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