Mauritius, a sparkling crystal in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, will fascinate you. The contrast of colours, cultures and tastes makes the island so charming that the scene is set for an unforgettable holiday. Here, you have the opportunity to experience unparalleled luxury: a level of refinement that is head and shoulders above that on offer in other tropical holiday destinations. Here, you will discover the true meaning of ‘beauty’ – a realisation that will compel you to return to Mauritius’ shores time and again.

Capital: Port Louis

Location: Latitude 20º south of the equator, Longitude 57.5º east.

Area: 2,040 square kilometres.

Population: 1.2 million, including Rodrigues and the outer islands.

Time Zone: +4 hours Greenwich Mean Time; +3 hours mid-European time.

Port Louis, Capital of Mauritius
Port Louis , the capital of Mauritius, was founded by the French governor and colonist Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais in 1735.

Situated on the north-west coast, Port Louis is the business and administrative capital of Mauritius. Packed with office-workers during the day, it quickly quietens down after office-hours – allowing visitors to enjoy a night out along the famous Caudan Waterfront.

Those arriving during daylight hours should head for the bustling Central Market or Champ de Mars: the oldest racecourse in the Indian Ocean region.

The North
The northern coast of the island is the place where the most development has taken place in recent years. Thanks to this work, Grand Baie has an abundance of restaurants and discotheques. If you like to party to the sound of good music, you will find plenty of options to choose from here.

The north isn’t only about night life, however. It also boasts some of Mauritius’ best-loved sights, including the charming red-roofed church that overlooks the lagoon at Cap Malheureux.

South & South-East
The south reveals a dramatically different landscape from the rest of the island: one typified by high cliffs – in places – that are battered by waves. These are created where the protective barrier of coral reef that surrounds Mauritius falls away on the seabed, so leaving the coastline exposed to a punishing Indian Ocean.

But the south is not singularly about cliffs and rough waters. Further round the coastline, heading westwards, are an array of beautiful beaches and top-rate hotels and resorts, in up-and-coming areas such as Bel Ombre.

East - The Jewel in Mauritius' Crown
A coastline comprised of exquisite coves and emerald lagoons, permanently enhanced by a cool sea breeze: life goes by at a slow pace in the east – whether you’re a member of the fishing community or a holidaymaker.

Situated between the mountains and the sea, the east is characterised by charming little villages with poetic names like Petite Julie, Mare d’Australia and Queen Victoria. It also plays home to some of the country’s best beaches, including Belle Mare, where you will want to spend hours basking in the sun, glorying in the sight of the long stretch of white sand.

West & South-West
Off Tamarin Bay or Flic en Flac, heading in the direction of Île aux Benitiers, you can see the dolphins that come to these waters to rest and breed. The Morne Mountain, with its historical links to slavery, can also be found in this region –as well as some fine hotels known for their wide choice of watersports.

Slightly inland, in the hills around Chamarel, is the rum distillery that bears the name of the village. Here, you can learn about rum production and taste some of the delightful produce.

Inland & Central Plateau
In the ‘highlands’ you will discover the island’s four other towns.

In Quatre Bornes, head for the local market if you want to do some bargain-hunting. In Curepipe, where it is generally cooler than elsewhere on the island, try visiting the botanical gardens.

In the early evening the gardens of the Plaza – the municipal theatre of the town of Rose Hill – fill up with families who come to relax and enjoy an ice–cream. This is a heart-warming sight definitely worth beholding!

Vacoas, meanwhile, is most renowned for its Gymkhana Golf Club – the oldest in the southern hemisphere.


Landmarks

Le Morne Cultural Landscape: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Besides being a breathtaking natural spectacle, the mountain of Le Morne holds great importance in the history and memory of Mauritius. It was here, in the south-west of the island, that runaway slaves used to hide during the 18th and early 19th Centuries – protected by the mountain’s isolated, wooded and almost inaccessible cliffs.

The oral traditions associated with these runaways have made Le Morne a symbol of the slaves’ fight for freedom, their suffering and their sacrifice. Over the years, the location has become a symbol of resistance to slavery and a focal point for those wanting to commemorate its abolition – especially the descendants of slave communities who still live on the island.

The Final Nomination Dossier and the Draft Management of Le Morne was inscribed on to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2008.

Aapravasi Ghat: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
The Aapravasi Ghat Immigration Depot is another UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the only surviving remnant of an immigration depot typical of those established in the second half of the 19th Century to welcome indentured labourers.

Most Mauritians trace the arrival of their forbears from this site, which welcomed over half a million immigrants between 1834 and the 1920s. It holds immense symbolical value for Mauritians, and the official commemoration of the arrival of indentured labourers is held at this site every November.

The indenture system became the seat of the ‘Great Experiment’, where the British attempted to show the world that the labour of free men and women would be more effective than slave labour.

Because the experiment proved to be successful, according to the British, it was replicated in other British colonies as well as in French, Dutch and Spanish territories. Over two million people were eventually transported to the colonies from Asia and Africa as a result.

The Second Oldest Racing Club in the World
Champ de Mars is a very popular horse racetrack: the oldest in the southern hemisphere and the second oldest race club in the world after the English Jockey Club. It has long been associated with national and political events since the official flag-raising ceremony in 1968, which marked Mauritius’ independence.

The Third Country in the World to Introduce Golf to its Shores
In 1844, under British rule, Mauritius became the third country in the world to be introduced to golf. The present-day Gymkhana Club, located near Vacoas in the island’s central plateau, has been the venue for many of the island’s major sporting activities since it was first constructed back in the 19th Century.