Mauritius
Quintessentially tropical, perhaps unsurprisingly Mauritius has attracted an assortment of cultures and inhabitants over the centuries. This mountainous volcanic out post, surrounded by coral reefs, was first colonised in the 16th century by Dutch explorers, and again a hundred years later by the French, as the island’s place names testify. It finally fell into British hands in 1910. Now an independent republic, it has become one of the world’s most exotic and aspirational holiday destinations. Here you’ll find a simply stunning collection of luxury resorts boasting world class golf courses, tennis courts, private beaches and stylish restaurants that astonish the palate with a delectable fusion of Indian, Chinese, European and Creole cuisines. There is no veneer to the island’s hospitality, its warmth and friendliness are wholly genuine and service levels are arguably without rival in the Indian Ocean.
The island’s cultural diversity is matched by its contrasting natural features. Monkeys, wild boar, deer and kestrel are just some of the inhabitants that make their home in the verdant precipitous highlands. There are many places to view Mauritius’ exotic and sometimes rare flora and fauna, The Valley of Colours Nature Park speaks for itself. Innumerable tropical fish amuse themselves in the azure waters of the ocean, unperturbed as snorkelers gently pass by. Beyond the embracing reef, in the ocean proper, marlin, tuna, wahoo and bonito await the deep sea fishing enthusiast and scuba-diver alike. Visitors can be easily excused for their inactivity, the breathtaking beaches provide the perfect location for a day’s inertia under the sun however, a considerable array of daytime activities is on offer for those so inclined. Tennis, squash, water-skiing, windsurfing, quad-biking and horse-racing (May-Dec) are amongst the options set to tempt one away from the beach. All of our featured hotels offer superb golf courses either on site or at their sister property in addition to exquisite Spa facilities. We have carefully selected a choice of hotels to allow guests to select their preference from some of the island’s finest establishments. From the supremely family friendly Belle Mare Plage with its complimentary Kakoo Club operating 7 days a week to the sophisticated Heritage Golf and Spa Resort nestled between sea and mountain, an unsurpassed welcome awaits. Due to the comprehensive choice, our brochure does not include the exhaustive range of Mauritius hotel options available to book through us. For information and competitive rates on other hotels within the Barwell portfolio, simply call our Travel Team for further details.
The uncommon pleasures of Mauritius are there to be enjoyed throughout the year as the island enjoys a perennially sunny climate. However, April to June and September to November will afford the visitor, on most occasions, beautiful sunny days with an accompanying gentle breeze. Increasingly accessible from the UK (direct daily flights from Heathrow, indirect services from Birmingham, Gatwick, Glasgow and Manchester) Mauritius is a once in a lifetime experience that you will want to keep repeating!
