Today, the city is a perfect blend of past and present. Its architecture reveals the different masters who have ruled it at various times. The capital is the best place to catch up on the island’s history and past adventures, told through its museums, statues, street names, and architecture.

The city’s Le Caudan and Port Louis waterfronts are modern and excellent places to experience Mauritian culinary delights, entertainment, and shopping. At the waterfront, the Blue Penny Museum will take you through the island’s history coupled with a rich display of artefacts.

Away from the waterfront is the old General Post Office (GPO) of 1810 – 1868, which today is a national monument. In 1847, this post office made its debut in history as the first among the British colonies to release its own postage stamps. If you appreciate stamp collecting, there is the Philately Museum, by the GPO, that displays collectors’ stamps, both local and international.

Nearby is the colourful 1828 Port-Louis Central Market, commonly known as the “Bazaar”. The old market is saturated in a mixture of scents, and showcases a variety of merchandise- handicrafts, sculptures, textile, perfumes, medicinal herbs, spices, and vegetables. This is perhaps the best place to pick a souvenir in the city. You also have the chance to delight in local taste bud teasers, including the famed ‘dholl puris’ – pancakes accompanied by a curry sauce.

Leaving the market behind, the street opens up to a different world –the Place d'Armes –a promenade overlooking the harbour. With the statue of Mahè de La Bourdonnais, the city pays homage to its founder. Nearby, stands Mauritius’ oldest building, the elegant 1729 French colonial Government House with its embellished iron gates. The city is pasted with many statues of worthies from the past, and numerous 18th and 19th century structures as well as modern buildings.

As you tour the capital, don’t miss out the Aapravasi Ghat Immigration Depot –now recognised as a World Heritage Site. This is the point where most of the forbearers of Indo-Mauritians made their entry into the island, mostly as indentured labourers. Over half a million people passed through the depot from 1834, and right up to the 1920’s.

Today, a commemoration of the arrival of indentured labourers is held here every November. The British –who were instrumental in abolishing slavery, invented the indenture system as a means by which free men could provide cheap labour in the colonies.

Other interesting places around the city include: the Mauritius Institute –which houses the country’s Natural History Museum and the Public Library; the tombs of Port Louis Cemetery; the 19th century Citadel -for a breathtaking view over the city; the elegant Port Louis Theatre; Galèrie d’Art de Port Louis –which shows local art; the Domaine Les Pailles -for an open-air display setting of olden Mauritian lifestyle, and Chinese Quarter –a Mauritian version of China Town.

The legendary 1812 Champ de Mars racecourse is not to be missed. This is the island’s only racecourse, whose claim to fame is based on being the oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere. The racing season runs from May to November. There are also various ancient religious sites, which include colourful Hindu temples, Chinese pagodas and shrines, the Sainte Croix Church and the Jummah Mosque.

Heading north from Port Louis, you go through a stunning coastline, and see some of Mauritius’ most beautiful bay beaches. Grand Baie has no rival as the most popular spot on the island. Bustling and lively, the bay offers some of the best shopping for local textile and artefacts, fine dining, entertainment and the most vibrant nightlife on the Grand Baie’s newly renovated La Cuvette Beach is worth a visit. This is also one of a few places in the world where you can enjoy underwater walking.

A short distance away, the mildly rugged beach of Trou aux Biches is a favourite with sunbathers, golfers and fishers. Not favourable for swimming, the stretch compensates with very good fishing. Small pools between the rocks are fun spots for shallow fishing, but big game fishing is even bigger here. The turquoise waters offer some of the world finest opportunities for giant blue and black marlin, and tuna fishing. After your fishing expedition, a 9-hole golf course is nearby for a relaxing game.

The northern waters are the reason why so many yachters throng the island. Off the shores, enjoy some sailing, water skiing and wind surfing. The Pereybère cove presents one of the island’s finest public beach and bathing spot. A stop at Paloma Beach is the best place to catch picturesque views of the smaller northern islands.

If you are not for fishing, water sports or golfing, then try sightseeing. The fishing village of Cap Malheureux –at the island’s most northerly tip -is of historic significance. Be sure to check out the red roofed chapel, renowned for its intricate interior designs and fixtures.

A tour to the model shipbuilding factory in Goodlands is a good experience for those who love the art. There is also a flea market here, where you can get good bargains on local fabrics, fruits and vegetables. Triolet, the longest village on the island has the distinction of hosting the 1891 Shivala Hindu temple –the largest in Mauritius.

Your trip to Mauritius will not be complete without a tour to the world-renowned Royal Botanical Gardens at Pamplemousses. On the gardens 25 hectares, you find a vast collection of indigenous and exotic plant life, some unique to the island. There are over 80 palm varieties, but the most glorious of all floras here is the giant water lily –Victoria Amazonica.

The gardens also house a number of animal enclosures, and a multi-faith graveyard. A good trekking or hiking challenge can be taken up at the Nicoliere Mountains south west of the gardens.

The eastern edge of the island is a wild coastal plain more famous for its exceptional beaches, fashion boutiques, restaurants and entertainment spots. But the best of the east is ile aux Cerfs- a small island 10 minutes by boat from the mainland-, which has probably the most beautiful beach in Mauritius. On the east coast, you find two golf courses, and excellent water sports- parasailing, scuba diving, water skiing, yachting, big game fishing, and paragliding.

At the colourful Flacq flea market, you will have an opportunity to socialize with the locals, and practice the art of bargaining. The 1840 Victoria Museum-, which also houses the Maniglier Foundation and a Contemporary Art Museum, -makes an interesting tour. At the Grand River South East, where the river's current meets the ocean's tide, you can see some impressive ravines and spectacular cascades.

At the Belle Mare Beach and the Waterpark & Leisure Village, there awaits loads of water fun, and entertainment- especially for children. Towards the Lion Mountains, the sugar estates and pineapple plantations make a good day excursion. A stop at Mahèbourg, the region’s capital is a good way to begin or end a tour of the islands east and south.

The south is an area of shrubby tropical grasslands, and rugged landscapes. Some of the attractions here include: sugar fields, the Savanne Mountains, Gris Gris Beaches, Rochester Falls, birding at Bassin Blanc, the luxuriant La Vanille Reserve and Crocodile Park, the Robert Edward Hart Museum, the Tea Museum, the Telfair Gardens, and the Blue Bay Marine Park.

Most of the beaches in the south are shabby, and are not good for swimming and water sports. At the Battery of the Pointe du Diable, you will hear legends of the war fought between the British and the French at Grand Port.

Western Mauritius is on the leeward side of the island and therefore enjoys calm conditions. The region is characterised by lush natural vegetation, and has extensive sugar fields, long stretches of gorgeous beaches, and hilly landscapes.

At the Black River Gorges National Park, you will find the largest remaining indigenous forests in the country. The park offers excellent hiking, and nature lovers will be delighted by the variety of floral life endemic to the island, as well as wild boars, monkeys and birds. It is here that efforts to revive the threatened Mauritian Kestrel and the Pink Pigeon are based. The hills present exceptional birding, game viewing and panoramic views.

The Morne Brabant, which served as a shelter for runaways in the days of slavery, today hosts a major kite–surf event. Other attractions include the Chamarel Falls, a charming multi-coloured hill at Chamarel,the La Preneuse archaeological site, and the beautiful gardens at
Casela -with its variety of bird and wildlife. The Tamarin Bay is perfect for surfing, scuba diving and is a good place to watch dolphins in their protected habitat.

On the western countryside, you can enjoy walking tours through trails at Morne Brabant, the Tourelle de Tamarin, Yemen Valley and the Black River Gorges National Park. At the Yemen Valley you will be able to see herds of antelopes, zebras, deer and a few other ungulates you wouldn’t expect to find on the island.

At the hilly central highlands –which are mainly occupied by residential areas, you can take a cultural tour. Within Rose-Hill Town, visit the Mauritius Glass Gallery and the Textile Museum, and you can also shop at the centres and intermittent markets of Curepipe and Quatre Bornes. Also enjoy serene sightseeing at the Balfour Gardens at Beau Bassin, and breathtaking sights from the island’s second highest peaks at Pieter Both.

Many people from all over find the romantic ambience of Mauritius very conducive for a marriage ceremony and honeymooning. The procedures are simple, but it is advisable to commence the paperwork at least 30 days before the date of the ceremony.

For an island in the midst of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is surprisingly accessible. International travellers usually enter through a major airport hub in Europe –especially London and Paris, Asia –mainly Singapore, Hong Kong, Mumbai and Dubai, and Africa - Johannesburg and Nairobi.

There are plenty of good hotels in Mauritius - ranging from 5-star luxury to those with just basic amenities. Budget stay comes in the form of bungalows, guesthouses and self-catering apartments. The period June to September and around Christmas are the busy seasons and if you plan to travel you are advised to book your accommodation in advance. Mauritius is still relatively affordable, though there has been talk of turning it into an up market beach destination.

Mauritius generally enjoys relatively moderate climatic conditions throughout its two seasons of summer and winter. Summer lasts between November and April, when it is hot and humid with temperatures scaling an average of 26-30 degrees Celsius. There are heavy rains in summer between February and March.

The cyclone season comes in summer though Mauritius hardly ever gets a direct hit due to the small size of the island. December to March is the best time to go scuba diving as the waters are clearer and marine life is abundant. Schedule your deep-sea fishing from October to April.

Winter falls between May and October, and it is then much cooler and windier. With temperatures falling to 20 degrees Celsius, this is definitely the best time to go surfing and gliding. The beaches are good all year round, making Mauritius a year-round destination. The south, east and central plateau are much cooler and wetter relative to the north and west.

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