| With a number of luxury hotels in Mauritius, this | | | | Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius has its own |
| beautiful tropical paradise attracts a large number | | | | market with an amazing selection of fruit, meat |
| of visitors and is a favoured holiday destination. | | | | and fish, vegetables, crafts, clothing and spices. |
| Mauritius is a picturesque island with mountain | | | | Bustling with commercial activity throughout the |
| peaks and lush green fields that border against a | | | | day, a trip to the market gives you a real glimpse |
| luminous blue aqua lagoon. If it's your first time | | | | of island life. The majority of resorts here cater |
| visiting the island you will be spoilt for choice when | | | | for the all inclusive market giving you the freedom |
| it comes to finding soft white sandy beaches. | | | | to sample the delectable cuisine without breaking |
| Unlike most other tropical islands, Mauritius has | | | | the budget. The currency is the Mauritian Rupee |
| extinct volcanoes and the varied landscape, world | | | | (Rs.) which is divided into 100 cents (cs). The |
| class hotels and myriad of water sports available | | | | prices in the shops are fairly reasonable compared |
| in a stunning beach setting, makes Mauritius a | | | | to what you would expect to pay at home with a |
| unique holiday destination. If you are considering a | | | | bottle of local wine costing about 65-300 Rupees. |
| holiday in Mauritius there are some interesting | | | | Mauritius is approximately 2000 km off the south |
| facts you may want to know. There are a | | | | eastern coast of Africa and lies east of |
| number of tour operators offering holidays to | | | | Madagascar. Flights to Mauritius from Europe are |
| Mauritius and with the exclusion of the Christmas | | | | regular with Air Mauritius operating 30 weekly |
| holidays and the New Year period there is no high | | | | flights to and from all the major European cities. |
| or low season to visit the island. Temperatures | | | | British Airways operates four weekly flights, |
| are pleasant throughout the year although you | | | | Emirates three and Condor one. Of course you |
| may prefer to visit between July and September, | | | | will need a valid passport to travel as well as a |
| when temperatures are lower and there is less | | | | return or onward ticket. Visas are required with |
| humidity. December to March is the ideal time for | | | | the exception of people with EEC or American |
| diving when the sea is at its clearest. In the | | | | passports. Pack a combination of beach wear and |
| central part of the island the temperature can | | | | casual clothes. If you are visiting between the |
| fluctuate from 19˚C in August to | | | | cooler months of June to September you may |
| 26˚C in February. Although the island is | | | | want to carry warmer clothing for the evening. |
| situated close to Africa, Mauritius benefits from a | | | | Just note that you may have to wear more |
| blend of diverse cultures and religions. It is actually | | | | appropriate clothing when visiting religious places |
| more influenced by its British and French history | | | | and long trousers are usually required when dining |
| and most people are bilingual. The population | | | | out in the evening at most luxury hotels in |
| consists of Creole, Chinese, Muslims, Europeans as | | | | Mauritius. |
| well as a large Indian community. The blend and | | | | For further information about luxury hotels in |
| rich diversity of the island is certainly reflected in | | | | Mauritius please visit Beachcomber Tours at or call |
| the fabulous cuisine. The food choice extends to | | | | 01483 445610. |
| Indian, Chinese, French, Italian, British and Creole. | | | | |