Crossroads for the east and the west, home to the extinct dodo and the hypnotic music style of Sega, Mauritius is the ideal island destination.

Located in the Indian Ocean about 900 km from Madagascar, this small nation is composed of the two islands: Mauritius and Rodrigues.

Over the last five centuries, Mauritius has been occupied by various peoples from all over the globe. Arabs trading along the Indian Ocean were probably the earliest settlers. Then, in the sixteenth century the Portuguese came to Mauritius. They weren’t particularly interested in the island and it would be the Dutch who would give Mauritius its name. Named after Prince Maurice of Orange, Mauritius would, in subsequent years, fall into the hands of the British and the French.

This rocky history provides for the diversity of Mauritius. Its African population came in as slaves to work the sugar plantations. The Hindus are the descendants of Indian indentured servants. A significant Chinese population calls Mauritius its home. These people, in turn, intermingled to create the various creoles in Mauritius. Mauritius is a multilingual society with English, French and Hindi been spoken widely across the country. The beauty of the Mauritian culture can perhaps only be rivaled by the beauty of the island itself.

Western Mauritius is known for its long, relatively unspoiled beaches that offer unforgettable Mauritius holiday opportunities. Lying on the edge of a jungle and grazing the beginnings of the ocean, the Casela Nature and Pleasure Park takes utmost advantage of its surroundings. In a park filled by the rarest of fauna, the guest can either opt to go for a walk with lions, sit down to pet cheaters, tickle giant tortoises or simply go quad biking.

For those on an adrenaline seeking venture, there is the breathtaking hanging bridge suspended between two craggy peaks of volcanic rock. In this eco-friendly park, man and the wild come closer to each other than ever before. Casela is habitat to about 1500 species of birds, including the rare pink pigeon.

Home to the famous Tamarin wave, the western region of Mauritius is also a regular surfer’s paradise. With hotels located comfortably on the beach, it’s not hard to imagine yourself waking up at the crack of dawn and chasing that elusive perfect wave.

The Tamarin golf course promises to take the guest on whirlwind of adventure, and this is even before hole 18. Stretching from the sandy beaches of southern Mauritius, and falling off with the jagged cliffs of the inland, the Tamarin golf course will be an haven for almost anybody, even those who don’t like golf.

When the English spotted the globe with the stout Martello towers, they were hoping that they would withstand rifle fire and cannon balls. The remains of eighteenth century Martello towers in Western Mauritius are a hearkening to a lost era, an era that should never be forgotten. The Martello are only a symbol of what was the tragic past of Mauritius. Passed along from colonial power to colonial power, this island was one of the key players in the slave trade. Most of its population owes its ancestry to slaves or to indentured servants.

A vivid reminder of this period is the Le Morne Brabant. Jutting rudely from the southwestern tip of Mauritius and reaching desperately towards the freedom of the Indian Ocean; this mountain was home to thousands of escaped slaves. Its crevices, its caves and its vegetation hid these fugitives, some of whom chose “the kiss of death” over chains. The villages around Le Morne are remains of the communities that the slaves built. Understanding and appreciating their culture of Sega, healing and art is akin to paying tribute at the shrine of the so many miserable souls that found shelter here.

After taking in the tragic and wild beauty of Le Morne, you should take the opportunity to go to Chamarel.  The first impression that the sight at Chamarel is likely to make, is that of fluffy, gently whipped multi-colored cream. The Earths of Charmarel- as they are called- are the byproduct of volcanic activity and erosion. Thousands of years of erosion on volcanic ash have created a gently undulating spectrum colored landscape. This phenomenon is something that you should not miss while on your visit to Mauritius.

Sitting at the feet of the Moka ranges, and sloping gently to the sea, Port Louis is the throbbing hub of Mauritius. Founded in 1735, it was named after the then French king, Louis XV. However, it is the legacy of its first governor, Mahé de Labourdonnais that is visible even today. Labourdonnais was a famed soldier before he came to Mauritius, and he approached the development of the island with the same military deliberateness and order that he exhibited in the army.  He created a city plan for Port Louis and the remains of his French era can are a key part of the city landscape even today.

Some places to visit in Port Louis include Chinatown. This ethnic enclave on the edge of town only serves as a reminder of the diversely rich population of Mauritius. The population of Chinatown has mostly preserved its culture. Mandarin Chinese is commonplace in this area of town, and evidence of Chinese culture and customs surround the curious tourist. With authentic Chinese restaurants and shops, Chinatown is an excellent place to while away an afternoon.

The Port Louis bazaar also provides is a good place to go shopping for local wares and souvenirs. It retains that uniqueness that can be found in most non-western markets. Here, you can shop for a traditional Mauritian bracelet, or buy a baseball cap, as a fish vender tries cajoles you to taste his first rate tuna. If you want to taste lady luck, the Champs de Mars Racecourse for thoroughbreds is your safe bet.

Getting in touch with the local culture is also not hard in Port Louis. There are three museums, various art galleries and a theater. The most interesting among these is of course the Blue Penny Museum. Opened in 2001, the museum is home the famous blue and red penny stamps dating back to almost two centuries ago.

Pierre Poivre translated literary means Peter Pepper. This name suits perfectly the first proprietor of the Pamplemousse Botanical Garden near Port Louis. This garden is an adventure for the senses in every way. Exotic spices from the Far East scent the air as brightly colored flowers spot the landscape. The Pamplemousse Botanical Garden is known mostly for its giant lilies, but its historical context is also significant. Built in the late eighteenth century, the Pamplemousse Botanical Garden is the oldest of its kind this side of the hemisphere.

Although Port Louis is good for shopping, the pilgrimage site for all born shoppers is further to the north; the Grand Bay. A popular destination for decades, Grand Bay has had the time to adapt to its visitors needs. Here, you will find a medley of shops. The variety ranges from Mauritian style bazaars selling local crafts, to high end boutiques selling couture. The hotels here are above par and the beaches are perfect for going for a cool dip, or simply lazing around and baking in the warm caressing sun. At Grand Bay, you can also go snorkeling, diving or surfing.

Pereybère Beach near Grand Bay is the popular choice for the younger generations. With its calm, deeply blue waters, this public beach is ideal for anyone who wants to relax in a laid back environment. It is here that most locals come for their day out at the beach. With its magnificent coral reefs, Pereybère is perfect for deep sea diving, snorkeling or for boat expeditions. As it is a public beach, Pereybère is likely to be full of people during the school holidays. But this will only add to the excitement and vibe of the place: the more the merrier.

Everywhere you go in Mauritius, you can see the representation of its myriad cultures. Perhaps no culture makes its presence more known than the Hindu culture, as the Triolet Shivala clearly demonstrates. At this village, you will find the oldest and biggest Hindu temple in the country. Built in 1819; this temple will let you experience Hindu culture in a rather unexpected manner.

Sometimes described as the pearl on the crown of Mauritius, the Ile Aux Cerfs to the east is a sandy destination for any sports fanatic. Somewhat removed from the rest Mauritius, the relative isolation of this island provides a good setting for an afternoon picnic or for snorkeling. The waters around it are also deep enough for diving. Flacq market, the largest open air market in Mauritius, is also located in this region. Going shopping in this colorful hive of activity is something no tourist should miss.

There are plenty of thing to do in Mauritius. So whether you decide to go on a historical excursion, have an adventure or simply go shopping, remember to have fun.