Welcome to Mauritius
Endless natural beauty and the ultimate island escape
Its very name conjures up images of tropical luxury and stupendous extravagance. There are the beautiful Mauritius cobalt-blue seas, white sandy beaches and luxury hotels. The island is loaded with historic sights, cultural diversity, geographic variation and almost limitless activities to distract guests from the daily grind of beach and pool.
Mauritius has a fascinating history that comes to life in architecture, art, museums and galleries not to mention island architecture. It certainly is a surprise component to luxury Mauritius holiday packages.
Perhaps its single biggest asset is the relaxed charm of its warm and welcoming people. The smells, noises, hustle and bustle of the mercantile capital Port Louis, Africa’s wealthiest city, are never far away, while the busy garment markets in the Central Plateau towns of Quatre Bornes and Curepipe and Black River Gorges National Park’s dramatic virgin forests give the lie to Mauritius being just another beach destination.
Mauritius as a country is made up of Mauritius island, Rodrigues Island and a handful of smaller outer islands. The main island is 64 kilometres long and 45 kilometres wide and with a volcanic origin it is surrounded by coral reefs abundant with marine life. Mauritius beaches are famous, especially the fun ‘Flic en Flac’ beach not to mention Grand Bay, Blue Bay, La Morne and Belle Mare.
English is spoken on the island, all cultures are welcomed and celebrated and the island paradise lives up to its expectations for beautiful, relaxing luxury Mauritius holidays.
Mauritius holiday packages are always enticing where everything is included so you simply relax and enjoy the island vibe.
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“Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius”
– Mark Twain
Mauritius at a glance
This world-renowned island nation sits approximately 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of Africa. It is one of the most visited countries on the continent and for good reason – it’s naturally beautiful, an island paradise with spectacular beaches and endless activities on land and water. It continues to offer a sensational African beach holiday finale to any wildlife safari. English is spoken on the island, all cultures are welcomed and celebrated and the island paradise lives up to its expectations for beautiful, relaxing luxury Mauritius holidays.
Arab sailors were the first to visit back in the middle ages, naming the island Dina Arobi. Next to explore the region in 1507 was Portuguese navigator Diogo Fernandes Pereira. The Portuguese did not stay long and in 1598 a Dutch fleet landed under Admiral Wybrand Van Warwyck who named the island Mauritius after Prince Maurice van Naasau, the ruler of the Dutch Republic at the time.
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Years later, in 1638, the Dutch officially established a small colony and set up sugar cane farms. This only lasted a short time until France took control in 1715. Your Mauritius holiday highlights may stem from the French East India Company influence. Sugar cane plantations flourished and the island became a crucial base on the trade route. The French and British tussled for dominance of Mauritius and France surrendered in 1810 with agreed terms that saw settlers retaining land and property, using the French language and the law of France in criminal and civil matters.
Mauritius was important to Britain as a naval base and air station during World War Two. Then in 1968 Mauritius attained independence and saw the creation of its colourful flag with each band of colour importantly reflecting a component of its history and natural beauty. Red was for the bloodshed at the time of slavery and colonisation whilst blue was the ocean surrounding the islands. Yellow was the shining light of independence, its morning glorious sunrises and green represented the lushness of its island landscapes.
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