holiday bucket list. Plan it with Kuoni together with SOTC for an unforgettable holiday experience.
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