Stcrossing the Indian Ocean. Flying less, but long haul and staying at least a week. Choose experiences that enrich you. Reunite with family. Prefer sustainability. Plan well in advance. In summary, it’s time for “revenge travel”, the revenge tourism that compensates for past restrictions.
The island of Mauritius: the multicolored lands of Chamarel.
Research backs it up Buzz vs Reality: decoding the luxury travel consumer mindset (Decoding the mindset of the luxury travel consumer), made by ILTM extension (The Luxury Travel Market International) and American Express Travel. We are witnessing the return of travel to tropical destinations, such as the fascinating Indian Ocean. Archipelagos and crowns of islands suspended between Asia and Africabetween endless beaches, scents of spices and total relaxation.
Madagascar, smiles and eco vocation
«God first created Mauritius and then the earthly paradise, which is its copy» wrote Mark Twain in 1885. An alchemy that brought together sea, beaches and nature, which made it look like a sort of Eden on earth. Paradise, Mauritius is still today. sugar cane fields, tea and ylang-ylang plantations, waterfalls, small villages and botanical gardensas Pample-mousseswhere Baudelaire met the dame créole Jeanne Duval, among giant water lilies, lotus flowers, ficuses and secular palms.
The beach of the Trou Aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, Mauritius Island.
An explosion of nature, both in the central plateau with lakes and craters of extinct volcanoes, as the Trou aux deer in Curepipe, and in the multicolored, rolling lands of Chamarel, sculpted over the centuries by rain and wind. But also in the 330 kilometers of protected coasts, formed by coral reefs and with a pleasant climate all year round. From the wild ones in the south, loved by the locals, to the more famous ones in the north and west, such as Trou aux Biches and Belle Mare. Here, on a white beach, in front of the turquoise lagoon and in a 35-hectare tropical garden, is the Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spathe first eco-friendly resort in Mauritius, a 5-star village committed for years to innovative sustainable protocols, without forgetting the exotic charm of what is defined as the “island of big smiles”.
Maldives detox
According to a legend it was the tears of God, like stars blown from the sky, that created this archipelago of about 1200 islands grouped into 26 atolls, where sky and sea embrace each other. «Remnants of land playing with the sea» commented the oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. The Maldives are still the most popular islands for those looking for exotic seaside destinations and the return to long journeys coincides with proposals for structures that have expanded the classic market of couples or diving enthusiasts, offering an increasingly kid-friendly welcome.
The Siyam World Maldives resort on Noonu Atoll.
Here nature does not rhyme only with white sand, sensational seabeds, postcard palm trees, or even with sustainability, biologists’ projects for the preservation and repopulation of corals. But also with a wide range of never-before-seen experiences, for an inclusive and fun holiday. As al Siyam World, 5-star resort on Noonu Atoll, surrounded by 54 hectares of nature. Perfect for both those seeking tranquility and for families, not only thanks to the largest water park in South East Asia, with games and sports for everyone, private slides from your own villa with swimming pool and electric mini Moke to ride. Here too the precious concept of “no news, no shoes” applies. Mental detox, better if barefoot.
Madagascar, the essence of nature
In Madagascar the magic of Africa meets the natural beauty of the Indian Ocean. Everything is a hymn to freedom. Crystal clear waters, white beaches bordered by tropical vegetation, cocoa bean plantations, rainforests, canyons, limestone rock formations, such as the red “tsingy”. Mother nature in its purest essenceto. In particular, Tsarabanjina, literally “the beautiful island to look at”, 40 minutes by boat from Nosy Be, preserves a rare biodiversity. From the numerous birds, such as the “Madagascar flycatcher”, a local symbol, or the Ibis huppé, to the seven species of lemurs, from sea eagles to the smallest chameleon in the world, just one centimeter long.
The Constance Tsarabanjina resort in Madagascar.
The vocation for eco-sustainability is remarkable, but so is the one for the harmony of the senses, made up of scents of ylang ylang, spices and tropical fruits. Not by chance the Constance Tsarabanjinaa luxury resort with 25 recently renovated villas, which also houses a sea turtle center, follows the philosophy “True by Nature” both in the activities and in the gastronomic proposals. At sunset, they can be enjoyed on the beach, on a private table, when the sky turns orange and the sea, shortly after, is illuminated by planktonwhich creates the effect of bioluminescence.
Zanzibar, in the wake of spices
TO Unguja, better known as the island of Zanzibar, the movement of the tides gives a constantly changing landscape, offering the possibility of walking (preferably with rock shoes) towards the coral reef to observe what the sea releases. Shells, starfish, colorful corals. They can be admired (but not gathered) in Kiwengwa, on the east coast of the Tanzanian archipelago, which hosts one of the most beautiful and longest beaches, over 8 kilometres.
A corner of the beach of the VOI Kiwengwa resort in Zanzibar.
Here is the YOU Kiwengwa Resort in a tropical garden that slopes down to the sea. Between a dip and a sunbath, you then stop at the nearby one Stone Town for a Spice and Historic Buildings Tour, like House of Wanders, in a maze of narrow streets warmed by a mix of Indian, African and Arab atmospheres. Queen fans don’t miss a stop at Freddie Mercury’s birthplace. And, then, you indulge yourself with excursions. Swimming with dolphins in Kizimkaz i, boating through the mangroves of Menai Bay, trekking in Jozani forest and finally, sunset in Kendwa. Hakuna Matata means “no problem” in Swahili. Everything here seems to be really far away.
Where to sleep in the Indian Ocean
Mauritius
Trou Aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa
A 7-night stay in a Junior Suite with half board, starting from 1,192 euros per person (flight excluded). beachcomber-hotels.com
Maldives
Siyam World Maldives
7-night all-inclusive stay for two people in a Beach Villa with private pool and direct access to the beach costs 5,000 dollars (about 4,700 euros; up to 2 children under 12 free in room with parents. The cost includes transfers to seaplane from/to Male (international flight cost not included in the package). sunsiyam.com/siyam-world
Madagascar
Constance Tsarabanjina
One night in a South Beach Villa, all included, starting from 600 euros for two people. constancehotels.com
Zanzibar
YOU Kiwengwa Resort
One-week all-inclusive stay starting from around 1,300 euros for two people (flight excluded). voihotels.com/destinations/voi-kiwengwa-resort
Where to eat
Mauritius
N’ Joy
In Grand-Baie, on Cuvette beach, a new and already very popular address, halfway between a bistro and a gourmet restaurant. Young atmosphere and live music. njoy. mu
Zanzibar
The Rock Restaurant
On the southeast coast, it offers cuisine using only local ingredients and stands on a rock in the middle of the sea, not far from Michanwi Pingwe Beach. At low tide it can be reached on foot, while at high tide a small boat service is available. therockrestaurantzanzibar.com
What to buy
Mauritius
Port Louis Central Market
Also known as the Bazaar of Port Louis, it offers food and spices on the ground floor, handicrafts on the first floor, including multicolor bags and straw hats.
Madagascar
Lisi Art Gallery
Antananarivo, Lalana Vvs
It offers handicrafts such as wooden sculptures, colored straw baskets, decorative boxes, batiks.
Zanzibar
Memories of Zanzibar
In the center of Stonetown you can shop for local souvenirs, including baskets, wooden objects, fabrics to be used as curtains or bedspreads, books and bijoux. memories-zanzibar.com
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