Trip to the island of Mauritius, the sweet tropics you don’t expect

THElong white beaches, palm trees, enchanting backdrops, but not only. The island of Mauritiusa former Dutch, then French and finally British colony, independent since 1968, houses a microcosm of cultures and a natural heritage where you can enjoy many experiences, between jungle and sea. How to say: summer all year round in a land with a sweet character, enlivened by a kaleidoscope of different languages ​​and religions, in the heart of the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar.

A winning cultural mix

Mauritius, which belongs to the state of the same name formed by the smaller atolls of Agalega, Cargados Carajos and Rodrigues, is an island where different cultures coexist in peace and harmony, giving travelers an extra something to their tropical holiday, perhaps chosen for their honeymoon. You start with the desire to stay all day relaxing in front of a postcard sea, but you quickly realize that it would be a shame. The very green hinterland offers a lot.

Not just the sea in Mauritius

The interior of the island is lush and easily explored with trekking shoes on: virgin forests, nature reserves, tea plantations and a beautiful botanical garden: Pamplemousses (ssrbg.govmu.org/SitePages/Index.aspx) created over 300 years ago by the French botanist Pierre Poivre. The garden is home to a collection of tropical plants: bottle palms, baobabs, lotuses, ficus. You walk along tree-lined avenues and bodies of water populated by water lilies: the giant ones of the Victoria genus are amazing, the floating leaves of these aquatic plants can reach two meters in diameter. The commitments promoted by Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels are in defense of the island’s precious ecosystem: the Dinarobin Beachcomber resort has launched the project Bee Sustainable followed by professional beekeepers who are teaching the art to the hotel teams who today produce the organic honey that guests find at breakfast.

Admiring the multicolored hills

Another special place is very popular: le Chamarel colored earths, among the main tourist attractions of the island, on the south-western side. These are dunes of volcanic origin that vary in shades of seven colours, from yellow to red, to blue to purple, depending on the incidence of the sun’s rays. The island has a discreet charm, made up of perfumes, plants, flowers, beaches. All in all it is small (70 kilometers long and 45 kilometers wide), but it has an interesting geographical variety that follows one another within a short distance. Beautiful white beaches and turquoise sea marry dense vegetation made of sugar cane, papaya, banana, coffee and pineapple plantations, but also of multicolored and fragrant flowers such as those of the frangipani and the flamboyant flamboyant.

Shall we go trekking in the forest?

There is no shortage of mountains, lakes, ancient craters, streams, waterfalls and dense forests such as the Ebony Forest Reserve (ebonyforest.com) where you can book a guided trek of a couple of hours among ebony trees and endemic exotic plants up to the panoramic point with spectacular views of the Le Morne peninsula. In the center of the island, a Trou aux Cerf, a primordial volcanic crater covered in vegetation steals the show the scene, like the sacred lake of Grand Bassinthe most famous place of worship for Hindus in Mauritius and among the most important for understanding the strong spirituality of the inhabitants. Al Black River Gorges Park (npcs.govmu.org/Pages/National%20Parks/Black-River-Gorges-National-Parks.aspx), famous for its waterfalls, is accessed from one of four entrances: the main entrance is Black River, followed by Case Noyale to the west, La Marie to the east and La Chamouny to the south.

A cup of tea with a view

Bois Chéri tea bags in Mauritius can also be bought in supermarkets, but sipping it on the terracethe Bois Chéri Tea Garden (groupe-saintaubin.com/saint-aubin-loisirs/domaine-de-bois-cheri/) with a view of the plantation is something else. Before the tasting, a visit to the factory is scheduled where the entire process is explained: from the tea harvest to drying to the preparation of the sachets and labelling. There is also a small museum where the machinery that was once used is exhibited..

In Mauritius, at the bottom of the sea…

The sea calls. The seabed surrounding Mauritius is enchanting and reveals coral reefs, mega condominiums of fish with multicolored liveries to be admired while swimming on the surface of the water with a mask and snorkel. The island offers several points where it is possible to snorkel: Blue Bay Marine Park is one of the most popular, the sea here is shallow and this allows for an excellent view of the corals and fish of the Mauritian reef, a treasure to be protected. For expert divers, however, among the most famous diving spots, there is Rocky Cathedralabout 27 meters deep and a short distance from the shoreline. In short, here is the right destination for those who love active holidays in the open air and trying their hand at water sports.

Shopping tour in the city

Fun, to break up the day, a ride to Port Louies, the lively capital of Mauritius. Don’t miss the colorful Port Louis Market, on Farquahar street (near the Caudan Waterfront) which hosts fruit, vegetable and local craft stalls, a tour among the scent of spices and incense, memories of the East, and African rhythms, those of the percussions that animate the sawthe engaging and sensual local dance staged with makeshift orchestras: goatskin drums and rudimentary maracas. In 2014 UNESCO sanctioned its intrinsic value by inserting the saw in the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as a unique and identifying intangible asset.

There is a world to be… savored

As distinctive as the cuisine of Mauritius, a meeting of worlds and flavours, a melting pot of Indian, Chinese and African influences that conquers with spicy or sweet notes. You choose between a biryani, made with rice and spices such as coriander and paprika, turmeric, chicken and ginger, and you koumg, a traditional soup made with seafood and coconut milk. Also worth trying is the heart of palm salad. In the resorts, the new trend is to propose fine dining menus capable of acting as a bridge between the different culinary souls of the island, its typical products and Western tastes. Then you return to the beach to tan on the sunbed, still inebriated by the flavours, colors and scents of Mauritius. Snapshots of memory to be found again in the future in the album of memories.

Where to sleep in Mauritius

Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury, Royal Road Grand Baie, 30512
The top Beachcomber resort has 68 suites in addition to the brand new Royal Villa, all facing the sea, overlooking Grand Sable beach, on the north-west coast protected from the trade winds. A deluxe location, perfect combination of comfort, elegance and modernity. The style of the rooms favors the use of refined materials, including precious gray marble with gold veins, oak, walnut, brass and natural stone. Silk, linen and velvets have been chosen from the collections of well-known French home designers such as Pierre Frey, Fadini Borghi, Nobilis or Casamance. The pride of the resort is the large Beachcomber Spa, one of the most renowned in the Indian Ocean which has we have developed six programs dedicated to well-being and relaxation: Meditation & energy, Muscle toning, Silhouette and pilates, Timeless beauty, Sleep therapy, Detox and well-being. Prices starting from 3,180 euros per person: 7-night package in a double Junior Suite with half board. beachcomber-hotels.com/it/hotel/royal-palm-beachcomber

Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf resort & Spa
Five star luxury, the resort has 172 suites nestled between the Le Morne peninsula, protected by the mountain of the same name on one side and overlooking a 7 kilometer long white beach on the other. Pervaded by a relaxing and muffled atmosphere, the resort pampers its guests with a thousand small Zen-style details. One of the semicircles of suites, in the most spectacular point of the beach, is adults-only (Zen Suite). Guests of the Dinarobin Beachcomber have access to all the services of the ‘neighbor’ Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa. Prices starting from 1,528 euros per person: 7-night package in a double Junior Suite with half board. beachcomber-hotels.com/en/hotel/dinarobin-beachcomber

Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, Le Morne Peninsula, homes Noyale 91202
Nestled between the turquoise lagoon and the mountain landscape of Le Morne, the resort is located in one of the most spectacular locations on the island, where you can practice sporting activities, from tennis to snorkelling, from biking to sailing, to water skiing. . The 18-hole golf course is a true paradise for lovers of this sport of all levels. A state-of-the-art fitness center and spa are also available to guests. Paradis Beachcomber in 2023 obtained the gold level from the EarthCheck Label association which has been following the green path of the entire group since 2015 for the development of sustainable tourism from both an environmental and social point of view. The program is important Land Based Coral Culture for Restoration, Conservation and Education for the restoration and conservation of coral by creating a “nursery” (which will be operational from 2026) for corals at Paradis Beachcomber. Objective: to cultivate rare corals and transplant them onto natural reefs. Prices from 1,465 euros per person: 7-night package in a double Paradis Bay View with half board. beachcomber-hotels.com/it/hotel/paradis-beachcomber

Flight on request
More information: tel 035 236656 – beachcomber-hotels.com

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