Holidays to Mauritius

12th Nov. 2015

If you picture ‘paradise’ in your head, you’ll probably imagine something that looks pretty close to Mauritius. This stunning Indian Ocean island has the stereotypical white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, hot and sunny weather, and the fruity (and potent!) cocktails that most holidaymakers dream of. Destinations like Flic en Flac are very popular with honeymooners who want to relax surrounded by true luxury, with the Wolmar area - located just outside the town - offering some of the most secluded beaches in all of Mauritius. There’s just you, the water, and a few weeping filaos. Perfect!

Away From The Beach

Mauritius really is a beach-lover’s dream come true, but the island actually has a lot more to offer than first meets the eye. Believe it or not, Mauritius is bursting with culture and history, and evidence of the Dutch, French, and British settlers can still be seen in many of the inland regions. Similarly, the coastal towns are also fantastic places to learn more about the island’s history. The capital city boasts the famous Port Louis Market which sells all sorts of colonial handicrafts, while Aapravasi Ghat is well worth a look if you’re interested in learning more about the Indian settlement.

While there are no less than 8 semi-official languages of Mauritius, English and French are some of the most widely spoken, which makes it a very popular destination for Brits who don’t want to worry about the language barrier. However, learning a few words in Mauritian Creole certainly won’t do any harm - try ‘Bonzur’ (hello), ‘Merci’ (goodbye) and ‘La Plaz’ (beach). It’s very similar to French.

When To Go

There’s really no ‘bad’ time to visit Mauritius. The summer months tend to be a little wetter, but the temperature remains pretty stable across the year. Whenever you choose to visit, don’t miss out on visiting a local rum distillery. With the island being on the original spice route that joined Asia to Europe via the Indian Ocean, Middle East, and Suez Canal, spiced rums with notes of cloves and ginger are hugely popular, and make a refreshing change from the standard white and dark rums available back home. Give them a try!