Le Mauricia Hotel in Mauritius Grand Baie with Wellness Centre

Published on May 16, 2012 in Mauritius and Mauritius Hotels. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

North – Grand Baie

Located in the heart of the main touristic village of Grand Baie in Mauritius, this four-star beach front hotel has a cosmopolitan and modern vibe yet within a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. There is no better way to experience friendly Mauritian hospitality and top-notch service than with the professionally trained staff and all the luxury that this hotel has to offer. Whether you are seeking an intimate and romantic honeymoon, a fun-filled family vacation or even a simple business trip, Le Mauricia Hotel is sure to cater to all your needs and make your stay a pleasant and impressive one.

Click here for more details aboutLe Mauricia Hotel in Mauritius Grand Baie with Wellness Centre located in Mauritius, North, Grand Baie

Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa – Mauritius Family Holiday LE MORNE LUXURY

Published on May 15, 2012 in Mauritius and Mauritius Hotels. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

South West – Le Morne

This resort offers guests the perfect holiday accommodation for an unforgettable break in Mauritius. The Dinarobin hotel boasts an amazing location on Le Morne peninsula surrounded by breath-taking views of the Indian Ocean and the white sandy beaches alone on the south west coast. Guests who love golf will be astounded by the championship golf course found within the grounds of the resort, and those who prefer to be pampered can spend their day in the luxurious spa, where you can relax your body and mind.

Click here for more details about Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa – Mauritius Family Holiday LE MORNE LUXURYlocated in Mauritius, South West, Le Morne

Mauritius Hotel Le Canonnier Hotel a Mauritius Family Holiday Resort

Published on May 11, 2012 in Mauritius and Mauritius Hotels. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

North – Pointe aux Canonniers

Le Canonnier Hotel Mauritius, located in the north of the island. Imagine spending your holiday on an exclusive peninsula; this hotel boasts an amazing location in Mauritius, offering guests the perfect holiday, full of sun, sand and sea. The hotel has facilities and activities to suit every guest’s needs.

Click here for more details about Mauritius Hotel Le Canonnier Hotel a Mauritius Family Holiday Resort located in Mauritius, North, Pointe aux Canonniers

Mauritius Golf Hotel TAMARINA Hotel, Golf, Spa & Beach Club

Published on April 19, 2012 in Mauritius and Mauritius Hotels. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

South West – Tamarin

Calling all golfers and spa-goers! This elegant 4-star plus resort with 50 comfortable rooms, each accommodating two people, is the ideal holiday location for passionate golfers and spa-lovers. This resort is a true paradise for guests; with all-inclusive offers, green fee for golfers, spa packages to treat your body and soul, and all this surrounded by colourful landscapes and located directly on the coast, in the West of Mauritius.

Click here for more details about Mauritius Golf Hotel TAMARINA Hotel, Golf, Spa & Beach Club located in Mauritius, South West, Tamarin.

Mauritius by Travel Writer Gemma Burnham

Published on April 3, 2012 in Insights Opinionated and Mauritius. 1 Comment Tags: , .

Mauritius

When I think of Mauritius, I picture my perfect honeymoon destination; pure white soft sands, dazzling turquoise waters lapping at my feet as I lay on the beach in full glory of the blazing sun, warming my skin and giving it a shimmering bronzed glow, laying there for hours, as still as a lizard on a rock and as relaxed as if I’ve spent a week in a spa. I think of the awe inspiring sunsets that have a mesmerising draw, fixating your eyes to the ever-changing skies, changing from blue to pink to red to purple, then, the millions of tiny stars that gently appear out of nowhere, like someone is lighting candles one by one, and soon enough they spread the width of the vast eternity of the dark night sky, twinkling, only to be shown up by the colossal white glow from the full round moon showing off its mass of craters visible from the earth. This is what I think when I think of Mauritius. And to be fair I am not far off. Not at all. As far as honey moon destinations are concerned I don’t think a better one exists anywhere in the world, however, you don’t have to be on a honeymoon to enjoy this special place; perhaps treat yourself to a week in paradise for a hard years work, or even voyage to the tiny island just for the shear luxury of it. Whatever your reason, you will not be disappointed with Mauritius.

Dwarfed by neighbouring Madagascar, miniscule Mauritius lies in the middle of the Indian Ocean and is surrounded with one of the world’s longest coral reefs, which have formed safe, shallow and crystal clear lagoons – making it an ideal destination for lovers of the underwater world, not to mention enthusiasts of prehistoric creatures. As you may or may not know, Mauritius is, or was, the only known home of the famous Dodo bird. However, with its inability to fly and its chunky size the poor dodo was easy prey and was soon extinct after European settlers set up base on the island in the 15th Century.

Mauritius was originally formed from a volcanic eruption under the sea 10 million years ago, but don’t worry, there have not been any eruptions since then and they are no longer active – Otherwise it would not have kept its dream destination status for as long as it has!

Today the population of Mauritius is around 1.3 million and consists of many different ethnic groups, including Indo-Mauritians (originally from India), Creoles (originally from Africa), French-Mauritians (from France) and Sino-Mauritians (Chinese), giving the island has a diverse mix of cultures and religions. The main languages spoken are either French or English, which has been adopted as a second language, probably from the steady flow of tourism from over the years. As far as religion goes Hindus come in first at around 50%, followed by a good mixture of Christians, Muslims, and Catholics. To reflect the diverse range of religions and ethnicity, the eating habits of the people offer an even more varied array of food on offer all over the island. Popular dishes include yummy Creole rougailles – often served as side dish or as a filling in a French baguette, Indian curries, Muslim biryanis, Chinese sweet-and-sour pork, delicate French pastry dishes, and even western dishes such as good old bacon and eggs if you’re feeling homesick. You name it, Mauritius has it, and there really is something for everyone.

To get the most out of your Mauritius experience, I would recommend staying at the ‘Isla Mauricia’ in one of their Luxury seafront apartments or penthouse if you really want to live the high life. This five star accommodation overlooks the vast blue Indian Ocean offering superb views from every angle. It is located in the north of the island in the quaint and sleepy fishing village of Cap Malheureux, famous for its landmark church with a bright red roof, and the pristine northern beaches where you can catch a glimpse of the small pretty islets nestled neatly in the sea. Isla Mauricia is run by a friendly local man named Dietmar, who is extremely welcoming and will do his upmost to ensure your stay in Mauritius is perfect and one to be remembered for ever. You can read more about Isla Mauricia via the website: www.isla-mauricia.com.

Mauritius boasts a tropical climate all year round, averaging 30 degrees during the high season of December to February, but also a pretty impressive 25 degree average during their ‘winter’ from May to October. So along with the impeccable weather, the freshest seafood you have ever tasted, postcard-perfect beaches and sand so soft it feels like flour sifting through your toes, you’ll wonder why you haven’t booked your trip to Mauritius sooner!

Gemma Burnham
Travel Writer and Photographer
www.gemma-burnham.com

Enjoy the sea breeze, take a rest from the grey routine of everyday life and spend an unforgettable vacation in one of the apartments or in the penthouse! Come to rest as you enjoy a delicious coffee on the spacious terrace, refresh yourself in the pool, or simply enjoy the fantastic sunsets. You will find just what your heart desires of a refreshing vacation in Mauritius.

Mauritius Self Catering Apartments Quiet Sea front accommodation

Published on April 2, 2012 in Mauritius and Mauritius Apartments. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

North West – Mont Choisy

Located directly at the ocean and surrounded by a well-kept garden, you’ll find this refined Mauritius holiday accommodation. These 35 comfortable apartments on a self-catering basis, can each accommodate up to 2 persons. This Mauritius property impatiently awaits to welcome you. The common pool and the supreme location in the North of Mauritius, alongside of the famous white beach of Mont Choisy, will turn your holiday into a memorable stay.

Click here for more details about Mauritius Self Catering Apartments Quiet Sea front accommodation located in Mauritius, North West – Mont Choisy.

The Sands Resort & Spa Mauritius Hotel Wolmar Flic en Flac

Published on April 2, 2012 in Mauritius and Mauritius Hotels. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

West – Wolmar

Nestled in a lush landscape, you can enjoy an unforgettable holiday to Mauritius in this 4-star resort surrounded by picturesque and fascinating scenery. Comfortable and lovingly-designed Deluxe rooms, each with a breath-taking view of the Indian Ocean, which can accommodate up to 3 people. The wide variety of restaurants, bars, leisure activities and a spa for complete relaxation, as well as exceptional and friendly service, make this hotel a real gem.

Click here for more details about The Sands Resort & Spa Mauritius Hotel Wolmar Flic en Flac located in Mauritius, West, Wolmar.

Planning a holiday to Mauritius – where should I stay? What is my budget?

Published on March 16, 2012 in Insights Opinionated, Mauritius, Mauritius Apartments, Mauritius Bungalows, Mauritius Hotels, Mauritius Lodges, Mauritius Regions and Mauritius Villas. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Planning a holiday to Mauritius – where should I stay? What is my budget?
I’m trying to put myself in the shoes of a tourist who is visiting Mauritius for the first time. If you are reading this article, you’ve probably found it through your ‘Mauritius’ Google search. Most of my sites suit tourists who are looking for a more individual holiday; individual accommodation on a self-catering basis, or with breakfast included, possibly without activity programmes or set eating times. Many tourists enjoy the increased freedom and the feeling that you are staying in your own home.  Understandably, there are also uncertainties if you don’t know much about Mauritius. You may look through online forums or read reports, reviews, travel journals, and accommodation descriptions to be certain that you’re booking the perfect holiday and to arrange flights, holiday accommodation, airport transfers, and hire cars at the destination. If you know nothing about Mauritius, then you often have your own ideas about how it might be. Often, you hear people say that you need to have won the lottery to travel to Mauritius. But a holiday on the island can also be cheap; there is cheaper accommodation, which varies between 40-50 EUR per night. The flights are usually the most expensive thing for your holiday budget.

Often, the cheapest accommodation is not directly on the ocean, or on a white sandy beach with turquoise-blue water. Instead, they are only 5 minutes’ walk away; you can jump on a bus and within a few minutes you find yourself on the beautiful diverse beaches along the coastline. If you’d like to plan your holiday to Mauritius on a cheaper budget, this is also possible. We offer a lot of cheaper accommodation on our homepage.

Instead of hotels you can opt for something more individual…
You will find accommodation ranging from apartments to luxury villas along the beautiful Mauritian coasts. There are also new apartment complexes, which are found directly on the beach. These consist of luxury suites and penthouses, which compete well with the 4-star hotels and have a lot to offer. There are also bungalows, apartments and cheaper holiday apartments in the villages, these are often well furnished and have maids, who will regularly clean and can also cook local meals, subject to request. Personally, I find that the majority of places I have visited are very well presented and maintained, even with the cheaper offers. The advantage for you when you book this type of accommodation is that we’ve already selected them in advance; we have visited them and have got to know the owner and the administration, with whom we work together.

In order to confirm an accommodation we have diverse criteria which must be fulfilled, and we only choose accommodation if we ourselves would spend a holiday there. Therefore, we offer a selection of diverse holiday apartments, studios, bungalows, villas, boutique hotels and resorts in Mauritius for your holiday, which you can book through us.

Where guests like to spend their holidays in Mauritius
Where you’d like to spend your holiday differs from person to person. I have noticed that most requests are for the North of the island, which I myself can recommend, as I live there and grew up there. After that, requests tend to be for the West, and Flic en Flac is very popular among young people. Or the South-West, for example, Le Morne, which is a great location for kite surfing. We receive very few requests for the South. Only a few nights are booked there in accommodations that we propose, usually in order to visit the tropical vegetation. The South East near the airport is a popular location, with the beautiful beach of Pointe d’Esny. In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful beaches, where we offer several villas and the “Paradise Beach” luxury apartment complex – one of my favourite among our accommodation. There, there are white sandy beaches and turquoise-blue water. However, the airport scares some off, although in this area planes have to fly in an arc to land, which means some of the noise is contained. Another myth is that it is always windy there, but in the summer it is really quite pleasant and, now and then, in the winter months it’s somewhat windy. Often the breeze is quite nice when it’s very warm. We have also written an article on the climate of the East coast just to debunk any myths.

This just leaves the East coast, which seems rather empty, with several hotels along the coast. There, in Trou d’eau Douce, Poste La Fayette, Roches Noires there is beautiful accommodation, like beach villas or beach houses, which can be booked through us. In the East it is somewhat quieter. Those who are looking for some peace and quiet will find it in the East.

North of Mauritius
In a nutshell, I would say the North is perfect for those who don’t want to be too far away from all the important points of interest. The bus connections are also very good here. There is a large range of accommodation and shopping opportunities. Other interesting attractions, like the Pamplemousse botanic garden, and other museums in the capital city of Port Louis, are easily accessible. There is also a large selection of activities which you can participate in. It is very easy-going with no mass tourism. Even though Grand Bay is the tourist centre in the North of the island, it isn’t overcrowded and, as a growing city, it has everything which cities should have, but this includes advantages and disadvantages. You also have to bear in mind that there are numerous beaches and bays in the North. In the evening there are many places to go out to and there are several good bars, lounges and beach clubs. Many accommodations in the North are in a comfortable and quiet location.

West of Mauritius
The West has a number of villages. Flic en Flac is particularly well-known for its large beach, on which several hotels are located. This area attracts many young tourists, as there are many clubs and lots of opportunities to do something during the day and night. This area is similar to Grand Bay in the North. Flic en Flac has several cheaper apartments, certainly more than Grand Bay. Anyone who is a fan of Grand Bay doesn’t usually like Flic en Flac and the other way round. Why is that? I have no idea. It is probably influenced by the place that the person has visited first. Further away from Flic en Flac is Tamarin, where you can surf and watch dolphins. Again, it becomes sparser the further away you go. There, you will find shops and accommodation in interesting locations. On this coast, we offer several hotels, villas and luxury apartments. Now and then, we receive specific requests for the West. In these requests it is often stated that this region has been recommended by someone else. I can confirm this recommendation; there are beautiful national parks, where you can enjoy some beautiful walks. The infrastructure is different, more extensive and less dense. The West is a lovely location.

South of Mauritius
The South offers many beautiful lodges, as well as some luxurious villas. With a quiet location and small villages, you really feel like you’re on a tropical island. A rental car or a taxi is a must here. Buses don’t run very often and most don’t run as far as the lodges because of their location. If you are really looking for somewhere to get away from it all, and want to recharge your batteries, I recommend booking a couple of nights in our lodges in the mountains in Chamarel or by the Anguilles River during your stay in Mauritius. From there you will experience some breath-taking views. If you can, I recommend this for any holiday. The South also has several hiking trails. These lead through Chamarel inland, where you will find some gorgeous landscapes and forests. There are also a few special locations, like the Reviere, which are called Domaine de 7 valleys or the Ferney Valley. There you have to pay admission and can choose to hike with or without a guide. You can also hunt, and in the local restaurants you can eat deer.

South East of Mauritius
Somewhat further from the South, in the South East, we have several more accommodations to offer; the location is simply beautiful and the beach, in my opinion, is one of the most stunning in Mauritius. The location is ideal for couples and families, who would like to spend time on the beach. If you prefer somewhere quieter and are on the lookout for a small tropical village, where you can really experience island life, where you get the feeling that time has stood still, then here you will get your money’s worth. There are shopping possibilities and a few old Mauritian customs e.g. fish sellers who come directly to your house. The atmosphere creates a feeling of serenity, especially through the friendly locals who like to enjoy life. The old town of “Mahebourg” is something special. I’ve enjoyed a morning tea there before and visited the market. Those who want to experience a rather slower pace of life will get their money’s worth. And the beach is a real dream, especially for example, Pointe d’Esny. The photos of the properties we have there reflect this. My favourite location around here is actually called “Paradise Beach” where you can directly access the beach from the apartment.

East of Mauritius
The East, known for Belle Mare, has even more villages, where you can directly book beach villas through us, like in Trou d’eau Douce, Poste Lafayette and Roches Noires. There are several famous hotels in this area and we have several on offer which you can book through us. The tow in this area is the Centre de Flacq. It is very peaceful and there are several beautiful beaches and bays. Those who are simply looking for some peace and want to spend their holidays in a great villa by the sea; this is the place to go. You can also go to the hotel for activities and the hotels also offer even more restaurants. There is a large forest in this region, and there you feel like you are learning about the old Mauritius, because not much has changed, and you can find the peace you are looking for. Similar to Pointe d’Esny, but there is still something different. There are some things you can’t describe with words; they just have to be experienced.

Our offers and finding that island feeling
We put a lot of effort into our accommodation descriptions; it can sometimes take from 3 weeks to a month per accommodation to prepare everything we need, such as viewings, getting to know the partners, photo shoots, creating descriptions in 3 languages, checking everything and then preparing to put the accommodation online. Only then can you browse the accommodations in an online catalogue. However, photos cannot portray everything, like the pleasant rays of sunshine, the tropical vegetation, the chirping birds…
So you will see, when you are here for the first time, that everything is different – generally different in a positive sense. You will discover a beautiful and special island. Mauritius has many fans and has won many hearts in England, which is why people return again and again. If you’ve never been to Mauritius and are a little hesitant, I really recommend it to you – take the plunge and experience a multi-cultural nation. Mauritius is a unique island, with different languages and peoples. As beautiful as the island, the islanders also have a lot to offer; another advantage which makes the long flight completely worth-while. It is so much more than beach and sun. If you are still undecided on your holiday planning, please feel free to send us an email or you can leave a comment on this blog.

Sunny greetings from Mauritius,
Dietmar Reigber

Mauritius

Published on March 9, 2012 in Mauritius. 2 Comments Tags: .

Mauritius is a small, volcanic island in the Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometres east of Madagascar.  Surrounded by dazzling white sand beaches, a spectacular coral reef and sparkling turquoise water, the 2040 km2 island is a miniature paradise in Africa. Named originally after Prince Maurice of Nassau, the Stadtholder of the Netherlands, under the French the island became known as L’ile de France, later to be L’île Maurice or, in English, Mauritius.

Most potential visitors to the island know it only by the glossy photographs of the dazzling white beaches, turquoise lagoon, palm trees and five star hotels in the travel magazines. These, most certainly, are common in Mauritius but there is so much more to the country than that. In terms of luxurious accommodation alternatives, there are a number of exclusive villas which would make even the most travel-hardened guests swoon.

Apart from the breathtaking locations of the villas – in the north, south, east and west of the island – the services offered rival even the most perfect suites in five star hotels. With private pools and gardens, romantic gazebos, barbecue facilities and, of course, total solitude, these exclusive and spacious villas will transform any holiday on the island into an unrivalled experience of total luxury. What’s more, the flexible catering options mean that it is possible to explore the different culinary delights offered in restaurants around the island at local prices, or to enjoy the services of a private gastronomic chef in the comfort of the villa itself.

Like the hotels on the island, most villas also offer to take on the organisational burden of special events such as weddings, anniversaries or honeymoons. With airport transfers and a personalised concierge service, there are almost no hindrances to complete relaxation and enjoyment from the moment you step foot in Mauritius.

Although the weather is usually good the whole year round, summer is officially from November to April when temperatures loiter around the 30ºC mark on the thermometer. These months are also marked by intense humidity, tempered by constant sea breezes. If cyclones are going to affect the weather they do so during the summer, bringing strong winds and heavy rains between January and March. Winter in Mauritius is never too severe with average temperatures of 24ºC. The drop in humidity makes this a extremely pleasant time to visit and although there can be winds buffeting the east of the island, they are fairly negligible.

The main languages spoken in Mauritius are French, Creole Morisien, English and Hindi; a vibrant blend of languages which reflects the array of cultures and cuisines to be found existing harmoniously alongside one another.  In the markets, most of the bartering will be done in Creole or French for a variety of goods from Europe, India, Mauritius and China, while the food stalls will be selling riz frites, dholl purris and ananas, to name but a few favourites from three different countries.  The most typical Mauritian music is séga, local folklore music with African origins. These spirited melodies are usually played by men, accompanied by female singers and dancers.

There is a huge diversity of landscape densely packed into Mauritius. The middle of the island is dotted with the strange and densely forested forms of volcanic mountains over which run clear streams of sweet water. The coral reef encloses a turquoise lagoon ideal for snorkelling and other water sports, bordered by white sand beaches, palm and fir trees. Throughout the island are the ubiquitous sugar-cane fields, their silvery-purple plumed tops waving in the balmy tropical breeze.  Deep blue skies and clean, fresh air are the crowning glories of this little spot of heaven in the Indian Ocean.

Stay in the Andrea & Exile lodges in Mauritius – a Mauritian travel report

Published on March 6, 2012 in Insights Opinionated, Mauritius and Mauritius Lodges. 7 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

I’ve recently spent a beautiful and relaxing time at the Andrea & Exile lodges with a couple of friends. There are two different locations on offer here. The Andrea lodges are in the South of the island, near the Anguilles Riviera and close to a cliff, from which you have a beautiful view of the ocean. You cannot swim in the sea there, as the currents are too strong and the waves are too big. It really is something, to be able to relax in peace and enjoy the view, as well as the sounds, of the ocean. In addition, the amazing colours of the surrounding green nature and the beautiful turquoise-blue tones of the ocean are very impressive. There is also a pool, where you can “splash” around :)

The Exile lodges, however, are located in tropical vegetation, approx. 9km away from the Andrea lodges in an inland direction. Both the Andrea lodges and the Exile lodges have 10 cabins. These are ideal for couples. There is a room with a double bed, from which you will have a great view of the surrounding nature. In the Andrea lodges you have a view over the ocean, whereas in the Exile lodges you have excellent views over an amazing waterfall. The rooms have a fan on the ceiling, an elegant bathroom but no kitchenette. For food, you’ll find some great meals in restaurants. You wouldn’t cook anyway, because it is all about pure relaxation – simply laze around and do as little as possible – let your mind wander.

The food is prepared in the Andrea lodges and then transported to the Exile lodges. Pricewise it is very cheap, and it can be exclusively booked through a half-board option. For lunch, you can pre-order in advance what you would like to eat, or the head chef, who is very nice, will make chips, salad and croques monsieur in the Andrea lodges restaurant.

Interior Design at the Exile & Andrea lodges
The interior is all very simple, clean and nicely decorated with matching colours, so that it is in harmony with nature. Here, it is all about enjoyment and relaxation. You shouldn’t expect any luxury or extras – you’ll get them at your hotel or villa. Therefore, this location is ideal for a couple of nights. Nevertheless, we also get requests for bookings for 1-2 weeks. This is often the case!

The Villages
We were positively impressed by the village and didn’t waste time looking for things we didn’t like. If you are looking, you will probably find flaws. Where it seems perfect, if you want to spoil it for yourself, you can. Where people are at work, there is also flaws, even in 5 star hotels…And if there are no flaws, it can sometimes go awry. Perhaps the waiter drops something…Even if that happened, I wouldn’t say the whole stay is miserable, because I know it could happen to me too. With my two left hands, I usually drop things from time to time :D Therefore, we didn’t notice any flaws, as we simply wanted to enjoy the lovely time we were having.

Smiling and laughing is healthy!
You’ll find yourself smiling when you’re there, surrounded by the beautiful nature. I believe that it is simply too good, and as soon as you are in your cabin, you simply let your mind wander, with a beautiful view from your bed – now the relaxation mode is switched on. Here, the emphasis is on relaxation – doing nothing and enjoying the view.
We spent our first night at the Andrea lodges. There we had dinner, which was delicious (buffet). Before that we splashed around in the pool, dived in and played with the children – and why not charge about once in a while?? You just feel free, you could roar like a gorilla and drum your fists on your chest – said, DONE :) Extroverted!? No! As a young man, being an adult doesn’t mean being boring…Whether the sincerity of my report now suffers because of this, depends on the interpretation of the reader – one thing is clear, we felt very comfortable, very free and we laughed a lot. And laughing is healthy! My book by Thomas Mann, “Der Zauberberg” would’ve been ideal there as relaxing reading, however I’d nabbed a cheap thriller by Dean Koontz in the supermarket (Super U).
We hadn’t had such a good time together in a long time. And after we’d experienced this holiday location, we all gave it a well-deserved 5 stars! If only for the great time we had. The other guests in this location were also friendly. We easily chatted to all the other people we met, mostly Mauritians.

You’ll enjoy going for walks and the atmosphere of the cabin
We went for a lot of walks. If you could get diplomas for beautiful views of the ocean, this location would have one. It is very humid there and in summer it is very warm. There is a fan on the terrace. As you get used to new places, I must admit the sound of the sea was pretty loud (a lovely romantic sound), sometimes I turned the fan on the terrace on, and then off again, so I could listen to the sound of the sea. There, you think back to the room descriptions, like in “Der Zauberberg” book by Thomas Mann. There are also mosquitoes here. We are, of course, in the Tropics, so this is normal – but you can stretch a mosquito net over the bed or turn on the “Vape”. A Vape device is available on this site, and in most facilities in Mauritius:

http://www.vape.com/en/schede_prodotto/elettroemanatore_filo.html

You’ve probably already noticed how quickly you get used to a certain comfort. Little things which you like to have. So I won’t dwell on the little things, because it cannot all be 100% perfect. If I had to grade it, I would give it 95% – on my own, and therefore subjective, scale. After a while you get used to the environment and sleep as deep as a bear, and look forward to next morning in your own bed. The breakfast was great. We chatted to the staff, as we can all speak the local Patois (Creole) and French. The head chef walked around all the guests, asking if the food tasted good. We found this great – of all the restaurants we’ve visited on the island, the fact you can chat to the chef, makes it one of our favourites. For the same reason, Luigis Restaurant in Grand Baie is one of our favourites as the manager always stops by and you can chat to him. It gives the impression that the chef loves to cook, and passionately recommends his meals.

Activities in the Andrea & Exile lodges
Shortly after breakfast someone came to our table and presents the various activities, which were included in the price and on the agenda for that say. For those activities we were interested in, we could join in immediately. There was a main activity for every day and this varied from day to day. For a surcharge you could also book other activities, like driving quad bikes through the wide landscape or hiring mountain bikes and cycling through the villages or the sugar cane fields. There are even more activities on offer, but I’ll let you discover them for yourself on our website.

As we were moving to the Exile lodges that day, the staff offered to take our luggage there so that we could participate in the activities. It was a very helpful service with friendly staff. Therefore, we agreed to take part in the 3-hour hike. On that day, a group of about 25 health ministers were there, so we joined them. In the pick-up we sat closely together at the back, and the atmosphere was very fun. The 3-hour hike through nature was beautiful and we didn’t notice that 3 hours had already passed. It seemed much shorter! In any case, I recommend taking anti-mosquito spray because deep in the tropical nature there are so many! Afterwards we were able to bathe under a waterfall. Afterwards we had lunch at the Exile lodges.

A lovely rest in the Exile lodges
After that, first we rested, and then we had dinner in the restaurant of the Exile lodges. There was lots of yummy food at the buffet. I should add that the lodges are located in a large area which belongs to a big company who mainly deal with agriculture and stock breeding, such as the breeding of ducks. Don’t worry; you won’t hear any ducks as they are a few kilometres away! The head chef told us that the vegetables are fresh and home-grown. You could really taste that. The salad was excellent.

The Exile lodges are a little more expensive than the Andrea lodges. But the Exile lodges are also slightly bigger and in a more special location. With the view of the waterfall and the small mountains, which are covered in tropical vegetation as far as the eye can see, you will have an unbelievable view. So you’ll immediately be able to RELAX! Here you can ease your stress and all those burnout symptoms!
The Exile lodges are my personal favourite. It is somewhat quieter here. You don’t hear the loud sound of the ocean. I find it very pleasant at night. As you are in nature, you will obviously be surrounded by insects, like mosquitos and spiders, but they won’t spoil your holiday. If you have a real phobia of spiders, you can use the “Baygon-Spray”, which you will find in the bathroom. It’s the absolute insect killer!

As we were tired we went to bed early and the next was our last day. When you woke up, you could immediately enjoy the beautiful view from your bed. It would be great to simply do nothing and enjoy the view all day long, read a little and rest.

Cycle through the nature and explore the surroundings of Rochester Falls and Souillac
We also hired bikes and to cycle to the Andrea lodges, to pick up our cars. Therefore, we checked out of the Exile lodge after breakfast and cycled through the sugar cane fields. It was very adventurous and I don’t think it would suit those who aren’t sporty and the path was very stony and if you’re not used to riding a mountain bike, you could easily fall off. Of course, you can also walk, or if it’s too difficult simply push the bike. So we reached the Rochester Falls waterfalls, where we saw lots of young people jumping in from the top. You can see some photos of this in my photo gallery. We then cycled further to the small town of Souillac, where you can see many historical sights. I also have photos of this in my gallery. This location had a very special feel to it, because so much is rundown but still has life! Along the coast, past the sea of Gris Gris and La Roche qui Pleure, we found our way through the nature and sugar cane fields to Andrea. It took us about 6 hours – so much fun! Although we had no plan, we made it anyway and it was a lot of fun. Once we arrived at the Andrea lodges we ate a snack and chilled for a little while in the restaurant, with a beautiful view of the ocean. Then we chatted for a while with Mrs Dot, the manager on site, and then we paid for our food and drinks, to then say goodbye, and, indeed, see you again!

Conclusion – we love the Andrea & Exile lodges – we’ll be back!
This was one place, which we would definitely visit again. The next time we would book the Exile lodges straight away. As we (me and my friends) live quite near the coast in Mauritius, it’s really special to be in the tropical forest – away from the cities and the ocean. You can book different activities on site – such as quad bikes and cycling, where I really enjoy. Next time, we will definitely go swimming at the waterfall, which can be seen from the lodge. Now we know the way. Conclusion, if you can fit this into your Mauritius holiday plans, I would definitely recommend booking a couple of nights in these lodges. You can really relax here, and I find that the location, the region and the village also have their own charm and appeal. In addition, the small town of Souillac has many beautiful colours and you will feel, like you’re somewhere completely different. As well as lots of history, you get the feeling you are far away from home, like you’re in another world, where time has stood still…

Mauritius Beach Villa for rent Grand Baie Lagoon – PIEDANLO TURQUOISE

Published on February 22, 2012 in Mauritius and Mauritius Villas. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

North – Pereybere

Mauritius Beach Villa, facing directly the lagoon of Grand Baie with a beach right in front of the garden. Lagoon is suitable for bathing, swimming and snorkelling. One of the most sought after beach stretch when it comes to the Grand Baie area. Ideal location for a Mauritius Holiday in a self-catering beach villa! Furnished with simplicity, this comfortable and well-equipped beach villa can accommodate up to 6 guests. With an ideal location, the villa is surrounded by breath-taking views over the North Mauritian region.

Click here for more details about Mauritius Beach Villa for rent Grand Baie Lagoon PIEDANLO TURQUOISE, North Pereybere.

Mauritius Self Catering Apartments Luxurious PEARL OF THE WEST COAST

Published on February 6, 2012 in Mauritius and Mauritius Apartments. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

South West – Tamarin

Combining Mauritius luxury beachfront accommodation with a range of services to suit your every need while on holiday in Mauritius. Located on the West coast of the island, in the Tamarin Bay/Black River region, the complex boasts outstanding views over the ocean.

Click here for more details about Mauritius Self Catering Apartments Luxurious PEARL OF THE WEST COAST located in Mauritius, South West – Tamarin.

Mauritius Luxury Hotel Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort

Published on January 27, 2012 in Mauritius and Mauritius Hotels. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

South – Bel Ombre

At the Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort guests will experience an exceptional range of services; there is a selection of land and water-based sports on offer including the amazing 18-hole golf course and a fully-equipped fitness centre – or you can relax and pamper yourself in the Seven Colours Spa. The hotel provides different room types which are ideal for families or couples. There is a wide selection of restaurants and bars, and facilities to suit every tourist; guests can try their hand at golf, or hire some mountain bikes to explore the Frederica Nature Reserve, or simply relax on the beach whilst sipping a cocktail. For younger guests there is the Timomo & Friends Mini Club, and even an activities centre in the C Beach Club for teenagers.

Click here for more details about Mauritius Luxury Hotel Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort located in Mauritius, South, Bel Ombre.

Booking agents in Mauritius

Published on January 20, 2012 in Mauritius. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , .

For every planned holiday destination there are a host of questions which inevitably rise up and threaten to swamp the hapless traveller in a tidal wave of uncertainty. What kind of accommodation should I book? In what region should I stay? How do I know that I’m getting a good deal? What will the weather be like? Are there mosquitoes? What kind of clothes do I need? What kind of power sockets will there be? An easy way to cope with such planning stresses is to book everything through a tour agency company, like Isla-Mauricia, rather than directly with the owner.

Why is this a good idea though? With a dedicated tour agency, each property has been visited personally before the advertisements go live online. This ensures that the property description and photographs tally with the direct experience of the agency, rather than relying on brochure information which may possibly be inaccurate or out of date. The commitment to visiting each property also ensures that only the offers which are deemed to be of a suitable quality are advertised on the website.

Interestingly, the fees are not necessarily always going to be higher when accommodation is booked through an agent rather than direct with the owner. Most properties have public rates which are higher than those for an agency or tour operator: this allows the operator to charge a certain commission without adversely affecting the eventual bill of the holiday maker. In addition to this, hotels will often have a tour operator room allocation which is separate from the public room allocation: a hotel that is fully booked to the public may still have rooms available through the tour operator allocation.

Communication is another great advantage with booking through a tour operator, as a good agency will answer all enquiries promptly and will have a multi-lingual team able to field communications in a variety of different languages. The large number of properties managed by the tour operator also means that they will be able to give informed advice on the best property types to suit the individual requirements of the client. Rather than making numerous calls to different people, it can all be done through one agent.

Financial security is usually guaranteed through an agent as payments are made to a registered company and not to an individual. In order to qualify for a licence, the tour operator has to fulfil the requirements both of the local code of commerce and of the national tourism authorities.

A reputable tour operator, like Isla-Mauricia, will be able to answer all your travel enquiries. Their websites will usually have a host of information on the weather, languages spoken, seasons, local flora and fauna and available activities pertinent to your holiday destination. Rather than letting the stresses of your trip overwhelm you before your holiday has even begun, allow an agent to handle all of your booking enquiries and put your fears to rest. From the moment you emerge from the airport to the time you need to depart again, the Isla-Mauricia team will be happy to provide you with the best holiday experience and support that they can.

Mauritius Properties

Published on January 20, 2012 in Mauritius. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Buying property in Mauritius is, for non-residents, not the simplest of tasks. A couple of government schemes have been put into place, however, to allow non-residents to buy property in specific areas and under certain laws and regulations. These two types of purchase options are the Real Estate Scheme (RES) and the Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS), both of which have had a huge impact on the property market in Mauritius in the past few years.

It is only recently that changes in government legislation allowed for the purchase of property on the island by non-residents and, in 2002, the first foreign buyers were permitted to buy land on a restricted basis through the IRS project. This allows for the construction and sale of luxurious villas in particular locations around the island, generally dominated by the large sugar estates. Once an IRS property has been purchased, the buyer, along with spouse and family, is given the status of a Mauritian resident for the duration of ownership. This allows the buyer to remain on the island but it does not confer Mauritian citizenship.

The land available for RES developments has to be between one arpent and ten hectares and has to be freehold land. This means that beach-front property, which is usually owned by the government and leased out, cannot be used for a RES project. Individual sites in the RES properties are, by law, not allowed to exceed 1.25 arpents and only small land owners who have owned the land for at least five years may apply for a RES permit. Both the IRS and RES properties have to offer commercial and leisure amenities as well as the obvious residential ones and, furthermore are required to provide services like solid waste disposal, maintenance, gardening and household cleaning and security.

Unlike the IRS properties which require a minimum investment of USD 500 000 there is no minimum investment for the RES. In order to benefit from the residency policy, however, buyers are required to make the same investment as an IRS property owner. Furthermore, the first purchaser has to pay a registration duty of USD 25 000, while the laws regarding re-sales require the purchaser to pay a land transfer tax of five percent of the property value in addition to the registration duty.1

The reason for the popularity of Mauritian property is obvious. The landscape is lush, fertile and tropical, the smooth, white sand beaches border the calm waters of the turquoise lagoon and freezing temperatures are a thing unknown on the island. Summer lasts from October to April, but the winter months are mild with an average daytime coastal temperature of 24° C and a sea temperature of about 22° C. The thriving economy of this politically stable country adds to its charms, while the fact that English is the official language makes contracts and documentation simple.

Although these schemes are intended for people wishing to buy property in Mauritius, it is also possible to obtain short term holiday rentals. When looking for your dream holiday accommodation, it is advisable to check with reputable booking agents, such as Isla-Mauricia, who will be able to answer all your questions and provide you with an array of stunning options for holiday homes.

“These facts are based on 2007 specifications and are subject to change. Isla-Mauricia cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information at any given time and prospective buyers are advised to acquaint themselves with the laws regarding property ownership in Mauritius.”

Domaine de Bel Ombre

Published on January 20, 2012 in Mauritius. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

Situated on the south coast of Mauritius, Le Domaine de Bel Ombre lies nestled between a breathtaking lagoon and the striking, volcanic mountains of the island. With several deluxe resorts, two outstanding hotels – the Heritage Awali and Heritage Le Telfair Golf and Spa – a championship eighteen-hole golf course with a par three nine-hole course, a rambling 3500 acre nature reserve and a nineteenth century château, Le Domaine leaves little to be desired.

The Heritage Awali hotel is a tribute to the multiculturalism of Mauritius, drawing strongly on the African heritage of the island. There are three main room types in the hotel; the Deluxe, the Suite and the Villa, all of which are spacious and comfortable with chic, refined and ethnic décor. The Deluxe rooms boast their own private terraces whilst the Suites, located on the edge of the beach, each have their own open plan sitting and dining room, jacuzzi, a private terrace with a view of the lagoon and, for that morning pick-me-up, a proper espresso machine. The Villa, in a class of its own, has a living room, dining room and separate kitchen, three en-suite bedrooms, a gazebo and a private swimming pool.

The Heritage Le Telfair Golf and Spa is a haven of luxury and comfort. Inspired by the Mauritian plantation era, it draws on the elegance and romanticism of colonial architecture with soothing natural shades of green, beige and cappuccino. The Superior rooms in the hotel have beautiful sea views and are available as connecting rooms for family parties. The Junior Suites have a unique hexagonal lounge, a four-poster bed and a large antique bath tub, while the ground floor suites boast an additional outdoor shower. The Senior Suites include a lounge and dining area with romantic, antique furniture. Like the Junior Suites, the ground floor Senior Suites all have an uplifting outdoor shower. The cream of the crop, the Ocean Suite, has a spacious veranda with views of the Indian Ocean, a living area and separate dining room.

Separate from the two hotels, the Villas Valriche, which from the 1st of September 2011 have been renamed Heritage The Villas, offer scenic and luxurious surroundings with an uninterrupted view of the warm, blue Indian Ocean. There are a number of different plantation-style villa designs to choose from, including double and single storey configurations with two, three or four bedrooms. Plot sizes range between 700m2 and 2000m2 but, regardless of the size, they all have inspiring views across the golf course and the sea.

Each villa, set in a verdant and landscaped tropical garden, is a work of art in its own right, with premium brand fixtures and fittings and state-of-the-art communications. They also each boast their own infinity swimming pool, large veranda, gazebo, barbecue area and, an added bonus during the summer humidity, air-conditioning. To avoid each villa looking exactly like every other villa, a wide selection of options and interior design packages are available to buyers, allowing them to stamp their home with their own individual tastes.

Villa owners have playing rights at the Heritage Golf Club (previously the Golf du Château). This includes the eighteen- and nine-hole courses, access to the picturesque clubhouse, health and fitness centre, tennis club, beauty spa and the residents’ beach club. Fine dining opportunities are also available in the nineteenth century manor house, Le Château de Bel Ombre, which offers a mouth-watering array of typical Mauritian cuisine.

These villas are also available for short term rental, making them ideal for à la carte family holidays. The villas are cleaned daily and include a twenty-four house concierge service with an optional butler service available on request. Furthermore, a four-seater golf cart is provided for the exclusive use of each villa, along with access to the C Beach Club and facilities at the two Heritage Resorts and the Domaine de Bel Ombre. Baby sitting services, in-villa dining, transfers by both car and helicopter and spa treatments can be booked on request.

For all the luxury and service of a five-star hotel, with the privacy and intimacy of a private home, Heritage The Villas make the perfect holiday accommodation in Mauritius. The tranquillity of the private gardens, the discreet and friendly service and the outstanding views of the rich, blue Indian Ocean guarantee a memorable stay on the island. Lie back in the sun, relax, and enjoy the best that Mauritius has to offer you.

Sunny Mauritius

Published on January 20, 2012 in Mauritius. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Customs favoured by our ancient ancestors,like sun worship, may not make much sense to those of us lucky enough to live in hot climates, but to those who barely see the sun for bleak, wintry months on end, it can appear in an entirely different light. During the long, dark winter nights, people in Europe may well find their thoughts turning to holidays in the sunny tropics and, of course, Mauritius is an ever popular destination as it offers world-class beaches, outstanding hospitality and, of course, the sun.

The health benefits of the sun are undeniable, when exposure to the sun is taken in moderation and with sensible precautions. Skin cancer aside, nobody wants to spend their holiday looking like a well-boiled lobster and squealing like a hyperactive guinea pig at even the lightest and softest touch. Vitamin D, which is essential for absorbing calcium, keeping bones healthy and protecting against diseases such as osteoporosis, type II diabetes and multiple sclerosis, is manufactured by our bodies through the action of the sun’s rays on our skin.

Some of the top positive features of sun exposure are a boost in serotonin levels leading to happier and more cheerful moods, a reduction in the risk of heart disease, lower risk of cavities, relief from general aches and pains and, paradoxically, reduced risk of some cancers. Recent studies have shown that although over exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer, moderate sun absorption and the resulting boost of vitamin D can lower the risk of breast, colon and stomach cancers. The sun also increases fertility, gives you more energy, boosts your immune system and improves general skin tone.

In Mauritius there is not a huge difference in sunshine hours between winter and summer, with an average of 7.9 sunshine hours per day. Temperatures in the summer tend to be around the 30° C mark or above, while in winter they hover between 20° C and 25° C. As the island falls in the southern hemisphere, the Mauritian summer coincides perfectly with northern hemisphere winters, making it the ideal holiday destination for sun-starved Europeans.

The island has an area of about 2040 sq km with an astounding range of geographical variations. The south coast of the island is, perhaps, the wildest with striking cliffs, tropical forests and dramatic coastlines. In contrast, the north is a very popular tourist destination with some of the most well-known and beautiful beaches on the island. Boasting towns such as Grand Baie, the north is renown for its vibrant night life and shopping opportunities. The east coast tends to be slightly colder and windier all year round, making it the idea destination for kite-surfing holidays, while the west coast is generally the hottest with an array of beautiful and less well-known beaches.

Accommodation on the island ranges from small, family run self-catering cottages, to luxurious beach villas and from sprawling five-star hotels to cosy mountain chalets. Something they all have in common, however, is instant access to the sun (except during the cyclone season from January to March); a much loved commodity that comes included in any Mauritius holiday package. For an array of different types of accommodation and help and advice on booking your holiday, you need look no further than the Isla-Mauricia team.

Weddings in Mauritius

Published on January 20, 2012 in Mauritius. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

An anonymous person once commented that marriages are made in heaven and consummated on earth, while the famous writer, Mark Twain, is frequently quoted out of context as having said that ‘you get the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius’. Obviously, these two statements reflect personal preferences for the island, but what better place is there to celebrate a wedding than on the small, tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean?

Although the weather on the island is generally good all year round, the ideal time to hold a wedding would be during the warm, dry winter from May to October. During the summer humidity levels are high and, between January and March, cyclones are always a possibility. A winter wedding may sound daunting, but average daytime temperatures at the coast during this season rarely drop below 24° C with a sea temperature of about 22° C: more than pleasant conditions for swimming, revelling and getting married.

Mauritius is a small island with an area of roughly 2040 sq km but condensed within this limited space is an astonishing range of geographical variations. The south coast of the island is, perhaps, the wildest with striking cliffs, tropical forests and dramatic coastlines. In contrast, the north is a very popular tourist destination with some of the most well-known and beautiful beaches on the island. Boasting towns such as Grand Baie, the north is renown for its vibrant night life and shopping opportunities. The east coast tends to be slightly colder and windier all year round, making it the ideal destination for an activity-based wedding: some of the best kite-surfing opportunities are to be had in the east. Last, but definitely not least is the west coast of Mauritius; hot, sunny, fantastic for scuba-diving and with generally uncrowded beaches.

The majority of hotels on the island are well-equipped to deal with weddings, having expertise and inside knowledge of the best way to organise not only the hospitality side of the celebration, but also the legal and religious aspects. This does not mean that only the luxurious five-star hotels can accommodate wedding arrangements, but the smaller, more intimate ones as well. Although self-catering accommodation in Mauritius has become increasingly popular in recent years, it is by no means guaranteed that every property will be able to cope with a wedding. Reputable booking agents, however, such as Isla-Mauricia, will be able to recommend the best choice based both on your budget and wedding requirements. It is also as well to be aware that many hotels will have minimum booking stipulations on wedding parties.

Once you have arrived on the island, you need not be worried that your guests will become too well acquainted with boredom. There are numerous activities ranging from water-sports like windsurfing, sailing, pedal and glass-bottomed boats, swimming, snorkelling and scuba-diving, to land-based sports like golf, rock climbing and hiking. Other enriching activities include the famous Blue Penny Museum at the Caudan Waterfront, nature parks like Casela and, of course, the stunning Seven Coloured Earth near Chamarel.

For couples wanting a romantic wedding on the beach at sunset, couples wanting to get away from it all while they make their life-changing commitment to one another or for couples who simply want to elope, Mauritius is one of the top destinations in the world. If weddings are indeed made in heaven, then Mauritius is about as close to paradise on earth as it is possible to get.

Marketing Mauritius

Published on January 20, 2012 in Mauritius. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

On a decent sized map of the world, Mauritius can look suspiciously like a printer’s errant drop of ink, or a blot left behind by an itinerant fly, yet it remains one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. Perhaps the most obvious attraction, and certainly the image that first springs to mind about the country, is the coastline. Long, white stretches of beach, bordered on the one side by the calm waters of a clear lagoon and, on the other, either by palm or fir trees, fix Mauritius firmly in the mind as a stereotyped island paradise.

These charms are not, however, unique to Mauritius. Islands in the Caribbean, the Seychelles, the Maldives and the nearby French island of Réunion have equally beautiful and popular coastlines, so what is it that entices visitors back to Mauritius again and again? The food, the friendliness of the residents, the colourful hybrid of cultures and the economic and political stability of the country are all factors highly in the island’s favour.

Although tourism is not, as is commonly believed, the main economy of the small island state, it certainly contributes more than a fair amount to the well-being of the country. Property owners in Mauritius do not always have the budget or capacity to attract potential visitors to the island and, therefore, often choose to do business through agency partners like Isla-Mauricia in order to secure bookings.

Isla-Mauricia started in the year 2000 and, as such, was a forerunner in the internet accommodation marketing sector. The team personally visit, photograph and describe each property listed on their website, ensuring the complete transparency of the end product. They also have a variety of pages with useful facts regarding Mauritius, such as visa and customs information, vaccinations and healthcare on the island, transport, currency and telephone, internet and postal advice.

The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority is responsible for promoting the country to the rest of the world but, once potential travellers have become interested in the island, the best spaces for sussing out available accommodation and the best times to travel are the tour agency websites. Here all the information about accommodation in Mauritius is gathered together in one place, making decisions about dates and budgets easier than you ever would have believed possible. A further advantage with an agency like Isla-Mauricia is the multi-national team who can deal with requests and questions in a number of different languages, reducing the possibility for errors arising out of misunderstanding and miscommunication.

Let your mind waver no longer. Making a decision about where to spend your holiday, where to stay and what to do when you are there has never been easier. Simply place yourself in the capable and willing hands of the Isla-Mauricia team, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

Chinese tourism in Mauritius

Published on January 20, 2012 in Mauritius. 5 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Mauritius is comprised of numerous different cultures and ethnic groups, all contributing to the open and friendly world-renown hospitality of the island. Amongst the many groups that make up the Mauritian people are French, Indian, Chinese and Creole. The significant portion of Sino-Mauritians, who count for roughly three percent of the population, makes this small island in the Indian Ocean an attractive holiday destination for many Chinese tourists.

Gastronomically speaking, Mauritius caters to a variety of different tastes and palates with its homogeneous mix of world cuisines. Of particular interest to Chinese tourists, however, is the predominance in Chinese restaurants and dumpling vendors. Chinese migrants started to arrive on the island near the end of the nineteenth century, hailing predominantly from the south east of China. This influx of people from the Cantonese region, which is well known for the variety and sophistication of its meals, has shaped the modern face of Sino-Mauritian cuisine. Common fare, favoured across ethnic groups on the island, includes fried rice or noodles, chop suey and spring rolls while more exotic delicacies like shark fin or abalone soup are found only in select Chinese restaurants.

The most important Chinese festival celebrated on the island is the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year which usually occurs in January or February of the Gregorian calendar. On the day of the festival fireworks, especially firecrackers, are lit to chase away evil spirits and special celebrations are held in the China Town area of Port Louis. These celebrations include exotic street decorations and performances of the lion and dragon dancers.

The languages spoken in Mauritius include English, French, Mauritian Creole, Hindi, Tamil,  Urdu, Telugu, Marathi, Bhojpuri, Hakka and Mandarin. While English is the official language of the island, most media is in French and the most common language spoken is Mauritian Creole. Although the Chinese languages of Hakka and Mandarin are spoken on the island, the proportion of native speakers is relatively small and, owing to the size and relative insulation of the island, there has been a wide divergence from Meixian Hakka in terms of vocabulary and pronunciation.

For the Chinese tourist, however, there are a few of newspapers printed in Mandarin. These include the Chinese Daily News (中华日报), the China Times (华侨时报), The Mirror (镜报) and Hua Sheng Bao (华声报). This last paper, which started as a daily in Chinese, eventually changed its format to become a monthly paper running to eight pages, including one page each of English and French news.

Tourists from China, therefore, are guaranteed a certain feeling of a home-away-from-home when they visit the beautiful, tropical island of Mauritius. They are able to savour the familiar delights of traditionally prepared food, read papers in Chinese and enjoy the celebrations of important festivals. In addition to this, however, they can also partake in the rich variety of Mauritian culture and cuisine, enjoy the pristine white beaches, sample the otherworldly delights of snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of the turquoise lagoon and enjoy world-class hospitality.

Accommodation in Mauritius

Published on January 20, 2012 in Mauritius. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Mauritius, the small, tropical island in the south-west Indian Ocean, is an excellent year-round haven for those desiring sunshine, outstanding beaches and overwhelming hospitality. With good reason Mauritius is ranked amongst the top world travel destinations, harmoniously blending the best of French and English colonial influences with Creole, Indian and Chinese cultures.

What is there not to like about soft, white sand beaches, the warm, clear waters of the coral lagoon, breathtaking views of dramatic landscapes, riotously tropical flora and friendly, welcoming local residents? With personal safety ever a concern in this day and age, visitors to Mauritius can relax and unwind in the almost unworldly sense of peace and harmony on the island.

In terms of seasons and the best time to visit the island, summer stretches officially from November to April and, during this time, the coastal temperatures are usually just above 30º C. Although beautifully hot, these months are also marked by intense humidity, tempered by the light sea breeze. Between January and March is the cyclone season, which brings strong winds and heavy rain storms to the island. Winter in Mauritius is never too severe with average temperatures of 24º C and a most welcome drop in humidity. During the winter months the average sea temperature drops from the summer high of 28º C to about 22º C.

Owing to the beautiful weather, outstanding hospitality and dramatic landscapes, in recent years revenue from the tourism sector in Mauritius has risen by over ten percent and, yet, it appears that the hotel industry is not profiting much from this increase. More and more, visitors to the island are opting for different types of accommodation, such as self-catering properties like villas, apartments and the RES and IRS developments. The latter, in particular, are increasingly popular as they allow buyers the opportunity to apply for a Mauritian residence permit and make the island their permanent holiday home.

For tourists desiring short-term rentals for their sojourn, there are a number of different agents on the island through whom such holiday lets can be booked. Isla-Mauricia is one of these, working with a large network of different property owners in Mauritius to give their clients the most flexible arrangements for their holidays. Not only can traditional hotel accommodation be found, but also holidays in cosy, family run bed and breakfasts, luxurious five-star villas, self-catering apartments and beach-side cottages.

Booking through a tourism agent not only guarantees prospective visitors to the island the best possible choice of accommodation, but also the peace of mind that comes with dealing with a reputable company rather than with unknown individuals. Make the most of your opportunities by acquainting yourself with the full range of accommodation options open to you. Whether your tastes and budgets run to five-star hotels, mountain chalets, luxury villas or small hotels and bed and breakfasts, Mauritius will welcome you with open arms.

Mauritius Luxury Hotel Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort South Coast

Published on December 30, 2011 in Mauritius and Mauritius Hotels. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

South – Bel Ombre

At this hotel you can expect an exceptional range of services; there is a selection of land and water-based sports on offer including the amazing 18-hole golf course and daily water-skiing lessons – after which you can relax and pamper yourself in the Seven Colours Spa. The hotel provides different room types which are ideal for families or couples. There is a large range of restaurants and bars, and amenities to suit every type of tourist; guests can relax in the spa or try their hand at golf or chill out in the new C Beach Club. For younger guests there is the Timomo & Friends Mini Club, and even an activities centre in the C Beach Club for teens.

Click here for more details about Mauritius Luxury Hotel Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort South Coast located in Mauritius, South – Bel Ombre.

Luxury Mauritius Holidays in a 5 Star Villa – HERITAGE The Villas

Published on December 27, 2011 in Mauritius and Mauritius Villas. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

South – Bel Ombre

Experience an unforgettable holiday full of rest and relaxation. The resort offers different-sized luxury villas in the heart of the unspoilt South of Mauritius. Nestled in the Domaine de Bel Ombre between the mountains and the Indian Ocean, and in the midst of breath-taking beautiful surroundings; these picturesque villas offer elegance, comfort, exclusivity and an outstanding service which will fulfil your every wish. An 18-hole golf course, a manor house from the 19th century, and access to the two neighbouring luxury resorts namely the Heritage Le Telfair and Heritage Awali Golf Resort & Spa complete the profile of these villas. Here, you have found paradise.


Click here for more details about Luxury Mauritius Holidays in a 5 Star Villa – HERITAGE The Villas, South – Bel Ombre.

North Coast Mauritius Luxurious Beach Apartments – PLAGE BLEUE

Published on December 16, 2011 in Mauritius and Mauritius Apartments. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

North West – Trou aux Biches

Situated on the beautiful Trou aux Biches coastline, these luxury, self-catering apartments offer guests outstanding comfort and relaxation. For a memorable beach holiday in Mauritius, these apartments with their stunning views of the Indian Ocean and lush, tropical gardens, will ensure a refreshing stay on the island.

Click here for more details about North Coast Mauritius Luxurious Beach Apartments – PLAGE BLEUE located in Mauritius, North West – Trou aux Biches.

Mauritius Baie du Tombeau The West of Mauritius

Published on December 5, 2011 in Mauritius and Mauritius Regions. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

Mauritius Baie du Tombeau The West of Mauritius

Baie du Tombeau is a suburb of Port-Louis that stretches itself along the west coast of Mauritius. It has its own flair and tropical setting. Mainly a residential area where mostly Mauritians reside who work in Port-Louis and outskirts towns. It’s the kind of place where…

Click here for more details about this region in Mauritius Baie du Tombeau The West of Mauritius