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Throughout its colourful history Mauritius was seen as an important jewel in the Indian Ocean crown strategically-located on important trade routes. This not only attracted the attention of several colonial powers, but brought with it the cultures of the East as well as its closer neighbours from Africa and the Middle East.
Situated south of the equator and around 860km to the east of Madagascar, the island was first charted in 1505 by the Portuguese navigator, Don Pedro Mascarenhas. His name was given to the group of three islands now known as Mauritius, Rodrigues and Reunion.
This was followed in 1638 by a period of rule by the Dutch who, amongst other things, introduced sugarcane and farming. In 1715 the French arrived, founding the capital Port Louis, and in 1810 they were conquered by the British who quickly set about social and economic development. Mauritius was granted its independence in 1967 and became a republic in 1992.
From the early seventies Mauritius started to diversify its economy and targeted tourism as a major source of revenue. Today it creates employment for many tens of thousands of people which, with a small population of around 1.2 million people, is one of the island's main economic drivers.
Mauritius's location just north of the Tropic of Capricorn means that it enjoys a warm and gentle climate. The summer season from November offers temperatures of 25-31C, with winter starting in May giving an average of 15-25C. Being pleasantly tropical, the warm rains, more frequent between December and March, create an abundance of lush vegetation, flora and fauna.
In fact this is one of the main attractions of Mauritius. It is famous for its hiking, biking and outdoor pursuits, not just its 330km of coastline and one of the largest unbroken coral reefs in the world. The Black River National Park, the world heritage site at le Morne Mountain and the Pamplemousses Botantical Gardens, created by the Frenchman Pierre Poivre in 1767, are just three examples.
But if it's the beach you're looking for then Mauritius offers gleaming white sands and palm fringed beaches that are synonymous with paradise islands. Something which more than 870,000 visitors discovered in 2009 during their stay in the island's 100 hotels and eight exclusive resorts.
Mauritius offers as much to families as it does to couples with each hotel and resort offering differing services and catering to individual needs from family-friendly to luxurious and intimate. Resorts offer kids clubs, childcare facilities, family activities and excursions. Couples can enjoy first class restaurants, relaxed nightlife and choose from the wide variety of private villas available from some of the world's top hotels.
Famous international brand names such as Four Seasons, Starwood, Hilton, Oberoi and Meridien share the upscale sector with exclusive local operators such as Sun Resorts, Beachcomber and Naiade. All cater to the needs of the discerning traveller who seeks premium quality and individual service.
No more so than with food. Many of these visitors come from diverse ethnic backgrounds themselves, with particular culinary preferences such as vegetarian or Halal, all of which are readily available. So too is a wide choice of ethnic and gourmet cuisines, with a number of resorts offering Michelin star style fine dining. But for those seeking family food, hotels offer the convenience of international buffets and child-friendly menus.
Mauritian food is often characterised by the spicy flavour of 'Creole' - this transcends food as well as Mauritian culture and language. The latter is a hybrid of French and other dialects unique to Mauritius, traced back to the slave trade. It manifests itself in art, music, poetry and dance culminating in the annual 'Kreol' festival every December.
It is also portrayed through Sega and Seggae; traditional music and nostalgic ballads performed by Mauritius's popular artistes some of which resonate with a reggae style beat.
Beyond music, another long standing tradition in Mauritius is golf; on the surface many might think that it's a recent addition to Mauritius's expanding repertoire of attractions, but in fact it has been around for over 150 years. Mauritius was the third country in the world where golf was played, after the UK and India, and boasts the oldest golf course in the southern hemisphere, being established in 1842 at the Mauritius Gymkhana Club. Today there are eight 18 hole and five 9 hole courses to choose from, a golfers dream in a paradise of lush fairways and spectacular greens, many adjacent to the coast.
And it is the coast and sea that Mauritius is arguably most famous for; it gave the island its history and its reason for being. But for today's traveller it offers a wealth of recreation and relaxation. Whether it's deep sea fishing, sailing or scuba diving, the Indian Ocean and reef surrounding Mauritius offer incomparable pleasure and beauty.
This is captured in the many spas Mauritius is home to. With leading names in wellness such as Clarins, Givenchy, Guerlain and Shishedo, these sanctuaries of relaxation and health have become a must-visit experience for tourists seeking tranquillity.
Privacy and seclusion have not only attracted some of the world's A List celebrities and royal families, but appealed to a growing number of honeymooners too.
Mauritius is one of the top five places in the world to get married and take honeymoon thanks to its stunning scenery, tropical climate and natural hospitality.
Many of the resorts and hotels in Mauritius have dedicated teams that plan and manage every aspect of a couples' honeymoon or wedding arrangements, making it not just the ideal place to celebrate such an important occasion, but also one of the best organized.
And if you still have some energy left after all that relaxation and recreation, then perhaps you can give your wallet some exercise in the many bustling markets and streets of Mauritius's capital, Port Louis. Here you'll find many shops offering duty free prices alongside the colourful street hawkers, colonial buildings, shops, churches, temples and mosques.
So Mauritius not only offers exclusivity and a tapestry of colour, but a truly safe and fascinating experience that has literally something to satisfy every visitor. Enjoy! For further details www.tourism-mauritius.mu
